307  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  December 5, 2023 Perry, Georgia  Thel Houston County Board of Commissioners meti ina a regular session at 9:00 am on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry, GA, with Chairman Perdue presiding and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson, and Talton present. Also present were County Attorney Tom Hall, Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar, Director of Operations Brian Jones, Director of Personnel Ken Carter, Utility Director Terry Dietsch, Director of Purchasing Vanessa Zimmerman, Fire/HEMA Chief Chris Stoner, Chief Financial Officer Danyelle George, Senior Accountant Will Davis, District Attorney William Kendall, Chief Building Inspector Tim Andrews, Project Coordinator Jordan Kelley, Deputy Chief Appraiser  Amanda Clark, and Administrative Secretary Dawn) Wilkins. Commissioner Gottwals gave the Invocation.  Commissioner Talton led those present int the Pledge of Allegiance.  Colonel Lance Myerson, Deputy Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex spoke of his thirty-three-year military career. He spoke of being deployed many times during Desert Storm and the Global War on1 Terror, andl being stationed atr many different places throughout the United States and around the world. Col. Myerson also spoke of his wife of twenty-five years and his son whoi is enrolled in the Merchant Marine Academy. He commented that he and his wife are both excited to be stationed at Robins Air Force Base and living in Houston Chairman Perdue and each of the Commissioners thanked Col Myerson for his service and for Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all toa approve the ChiefE Building Inspector Tim Andrews presented: Special Exception Applications #27231 through Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened a Public Hearing. Applicant #2723 was present and spoke about her business plan. There was no opposition.  County.  taking time to come ands speak att the meeting. minutes from the November 21, 2023 meeting. #2726 and #2728, #2729, #2731 and #2732.  Applicant #2724 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2725 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2726 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2728 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2729 was present, therev was no opposition. Applicant #2731 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2732 was not present, there was no opposition.  There being nof further comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened Motion by Mr. Byrd, second! by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the following Special Exception Applications toi include any and all stipulations as noted on the Zoning & Appeals recommendation: and Section 95 Requirements staff report:  the regular portion of the meeting.  Application #2723 Application #2725  Leslie Taylor Buffianna Morath  Cleaning Business Crafts, Sewing & Alterations Independent Travel Agency Lawn Care Business Custom Lego Structures (Internet Sales) Consulting Business  Application #2724 Stacey Brantley Application #2726 Tyler Martin Application #2728 Mike Thorn Application #2729 Carol Norris  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 308    308  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 307  Application #2731 Berry Patch Farm  Products & Commodities Raised ont the  Premises Cleaning Business  Application #2732  Reagan' Warren  County Attorney Tom Hallr madeab blankets statement fort the benefit ofa 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 by the Board will not change any provision withint the Mr. Andrews advised the applicants approved ont the next stepi int the process, which would be Mr. Byrd commented that he appreciated allt the hard work the Zoning & Appeals Board didi in making the recommendations, and the hard work of Houston County employees getting the recommendations to the Board. He finished by commenting on the number of new business Chief Building Inspector Tim Andrews presented Rezoning Application! #2727. Chairman Perdue closedt the regular portion oft the meeting and opened a Public Hearing. Catherine S. Willis, of James Bates Brannan Groover LLP, representing the applicant, Heidelberg Materials Southeast Agg LLC, gave presentation paperwork to the Commissioners  covenant that prohibits any commercial or business activity. obtaining their business license through the Commissioner's office.  licenses.  and spoke about the rezoning request.  Mr. Gottwals: askeda about the 9.3 acres and the condensing oft the area. Mr. Byrd thanked the applicant for presenting at thorough application.  Ms. Willis replied that the condensing woulds start with the removal of unused equipment. Mr. Gottwals thanked the applicant for their plans toi improve the exterior appearance of the Chairman Perdue recognized Mr. Burnette and echoed Mr. Byrd's comment ont the thorough Without further 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 following Rezoning Application asr recommended by Houston County Planning Commission: Application #2727 by Heidelberg Materials Southeast Agg LLC for property located on HWY Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd and carried unanimously by allt to approve the 2024 Commissioner's Meeting Schedule withi the change in April andJ Julyt to the second and  site. application.  regular portion oft the meeting.  247 Rezoning from C-11 to M-2.  fourth Tuesdays for the scheduled meeting due tol holidays.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 309    309  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 308  Chairman Perdue commented that the changes in April and. July were made due to holidays and that the three-week gap between meetings was shifted. He also commented that the changes would be posted and appropriately communicated with the public. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Talton and carried unanimously by allt to approve the  following Board Appointments: Airport Authority: Dr. Perry Melvin Board of Tax Assessors: William Fowler Billl Phelps Board of Health: Dr. Larry Stewart  12/31/23-12/30/25 12/31/23-12/30/26 12/31/23-12/30/26 12/31/2023-12/30/29  Dr. Bilal Khan tos serve the unexpired term of Archie Thompson 12/5/2023-1291/2027 Chairman Perdue commented that the Board appreciated the many years served by Mr. Thompson. He stated that Mr. Thompson had moved out of Houston County and could no longer serve ont the Boardl but that he has beena a significant asset tot the Board of Health. Ms. Robinson presented: ar request for approval ofap prorated contract attorney agreement for Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing ofa prorated independent contract attorney agreement with Genghis X. Shakhan in the amount of $19,852.11 to be broken down as follows; $2,352.13 for December 2023, $2,916.67 for January, February, March, April, and May of 2024, and $2,916.63 for June of Mr. Gottwals presentedar request from the District Attorney'sOffice tof fill the vacant Assistant Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve hiring Justin Duane tof fillt the vacant Assistant District Attorney position at Grade 30 Step C  Juvenile Court.  2024.  District Attorney position. effective December 6, 2023.  Chairman Perdue acknowledged District Attorney Kendall.  Mr. Kendalls said hea appreciated the cooperation with the Commission: and was looking forward to backfilling Mr. Duane's position, who currently works in his office, with a state-funded Mr. Gottwals presented a request to fill the vacant Senior Utility Service Worker position in Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second! by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve hiring Joseph Hay to fill the vacant Senior Utility Service Worker position int the Water Department Mr. Gottwals presentedar request for approvalofab bid one equipment fori the Detention Center.  position.  the Water Department.  ata Grade 135 Step De effective December 6, 2023.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 310    310  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 309  Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton and carried unanimously by all to approve the bid on one whole- body security scanning system from low bidder Tek84 in the amount of $162,500 and an extended warranty for an additional $8,900 bringing the total amount to Chairman Perdue commented that the Detention Center had wanted this item for a longt time. He stated that it would go al long way ins stopping contraband from getting into the Detention Mr. Talton presented a request for approval of a change order for the 2023 Spot Overlay Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve Change Order No. 11 for ani increase int the contract price with Houston Asphalt Paving & Seal Coating of Macon, Georgia for work on the 2023 Spot Overlay project. This increase, in the amount of $3,402.05, will raise the contracted price of $130,395.10 to $133,797.15. This increase will pay for additional quantities of asphalt used for Baker Road and County Road Chairman Perdue said that onk behalfo oft the employees and the engineering staff, he would like to tellt the Commissioners how mucht they are appreciated for their cooperation in working to get these projects funded and allowing on-site decisions regarding the need for more work to Director of Operations Brian. Joness statedt that Public Work employees do appreciate howt the  $171,400. This purchase will be paid from 2018 SPLOST.  Center. Project.  leveling. Thisi increase willl bet funded by 2012 SPLOST.  be done.  Board works to! helpi ing getting these road projects done. Mr. Talton presented a request for approval oft the 20241 LMIG Road List.  Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the  following proposed roads list for the 2024 LMIG: Old Perry Road Woodard Road  Road Name Old Simmons Road Audrey Way Green Street Scarlet Drive Mt. Zion Road Amelia Drive #1 US41 Amelia Drive #2 Dora Lane Total Miles  Beginning Simmons Road Juniper Street SR96 SR96  Ending  Length Description of (Miles) Work Repair 0.40 Resurface 0.47 Resurface 0.06 Resurface 0.65 Resurface 0.30 Mill/Resurface 0.25 Mill/Resurface 4.54  Bob White Road 0.71 Resurface! Base  Simmons Road Taylor Street Willingham Dr. Regetta Dr. Amelia Dr  Hiwassee Drive Thompson Mill Rd. 2036 Hiwassee Dr. 0.52 Resurface  Governors Walk South ofl Leslie Dr. 0.57 Resurface  Belflower Court Willowgate Drive Cul-de-sac  Twelve Oaks Dr. 0.61 Resurface  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 311    311  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 310  Chairman Perdue explained that LMIG stood for Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant. Hes spoke aboutt the partnership between Houston County, the surrounding communities, and GDOT. He said that with this partnership we leverage larger contracts for better pricing. He thanked engineering staff fort thej jobt they do appropriately evaluating roads to! be considered. Mr. Talton recognized all the staff involved and the hard work involved in making the list of Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously bya all to approve the Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened Public Comments. Adam Watsoni inquired aboutt the Adjustments & Appeals Board, andi ifitr nowl had the required Chairman Perdue stated that there were the correct number and that the board would be Mr. Watson asked about the policy on retention of complaints about employees. County Attorney Tom Hall replied that that most complaints come under the Transitory With no further comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Comments portion of the Mr. Gottwals commentedi thati ith had been another productive meeting withal lot ofv work being done in a short amount oft time. He said it is the season of Advent and that with everyone singing Christmas carols wer needt tot take thet time tol listent tot the words and whatt they mean. Hes said that we needt to sing with exuberance and celebrate Christ and Family. Hei finished by sayingt that Houston Countyi isas special place, and thati itisag goodt thingt to celebrate the season Ms. Robinson thanked everyone for being at the meeting and all Houston County employees for allt their hard work in getting things done. She finished by thanking the citizens for being Mr. Taltont thanked everyone for being att the meeting and all Houston Countye employees for allt their hard work. Hes spoke about the improvements being madei in Houston County and the new businesses opening showing that Houston County is growing. He finished by thanking all Mr. Byrd recognized Chief Building Inspector Tim Andrews, thanking him fora all his hard work. He commented ont the body of work that Mr. Andrews does inl his office and the highl level of customer servicei itp provides. He spoke about the ACCGF Fall Session he was able to attenda and how he always found them informative. He said when! he leaves those sessions, he is always very grateful for Houston County and its employees, and the way Houston County conducts business. And although we may not have every answer to every question, we seem to staya  roads.  payment oft the bills totaling $4,500,668.11.  number ofr members. meeting this week.  category and once they are handled, they are disposed of. meeting and opened the floor for Commissioner Comments.  with everyone.  members oft the community.  the volunteers that agreedt to serve on the boards.  step ort two aheado ofc otherp people and hei is proud oft that fact.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 312    312  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continuedi from Page 311  Chairman Perdue stated that it had been a good meeting and despite the short meeting time there was a lot accomplished. He said he wanted to echo the comments of all the Commissioners. He also wanted to congratulate the Perry Panthers on their run for the State Championship and was looking forward to seeing the outcome of the State Championship Motion to adjourn by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all.  game on December 12. Meeting adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director of Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner