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 of 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 a presentation by Jeff Edge on the services Avita Community Partners provides to the community. Commissioner Paris asked Mr. Edge to come up and his comments are summarized as follows: Mr. Edge said Avita is a not-for-profit organization that serves Union and twelve other counties out of five offices. The Blairsville office serves Towns and Union Counties. Avita serves adults with intellectual developmental disabilities both in their Day Program and their Residential Program. In the Day Program individuals can come to the office at 8:30 in the morning and work on self-improvement, life skills and self-advocacy along with many other things. They can go out with the group or as individuals with staff members to eat ini restaurants, go shopping, bowling, and other activities. Mr. Edge is the Residential Director for their Residential Program, and he works with the individuals who live in host homes. Avita selects, maintains and monitors these host home providers toj provide al home for individuals with disabilities. Host homes provide individuals with care in the evenings when they are not in the Avita Day Program. The host homes provide a family environment and allow these individuals tol live their best life. Avita needs home 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 couples who provide these homes. One ofthe benefits is the satisfaction of knowing you are helping someone other than yourself and you are helping someone who needs your help and appreciates it. The second benefit is that it is aj pretty good salary for this area. Host homes can have up to two people in the home, but most oft 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, supervision, and providing your home. Mr. Edge stated that ifany attendees knew ofsomeone interested in the Day Program to have them contact Amber Byers at 828-557-5090. He then said if anyone was interested in becoming a host home to contact him at 470-660-7065. Avita is always happy tol 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 groupa 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 ai 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 of 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 orl loose soils ift they are encountered. This project includes replacing the existing bridge along Old Bald Mountain Road crossing Stink Creek. The replacement of 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, in the 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 al LIDAR Topographic Survey and a Site 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 of asbestos containing materials from the Old Shoe Factory located at 296 Shoe Factory Road in the amount of $4,220.00. The effective date oft this agreement is May 23, 2024. This agreement will include the complete removal and proper disposal of asbestos Attendees were provided a copy ofthe list ofl Business Licenses issued in Union County from May 12,2024 to June 16, 2024 for the purpose of operating a Short-term Rental in Union County. The Commissioner approved all Business Licenses contained on the list provided and Commissioner Paris accepted a Commitment Letter between Union County and Legacy Link for the required local share during FY-2025 in the amount of $16,000.00. These funds are used by the Area Agency on Aging as match to draw down the federal and state monies for administration, coordination, information and referral, employment and training of older 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% ofthe cost or $1,731.55 and 90% oft the cost will be covered by Federal Funds and 4% 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 oft the bridge can be accessed by alternate routes.  containing floor tile and mastic exposed and under carpet.  the list will be made aj part of the minutes.  and volunteer programs at the Union 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 Ina 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. A plat 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 per gallon from July 1,2 2024 to June 30, 2025. The next four items on the agenda were all Accountability Court Grants and the Commissioner approved all four grants. The grant period for each is July 1,2024 (Commissioner Paris Grant No. J25-8-022 - Adult Felony Drug Courts South in the amount 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 amount of $209,535. Grant No. J25-8-117 - Family Drug Court in 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 January) to June 30, 2025.  Commissioner Paris accepted a Lease Agreement 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 of office space. This lease has an effective date of. July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 in the amount of$1.00 annually. The Commissioner advised that this lease was just now being approved even though the term was almost up. This was due to delays in Union County and the Department of 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, offofHighway 180, was completed and open on' Tuesday oft this week. The Road Department did some adjacent paving. There is still a  coming to an agreement on some of the terms oft the lease.    couple oft things that need tol 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 lowest in the State. Itiss 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 in good shape. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:27 pm.  Respectfully submitted by: ames mahan lénnifer Mâhan, County Clerk Approved this gbdayof Balg Lamar Paris, Commissioner e  2024    New Union County Short-term Rental Licensees Issues  May 13, 2024 - 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    224583    35855 E ERSE 3 23543 ERSs  aatashsh