APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  REGULAR MEETING MINUTES April 2nd, 2024 @ 5:30 P.M.  CALLTOORDER/WELCOME/INVOCATION/PLEDGE April 2nd, 2024 at 5:30 PM: ini the Courthouse Annex.  The Appling County Board of Commissioners held the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Thei meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in attendance. Vice Chairman Leggett gave thei invocation and Henry. Jones led the group int the pledge. Present were Chairman Leslie Burch; Vice Chairman Charlie Leggett; Commissioners Randy Sellers, Theodore Wilkerson, Daryl Edwards and Doug Harris. Also, present were County Manager All Meadows,  County Attorney Tracy Brown and County Clerk Robyn Evans.  APPROVALOE AGENDA  Chairman Burch stated that Dedra Hewit requested to be added to public input with regards to the upcoming county candidate forum. Commissioner Randy Sellers made ai motion to approve the revised  agenda; Commissioner Wilkerson seconded; unanimously approved. A. Called Meeting/Work Session - March 5th, 2024 B. Regular Meeting - March 5lh, 2024  APPROVALOFI MINUTES  Commissioner Harris made ai motion to: approve the March 5th, 2024 Called Meeting minutes; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved. Commissioner Harris then made a: motion to approve the March 5th, 20241 Regular meeting minutes; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously  approved. OLD] BUSINESS:  Appling Co. Hospital Authority Board Vacancy  The Baxley and Appling County Hospital Authority Board received notification that Mr. Paul Rentz resigned from the county seat on thel board. Mr. Rentz's term expires on June 30,2025. Thel Hospital Authority asked for thel Board toj provide three (3) names/Candidates, prior to the Authority'si next meeting on March 28, 2024. An additional request from the Hospital Board was to possibly appoint a candidate with medical background. The Board did not have three (3) nominees with medical background at the time of the Marchi meeting and the item was tabled. At this meeting, the following were nominated;  Judy Aycock.. Angelisa Hodges.. Millie (Ahls) Conaway.  .nominated' by Commissioner Sellers nominated by Chairman Burch nominated by Commissioner Harris.  Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the nominations; seconded by Commissioner Harris;  unanimously approved.    Baxley/Appling County Hospital Authority Quotes for Comprehensive Assessment During the March: meeting, County Manager Meadows asked the Board to allow him to research consultants and costs associated with firms that conduct studies ofl hospital operations in order toi improve the hospital's performance. Included in thel Board's meeting packets, were two (2) proposals fora Comprehensive Performance Improvement Assessment oft the Appling County Hospital. Two proposals were submitted by the following consultants: Berkeley Research Group, LLC (BRG) in Emeryville, California and ADAMS Management Services Corporation from Rome, Georgia. Costs for both are comparable; BRG $100,000 plus meals, travel, per diem, etc. and ADAMS $85,000 with meals, travel, The CEO of Wayne Memorial Hospital, Joseph P. Ierardi, highly recommends thel BRG group. County Manager Meadows stated after spending four (4) hours with Mr. Ierardi and his staff, he also thinks the County Manager Meadows shared that this is not a budgeted item; but funding options are as listed:  per diem, etc.  BRG group will provide the most comprehensive product.  1. 2. 3. 4.  Amend the budget Ac combination of#2 and #3.  Use our contingency line item (Current balance $83,339.53) American Recovery Fund (Current balance $996,023.76)  Commissioner Sellers made a motion to accept the quote from BRG; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved. Cindy Tomberlin and Leel Lewis gave assurances that recommendations made by Commissioner Wilkerson asked which funds were being utilized for these services. County Manager Meadows restated the above fund options and Commissioner Wilkerson made a motion to usea combination oft the contingency fund and American Recovery funds; Commissioner Harris seconded;  BRG will be implemented as quickly as aj possible.  unanimously approved. Ambulance Replacement  On November 30, 2023 the County purchased ai new ambulance; rotated the oldest ambulance out ofthe fleet; and used its equipment to outfit the new ambulance. The old ambulance has over 112,000 miles and has been in the shop multiple times for repairs. Int the past, the County has rotated the older ambulances to EMA for their use. County Manager Meadows spoke with Darrel Holcomb and thel EMA doesn'tneed another vehicle. On December 26, 2023 one of the ambulançes was involved in an accident and was totaled. It was an older one and thei insurance paid $49,950 to the county for a claim on1 the totaled ambulance. This past Friday night another one oft the ambulances was involved in an accident. Iti is still drivable but in need ofbody repair and will be out ofs service for several months. County Manager Meadows requested permission to sell the old one and use proceeds from sale plus proceeds from insurance claim toj purchase another one. Commissioner Harris made ai motion to approve this request;  Commissioner Wilkerson seconded; unanimously approved.  NEW BUSINESS Quotes for Bulldozer Engine  County Manager Meadows stated he solicited and received three quotes for a replacement engine for the County's landfill dozer. He shared that he'd spoken with the County Public Works Director and his Shop Foreman and they both agreed that estimate #1 from Yancy CAT for $37,590.30 is the most desirable for them. This quote allows the dozer to bei repaired at County shop and while Yancy CAT will perform the engine swap, the shop mechanics willl be able to help and increase their knowledge on this machine. This will also eliminate a haul fee and County staff can actually perform tasks such as pressure washing and inspections on other parts oft the dozer. Vice Chairman Leggett made a motion to accept the quote from  Yancey; Commissioner Harris seconded; unanimously approved.    FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING  County Managerl Meadows shared, "Appling County has dedicated First Responders that don'thesitate to answer the call for help in our county. To excel with these careers, you need good people skills, compassion, physical strength, the ability to solve problems under pressure, and continuing training. After our First Responders are initially trained there are no requirements to receive continual training. The absence of continual training doesn't! keep our first responders current with new1 technology and techniques. Linton Deloach has developed a 16-hour recertification class for our First] Responders. This training willl be repeated every two years to ensure all remain current in their job skills. The training will be conducted by ai member from our. EMS who will bej paid as thej primary instructor from the Rural Fire Dept budget." Kelsey Powell spoke on behalfo ofthis training and stated that she used the most common scenarios relative to. Appling County calls to. help create the approved training. Commissioner Harris voted to approve this requirement; Commissioner Wilkerson seconded;  unanimously approved.  VOTING REPEATER (Radio tower in Ten Mile Area)  County Manager Meadows shared with the board, "The radio tower int the Ten Mile Community, that our First Responders rely upon, was originally located at] Ira Poole's house. The new owner is asking for $2000 per year tol keep our "voter" on his tower. Ihaves spoken with the leadership of] EMA, County Fire, and First Responders and it seems to make sense to erect our owni tower. Not having ai tower in that area presents many problems and spotty at best communications. Our First Responders rely on timely and accurate communication in order to provide the best response possible. Initial research has indicated the County can purchase and erect our own 100 tower for approximately $30,000. This would also require an Mike Monroe, whom has worked with Appling County radio/transmittal towers for the last 45 years, spoke in regards to the need and answered the Board's questions. Commissioner Edwards made ai motion to get bids from landowners and fort the tower (at least 40' foot tall) but preferably utilize county property  easement from a citizen for a suitable build site."  forj placement; Vice Chairman Leggett seconded; unanimously approved.  PUBLIC INPUT Appling Co. Swim Team  Stormi Alexander spoke on behalf oft the Appling County Swim Team, thanking the Board for building the. Aquatic Center and allowing thel Middle and High schools to make history for Appling County. Mr. Spell spoke to the Board in regards to Landing Road and questioned why the road was abandoned by the County. He would like for1 the road tol be paved. He stated that Terry Carter owns the other side ofthis road and wasn'ts sure ifhev was going to allow thei forty (40) foot easement. Commissioner Edwards made amotion for the County Manager to seek easements from land owners for county ownership.  Steve Spell -1 Landing Road  Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved.  Dedra Hewitt  Ms. Hewitt announced the County Candidate Forum tol be held at the Ag Center and invited everyone to attend. She stated there is no affiliation from any one political party that it's simply fort the citizens to learn about all of1 their candidates. The forum is scheduled for April 19, 2024 at 6:001 PM.  SHERIFPSOFFICE - Mark Melton No report was given ati this meeting.    PUBLICI BUILDINGS & GROUNDS Dwight Watts No report was given at this meeting. PARKS & RECREATION - Timmy McGuirt No report was presented at this meeting. ROADS & BRIDGES - Carroll Weaver  Mr. Weaver shared that the last month had been a wet one: for road work. Commissioner Harris stated logging companies are: still parking on sides ofc county roads causing road destruction and liability concerns. He stated that we: may need to begin towing vehicles and/or issuing citations.  LANDFILL - Robert Eunice  Mr. Eunice gave an update for the landfill. He shared that they receive about 25 loads a day at $25/ton and halfo oft that is household garbage. The landfill employees then have to travel to Toombs County to dispose of thel household waste at $35/ton. Mr. Eunice was advised to stop accepting household garbage effective April 4, 2024; this policy has been in place and signs have been posted for some time. Atter several questions of concern, Commissioner Wilkerson made ai motion to table the discussion; Commissioner Edwards seconded; Commissioners Harris and Commissioner Leggett were in favort to Mr. Eunice shared the landfill received at tire grant that allowed collection of tires from citizens without charging ai fee. This will happen on May 4th and May 18th, details will be published in the Baxley News  table the discussion; Commissioner Sellers opposed.  Banner and the County website. EXECUTIVESESSION  Commissioner Harris made ai motion to close the regular meeting and enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel and land; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved. Commissioner Harris made ai motion to close executive session and re-enter regular session; Vice  Chairman Leggett seconded; unanimously approved. Commissioner Edwards was excused for ai funeral visitation.  Vice Chairman Leggett made ai motion to move supervision ofe employee Kathy Sellers back to the Recreation Department (prior supervision under the County Manager); Commissioner Wilkerson County Manager Meadows announced that several tracts of land will be let for bid. *175+/- acres North of airport with minimum bid of $550,000 *1.5 acres on Zoar Road with minimum bid of$15,000  seconded; unanimously approved.  Vice Chairman Leggett made a motion to approve the minimum bid and sale; Commissioner Wilkerson Vice Chairman Leggett made a motion to approve the minimum bid and sale; Commissioner Sellers *23 acres - Falling Rocks RV Park - near. Deen's] Landing with minimum bid $250,000 Commissioner Harris made ai motion to approve the minimum bid and sale; Commissioner Sellers  seconded; unanimously approved. seconded; unanimously approved. seconded; unanimously approved.    COUNTY MANAGER'S) REPORT  County Manager Meadows shared, "On March 6, 2024, Commissioners Wilkerson, Edwards, Harris, Leggett, and I traveled to. Atlanta for an office visit with the Chairman ofthe Ga Dept of Transportation, Russel McMurry. The purpose oft the visit was to update the Commissioner oft the progress in Appling County and to share our vision for growth. We were able to have the entire GDOT Senior Staff to listen to our plan to improve quality transportation in Appling County and to offer their suggestions and possible assistance for future projects. The next morning Commissioners Wilkerson, Harris and Ia attended the ACCG Legislative Breakfast also in Atlanta. This breakfast hosts many oft the legislators that shape the vision and strategy for the state of Ga. and was very informative. The trip paid huge dividends for Appling County. Mrs. Ann Purcell, the Vice Chairman oft the State Transportation Board called me yesterday and informed me that Appling County would receive. an additional $350,000 for road construction. The Chairman and Mrs. Ann were impressed with the Commissioners and the commitment GDOT: recently announced that the Legislature included additional funds in the Local Road Assistance Program. Eligible projects for these funds will be the same as the LMIG program. la am pleased to announce. Appling County qualified for $1,399,363.24. The commissioners and) I will be deciding how to The county's CDBG project initial estimate from Hofstadter and Associates came in at $2,207,190. The Commissioners and Iknew this was more than expected.Icontacted our local GDOT Area Engineer and with his guidance we: reworked the estimate and now have an adjusted estimate from Hofstadter of $1,524,886.50. The assistance that GDOT provided did not cost the county and saved $682,304. The Otis Elevator Company completed the servicing and repair oft the two county elevators, Courthouse and Annex. Otis has completed modifications to comply with the. ASME, American Society of  they displayed for our county.  best use these funds soon.  Mechanical Engineers, and Door Monitoring Code." Chairman Burch stated this had been a long meeting.  CHAIRMAN'SCOMMENTS  Vice Chairman Leggett stated that we need to discuss upkeep at] Lake Mayers and bathroom maintenance, Commissioner Harris shared that there doesn't appear to be any new work done at the Bitcoin Mining site  etc. "There used to be $50,000 set aside for aj position that handled these items."  since his last visit ai month prior.  ADJOURN  There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM.  RobyEvans. County Clerk Gy  Leslie Burch, Chairman  Esale Bunh  BOARD : UCR APPLING COUNTY GEORGIA  ATTEST