The Commission  ofthe Anified Government /Cwssta-Chatahoodix: County, Georgia 215 McNaughton St Cusseta, Georgia31805 (706) 989-3602 Fax (706) 989-2005 lisa@ugoccc.com  Charles Coffey, Chairman Timothy Biddle, Vice Chairman Gerald Douglas Damon Hoyte Jason Frost  Lisa Bickel, County Clerk Bin Minter, County. Attorney  MINUTESOFTHE: REGULAR: MONTHLYI MEETING  March 5, 2024 215 McNaughton St. PRESENT:  Chairman Coffey Vice-Chairman Biddle Commissioner Douglas Commissioner: Hoyte-Absent Commissioner Frost-Absent  Lisa Bickel, County Clerk Binl Minter, County. Attorney  Chairman Coffey called the Regular Monthly Meeting of the Commission ofthe Unified Government of Clssela-Chattahoochee County, Georgia to order at 9:31 a.m., with only three Commissioners present, and  Commissioners Frost and Hoyte absent and] live streaming on our Facebook page.  Regular meeting was called: The regular meeting started at 9:31 a.m. Douglas. The vote was unanimous. Biddle. The vote was unanimous.  APPROVALOETHEMINUTESOETHE FEBRUARY 6, 2024, REGULARMEETNG Commissioner Biddle made the motion to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Commissioner APPROVALOE THE FEBRUARY6. 2024, EXECUTIVESESSIONMINUTES APPROVALOF THE FEBRUARY 26, 2024, WORKSESSION MINUTES  Commissioner Douglas made the motion to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Commissioner Commissioner Biddle made the motion to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Commissioner Commissioner Biddle made the motion to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Commissioner  Douglas. The vote was unanimous.  APPROVALOFTHE EXECUTIVESESSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26,2024  Douglas. The vote was unanimous.  OPEN FORUM SPEAKER OLDBUSINESS  NONE NONE  3-5.24 Regular Meeting  1    ATTORNEYI he has been asked by the Commission for an update on the 911, therel has been some confusion onl howi iti is being managed. When you look on1 the GEMA] page its says Columbus, and that is not the case. He spoke with the Sheriffs office about this &1 thy do know aboutt this and thati is does need updated. According to our 2020 agreement there was going tol be an answering center and it wouldi have a separate center.. According tot this agreement this one Board ofGovernors, EMA directors, Sheriff, County Manager, Superintendent of the school, Forestry Ranger, and Paramedic. The agreement we. have seems incomplete due tol lack of signatures, and the agreement itselfi is confusing due toi its writing. Need to get better clarification oni ift thes signatures were ever there, and ifr not need to get them ift they were: never there. CHAIRMAN COFFEY said we need to reach County Manager Updates Mrs. Bickel had two updates; one: ist there is an. ABM zoom meeting Thursday at 2pm ifa any members oft the Commission would like to attend. In December we: applied fori the GCIP, Georgia  out toi the Board of Governors for a 911 meeting again.  Certification Internship Program, our County was picked fori this program.  NEWBUSINESS  ATTORNEY nothing that isn't on the agenda.  County Manager updates Mrs. Bickel we are starting up a newsletter. again, it will be monthlyi in the water bill. Wel have gotten with Chamber and will have ai meet & greet with the candidates on April 20th from 9:00- SPIOST2025.Motion madel by Commissioner Biddle to accept the SPLOST 2025, seconded by  Noon at the Rec Center.  Commissioner Douglas. The vote was unanimous. Commissioner Douglas. The vote was unanimous. Commissioner Biddle. The vote was unanimous.  Barge Proposal Agreement: Motion made by Commissioner Biddle to accept the proposal, seconded by Vacation Policy: Motion made by Commissioner Douglas to accept the policy, seconded by  2022/2023. AUDITS: Letter on payment, CHAIRMAN COFFEY stated that we sent the audits to state and the auditor did not have the correct license and now we are getting at third audit, wel have no audit to vote on at this time. We will table at this time, Motion to table made by Commissioner Biddle, seconded by  Commissioner Douglas. The vote was unanimous.  Reappointment of Brent Ingersoll for Planning & Zoning: Motion made by Commissioner Biddle, Opioid Settlement. Appointment: Motion to appoint Commissioner Hoyte & Commissioner Biddle as a second, made by Commissioner Douglas, Seconded by Chairman Coffey. The vote was PUBLICHEARINGAPPROVAL/DENIAL Biddle: Motion to table until next meeting made by Commissioner Douglas, Seconded by Commissioner Biddle. The vote was unanimous. Intent is toi table PUBLICHEARING DEBBIE HART. APPROVAL/DENIALA Motion to table until next meeting made by Commissioner Biddle, Seconded by Commissioner Douglas. The vote was unanimous. PUBLIC HEARING' TERI ROLAND. APPROVAL/DENIAL: Motion tot table until next meeting madel by Commissioner Biddle, Seconded by Commissioner Douglas. The vote was unanimous. Water Director. Appointment: Motion to appoint Chris Tymes as Water Director made by Commissioner Biddle, Seconded by Commissioner Douglas. The vote was unanimous.  Seconded by Commissioner Douglas. The vote was unanimous.  unanimous.  since Commissioner Biddle can not vote on his own.  3-5.24 Regular Meeting  2    CountyM ManagerAppointment/Hire tol be spoken in Executive Session.  EXECUTIVESESSION:  Motion made to enter. Executive Session at 10:00 a.m. made by Commissioner Biddle, Seconded by  Commissioner Douglas. The vote was unanimous.  Regular Meeting reconvened:  The regular meeting reconvened at 11:30 a.m. Chairman Coffey made the statement that the subjects discussed during the closed meetings were within the legal exceptions toi the open meetings law and that no votes were cast within the session. He mentioned we. had a public speaker and our County. Attorney will send a Motion was made by Commissioner Douglas to make an offer to' Thomas Weaver, Seconded by Commissioner Biddle. The vote was unanimous. Chairman Coffey asks that Mr. Weaver come to our: next meeting, and it willl be a called meeting and Commissioner Biddle asked why not go ahead andj put the  follow up letter. Also discussed potential hire for County Manager.  public Hearings on that meeting as well.  ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business tol be conducted' by and with the Commission of the Unified Government of Cuseta-Chatahoochee County, Gèorgia, Chairman Coffey declared the Monthly Meeting of the Board of  Commisionersagoumed at 11:35 am on' Tuesday, March 5, 2024.  CHARLES  a  COFFEY, CHAIRMAN  Tt TIMOTHY BIDDLE, VICE CHAIRMAN Ripee ADegk GERALD! DOUGLAS, COMMISSIONER  Absent Absent  DAMON HOYTE, COMMISSIONER JASON FROST, COMMISSIONER  April 2, 2024 DATEAPPROVED  Ihereby certify that the foregoing documentation, the Minutes oft the March 5, 2024, Regular Meeting, was approved via majority votel by the Boardo of Commissioners ini its April 2,2024 regular meeting.  ATTESTED BY:  Siansas SAE BICKEL, COUNTY CLERK UNIFIED GOVERNMENTOF CUFSETA-CHATTAHOOCHEECOUNTY  Seal:  3-5.24 Regular Meeting  3    STATE OF GEORGIA CHATTAHOOCHBE COUNTY  RESOLUTION NO. 2024-22  A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF CUSSETA-CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY, GEORGIA, IMPOSING AND CONTINUING A COUNTY ONE PERCENT (1%) SALES AND USE TAX. AS AUTHORIZED BY PARTIOF. ARTICLE30F CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 480F THE OFFICIAL CODE OF GEORGIA ANNOTATED, SPECIFYING THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAX. ARE TO BE USED; SPECIFYING THE PERIOD OF TIME FOR WHICH SUCH TAX SHALL: BE IMPOSED; SPECIFYNG THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST OF THE FACILITIES TO BE FUNDED FROM THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAX; AND REQUESTING THE ELECTION SUPERINIENDENT TO CALL AN ELECTION OF THE VOTERS OF CUSSETA- CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY TO APPROVE THE IMPOSITION OF SUCH SALES AND USE TAX; APPROVING THE FORM OF BALLOT TO BE USED IN SUCH AN  ELECTION; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.  WHEREAS, Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 8 of'Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, (the "Act") authorizes the imposition of a one percent (1%) sales and use tax designated as a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (the "SPLOST") for the purpose of, among other things, financing certain capital outlay projects which include those set forth herein;  and  WHEREAS, Cusseta-Chatthoochee County is a unified government with powers and jurisdiction throughout the territorial limits of Clusseta-Chatahoochee County which has been vested with the governmental and corporate powers, duties and functions previously vested in the City of Cusseta and the County of Chattahoochee, as specifically set forth in the Cusseta-  Chattahoochee Charter, Georgia Laws 2004, page 4811; and  WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Cussela-Chatthoochee County, Georgia (the "Board of Commissioners") has determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Cisseta-Chattahoochee County, Georgia (the "County") that a one percent (1%) SPLOST be imposed in the County to raise not more than EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS ($8,000,000.00) for  the purpose of funding capital outlay projects (the Projects"); and  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Cusseta-  Chattahoochee County, Georgia as follows:  A. Assuming the question of the continuance and imposition of a County SPLOST is approved by the voters of Cusseta Chattahoochee County, Georgia in the election hereinafter referred to, the SPLOST shall be continued and imposed for the term,  purposes, and costs as follows:  02718387-1    1.  In order to finance the Projects described herein, a SPLOST in the amount of one percent (1%) on all sales and use taxes in the County is hereby authorized to be Thej proceeds of such tax are to be used to fund the Projects. The Projects consist of"County Projects". The County Projects and their estimated maximum costs are  levied and collected within the County as provided in the Act.  2.  set forth below. COUNTY PROJECTS Fire/EMS Department Upgrades Public Safety Vehicles Upgrades for Office for Superior Court Clerk Upgrades to County Building on McNaughton St. Roads, Streets, and Bridges County Government Vehicles Water, Sewer, Utilities, & Stormwater Drainage Upgrades to Recreation Projects Upgrades to Court House  Costs $500,000.00 $250,000.00 $50,000.00 $200,000.00 $1,750,000.00 $200,000.00 $2,500,000.00 $2,500,000.00 $50,000.00  3.  The SPLOST is tol be imposed for aj period of five (5), years.  B. Call for the Election; Ballot Form; Notice.  1.  The election Superintendent of Cusseta-Chatahochee County is hereby requested to call an election in all voting precincts ini the County on the 5th day of November 2024, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the The ballot to be used in the election shall have written or printed thereon substantially the wording described on! Exhibit "B"attached hereto. Itis hereby requested that the election be held by the Election Superintendent of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County in accordance with the election laws for the State of Georgia, including, without limitation, the election laws relating to special elections. It is hereby further requested that the Election Superintendent of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County canvass the returns, declare the results of the election and certify the results to the Secretary of State and to the State of The Election Superintendent of the Cusseta-Chatahochee County is hereby authorized and requested to publish a notice oft the election as a required by lawi in the newspaper in which Sheriff's advertisements for the County are published once a week for four weeks immediately preceding the date of the election. The notice of the election shall be in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit  County the question set forth inj paragraph 2 below.  2. 3.  Revenue Commissioners.  4.  "A".  02718387-1  2    BARGE DESIGN SOLUTIONS, INC. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT  This agreement is made as of December 19, 2023 by and between Unified Government of Cusseta - Chattahoochee County (Client) and Barge Design Solutions, Inc. (BARGE) for professional services for  the assignment described as follows:  Project: Location: Description of Project:  Engineering Work for Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program  Columbus, GA  The UGOCCC is looking at options for sanitary sewer service to provide opportunities for growth int the county by attracting commercial industry along their Highway 520 and Highway 27 corridor. This project consists of preparing an engineering reportt to compare up to three alternatives to PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: BARGE agrees to perform the following Basic Services undert this  provide reliable sanitary sewer: service to the area.  contract:  Barge will provide the services described in Exhibit A.  I.  COMPENSATION: Client shall compensate BARGE for the Basic Services as follows: Cost Plus in accordance with ther rate schedule attached as Exhibit' "A"i including  applicable reimbursables. Estimated Fee $ 3 Lump Sum Percentage of Construction Cost Other (specify)  or Maximum Fee $ Estimated Fee $  $16,600.00 %  Ina addition, Client shall pay BARGE for additional services performed beyond the Basic Services ina accordance with thel hourly rate schedule attached as Exhibit' "A" to this Agreement. III. PAYMENTS: Invoices for services rendered will be issued monthly, and payment is due upon receipt of each invoice. Unless special arrangements are made, a finance charge of 1.5% per month will be added to unpaid balances more than thirty (30) days old. In the event BARGE is successful in any legal action to enforce the payment terms of this agreement, BARGE shall be entitled to aj judgment for its reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs, and other legal expenses. IV. TIME: Unless agreed otherwise in writing, BARGE will commence its services within ar reasonable time after receipt of an executed copy of this Agreement, which in any case shall not exceed 30 days, subject tot the conditions belowi int this Section IV. BARGE will performi its services in at timely manner commensurate with the exercise of due professional care. Time for performance shall be extended. as necessary for delays or suspensions due to circumstances beyond BARGE's control. If such delay or suspension extends more than three months (cumulatively), BARGE's  compensation shall! be equitably adjusted.  Page 1  clusersidtisholappdatalealmtepaflwnxouslinetcachelcomentouton9a20ya_cuseta.dox    C.  The Clerk of the Board of Commissioners is hereby authorized and directed to deliver a copy of the resolution to the Elections Superintendent of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County with a request that the Election Superintendent of Clusseta-Chatahoochee County issue  the call for and election.  D. The proper officers and agents of the County are hereby authorized to take any and all further actions as may be required in connection with the imposition of SPLOST.  E. The Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.  Enacted this 6 day of Mareh 2024.  UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF CUSSETA- Chairman, Board ofCompmissioners 27  GEORGIA  Clarks CAy  ATTEST:  Clerk  aBho  02718387-1  3    V. SUSPENSION OF SERVICES: If Client fails to pay any invoice when due or otherwise is in material breach of this Agreement, BARGE may at its sole discretion suspend performance of services upon fifteen (15) days' written notice to Client. BARGE shall have no liability to Client, and Client agrees to make no claimi for any delay or damage as aresult of such suspension. Upon cure oft the cause of the suspension, BARGE: shall resume services within a reasonable time, and there shall be an equitable adjustment of the project schedule andf fees to reflect the effects ofs such VI. STANDARD OF CARE: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other document describing the services, BARGE shall perform its services in accordance with the standard of professional care ordinarily exercised under similar circumstances by reputable members ofi its profession in the same locality at the time the services are provided. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made or intended by BARGE. The parties further agree that BARGE is VII. TERMINATION: The obligationt to providet furtherservices undert this Agreement mayb be terminated without causel by either party upon thirty (30) days' written noticet tot the other party. On termination by either the Client or BARGE, Client shall pay BARGE all amounts due for any services performed to the date oft termination (plus all reimbursable expenses incurred). VII. OWNERSHIP AND REUSE OF DOCUMENTS: All documents, including without limitation, drawings, specitications, and reports prepared by BARGE pursuant to this Agreement are instruments of professional service. BARGE shall own all legal and equitable rights therein, including copyrights. Suchi instruments are not intended or represented to be: suitable forr reuse by Client or others for additions or modifications of the Project or on any other project. Any reuse without written consent of BARGE shall be at Client's sole risk and without liability tol BARGE;a and to the fullest extent permitted by law, Client shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless BARGE from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of defense arising out of or resulting therefrom. BARGE shall be entitled tot further compensation for services iti is requested to perform in connection with any reuse ofi its IX. ACCESS TO THE SITEIJOBSITE SAFETY: Unless otherwise stated, BARGE willl have access to the sitef for activities necessary fori the performance ofi its services. Client agrees that BARGE shall have no responsibility for the means, methods, sequençes, procedures, techniques, and scheduling of construction, as these decisions are solely the responsibility of the contractors. BARGE further shall have no authority or duty to supervise the construction workforce and shall not be responsible for jobsite safety or for anyl losses or injuries that occur at the Projects site. INSURANCE: BARGE shall provide evidence of insurance coverage in the following minimum  suspension.  not ai fiduciary of Glient.  instruments of professional service.  X.  amounts:  Worker's Compensation Employer's Liability Commercial General Liability Automobile Liability Professional Liability  Statutory $500,000  $1,000,000 per occurrence andi in the aggregate $1,000,000 per occurrence and int the aggregate $1,000,000 per claim and in the aggregate  Cyber and/or Network Privacy Security $1,000,000 per claim and in the aggregate. XI. RISK ALLOCATION: In recognition of the relative risks, rewards, and benefits of the Project to both Client and BARGE, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the parties agree to allocate the cluseridbishoappdatlecahnispsotiwindousinetachelomentounowa20ypsa_cussele.docx  Page2  Unified Govemnment of Cusseta- - Chattahoochee County    risks such that BARGE's total liability to Client for any and alli injuries, claims, losses, expenses, damages, and/or claim expenses arising out of BARGE's services under this Agreement from any cause or causes shali note exceed thel limits of insurance proceeds available. Both parties agree to av waiver of consequential damages. This limitation shall apply regardless of the cause of action or XI. DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Itis agreed that all claims, disputes, or other mattersi in question arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be submitted to nonbinding mediation before any legal proceeding is commençed. The parties shall equally bear the fees and expenses charged by the XIII. OPINIONS OF CONSTRUCTION COST: Any opinion of probable construction cost prepared by BARGE represents thej judgment of one or more BARGE deslgn professionals andi is supplied for general guidance of Client. Since BARGE has no control over the construction marketplace and does not use the same pricing methods used by contractors, BARGE does not guarantee the XIV. GOVERNING LAW: Unless otherwise specified within this Agreement, this Agreement shall be governed byt the laws of the State of Georgia. Venue shall be the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia or the Superior Court for Chattahoochee County, Georgia.  legal theory pled or asserted.  mediator.  accuracy of such opinions.  Unified Government ofcusseta Chattagooches gbunty  Barge Design, solutionsiinc By: BrEAh Printed Name: Ben Adams Title: Vice President  By: AH 7 Printed Chark Title: bonrs Address: a  LpAy  mACkar OARS  Address: 1201 Front Avenue, Suite F Columbus, GA 31901  Date Signed: 3-5-2 Tax I.D. Number: 7-17433  Date Signed: 03-07-2024  Page 3  Unified Govemment of Cusseta- - Chattahoochee County  clusenaidlbishoplappdatpealmieosaiwindowsinetcachelgontentoutomas200ysa.cusseta.docx    UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF CUSSETA-CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY  POLICIES AND PROCEDURES  HR -I LEAVE MANAGEMENT  Annual Leave 420.03  PURPOSE  Annual leave isa at type of paid leave accrued by an employee based on length ofs service and utilized under certain conditions.. Annual leave is considered. al benefit for eligible employees.  POLICY  There shall be a consistent process for the accrual and use of annual leave of regular full-time and  part-time County employees. PROCEDURE Eligibility for Annual Leave to accrue annual leave. Accrual Rate of Annual Leave  All: regular full-time and regular part-time employees of Chattahoochee County shall be eligible  Vacation will be accrued every pay period beginning July 1st.  Employees employed under three years will accrue 1.54 each pay period to a total of 40 hours. Employees employed over three years will accrue 3.077 each pay period to a total of 801 hours. Ifyou request vacation for hours not accrued, ity willl be left at the discretion ofyour director to allow the time tol bet taken, however ifa allowed it will put your vacation time in the negative. Final approval will be at the  discretion oft the County Manager.  Maximum limit of annual leave to be: in the negative at one time not to go over 401 hours.  Ifane employee quits or is terminated with their vacation time int the negative it will be deducted from their New employees will be prorated for vacation time after they satisfactorily fulfill their 90 days introductory The earliest possible notice ofi intent to take annual leave shall be given by employees who are eligible to take annual leave. A request for annual leave shall be submitted to the employee's immediate supervisora  final check.  period per pay period.  minimum of five days in advance.    StateofGeorgia CountyofCusseta- Chattahoochee  RESOLUTION REAPPOINTING A MEMBER TO THE CUSSETA- CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WHEREAS, the Commission ofCuset-Chatahochee County, Georgia (herein after called "Commission") is authorized by state statute to appoint members to the Cusseta-  Chattahoochee County Planning Commission; and  WHEREAS, Brent Ingersoll was previously appointed to serve on the Planning &  Zoning Commission for a term expiring in December 31, 2023; and  WHEREAS, iti is the desire oft the Commission to reappoint Brent Ingersoll to fill the THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission has unanimously approved the immediate appointment of Brent Ingersoll to the Cusseta-Chatanoochee County Planning  vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Commission;  Commission for that certain term which expires in December 31, 2026.  APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Commission ofCiseta-Chatahoche County,  Georgia this 5th day ofMarch, 2024.  aR /  CHARLES COFFEY, CHAIRMAN  ATTESTED BY:  BAS  BICKEL, COUNTY CLERK UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF CUSSETA- CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY, GEORGIA  Eas  Seal: