429  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  October: 1, 2024 Perry, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 am on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry, Georgia, with Chairman Perdue presiding and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson, and Talton present. County Attorney Tom Hall, Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Director of Operations Brian. Jones  were also present.  Commissioner Byrd gave the Invocation.  Commissioner Talton led those present int the Pledge of Allegiance.  Chairman Perdue announced that there would be a Houston County Comprehensive Plan meeting immediately after the Board meeting, inviting those interested to stay for that Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the Chairman Perdue recognized Judge Sammons, acknowledging her need to leave for a court proceeding and heri interesti ina ani item ont the agenda. He asked Mr. Gottwals to proceed with presenting item number eight to allow. Judge Sammons tor make her scheduled proceeding. Mr. Gottwals presented a request from the Magistrate Court to fill the vacant Deputy Clerk Motion! by Mr. Gottwals, second by! Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve hiring Adrienne Kirkman to fill the vacant Deputy Clerk position int the Magistrate Court at grade 14 step C, effective October 2, 2024. Staff has reviewed her qualifications, and she meets the C- Judge Sammons expressed her appreciation to the Board for filling this position at the Chairman Perdue expressed his appreciation for the Magistrate Court and their work. Chief Building Inspector Tim Andrews presented Special Exception Applications numbers2798 Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened aF Public Hearing. Applicant #2798 was present with nothing furthert to add; there was no opposition. Applicant #2799 was present with nothing furthert to add; there was no opposition. Applicant #2800 was present with nothing furthert to add; there was no opposition. Applicant #2801 was present with nothing further to add; there was no opposition. Applicant #2802 was present with nothing furthert to add; there was no opposition. Applicant #2803 was present with nothing furthert to add; there was no opposition. Applicant #2804 was present with nothing furthert to add; there was no opposition. Applicant #2805 was present with nothing furthert to add; there was no opposition. Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the regular portion oft the meeting.  meeting.  minutes from the September 17, 2024, meeting.  position.  step requirements. Magistrate Court.  through 2805.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 430    430  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 429  Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the following Special Exception Applications to include any and all stipulations as noted on the Zoning & Appeals recommendation: and Section 95 Requirements staffr report:  #2798 #2799 #2800 #2801 #2802 #2803 #2804 #2805  Johnnie Robinson Alejandro Cabrera Loni McGehee Jay Barecky Marco Antonio Rios & Sara Diaz James' Wicker Michael Anderson Johnny & Cindy Ross  Automotive Detailing Business Landscaping & Brush Clearing Educational Services Construction Business Framing Business Pool Construction Business Locksmith Business Hand Sewn Gifts & Home Accessories  Mr. Andrews instructed the approved applicants that the next stepi in getting their business County Attorney TomH Hall made al blanket statement fort thel benefit of alla applicants for Special Exceptionsf forl home occupations: eveni ifthe Boardo ofCommissioners: approves ana application, neighborhood covenants may still impose certain restrictions upon or against home businesses. These restrictive covenants are. not superseded by any action the Board of Commissioners takes. The actions taken! by thel Board will not change any provision within the Chairman Perdue recognized guest speakers Col. Sherry Graham and CMSgt. Lloyd Morales. Col. Graham spoke about her military career and work as Vice Wing Commander of Robins Air Force Base. She explained that she wasr new toF Robins Air Force Base and thel Houston County Community arriving only 90 days ago. She spoke of her 22 years of service, three daughters, and three combat tours overseas. Inc closing, shet thanked thel Boardf for thei invitation1 tos speak, the strong community support shel hast felt so far, and the ability to engage with those she has previously served with during her military career who have chosen tor retire here in Houston CMSgt. Morales, who accompanied Col Graham, is the Command Chief of the 78th Air Base Winga at Robins. He spoke about his career, saying that he comes fromt thet field of logistics and that it was good tol be workingi inl his field again. He stated that hei is originally from New York and has served multiple combat tours overseas. He closed by thanking the Board of Commissioners and the Houston County community for their strong support of the military The Commissioners expressed their appreciation for Col. Graham's and CMSgt. Morales' Chairman Perdue commented" that in speaking to Col. Reese, the 78th ABW Commander, he was challenged and excited by the fresh perspective that Col. Graham and CMSgt. Morales have brought tot the 78th ABW andI Robins Air Force Base. Hei finished by saying thatt the Board  license was to go tot the Commissioner's Office and apply fori it.  covenant that prohibits any commercial or business activity.  County.  personnel stationed at Robins Air Force Base. service andi for their attendance att the meeting.  of Commissioners was here toa assist them in any way possible.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 431    431  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 430  Mr. Byrd presented an Intergovernmental. Agreement between the Board of Commissioners Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of anl Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Warner Robins facilitating the care and maintenance of Houston Lake Road from Sandy Run Creek to Cohen Walker Drive upon Chairman Perdue commented that this was the agreement mentioned two meetings ago, which addresses the maintenance of Houston Lake Road in the specified section due to the City of Warner Robins annexing several properties along! both sides oft the road. Mr. Byrd presented: a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Commissioners and the City of Warner Robins, allowing the County to connect to the City's fiber network to upgrade the Emergency Services Records Management Server connection. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with The City of Warner Robins, allowing the Countyt to connectt tot the City's fiber network. Pert the agreement, each party willk bear the costs Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously bya all to approve the appointment of Ms. Elizabeth. Jonest tot the Warner Robins Area Transportation: Study (WRATS) Citizens Advisory Committee tot fill the unexpired term of Mr. Van Herrington. Ms. Jones will begina a newi four-year term at the March 6, 2025, meeting of the WRATS Citizens Committee. Chairman! Perdue explained that Ms. Jones willb be a voting member at the November meeting tof fill Mr. Vani Herrington's unexpired term and begina a new four-year term in March. Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval ofab bid ont ten newi in-stock 2025 Ford Police Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the bid from Phil Brannen Ford of Perry, Georgia, on ten new in-stock 2025 Ford Police Interceptors to be used in the Patrol and Traffic Divisions of the Sheriff's Department for Chairman Perduei thanked Purchasing Director Vanessal Zimmerman forl locating these vehicles Ms. Robinson presented anl Independent Contractor. Agreement with Attorney Lauren Deal to Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve signing ani independent contractor agreement with Attorney Lauren Deal to start on October 11, 2024, and end. June 30, 2025, for $25,215.14. This 9-month term is to be paid asf follows: $1,881.78 for October, $2,916.661 for November through and including May, and $2,916.74f for  and the City of Warner Robins.  the completion oft the County's resurfacing project.  for maintaining and operating their respective infrastructure.  Interceptors.  $49,200 per truck. The 2018 SPLOST willi fund this purchase of $492,000.  for the Sheriff's Department.  replace Mr. Genghis Shakhan for work with the. Juvenile Court.  June.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 432    432  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 431  Mr. Gottwals presented a request to fill the Senior Water Clerk position in the Perry office of Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve hiring Tierneyl Nicolel Hannulat tof fillt the Senior Clerk positioni int the Water Department atg grade 12 stepl Be effective October 2, 2024. Staff have reviewed her qualifications, and she meets the Chairman! Perdue stated that Ms. Hannula had previously worked atF Public Works int the Water Mr. Gottwals presented a request for approval to enter into an agreement with the Georgia Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve signing a Local Government Scrap1 Tire Abatement Reimbursement Program Agreement with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for a tire amnesty event on April 25 and 26, 2025. The County will receive reimbursement of up to$ $48,2561 fromi the EPD for the event. Chairman Perdue thanked Utility Director Terry Dietscha and Landfill Superintendent Jeff Smith Mr. Talton presented an option top purchase aj portion oft the property at 2510 Hwy 127, Perry, Chairman Perdue asked County Attorney Tom Hall whether any Commissioners needed to County Attorney Tom Halla advisedt the Commissioners that they couldr realize no personal gain Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of and optiont top purchase aj portion oft the land located at2 2510HWY127, Perry,Georgia, Chairman Perdue explained that this item was only an option to purchase and that at test well would need to be constructed, along with other testing, before the Board could vote on Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the  the Water Department.  BStepr requirements.  Department and that having! her back was good.  Environmental Protection Division fora as scrapt tire amnesty event.  for their helpy with this event.  Georgia, from the Hospital Authority of Houston County.  recuse themselves from voting ast threes serve ont the Hospital Authority.  with thisi item; therefore, recusal was unnecessary. alsol known as Tax Parcel OP0490017000. proceeding witha a purchase. following board appointments: Zoning Appeals Board Arthur Clarke Planning & Zoning Board Dr. Holcomb Ty Diamond Zach Ivestor  06/06/241 through 06/05/2028 09/07/241 through 09/06/2028 09/07/241 through 09/06/2028 09/07/24through 09/06/2028  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 433    433  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 432  Commissioner Talton expressed his appreciation for these individuals and their willingness to Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the  serve.  payment oft the bills totaling $5,211,485.46. Chairman Perdue opened the floori for Public Comments. fora alle elections tob be rund on! hand-marked paper ballots.  Ms. Margaret Mehserle spoke about her concerns regarding election integrity and her desire Mr. Michael Hatcher spoke about the Warner Robins Blight Task Force and inquired about the Houston County Land Bank Authority. He closed by recognizing Mr. Drew Bell, who Chairman Perdue recognized Director of Operations Brian. Jones ast the chairman oft the Land Mr. Tim Andrews thanked the Chairman and Board for approving the appointments to the Zoning and Appeals Board and Planning &2 Zoning Board during the meeting and complimented Without further comments, the Chairman closed Public Comments and opened Commissioner Mr. Byrd expressed his thanks that Houston County was spared from the damage brought to other communities in Georgia by Hurricane Helene. He then congratulated the Houston County Schooll Districti fort the ribbon cutting oft the newl Matt Arthur Primary Schoola andF Feagin Middle School, alongy withi itsp principal, Mark Sams, for beinga awarded the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, one of only ten schoolsi in Georgia. He concluded by commenting ont the several approved agenda itemst that had to do with cooperation and how that was the secret Mr. Taltoni thanked everyone fora attending. Het then thanked Mr. Hatcher and Mr. Bell fort their presence ande efforts to enhance the community. Additionally, he addressed Hurricane Helene, thanking staff for their readiness and willingness to take on the task and mentioning how grateful he was tol live ina a community that comes together to assist thosei in need. Ms. Robinson thanked everyone for attending, and for the support of the community. She expressed her gratitude that Houston County made it through Hurricane Helene with minor Mr. Gottwals spoke about the grieft that many people are facing due tot the damage caused! by Hurricane Helene. He expressed his thanks for the change in the hurricane's trajectory and Chairman Perdue apologized to the Commissioners and those in attendance for losing his decorum during Public Comments. He concluded by saying he was thankful that everyone in  accompanied him.  Bank Authority and suggested they connect after the meeting. thez Zoning Board members for their work and commitment.  Comments.  ingredient tot the success oft this community.  damage compared to other locations in Georgia. said that we should allf feel blessed.  the room, including himself, woulda answer to only one person one day.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 434    434  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 433  Motion to adjourn by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all.  Meeting adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director ofA Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner