338  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  February 20, 2024 Warner Robins, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners meti ina a regular session at 5:00 pm on1 Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at the Houston County Annexi in Warner Robins, Georgia, with Chairman Perdue presiding and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson, and Talton present. County Attorney Tom Hall, Director ofA Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Director of Operations Brian  Jones were also present.  Commissioner Byrd led those present int the Pledge of Allegiance.  Reverend Doctor Rutha Jackson, author of The Battlefield of Belonging, gave the invocation and spoke about Black History Month, focusing ont the history ofr racial equality struggles and She spoke ofp pioneering African Americans in Houston County, Silas Smith and Oscar Tommy, Sr. She spoke about the contributions that they and others made for equality advancements fort the African American community! in Houston County. She concluded by referencinga abook, We Came in Chains: "Lost Links" History and Lineage of African American Families from The Chairman and each board member thanked Rev. Dr. Jackson for her service to the community. They also thanked her for sharing her experiences, the racial history in Houston Houston County Fire Chief Chris Stoner spoke of his thanks to the Flint Energies Foundation for their support and the $40,000 in grant money used to purchase four battery-powered pieces of extrication equipment that will be used to rescue personnel trapped in vehicles Houston County Extension Coordinator Brandi McGonagil spoke of her thanks to the Flint Energies Foundation for the support they received from the foundation and for the $20,000 Flint Energies Foundation grant that will be used to fund an outdoor classroom for students who participate in activities through the County Agent's Office in Houston County. Representatives from Flint Energies present included Jeremy Nelms, who made comments regarding the Flint Energies grant program andy who then introduced senior Flint Energies staff Vice Presidents Rogie Roberson: and Marianne McLemore. He then introduced. John LaPino of Community Planner Jake Cox spoke about the United Way Campaign run in 2023 and the results of the campaign. He also mentioned the Jeff Smith Auto Raffle which was another fundraiser and part of the campaign. As an incentive to participate in this raffle, prizes were made available for County employees who participated and a drawing of names for these Chairman! Perdue advised that there was ar need for an add- ont to the agenda and requesteda Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by! Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the  advancement in Houston County.  Houston County, Georgia, by Lavoris Gail Alexander.  County, and the changes and advancements made ink Houston County.  following a collision.  the Flint Foundation Board.  prizes was held with Chairman Perdue picking the tickets at random.  motion to addi item #15, ap Personnel Request. addition ofi item #151 tot the agenda. minutes from the February 6, 2024r meeting.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 339    339  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 338  County Attorney Tom Hall conducted the first reading of a proposed amendment to the Houston County Code of Ordinances. The proposed amendment to Section 62-56 will add Old Hawkinsville Road to the list of roads where through truck traffic is prohibited. A second reading andF Publicl Hearing willl be held att the March5, 2024, 9:00a am Board of Commissioners County Attorney Tom Hall conducted: a second reading ofa proposed amendment to Section 2-273(b) of the Houston County Code of Ordinances regarding Capital Budget Policies. The proposed amendment will redefine a capital project fori inclusion in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) as being any asset or project "in excess of $5,000.00" to be "in excess of Thei firstr reading of this proposed amendment to the Houston County Code of Ordinances was held at the February 6, 2024 meeting. Public notification of the proposed amendment was published int the Houston Home. Journal legal section for three consecutive weeks. A copy of the proposed amendment was onf file att the Superior Court Clerk's office for examination and Chairman Perdue closed the commissioners meeting and opened al Public Hearing. As there were no comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve an amendment to the Houston County Code of Ordinances Section 2-273(b) to increase the requireda asseto or project amounti from "excess of$5,000.00" to be' exesof51000000-Tme  meeting.  $10,000.00."  inspection by the public.  commissioners meeting.  amended! Section 2-273(b) shall read as follows: Sec. 2-273 - Capital budget policies.  (b) Houston County wills seek to develop a five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) annually to direct the financing of and appropriations for all capital projects. Houston County defines a capital project fori inclusioni int the CIP as any asset or project ine excess of$ $10,000.00 Chairman Perdue commented that this action would update and modernize the County's Mr. Byrd presented a rate adjustment recommendation to the Solid Waste Collection Service Agreement. Staff recommends use of the current rate of 5.5% from the US. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index for water, sewer, and trash for the rate adjustment. Itisf further recommendedi thei increased of$1.21i isp passedt throught tot the customer. This increase, effective April1 1,2024, willi increase trash collections ratest to $23.16, and Landfill disposal rates will also increase by! 5.5% per ton for all categories effective thei first billing cycle after. July 1,2024. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the increase, effective April 1, 2024, of trash collection ratest to $23.16. Also, toi increase Landfill disposal rates by 5.5% per ton for all categories, effective the first billing cycle after July 1, Chairman Perdue stated that through this action, the County would be utilizing an existing provision in the contract with Waste Management to keep pace with cost increases and utilizing the CPI (Consumer Price Index). He also said that plans were in place to move toa more economical way of garbage pickup for County residents by moving to an automated pickupr method andi incorporatinga as subscription-type: service that would allowi for residents to  with ane estimated usefull life oft threey years.  Capital Budget Policies.  2024.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 340    340  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 339  choose the level ofs servicet they would liket tol have. He concluded his comments by sayingt that for the last several months, the quality of service Wastel Management has provided for County Mr. Byrd presented a request for Abandonment of Easement for property located at 306 Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing oft the Resolution. Abandoning County Interest in Drainage Easement being any and all interest Houston County may have ina a 20' Drainage Easement that is located on the subject property located at 306 Tharpe Road, Warner Robins, GA 31088. The approval and signing of said Resolution willi further authorize Chairman Perdue tos sign a quit claim deed conveying any and alli interest Houston County may have ini the Drainage Easement to the property owner. All that tract or parcel of land situate, lying and beingi in Land Lot 92 of the Fifth (5th) Land District of Houston County, Georgia, being known as the "20' DRAINAGE EASEMENT (TO_BE ABANDONED): according toal Plat ofSurvey prepared by Frank Cook Dated December 14, 2006, and recordedi in Plat Book 68, Page 60, Clerk'sOffice, Houston Superior Court. This conveyance is subject to any easements recorded or prescriptive for utilities presently Mr. Byrd presented a request for Right-of-Way. Abandonment for property located on Terrell Road. The portion of right-of-way to be considered for abandonment is adjacent to three parcels, and they are asf follows: 640041 (owner Gwendolyn McGinty Peavy); 640024 (owners Timothy S. and Dana G. Blue); and 640 023 (owner Nancy M. Garcia). Pursuant to O.C.G.A.S 32-7-2(b)(1) all property owners with property that sits upon the right-of-way were notified that a public hearing regarding this request would be held today and notice of the public hearing for the purpose of discussing the abandonment was advertised in the Houston Home Chairman! Perdue closedt the Commissioners meeting and opened al Public Hearing. As there were no comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of A Resolution of Right-of-Way Abandonment by the Board of Commissioners of Houston County, Georgia abandoning any and all interest Houston County may have in the portion of the original Terrell Road right-of-way that Public Works has determined to be an unused remnant ofs said right-of-way. The approval and signing of the Resolution will further authorize Chairman Perdue to sign abandonment deeds conveying any and all interest Houston County may havet tot thep property owners owning property adjacent tot the abandoned Chairman Perdue commented that this unused remnant of the original Terrell Road right-of- Mr. Talton presenteda al Memorandum of Agreement between Houston County, City ofWarner Robins, City of Perry, City of Centerville, and the City of Byron that details the bidding  residents has improved. Tharpe Road, Warner Robins, GA.  The easement rights tol be conveyed are asf follows:  existing withint the above- described property.  Journal once a weeki for two weeks.  regular portion oft the commissioners meeting.  portion ofr right-of-way.  way can be abandoned and given tot the adjacent property owners. procedures for road projects to! be completed with 2024 LMIG funds.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 341    341  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 340  Motion! by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the signing oft the 20241 LMIGI Memorandum of Understanding with the cities of Byron, Centerville, Chairman Perdue commented that this cooperation among local governments in Houston County and the City of Byroni isa ag greate example ofi inter-government cooperation: and willl help Mr. Talton presented a correction to Change Order #1 for the Improvements to Serve AE Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd and carried unanimously by all to approve the correction to the approved total contract amount of $1,177,139.25 for the Improvements to Ms. Meg Mehserle, of Perry, Georgia, stood and, out of order, asked the board a question Chairman Perdue explained the abandonment ofr right-of-way process and whyi iti is done. Mr. Byrda also spoke ast tot the reasons the abandonments ofr right-of-way are done. Mr. Talton presented Change Order #1 ont the Bear Branch Remote Well Addition. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve Change Order #1 for the Bear Branch Remote Well Addition decreasing the amount by Mr. Talton presented a request for approval of a bid on one 2024 CAT 950GC 01B Wheel Motion! by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously! by allt to approve the bid on one 2024 CAT950GCC 01B Wheell Loaderf from' Yancey Bros. Co. ofi Macon, Georgiai int the amount of $312,502 with the option of 60 month /3 3,000 hours extended warranty for an additional $1,770f fora at total of$314,272. This purchase will be funded by 2012 SPLOST. Ms. Robinson presented al Memorandum of Understanding between Houston County Board of Commissioners, the Georgia 4-H Foundation, and Parrish Construction Group, Inc. for the construction ofa and outdoor classroom and the reimbursement off funds for the construction. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second! by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Houston County Board of Commissioners, the Georgia 4-H Foundation, and Parrish Construction Group, Inc. This understanding shows Parrish Construction Group of Perry, Georgia to be responsible for the concrete installation and finish work on the concrete necessary, and the Georgia 4-H Foundation to be responsible for reimbursement to the County in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00 for costs related to the project. The County will pay the remaining cost for the Ms. Robinson presented: a request for approval ofal bid on the 40') X72' outdoor classroom at  Perry, and Warner Robins.  tos stretch theset tax dollars further.  Harris Road approved: att the February 6, 2024 meeting.  Serve AEI Harris Road.  regarding Item #5 concerning the Right-of-Way abandonment.  $119,841.801 bringing the total contract price to $2,198,827.50.  Loader.  project from Extension Office Funds. the UGAI Extension Office.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 342    342  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 341  Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the bid on one 40') X72' outdoor classroom at the UGAI Extension Office from Short and Paulk of Tifton, Georgia in the amount of $26,878.43. This purchase will be funded by the Extension Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals and carried unanimously by all to approve the appointment of Dr. Jeff Washington to the Houston County Library Board to fill the unexpired term ofJ Jean. Jones. This term will begin February 20, 2024 and expire. June 30, 2024. Mr. Byrd spoke ina appreciation of Ms. Jones andl her service ont the Library Boarda as well asl his Chairman Perdue commented on the fact that Ms. Jones was leaving due to her spouse  Office, and $20,000 willl ber reimbursed by the Georgia 4-H Foundation.  appreciation of Mr. Washington for his willingness tos serve.  relocating for work.  Mr. Gottwals confirmed Mr. Perdue's statement.  Mr. Gottwals presented: a request for a pay adjustment for the Board of Equalization. Motion! by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve an increase int the rate of payf for the Board ofE Equalization from $50 per meeting for chairman to $100ar meeting, andi from $50a a meeting for members to $75ar meeting. Chairman Perdue commented that members of the Board of Equalization attend initial and ongoing training fort their work ont this board, thus the need toi increase the compensation for the time that theya are int this training and fori the Board of Equalization meetings they attend. Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve Mr. Gottwals presented a request to reclassify two positions in the Protective (Building) Motion by Mr. Gottwals, seçond by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the reclassification oft the following positions in the Protective (Building) Inspection Department  the payment of the bills totaling $1,533,519.71.  Inspection Department. effective February: 20, 2024: Building Official/P&Z. Administrator (#0058) to Grade 33 Building Inspector (#0055)t to Grade 19  Also, for the Accounting Department tor make any! budgetary adjustments.  Chairman Perdue commented that the Planning and Zoning Department was overlooked during ther review of County departments for personnel needs and this actioni isb being takent to rectify that omission. Hea also confirmed with Director ofF Personnel Ken Carter that there were Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion of the meeting and opened Public Comments commenting that there would be al limit oft three minutes for each person wanting to speak. Ms. Meg Mehserle of Perry Georgia spoke of her past employment as a poll worker and asa poll watcher. She spoke of her termination from employment and her dissatisfaction and distrust oft the election process, Debra Presswood, Houston County Board of Elections Director,  2Buildingl Inspector positions.  and employees of the Houston County Board of Elections.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 343    343  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 342  Chairman Perdue let Ms. Mehserle know when her allotted time was over, then asked if Ms. Mehserle, again speaking out oft turn from her seat, stated that her comments would not be covered by media because the Chairman would not respond to her, and requested a  anyone else wouldI like tos speak.  response.  Chairman perdue again askedi ifa anyone else wouldI like to speak.  DarrylAllen, of Warner Robins, spoke of his dissatisfaction with elected officials ont the Federal and local level and questioned their motives, morality, intentions, honor, beliefs, and There being no further comments Chairman Perdue closed the Public Comments portion of  conservative standing. the meeting.  Chairman Perdue opened thei floor for Commissioner's Comments.  Chairman Perdue addressed comments made by Meg Mehserle regarding her allegations against Debral Presswood, Houston County Boardo ofE Elections Director andi the Houston County Board of Elections. He stated that the allegation had been investigated and been found tol be wanting. He statedt that anyone cang get upa and make accusations based on hearsaya andr rumor; he further expressed his support for Ms. Presswood and her staff and the entire Board of Elections inl Houston County who runf fair,j just, legala and equitable elections. He asked that his Mr. Gottwals expressed his appreciation for everyone involved int the process. Hes said that the idea of being successfuli ina ane electiona and being put inap position of power--as it had been said during public comments-being an automatic expulsion from morality and decency, was absurd. He stated that he was not going tot try and defend anyone in particular, but that the judgment ofj just being ona a platform or being a dulye elected official was reason enough tos say that you are abject, absent of any moral integrity was incomprehensible. He stated that nothing had changed from the moment he wasn't an elected official to the moment that he was. He had tried his best tos stand with integrity and that to say otherwise was a very unfair assessment. He stated that from personal experience, with everyone on the board, he could say the same thing. He agains spoke of his appreciation for everyone willingt to! be involved and be vocall but that sometimes comments are wronga and that there was no other way abouti it. Ms. Robinson thanked everyone for being there and for those who expressed their concerns. She spoke ofh her appreciation for everyone coming out and being part oft the meeting and part Mr. Talton thanked everyone for being there. He thanked Flint Energies Foundation for what they had done for the county and for the surrounding cities and counties. He thanked Rev. Dr. Jackson for what she has done for the county, and for coming to speak about Black History Month. He alsos spoke about the collaborative efforts among the cities in Houston County and Byron regarding the LMIG grant. He concluded by saying he was proud to serve Houston Mr. Byrds spokei ins support oft the Board of Elections Director Debra Presswood: and her staffi in the fair ands secure way in which they, run elections in Houston County. He also echoed Mr. Gottwals' comments relative tot the morals, values, service, andi faith oft the current board. He statedt that the comment about no response from the board was incorrect but that maybe it was that the response from the board was not the one that was wanted. Hes stated that those  comments be puti into the minutes.  ofH Houston County.  County.  were two very different things.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on! Page 344    344  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 343  Her recognized the recent passing of former Northside High School Principal Ed Dyson, calling him impactful, and one oft the most respected human beings that he knew. He statedt that Mr. Dyson had been his and Ms. Robinson's principal at Northside High School. He spoke of Mr. Dyson's leadership and the role played in the lives of so many students at Northside. He further commented ont the life of Mr. Dyson as a U.S. Army veteran, teacher, coach, being an activer member ofh hiso church, and! his community involvement ont the Hospital Authority Board. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all.  Meeting adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director ofA Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner