409  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  August 20, 2024 Warner Robins, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners met ina a regular session at 5:00, pm on1 Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the Houston County Annex in Warner Robins, Georgia, with Chairman Perdue presiding and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson, and Talton present. County Attorney Tom Hall, Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Director ofOperations Brian  Jones were also present.  Commissioner Byrdl led those present int the Pledge of Allegiance.  Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar, of Temple Beth Israel, gave the Invocation and spoke about the Temple's history in Macon. She spoke about! how thet temple startedi ina room above a candy storei inN Maconi in1 18595 by 11i immigrants from Germanya and France. She explained that Temple Beth Israel is the oldest synagogue in Georgia, outside of Savannah. The current location of Temple Beth Israel was built in 1902, and the fellowship participated in the civil rights movement int the 1960's. Rabbi Bahar concluded her comments by speaking on ana antisemitic event that occurred in June of 2023 and the outpouring of unity in Middle Georgia for the Each board member expressed their appreciation for Rabbi Bahar's uplifting invocation, sharing the history of Temple Beth Israel and her message of optimism, and unity. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the Mr. Byrd presented a request for approval of a quote for furniture to be used in the new Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the quote of $33,115 from Phillips Furniture Outlet, Inc., of Warner Robins, Georgia. This quote includes furniture for the new annex training room, two new conference rooms, and a new Mr. Byrd presented a request for a stepi increase in salary for Mr. Michael Ray at the Landfill. Mr. Ray obtained his Landfill Operator Certification, event thoughi iti is not a requirement of his Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve increasing Heavy Equipment Operator Michael Ray one step within his current pay grade toa Grade 13 Step G effective September 2, 2024. Also, for accounting to make any necessary Mr. Byrd expressed his appreciation to Mr. Ray for taking the initiative to obtain this Chairman Perdue commented that he has County employees seeking certifications, education and training that will improve their capability as an employee. Also, to reward this self- improvement, which benefits the County, with raises or promotions where possible. Ms. Robinson presented a request from the City of Warner Robins to annex a portion of the  synagogue.  minutes of the August 6, 2024 meeting. training room suite att the Houston County Annex.  break area. This purchase will bef funded by reserve funds.  current position.  budget adjustments. certification.  property located at 417 Nelson Drive.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 410    410  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 409  Chairman Perdue opened the floor for Public Comments. As there were no comments the meeting continued.  Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to concur with the annexation tot the Cityo ofWarner Robins of1.35a acres of the property locateda at4 417 Nelson Drive, also known ast tax parcel 00074E 170000. The current zoning of the property is County Ms. Robinson presented a request from the City of Warner Robins to annex 7 properties  R-1, and the proposed zoningi is City ofWarner Robins C-2. located near and on South Houston Lake Road. Chairman Perdue opened the floori for Public Comments. Ast there were no comments the meeting continued.  Chairman Perdue explained that a stipulation of concurrence with this annexation will be that this section ofH Houston Lake Roadr remain with the County until the County has completed the scheduled resurfacing of this road. Following the completion, Chairman Perdue stated that the City of Warner Robinst take maintenance obligations oft this section of Houston Lake Road as both sides of Houston Lake Road willi int the City of Warner Robins. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to concur with the annexations tot the City of Warner Robins oft thet following properties: Tax Parcel 00077D 062000 on Wrasling Way, containing 2.33 acres Tax Parcel 00077D 019000 at 1276 South Houston Lake Road, containing 1.07 acres Taxp parcel 00077D 021000 at 1272 South Houston Lake Road, containing .51 acres Taxp parcel 000770 081000 located on Moran Street, containing .91 acres Tax parcel 00077D017000: at 1280 South Houston Lake Road, containing 1.01 acres Tax parcel 00077D 018000 at 1278 South Houston Lake Road, containing 2.01 acres Taxj parcel 00077D 020000 at 1274 South Houston Lake Road, containing 1.03 acres with the stipulation that a master meter bei installed ont the Houston County) Water System to be individually metered by the City of Warner Robins and that the City of Warner Robins assume responsibility for maintenance, access control, improvements, and traffic operations onH Houston Lake Road andi its right-of-wayf from Cohen Walker Road tos Sandy Run Creek at the completion oft the County's current resurfacing project. These properties are currently zoned Mr. Talton presenteda a request toa authorize: sending EPDal letter confirming that the proposed Construction and Demolition Expansion at the Houston County Landfill is consistent with the Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened al Public Hearing. Utility Director Terry Dietsch addressed the proposed expansion, indicating that the 44-acre expansion would extend the operational lifespan oft the landfill by an additional 50 years. He stated both staff and consultants have expressed confidence that this expansion aligns with the County's Solid Wastel Management Plani int terms ofi its location and site suitability.  County C-2, and the proposed zoning is City of Warner Robins C-2.  County'sSolid Waste Management Plan.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on! Page 411    411  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 410  Chairman Perdue then stated that the County is not int the process ofa acquiring new property for the proposed expansion; instead, iti is looking to enlarge the existing, smaller footprint of the C& DI Landfill within the property already owned by the Board, a plan that has been in development for some time. He noted that the entire processi is expected to take around five years due to the extensive permitting process required by the EPD. Additionally, Chairman Perdue praisedJ Jeffs Smith,t the! Solid' Waste Superintendent, for achievinga a perfect score during With no further comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the Motionl by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve Chairman Perdue signing and sending the consistency determination letter to EPD regarding the Mr. Taltonp presented a request fora approval ofab bid fora a new Ford F-150 (orl like model) with Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the purchase ofc one (1)r newi in-stock 2023 Ford F-150 V8 Super Crew4 4x41 truck with a spray-in! bed liner and trailer package from Brannen Motor Company of Unadilla, GA for $45,000. This Mr. Gottwals presented a request to fill the vacant Heavy Equipment Operator position att the Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the hiring of DeAndrae Blassingame at a grade 13 Step C for the Heavy Equipment Operator position at the Landfill effective August 21, 2024. Also, for accounting to make any necessary budget adjustments. Personnel has reviewed the qualifications, and Mr. Blassingame does Chairman Perdue statedt that whena ane employee isl hireda atas step above the As step, based on Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve enteringi into executive session pertaining to O.C.G.A. $50-14-2(1); Attorney-Client. Chairman Perdue gaveled the Commissioners into an Executive Session.  arecent EPDi inspection oft the C& DI Landfill. regular portion of the meeting.  proposed expansion oft the construction and demolition landfill. spray-in! bedliner and trailer package for the Public Buildings Department.  purchase will bei funded by the 2018 SPLOST.  Landfill.  meet the requirements for the CStep.  experience ore education, approval by the Commissioners isr needed.  the payment oft the! bills totaling $4,653,222.23.  Chairman Perdue gaveled the Commissioners meeting back into session from the executive County Attorney Tom Hall explained that the Executive Session had to do with an animal cruelty case where the affected animals have to be boarded at the Warner Robins Animal Shelter att thee expense oft the County. Hea advised that this action was tof file a petition with the Motion by Ms. Robinson, second! by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously! by allt to file a petition with the courts tol have the owner of an animal cruelty case cover the expenses encountered  session.  courts tol have the owner cover the costs of this boarding of the animals.  by the County for boarding oft the animals.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 412    412  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 411  Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened Public Comments. Ms. Meg Mehserle spoke aboute election integrity issues and her time asa a poll worker. Mr. Daryl Allen spoke about many issues, including taxes, County purchases and donations, As there were not further comments, Chairman Perdue closed Public Comments.  the Houston County School District and others.  Chairman Perdue opened Commissioner's Comments.  Mr. Gottwals spoke aboutt the many positive and various actions the Board took toi include the purchase off furniture for the new training room, the C&DI landfill expansion and annexation of property into the City of Warner Robins. He closed by commenting on the efforti it takes to run the County and thanked all the County employees who had a hand in developing and  completing the agenda for each Commission meeting. Ms. Robinsoni thanked everyone for attending. ona and beingi insidet the structure that was ont fire.  Mr. Talton thanked all the County employees for their work getting the agenda ready and recognized Fire Chief Chris Stoner for takinga ana active part inf fightingarecenti fire withi full gear Mr. Byrd expressed his appreciation for the service of the County employees. He also commented on a recent ACCG training event where he heard the challenges that other counties in Georgia were facing whichi madel hima all ther more appreciative tos serve ina County that does not have the problems, he heard oft that other Georgia counties do. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all.  Meeting adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director of Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 413    413  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 412  EXECUTIVE SESSION. AFFIDAVIT  STATE OF GEORGIA COUNTY OF HOUSTON  AFFIDAVIT OF PRESIDING OFFICER  Danl Perdue, Chairman oft the Houston County Board of Commissioners, being duly sworn, states under oath that the following ist true and accurate Thel Houston County Board of Commissioners met ina a duly advertised During suchi meeting, the Board voted to go into executive session. The executive session was called to order at 5:30j p.m.  tot thel best ofl his knowledge and! belief: meeting on August 20, 2024.  1. 2. 3. 4.  Thes subject matter of thec closed portion oft the meeting was devoted to the following matter(s) within the exceptions providedi in the open meeting X Consultation with the county attorney or other legal counsel to discuss pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims, administrative proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to bel brought by or against the county or any officers or employee or in which the county or any officer or employee may be directly involved as provided in O.C.G.A. $ 50-14-2(1); Discussion oft tax matters made confidential by state law as $50-14-2(2) and (insert the citation to the legal authority making  law:  provided by O.C.G.A. the tax matter confidential) Discussion or voting on: 3(b)(1)(A); property as 3(b)(1)(C);  Authorizing a settlement as provided in 0.C.G.A.$50-14- Authorizing negotiations toj purchase, dispose of, or lease provided in O.C.G.A. $ 50-14-3(b)C)(B); Authorizing an appraisal as provided in O.C.G.A. S 50-14- Entering a contract for the purchase, disposal of, or lease of property as provided in O.C.G.A. $ 50-14-3()C)(D); Entering into an option top purchase, dispose of, or lease property as provided in O.C.G.A. $5 50-14-3(b)CI)(E); Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 414    414  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 413  Discussion or deliberation on the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating ofa county officer or employee as Interviewing candidates for executive positions as provided in Other (describe the exemption to the open meetings law):  providedi in OCGASS0-4300:  O.C.G.A. $50-14-3(b)(2);  as provided in (insert the citation tot the legal  authority exempting the topic).  5.  During the course oft the closed: session devoted to exempt topics, an incidental remark regarding a non-exempt topic or an attempt to Thea attempt was immediately ruled out of order and attempts Thea attempt wasi immediately: ruled out oforder. However, the comments did not cease, so the closed/executive session was immediately adjourned without discussion or action being  discuss al non-exempt topic was made.  to discuss same ceased immediately.  takeni regarding any non-exempt topic.  6.  Minutes were taken oft this meeting and willl be filed and] held fori in  camera inspection only.  This  day of August 2024.  Dan Perdue, Chairman  Houston County Board of Commissioners  Sworn to and subscribed beforei me this August 2024. Notary Public My commission expires:  day of