355  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  April 9, 2024 Perry, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners met ina a regular session at 9:00 am on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry, Georgia, with Chairman Perdue presiding and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson, and Talton present. County Attorney Tom Hall, Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Director of Operations Brian. Jones  were also present.  Chairman Perdue gave the Invocation.  Commissioner Talton led those present int the Pledge of Allegiance.  2nd Lt. Paul Wagner, Program Leadi int the 407th Supply Chain Management Squadron at RAFB spoke about his military career, beginning at age 28 when he was commissioned into the US Air Force as an officer through the ROTC program at Valdosta State University. Lt. Wagner spoke about his current job which consists of 800 personnel with 8 being active- duty military. He said the principal duty of his squadroni ist to ensure parts and supplies are always available for mechanics to replace parts on aircraft as needed and when needed. He closed by saying hei is gladt to be stationed at Robins Air Force Base with Georgia being his home state. Each Commissioner and Chairman Perdue thanked Lt. Wagner for his service, commitment to our freedom and sharing! his story and information with those ina attendance. Chairman Perdue read a proclamation declaring April as Safe Digging Month in Houston County. He spoke about safe digging practices, how to keep from damaging infrastructure, and stressing the need to call 811 before digging so lines in the ground could be located. Chairman Perdue also thanked staff of Public' Works for their work ine ensuring safe work areas Motion! by Mr. Gottwals, second by! Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the Building Inspections Administrative Secretary, Rebecca Kidd, presented Special Exception County Attorneyl Tom Hallr made al blanket statement fort thel benefit of alla applicants for Special Exceptions for home occupations, that even if the Board of Commissioners approves an application, neighborhood covenants may still impose certain restrictions upon or against home businesses. These restrictive covenants are not superseded by any action the Board of Commissioners takes. The actions taken byt the Board will not change any provision withint the Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened a Publicl Hearing.  when building or repairing.  minutes from the March 19, 2024 meeting.. Applications #2750, #2751, #2753- #2758, and #2760.  covenant that prohibits any commercial or business activity. Applicant #2750 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2751 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2753 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2754 was present, there was no opposition.  Applicant #2755 was present, Victor Wade, president of the Overlook Subdivision Homeowners Association presentedi information onl behalf oft the neighborhood as tov whyt the neighborhood was in opposition tol his application. Mr. Striggles then spoke ins support of his  application and answered: some oft the points Mr. Wade presented.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued onl Page 356    356  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 355  Applicant #2756 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2758 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2760 was present, there was no opposition. Chairman Perdue asked the Commissioners ift they had anyo questions.  Applicant #2757 was not present as this application was tabled at the Zoning and Appeals  meeting.  Mr. Byrd commented ont the civility of their conversation. He also askeda a question about the number ofe employees Mr. Striggles said he had coming to his house to meet before goingt toa  jobs site.  Mr. Striggles replied he had one employee that came tot the house. about! having only one employee coming to hisr residence.  Mr. Gottwals also had questions regarding employee traffic and vehicles coming to Mr. Striggles' house tor meet! before goingt toaj job sitel based on comments Mr. Striggles had made Mr. Striggles again replied that there was primarily one person, sometimes two that came to Mr. Gottwals then asked County Attorney Tom Hall if it would be possible to table this application and sendi it back tot the Zoninga and Appeals Boards so additional information could Mr. Halla advised that would be the best course ofa actiont tot take in his opinion. There being no further comments Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the following Special Exception Applications to include any and all stipulations as noted on the Zoning & Appeals recommendation: and Section 95 Requirements staff report:  his home. be gathered.  the regular portion oft the meeting.  #2750 #2751 #2753 #2754 #2756 #2758 #2760 #2755 #2757  Keshier and Mandisa Randolph Stacy) Yearby Brittany Newkirk Gail McLoon Daniel and Brittany Tate Marcus and Sabrina Pinkney David and Mary Hankinson Alvin Striggles Antti Palomaki  Vegan Deserts (Internet) DIYF Parties Business Short-term Rentals Business Accounting Business Jewelry Business (Internet) Home Healthcare Business Tile and Remodeling Business Framing Contractor Business Painting and Art Sales  and tot table the following Special Exception Applications:  Ms. Kidd advised the applicants that were approved on the next step in the process, which would be obtaining their business license through the Commissioner's office. Ms. Robinson presented a request for acceptance of a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to update the County's Pre- Disaster Mitigation Plan.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 357    357  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 356  Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the acceptance of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to update the County's Pre- Disaster Mitigation Plan in the amount of $24,444.00 with a federal share of $21,999.60, a state share of $977.76, a local share of $1,466.64, and Subrecipient Management cost of Chairman Perdue thanked Fire Chief Chris Stoner for finding and writing these grants in Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval of a ground lease between the Board of Commissioners of Houston Countya and the Central Georgia Soccer Association. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing ofal lease between the Boardo ofCommissioners. of Houston County and Central Georgia Soccer Association for a term of 10y years on property located at the corner of Perry Parkway Chairman Perdue advised this would be similar tot the lease for the County property on Cohen Walker Road. He also stated that this action would allow for an expansion of the Central Georgia Soccer Association and provide them with more practice space. He also advised that the Central Georgia Soccer Association would have to comply with all City of Perry requirements and regulations. He also commented that an additional benefit would be that Mr. Byrd presented a request for the purchase of 1.18 acres of property which will provide Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the purchase ofp property totaling 1.18 acres, located on South Hwy 41, from David G. Puryeari in the amount of$13,000 to provide access to the Henderson Water Tower Site. This purchase Chairman Perdue advised this action would make it easier to access the water tower site as Mr. Byrd presented a request for budget adjustments tot the ARPA Fiscal Recovery Fund. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals and carried unanimously by all to approve the  $1,635.60." The County's portion willl be "in-kind" funding asl labor cost.  support oft the County.  and Kings Chapel Road.  the County would nol longer ber responsible for mowing that land. access tot the Henderson Water Tower Sitei from Hwy 41.  isb being paidf from Water Capital funds. the location isl landlocked.  following adjustments to the ARPAF Fiscal Recovery Fund budget:  Revenue Loss Projects 1 Health Department. Addition 2 Airport T-Hangers 3 Public Safety (LPR) Cameras 4 State CourtA Addition (FFE) 5 State Court Parking Lot Addition 6 911 Water Damage Remedlation/Renovation 7 Non-Profit Org. Revenue! Support Major Category Projects 1 Phase IIG Gilbert Road W/L Ext 2 Phasel III Sewell Road W/LExt 3 Hwy 341 & Graham Rd W/LI Ext 4 Scott Road & Scott Road Ext W/LE Ext  $6,195,342 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $315,652 $344,438 $361,157 $ 105,000 $916,768 $1,544,400 $1,082,400 $887,040  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 358    358  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 357  5 Hwy 341/Kings Crest Sub W/L Ext 6 Bear Branch Remote Well 7 Bear Branch Remote Well Piping 8 Dunbar Road Well Site/Facilities Modifications 10 Bonaire Elevated" Tank 11 Houston Healthcare- EMS 12 Woodfield Drainage Improvements Phase II  $2,669,700 $2,208,028 $267,914 $3,000,000 $200,000 $7,000,000 $2,000,000 $ 700,000  9 Middle Flint Behavioral Health Care Crisis Stabilization Unit Repairs &  Chairman Perdue: statedt that allo oft the ARPA! projects have had their budgets reduced downt to current costs except for the Health Department which had ani increase due to architectural cost increases. He also statedt that drainage improvements for the Woodfield: Subdivision had also been added as an ARPA project. He mentioned that all ARPA funds must be obligated by the end of the calendar year. Also, that resurfacing of Houston Lake Road and smaller road resurfacing projects would also bec covered by ARPA dollars. Hes stated that a goal would be to not send any ARPA dollars back and that the County may have to spend some ofi its money Mr. Byrd commented that he was happyt tos see thesei infrastructure projects being completed Mr. Byrd presented: ar request toa apply for additional LMIG fundsf fromi the Georgia Department of Transportation to be used for pedestrian improvements at the intersection of SR11 Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton and carried unanimously by all to approve submitting an application for additional LMIG funds tol be used for pedestrian improvements Chairman Perdue advised this location was fort the newJ Jack'sl Links location and that the State offered these additional LMIG funds to cover the pedestrian improvements instead of Jack's Mr. Gottwals presented: a request to apply for the 2024 Local Road Assistance Administration Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson and carried unanimously by all to approve submitting the LRA application for $1,195,568.94 to resurface Houston Lake Road, beginning Chairman Perdue stated that these were additional funds, approved by State Legislators this session that require no match. Chairman Perdue thanked Public Works staff present at the Mr. Gottwals presentedamemorandum ofu understanding between the Houston County Board ofC Commissioners, the Georgia 4-HF Foundation, and Parrish Construction Group, Inc., that had Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the ratification of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Houston County Board of Commissioners; the Georgia 4-H Foundation, and Parrish Construction Group, Inc..  completing some projects to ensure theys get done. for the benefit of Houston County residents. Connector (Perry Parkway) and SR11 (US341).  att thei intersection of SR11 Connector (Perry Parkway) and SR11 (US 341).  Links covering the costs. Grant (LRA).  at SR127 ande endinga at Hunt Road, for a length of2.0miles.  meeting for their work ont this application.  been changed since its approval at the February 20, 2024 meeting.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 359    359  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 358  Mr. Gottwals presented: ar request tot fillt the vacant Assistant Public Defender's position. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the hiring of Kyle Holloman tof fillt the vacant Assistant Public Defender's position at Grade 30 step Ceffective April 15, 2024. Staff have reviewed his qualifications, and he does exceed the Mr. Talton presented ar request to start the bidding process for clearcutting 36.7 acres and the Motion! by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals and carried unanimously bya allt toa approve Public Works and American Forest Management starting the bidding process for clearcutting 36.7 acres and the clearing of 20 acres oft timber for future expansion at the Landfill. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the selection of Nichols, Cauley & Associates, LLC as the new firm for auditing purposes for Mr. Taltont thanked Commissioners Robinson and Gottwals for their work ins selecting this firm. He also thanked Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar and Chief Financial Officer Danylle Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the Chairman! Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened Public Comments. There being no further comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Comments portion of  requirements for the Cstep.  clearing of 20a acres oft timber for future expansion att the Landfill.  Houston County.  George for their assistance and recommendation: as well. payment of the bills totaling $5,745,965.18. Ms. Meg Mehserle: spoke aboute election integrity.  the meeting.  Chairman Perdue then opened thet floor for Commissioner's Comments.  Mr. Byrdr recognized Robins Financial Credit Union ont the occasion oft their 70th anniversaryof operations in the Houston County community. He also thanked Christina O'Brien and the Credit Union's Board of Directors for allt that they do. He also mentioned allt the political signs postedi int the Right-of-Way: and requested that all candidates work to adhere to the law ofr no Mr. Talton commented ont the professionalism oft thel Board and the citizens oft the community whent they came to express their concerns. He also recognized Board of Elections Supervisor, Debra Presswood, and her staff for receiving the Eagle Awardi in recognition of the high level Commissioner Robinsont thanked everyone for beingi ina attendance and said she was proudt to Commissioner Gottwals recognized the fact that it was Commissioner Talton's birthday and  signs postedi int the Right-of-Way.  ofp proficiency, professionalism and secured elections her office! has run.  represent the citizens ofH Houston County. encouraged everyone to wish him al happyl birthday.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 360    360  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 359  Chairman Perdue mentioned that Ms. Robinson also recently celebrated al birthday, that Mr. Talton's was today, and the Mr. Gottwals would be celebrating his birthday on Thursday. He wisheda allav veryl happy birthday. He also expressed his appreciation tot thel Public' Works Roads and Bridges crew who were working in Crisp County assisting the residents downi in Cordele who were affected by the recent tornado. He thanked the citizens of Houston County for providing the equipment needed tol handle situations like this and was happy we could assist Motion to adjourn by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all. Meeting  our neighboring counties inr need.  adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director of Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner