County Meeting June 20, 2024 6:00pm Minutes Union County Courthouse  The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Paris at 6:01pm. The Commissioner welcomed everyone to the meeting. The invocation was then given by Director oft the Union County Development Authority, Mitch Griggs, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jeff Edge. The minutes from the May 16, 2024 County Meeting were approved as presented, and The first item on the agenda was aj presentation by. Jeff Edge on the services Avita Community Partners provides to the community. Commissioner Parisasked: Mr. Edge to come up and his comments are summarized as follows: Mr. Edge said Avita is an not-for-profit organization that serves Union and twelve other counties out of fiyeoffices. The Blairsyille office serves Towns and Union Counties. Avita serves adults with intelléctual developmental disabilities both in their Day Program and their Residential Program. Inthe Day Program individuals can come to the office at 8:30 int the morning and work on self-improvement, life skills and" self-advocacy along with many other things. They can go.out with the gromporasindividuals with staffi members to eat ini restaurants, go shopping, bowling, and other activities. Mr. Edge is the Residential Director for their Residential Program, andhe-works with theindividuals who live in host homes. Avita selects, maintains and monitors these host home providers toj provide a home for individuals with disabilities, Host homes provide individuals withcare in the evenings when they are not in the Avita Day Program. Thehost homes provide a family environment and allow these individuals to livetheir bestlife. Avitaneedshome providers in Union County. Mr. Edge stated there are many benefits to being a host home provider. There are single people, retired couples and young coupleswho provide these homes. One of the benefits is the satisfaction of knowing youare-helping someone otherthan yourself and you are helping someone who needs your helpand appreciâtes it. The second' benefit is that it is a pretty good salary for this area. Host homes can have uptotwo people in the home; but most of the homes here host only one individual Hosts are independent contractors for Avita and make a certain amount per month. This salary is for training, superyision, and providing your. home. Mr. Edge stated that ifany attendees knewofsomeone interèsted in the Day Program tol have them contact Amber Byers at 828-557-5090. Hethen said if anyone was interested in becoming a host home to contact him at 470-660-7065. Avitais alwayshappy to have volunteers come and participate in activities or Commissioner Paris came back to the podium and thanked Avita for all they do for the  attendees were provided copies.  assist with a group activity.  community.  Commissioner Paris accepted an agreement between Union County and the Georgia Department ofTransportation for grant funding in the amount of$158,250.00 for the period ofJuly 1,2024 to. June 30, 2025 for the FY2025 operation oft the Union County Transportation System. Funding in the amount of $79,125 will be provided by GDOT and Union County will contribute a match of$79,125. This funding is for Union County's 5311 Transit System operation.    The Commissioner accepted an agreement between Union County and Geo-Hydro Engineers, Inc. for subsurface exploration and engineering reports for the bridge replacement on Old Bald Mountain Road in the amount of $7,500. The effective date oft this agreement is May 24, 2024. This company will collect bored samples from the area where the bridge will be built and provide standard penetrations resistances, detailed soil descriptions, and groundwater conditions. They will then provide an engineering report presenting the results oft the exploration along with evaluations and recommendations concerning site preparation, general foundation recommendations, groundwater elevations and their effect on the proposed construction and remedial measures necessary to manage soft or loose soils ift they are encountered. This project includes replacing the existing bridge along Old Bald Mountain-Road crossing Stink Creek. The replacement oft this bridge will not require any detours or closure of roads. All locations to the Commissioner Paris accepted an agreement between Union County-and Carter Engineering Consultants, Inc. for a site development plan and topographic survey for the property located at 296 Shoe Factory Road, commonly known as, the Old Shoe Factory, inthe amount of $10,000. The effective date of this agreement is May 28,2024. The work to be completed by Carter Engineering Consultants, Inc. includes a LiDAR Topographic-Survey and aSite Development Plan, which will include a demolition plan, grading plan, and erosion and sediment control plans. The Commissioner accepted an agreement between Union County and Hibernia Enterprises, Inc. to remove and dispose ofasbestos containing materials from thè.Old Shoe Factory located at 296 Shoe Factory Road in the amount of $4,220,00. The effective dateofthis agreement is May 23, 2024. This agreement, willinclude the complete removaland proper-disposal of asbestos Attendees were providedacopy ofthe list of Business Licenses issued in Union County from May 13, 2024toJune 16, 2024 forthe purpose of operating a Short-term Rental in Union County. The Commissioner approyed all Business Licenses contained on the list provided and Commissioner.Paris accepteda Commitment Letter between Union County and Legacy Link for the required local share during FY-2025 inthe amount of$16,000.00. These funds are used by the Area Agency onAging as matoh to draw down the federal and state monies for administration, coordination, information and referral, employment and training ofolder workers The Commissioner accepted a grant agreement from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency awarding Union County $28,430 to update the Union County Multi- Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Union County will be responsible for 6% of the cost or $1,731.55 and 90% oft the cost will be covered by Federal Funds and 4%1 being covered by State Funds. This award duration is from April 4, 2024 to May 2, 2026. Fire ChiefDavid Dyer was not present to speak regarding this grant award due tol being on a search and rescue ofa gentleman who was lost in Cooper's Creek. The gentleman was fishing in Cooper's Creek with a cane and wearing flip flops. He did not meet up with his party where he was supposed to last  east and the west ofthe bridge can be accessed by alternaté routes.  containing floor tile, and mastic exposed and undercarpet.  the listwilll be made a partof the minutes.  and volunteer programs attheUnion County Senior Center.    night and they have been searching for him ever since. Commissioner Paris asked everyone to Commissioner Paris adopted Resolution R-2024-11 to amend the FY2023 Budget from $25,458,054 to $28,477,518 as per State and Federal reporting requirements. This is something In accordance with O.C.G.A. 32-7-2(b)(1) Union County Government issued first notice to abandon 0.55 acres ofIvy Log Road in Union County, commonly referred to as Old Ivy Log Road. This road has not been utilized as a county road and has not been maintained by Union County since Ivy Log Road was rerouted in or around 1979, Aplât will be recorded as part of In accordance with O.C.G.A. 32-7-2(b)(1) Union County Government issued first notice to abandon 0.27 acres of what used to be Lows Mill Road. This road has not been utilized as a county road and has not been maintained by Union County in an estimated 15 years. A plat will Commissioner Paris accepted a contract between Freeman-Gas and Union County. for propane services in the amount of$1.189 pergallon from July 1,2024 to. June 30, 2025. The next four items on the agenda weré all Accountability CourtGrants and the Commissioner approved all four grants. The grant periodfor each isJuly 1,2024/Commisioner Paris Grant No. J25-8-022 - Adult Felony, Drug Courts South in theamount of $355,296. Grant No. J25-8-023 - Adult Felony Drug Courts North in the amount of $246,194. Grant No. J25-8-066 Mental Health Court in the àmount of $209,535. Grant No. J25-8-117 FamilyDrug Courtin the amount of $208,059.  keep this gentleman and his family in their prayers.  the County does every year that is required by accounting standards.  the minutes.  be recorded as part of the minutes.  misspoke by saying Vanuary)toJune 30, 2025,  Commissioner Paris accepted a Lease Agreement.between Union County and the State Properties Commission forthe Department ofDriver Services for the address of37 Chase Drive, Blairsville, Gèorgia, 30512 containing 1,440 square feet ofoffice space. This lease has an effective date ofJuly 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 in the amount of$1.00 annually. The Commissioner advised that thislease was. just now being approved even though the term was almost up. This was due to delaysin Union County and the Department ofl Drivers Services The Commissioner then accepted a lease amendment between Union County and the State Properties Commission for the Department ofDriver Services for the address of37 Chase Drive, Blairsville, Georgia, 30512 containing 1,440 square feet ofoffice space. This lease amendment has an effective date of] July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 in the amount of$1.00 annually. This is an extension of the last lease that was just approved in the previous agenda item. Commissioner Paris provided attendees with an update on a few oft the projects Union County Government has been working on. Fisher Field Bridge, off ofHighway 180, was completed and open on Tuesday of this week. The Road Department did some adjacent paving. There is still a  coming to an agreementon: someof the terms oft the lease.    couple of things that need to be completed for a couple of] property owners who gave the County right of way to complete the bridge replacement project. This will make the property owners' yards whole again. The Gun Range Ribbon Cutting is on June 27, 2024, and the official opening day will be June 28, 2024. Commissioner Paris said he is really excited this will be opening. The Recreation Programs are going wide open, and several teams have been going to state and district. They have competed and won some ofthose as well. Staff goes from one ball game to another and between different sports: baseball, softball, volleyball and pickleball. The Commissioner reminded everyone that the millage rate for Union County is the 2nd lowest in the State of Georgia out of159 counties. This is something that all county departments and county employees work hard to keep the millage rate one ofthe lowestin the State. Itis still not free, but by working hard the county keeps the rate as low as possible, Union County does not have any debt and has not for a few years. At the same time between SPLOST, property taxes and other taxes the County is maintained, and the infrastructure is ingood shape. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:27 pm.,  Respectfully submitted by: Jennifer Mahan, County Clerk Approved this  day of  Lamar Paris, Commissioner    3NM  New Union County Short-term Rental Licensees Issues  May 13, 2024 -J June 16, 2024  AGUILAR CARLOS ENRIQUE CUCALON/ MARIA TERESA BETTAGLIO & ANA RAQUEL CUCALON  589 Copperhead Pkwy Blairsville, FL 30512 Double Creek Cabin, LLC 24 Wood Hill Dr Blairsville, GA 30512  GORMAN BRYAN & MELISSA NORTHROP TRUST  292 Brannon Ridge Young Harris, GA 30582 MCCOMBS DON A & PAULAT 12 Garr Bear Blairsville, GA 30512 Ty O'Toole 220 Grizzle creek rd suches, GA 30527    REthin    5h55 AEREA I I 23543 SRSSs :  aNARi: