LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  MINUTES WORK SESSION Monday, July 22, 2024  COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Bill Slaughter Commissioner Joyce Evans Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker Commissioner Clay Griner  Commissioner Scott Orenstein and Vice Chairman Demarcus Marshall were not present.  Chairman Slaughter called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.  MINUTES  The minutes were presented for the work session of July 8, 2024, the regular session of July 9, 2024 and the executive session meeting of July 9, 2024. No revisions to the minutes were  requested.  FOR CONSIDERATION improvements  Purchase of Wetland Credits for PI#0016278 Kinderlou Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented a proposal from Williams Investments, LLC, in the amount of $10,800.00, for the purchase of wetland credits required by the Kinderlou Clyattville Road paving and drainage improvement project. Mr. McLeod stated the wetland credits are $15,000.00 per credit and Lowndes County will need .72 wetland credits to finalize the permit. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked when are the wetland credits determined, at the time of the bid or otherwise? Mr. McLeod responded the wetland credits are determined during the environmental compliance review. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked if that was after the bid process? Mr. McLeod answered typically no. Commissioner Wisenbaker mentioned his main concern was whether we were aware of thei impact at the time of the project. Mr. McLeod responded yes. Chairman Slaughter rasked to verify if the minimum number is applied to the whole project, rather than individual locations within the project? Mr. McLeod answered yes, that is correct. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked if the same Purchase of Stream Credits for PI#0016278, Kinderlou Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented the item. Mr. McLeod stated Lowndes County is required to purchase 32.9 stream credits as a result of the Kinderlou Clyattville Road paving and drainage improvement project. Mr. McLeod stated staff recommends the purchase of 32.9s stream credits from Georgia Alabama Land Trust, Inc. for $1,800.00 per credit, for a total amount of  was for the stream credits? Mr. McLeod answered yes.  Improvements    $59,220.00. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked is this due to streams being decreased or damaged? Vertiv Service Contract for the UPS at the 911 Center, Valdosta Tower and Clyattville Tower 911 Director, Tonya Davis, presented the request in the amount of $21,389.90. Mrs. Davis stated this is an annual renewal of the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and this service agreement will provide maintenance and battery replacements for the 911 Center and two tower sites used by the  Mr. McLeod answered we are impacting a stream that is crossing the road.  911 operations.  Quit-Claim Deed of Abandoned Section of Race Track Road SE  Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented this item stating Southern Gateway, LLC has requested a quit claim deed for their portion of property which is on both sides of the abandoned section of road. Mr. McLeod stated the Commission abandoned a section of Race Track Road, SE  west of Highway 31 on May 14, 2024.  Acceptance of FY2025 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant  Emergency Management Director, Ashley Tye, presented the item stating the Commission approved the application request in April 2024. Mr. Tye stated upon approval of this grant, Evidence Based Associates (EBA) will continue providing Functional Family Therapy Services to Lowndes County youth referred through the Lowndes County Juvenile Court System. Mr. Tye stated for fiscal year 2025, Lowndes County was awarded $342,426.00, in funding for these program services, allowing the court to provide services to sixty (60) Lowndes County youths and their families. Additionally, Mr. Tye stated this is a request to accept the fiscal year 2025 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant and authorize the Chairman and staff to execute the award packet, which will include a service agreement with  Evidence-Based Associates.  BID  Alterations to Lowndes County Fire Station #10  Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented the item. Mr. McLeod stated the alterations to Station #10 include turning the existing dayroom into three (3) bedrooms and one (1) shower, remodeling the existing shower, replacing all flooringwith luxury vinyl plank (LVP)and painting all interior walls. Mr. McLeod stated bids were received and opened on June 20, 2024 and one bid was received from Standard Contractors in the amount of $362,662.00. Chairman Slaughter asked if this amount was within the projected budget? Mr. McLeod answered yes, the estimate for this project was between 3500000-9400000. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked for the location of Station #10? Mr. McLeod responded this location is the Fire Station Headquarters, 2981 US Hwy 84 East. Utilities Director, Steve Stalvey, presented the item. Mr. Stalvey stated bids were solicited to replace a quantity of forty (40) older fire hydrants at Moody Air Force Base. One bid was received from Standard Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $891,210.00. Mr. Stalvey stated due to the bid far exceeding the budgeted amount, staff recommends this bid be rejected. Commissioner Griner asked what the budget amount was for this project? Mr. Stalvey answered $450,000.00. County Manager, Paige Dukes, stated additional conversations were had with Moody Air Force Base (AFB) and they are going back to their funding sources and a second bid will be submitted in the future.  Moody Hydrant Replacement Project  2    Grassy Pond Utilities Replacement  Utilities Director, Steve Stalvey, presented the item. Mr. Stalvey stated bids were solicited to replace the utilities for the RV park and cabins at Grassy Pond Recreation Facility. Mr. Stalvey stated this capital project will be funded by Moody Air Force Base (AFB) through a modification to our current water and sewer contract with Moody AFB. Mr. Stalvey stated K-Dug Corporation submitted the low bid in the amount of $995,604.00. Chairman Slaughter asked ift this company has bid on other projects for Lowndes County in the past? Mr. Stalvey answered yes, they worked on the Land Application Site (LAS) expansion with clearing and grubbing. Mr. Stalvey mentioned they also do utility work and are  located in Blackshear, Georgia. REPORTS - County Manager There was no additional information to report.  ADJOURNMENT  Commissioner Griner made a motion to adjourn the work session meeting, Commissioner Evans  seconded. Chairman Slaughter adjourned the meeting at 8:41 a.m.  3    LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  MINUTES REGULAR: SESSION Tuesday, July 23, 2024  COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Bill Slaughter Commissioner Joyce Evans Commissioner Scott Orenstein Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker Commissioner Clay Griner  Vice Chairman Marshall was not present.  Chairman Slaughter called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.  INVOCATION Commissioner Orenstein Commissioner Orenstein MINUTES  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG  The minutes were presented for the work session of. July 8, 2024, the regular session of July 9, 2024 and the executive session meeting of July 9, 2024. No revisions to the minutes were requested. Commissioner Orenstein made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, Commissioner Evans  seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried.  FOR CONSIDERATION Improvements  Purchase of Wetland Credits for PI#0016278 Kinderlou Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented a proposal from Williams Investments, LLC, in the amount of $10,800.00, for the purchase of wetland credits required by the Kinderlou Clyattville Road paving and drainage improvement project. Mr. McLeod stated the wetland credits are $15,000.00 per credit and Lowndes County will need .72 wetland credits to finalize the permit. Commissioner Wisenbaker made a motion to approve the purchase as presented, Commissioner Purchase of Stream Credits for P#0016278, Kinderlou Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented the item. Mr. McLeod stated Lowndes County is required to purchase 32.9 stream credits as a result of the Kinderlou Clyattville Road paving and drainage improvement project. Mr. McLeod stated staff recommends the purchase of3 32.9 stream  Orenstein seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried.  Improvements  credits from Georgia    Alabama Land Trust, Inc. for $1,800.00 per credit, for a total amount of $59,220.00. Commissioner Wisenbaker made a motion to approve the purchase as presented, Commissioner Evans seconded. Vertiv Service Contract for the UPS at the 911 Center, Valdosta Tower and Clyattville Tower 911 Director, Tonya Davis, presented the request in the amount of $21,389.90. Mrs. Davis stated this is an annual renewal of the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and this service agreement will provide maintenance and battery replacements for the 911 Center and two tower sites used by the 911 operations. Commissioner Evans made a motion to approve the contract as presented, Commissioner Griner seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried.  All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried.  Quit-Claim Deed of Abandoned Section of Race Track Road SE  Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented this item stating Southern Gateway, LLC has requested a quit claim deed for their portion of property, which is on both sides of the abandoned section of road. Mr. McLeod stated the Commission abandoned a section of Race Track Road, SE west of Highway 31 on May 14, 2024. Commissioner Wisenbaker made a motion to approve the quit- claim deed, Commissioner Orenstein seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried. Emergency Management Director, Ashley Tye, presented the item stating the Commission approved the application request in April 2024. Mr. Tye stated upon approval of this grant, Evidence Based Associates (EBA) will continue providing Functional Family Therapy Services to Lowndes County youth referred through the Lowndes County Juvenile Court System. Mr. Tye stated for fiscal year 2025, Lowndes County was awarded $342,426.00, in funding for these program services, allowing the court to provide services to sixty (60) Lowndes County youths and their families. Additionally, Mr. Tye stated this is a request to accept the fiscal year 2025 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant and authorize the Chairman and staff to execute the award packet, which will include a service agreement with Evidence-Based Associates. Commissioner Griner made a motion to approve the grant as presented, Commissioner Evans seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried.  Acceptance of FY2025 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant  BID  Alterations to Lowndes County Fire Station #10  Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented the item. Mr. McLeod stated the alterations to Station #10 include turning the existing dayroom into three (3) bedrooms and one (1) shower, remodeling the existing shower, replacing all flooring with luxury vinyl plank (LVP)and painting all interior walls. Mr. McLeod stated one bid was received and opened on June 20, 2024, from Standard Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $362,662.00. Commissioner Orenstein asked if the architect presented any numbers early on for this project? Mr. McLeod answered no sir, but once the plans were completed, staff and the architect did complete an estimate. Commissioner Orenstein made a motion to approve the item as presented, Commissioner Wisenbaker seconded. All voted in  favor, no one opposed. Motion carried. Moody Hydrant Replacement Project  Utilities Director, Steve Stalvey, presented the item. Mr. Stalvey stated bids were solicited to replace a quantity of forty (40) older fire hydrants at Moody Air Force Base. One bid was received from Standard Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $891,210.00. Mr. Stalvey stated that due to the bid far exceeding the budgeted amount, staff recommends this bid be rejected. Commissioner Griner made  2    a motion to reject the bid submitted by Standard Contrators, Inc. in the amount of $891,210.00, Commissioner Evans seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried.  Grassy Pond Utilities Replacement  Utilities Director, Steve Stalvey, presented the item. Mr. Stalvey stated bids were solicited to replace the utilities for the RV park and cabins at Grassy Pond Recreation Facility. Mr. Stalvey stated this capital project will be funded by Moody Air Force Base (AFB) through a modification to our current water and sewer contract with Moody AFB. Mr. Stalvey stated K-Dug Corporation submitted the low bid in the amount of $995,604.00. Commissioner Orenstein asked ifl Lowndes County has experience with this company? Mr. Stalvey answered yes, they worked on the clearing and grubbing on the Land Application Site (LAS) expansion. Also, Mr. Stalvey mentioned they are well known in the Waycross and Blackshear areas. Commissioner Wisenbaker made a motion to approve the request as presented, Commissioner Orenstein seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried.  REPORTS - County Manager  County Manager, Paige Dukes, mentioned the below items:  This week is National Probation and Parole Appreciation Week and Mrs. Dukes commended the Lowndes County Probation Department for their continued dedication and success. To Mrs. Dukes met with Valdosta State University (VSU) Director of Athletics, Troy Katen and partnerships were discussed related to work force development as well as internships with their Crisis Track Software, a previously approved agenda item, to help Emergency Management in the event of a disaster, training has begun and several groups have completed this training. Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 24th Lowndes County will be hosting several young ladies from the beautiful creations by Channel program, sharing local services from the County and taking Thursday, July 25th, the Business After Hours event, "Christmas in July" is being held at the Monday, July 28th, Community Development Director, Rachel Thrasher and her staff will be Thursday, August 1st Georgia Grown Trails ribbon cutting willl be held at 3:00 p.m. at the historic Lowndes County Animal Shelter was awarded a $3,000.00, spay and neuter grant from the Department of Agriculture and staff will be going to Tifton tomorrow to accept this award. Fees continue to be adjusted to help the animals to get adopted. This grant focuses on pit bulldogs, Commissioner Wisenbaker asked what else isi involved in the healthcare of an animal before adoption? Mrs. Dukes responded the Georgia Department of Agriculture has specific requirements to be followed which include spaying or neutering, rabies vaccinations, first round of shots, health certification from the veterinarian's office and microchipping. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked what is the total cost?  show our appreciation, lunch will be provided Friday.  student athletes.  them to lunch.  Rainwater Conference Center and is highlighting tourism. hosting the Elks Lodge Kids Camp at Quiet Pines Golf Course.  courthouse.  which is the highest type of breed suffering from euthanasia.  Mrs. Dukes responded close to $200.00. CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD -  Burton Fletcher, 3533 Cherry Creek Road, addressed the commission regarding the Lowndes County Animal Shelter. Mr. Fletcher mentioned that Lowndes County needs an animal welfare commission overseeing the shelter. Mr. Fletcher mentioned with a new shelter being built, he believes the citizens  3    should be involved in the process. Lastly, Mr. Fletcher mentioned the hours of the shelter being Janice Monaco, 3744 Bermuda Run, addressed the commission regarding the Lowndes County Animal Shelter. Ms. Monaco mentioned the budget for the animal shelter, the spay/neuter program, educating the public, food donations, and asking clubs/agencies to sponsor programs within the shelter. Ms. Monaco mentioned too many animals are being killed and an animal welfare commission Nancy and Danny Griffin, 4171 Newton Circle, addressed the commission regarding the Lowndes County Animal Shelter. Ms. Griffin mentioned they have volunteered at the shelter in the past and did not feel welcomed. Mrs. Griffin stated she started helping with an animal shelter in Quitman. Lastly, Tara Parker, 4911 Timberwood Drive, addressed the commission regarding the Lowndes County Animal Shelter. Mrs. Parker thanked the people who reached out a few weeks ago. Mr. Parker mentioned professionals came to the Lowndes County Animal Shelter and gave reports stating extending the adoption hours, working with volunteers, coordinate with non-profit organizations, utilize social media, and have adoption events outside of the shelter. Mrs. Parker mentioned the problem is  unsuitable for the public and the shelter staff needs to be more proactive.  needs to be established to oversee the animal shelter.  Mrs. Griffin mentioned the spay/neuter program.  a lack of policies and procedures, not the building.  ADJOURNMENT meeting at 6:05 p.m.  Commissioner Orenstein made a motion to adjourn the regular session meeting, Commissioner Wisenbaker seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Chairman Slaughter adjourned the  4