439  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  November 5, 2024 Perry, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners met inr regular session at 9:00 am on Tuesday, November 5, 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 ofA Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Director of Operations Brian  Jones were also present.  Commissioner Talton gave the Invocation.  Commissioner Gottwals led thosei ina attendance int thel Pledge of Allegiance.  Col.. Josh DeF Pauls spoke ofl his 21-year military career following! his graduation from the Citadel. Currently stationed at Robins Air Force Base with the 402nd Maintenance Group, he and his unit repair and restore over 120 aircraft annually. Inc closing, he remarked that int the! 5 months hel has been at Robins Air Force Base, he andl hist family! have genuinely appreciated the support Chairman Perdue and each of the commissioners expressed their appreciation for Col. De Chairman Perdue recognized Landfill Superintendent Jeffrey Smith, who presented an award that the Houston County Landfill received from the Solid Waste Association of North America Mr. Smith commented that the award was for recognition of the Landfill's Waste to Energy greene energy program, which converts methane gas produced by the landfillt to electricity. He concluded by recognizing severalr members oft thel landfill staff who attended the meeting. Chairman Perdue commented ont the great) job! being done att the landfill. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the Chairman Perdue changed the agenda's order to allow City of Warner Robins staff to Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, to approve the distribution of the remaining  and welcome from the Houston County community.  Paul's service and his critical worki ins supporting the United States.  (SWANA).  minutes from the October 15, 2024, meeting. participate inA Agenda Item #10.  ARPA1 funds designated for non-profit organizations as follows: Houston County Family Connection- $10,000 Humane! Society ofH Houston County- $10,000 Haven Hopel House- $15,000  Chairman Perdue paused the vote to recognize the community partners ina attendance for this  item.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 440    440  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 439  Mayor Patrickt thanked the Chairman and Commissioners for the $15,000 donation of ARPA funds to support the Haven Hope House, which will assist homeless individuals in Houston County. Mayor Patrick spoke about Haven! Hope House and saidi it willl be open and runningi in Chairman Perdue thanked Mayor Patrick for her leadership in supporting and assisting the Mr. Brian Wise, Haven Hope House Director, gave his thanks for this help and expressed his appreciation to Chairman Perdue and the Commissioners for their support of this effort in Valkyrie Anderson, Executive Director of the Houston County Family Connection, expressed hera appreciation for the $10,000 donation and stated that the funds would be used at the. July 2025 Backt tos School Bash event. Shei then spoke aboutt the organization's work and introduced Stephanie Robinson, Collaborative Chair. Ms. Robinson expressed her appreciation for the After the comments, Chairman Perdue restated the motion and the: second. Upon voting, the Chief Buildingl Inspector Tim Andrews presented Special Exception. Applications #2806t through County Attorney Tom Hallr made al blanket statement fort the benefit ofa alla applicants for Special Exceptionsi for home occupations: eveni ifthe Boardo of Commissioners: 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 the Board will not change any provision withini the Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened a Public Hearing. Applicant #2806 was present. Mr. Tyler Cox, representing the Baker Donelson! Law Firm, spoke Applicant #2807 was present with nothing further to add; there was no opposition. Applicant #2808 was present with nothing furtheri to add; there was no opposition. Applicant #2811 was present with nothing further to add; there was no opposition. With no further comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, 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 staff report:  the next few months.  homeless in Houston County through the Haven Hope House.  Houston County.  funds, which willl help support nexty year's Back to School Bash event.  motion passed unanimously. #2808 and #2811.  covenant that prohibits any commercial or business activity.  aboutt the cell phone tower; there was no opposition.  regular portion oft the meeting.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 440    441  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 440  #2806 Baker Donelson Law Firmi for Verizon Wireless Telecommunications Tower #2811 Brandon Miller DBA Velocity Baseball & Softball. Athletics Facility license was tos go tot the Commissioner's Office and apply forit. Mr. Andrews presented Rezoning Applications #2809 and #2810.  #2807 Jennifer Bell #2808 Robert and Charlotte McGee  Bookkeeping Business Agricultural Education (Academics)  Mr. Andrews instructed the approved applicants that the next step in getting their business  Chairman Perdue closedt the regular portion of the meeting and opened al Public Hearing. Applicant #2809 was present with nothing further to add; there was no opposition. Applicant #2810 was present with nothing further to add; there was no opposition. Chairman! Perdue explained tol Mr. Maarouf, applicant #2810, that there wouldb ber no driveway access to the new parcel but that he could use the driveway access found at the adjacent  property, which the applicant also owns. Mr. Maarouf statedi that he understood the stipulation.  Therev werer nof furthero comments, so Chairman! Perdue closedt the Public Hearing and reopened Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the following Rezoning Applications as recommended by the Houston County Planning  the regular portion oft the meeting.  Commission: #2809 Scott Free #2810 Nader Maarouf  Property! located at 370 Arena Road R-AGtoF R-1 Property located at 115 Napier Ave R-1toC-2  Mr. Talton presented a request to approve an agreement between Houston County and Bureau' Veritas North America, Inc. to perform building inspection services. Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve a professional services agreement between Houston County and Bureau Veritas! North America, Chairman Perdue explained that the County's building inspectors both took medicall leave. He stated that Bureau' Veritas North America, Inc. received. good reviews from other counties it works with in Central Georgia, so the County would temporarily use them to fulfill building Mr. Andrews stated that working with the company had been smooth and that they were Commissioner Byrd thanked Mr. Andrews for devising the plan to work with Bureau Veritas Mr. Talton presented: a request to declare one Magnum Generator used for partsando one 1998  Inc.  inspection needs. helpful.  and hoped this agreement would continue. Ford Backhoe 4WD with mechanical issues as surplus.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 442    442  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 441  Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve declaring one Magnum Generator and one 1998 Ford Backhoe 4WD as surplus. Also, to Mr. Gottwals presented a request to fill the vacant IT Specialist II position in the MIS Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve hiring Ryan Shelleyt tot fill the vacant ITS Specialist Il positioni in MIS atg grade 18s step C, effective November 6, 2024. The Personnel Department has reviewed his qualifications, and he meets Mr. Gottwals presented a request to amend the Independent Contractor Agreement with Ms. Motion! by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the amendment of the Independent Contractor Agreement with Ms. April Kelly Neal to provide legals services inJ Juvenile court from full- time top part-time with thet following pay schedule: $11,805.14 duringt the eight (8) montht term oft this amendment ata a monthly rate of$ $2,083.29 fori ther montho of November: 2024, $1,388.831 for the months of December 2024t through to and including May 2025 (six (6)) months and $1,388.87 for the month of June 2025. Monthly payments willl ber made ont the first ofe each monthi fors services rendered the preceding month.  authorize auctioning them on GovDeals.  Department.  the C-stepi requirements. April Kelly Neal, dated July1 1, 2024.  Thet first payment due herein shall be December: 1,2 2024. All other terms and conditions shall remain unchanged.  Mr. Gottwals presented a request to enter into an agreement with the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority to use Murphy Hall in the Miler-Murphy-Howard Building for the staff Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the signing of an Interim Event License Agreement between the Houston County Board of Commissioners andt the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority of Perry, Georgia, for the use Mr. Gottwals presented a request for approval ofal bid for one new pothole patcher truckf for Motion! by Mr. Gottwals, secondl by Ms. Robinson, to approve thel bid on one newl International 2025 trucke equipped with one Pro-Patch. Asphalt Pothole Patcher from H.D. Industries Inc., of Jacksonville, Texas, for $233,104.22, with ane estimated delivery of5r months. The 2018 SPLOST Mr. Byrd noted the high mileage and extended use of the truck by the Public Works Mr. Chris Sonnier, with Falcon Asphalt Repair Equipment, asked if he could comment ont the  Christmas party.  of Murphy Hall on December 5,2024. the Roads &E Bridges Department.  will fund this purchase. Department. current agenda item.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 443    443  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 442  Chairman Perdue agreed and asked him tos stept to the podium. gravity- fed rathert than running off an auger delivery system.  Mr. Sonnier advised that while his bid did not include ana auger ass specified int thel bid package, the H.D. Industries bid did not include a crew cab truck. He then explained his truck was Mr. Talton asked about the auger, which Mr. Sonnier explained was a delivery system for getting the materials out oft the hopper. He further explained that his trucks were gravity-fed tor reduce the costlyr repairs and maintenance associated with an auger delivery system. When asked, Director of Operations Brian. Jones statedi that the County's.current pothole patch Purchasing Director Vanessa Zimmerman was asked about the bid on the pothole patchtruck. She explained that the bid specifications were aj joint effort between the Roads and Bridges Department, which currently uses an auger delivery system, and the Purchasing Department. Chairman Perdue asked Commissioner Gottwals ifh he wanted to amend his motion, to which Motion! by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to table the purchase oft the pothole patch truck until Public Works staff could examine the specifications oft thel Falcon truck without the augur tos seei ifit couldj just as well meet the needs ofs staff. Mr. Gottwals presented a request toe entera contract with BTV Systems tor replace some oft the Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve entering a purchase contract with BTV Systems of Macon, Georgia, to replace some of the cameras systems att the courthouse fora a$129,564.08. The 20185 SPLOST willf fund this purchase. Mr. Byrd presented: ar request from the City of Warner Robins to add two developments tot the Water Purchase Agreement between Houston County and the City of Warner Robins. Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the amendment to the Water Purchase Agreement between Houston County and the City of 1.F Red Owl Coffee at1 1272 South Houston Lake Road and' Wrasling Way, using one 6-incha and 2.Culvers Bonaire at7 780 HWY 96 (S. Houston Lake Road) using one 2-inch master meter. . That the developer posts al bond covering 125% oft the construction cost for work performed Adherence to the rate structure approved by the Houston County Board of Commissioners The issuance ofa a utility permit to the City of Warner Robins based on all conditions being  truck was still operating.  he agreed.  indoor and outdoor camera systems att the Perry Courthouse.  Warner Robins toa add thet following: one 2-inchr master meter.  This additioni is contingent upont the following: ont the Houston' Water System. on November 19, 2019.  met according to' "Houston County Utility Accommodations."  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 444    444  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 443  Mr. Byrd presentedar request toa approve ab bidi fort the remodel oft the Dunbar Water Treatment Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the bidi from Plumbline Construction! LLC, ofWarner Robins, Georgia, for $49,737.30. Water Capital Mr. Byrd presented: a request to approve al bid on the Water System Improvements to Serve Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the low bid from John R. Walker Inc., of Macon, Georgia, for $2,076,756.89. ARPA will fund this Ms. Robinson presented ar request to approve al bid ont the new Bonaire Elevated Water Tank. Motion by! Ms. Robinson, second by! Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously! by all to approve the best value bid from Landmark Structures of Fort Worth, Texas, in the amount of $6,470,000 for the construction ofa 1.5-million-gallon composite tank. ARPA and Capital Funds will fund Chairman Perdue expressed his excitement at being able to afford al larger tank than initially thought possible with ARPA funds previously designated for this project. He further commented that the County switched from a pedestal tank to a composite tank, which resulted in cost savings. He also explained that specialized construction was needed to build composite tanks, which is why a company had tot travel soi far out oft the areai to complete the Ms. Robinson presented a request to approve a change order for the Waterline Extension to Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve signing change orderr number 1 for the Waterline Extension tos serve Scott Road & Scott Road Extension project. This change order deducts $18,840.25 tor reflect actual quantities installed, Ms. Robinson presented a request to accept the Juvenile Justice Incentive grant, which will fund local evidence-based programs serving youthi int the community at moderate to! high risk for reoffending or who would otherwise be committed to Georgia's Department of Juvenile Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals and carried unanimously by all to approve the acceptance oft the $300,000 Juvenile. Justice Incentive Grant, subgrant number Y25-8-017. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve the  Facility.  Funds will fund this project. Cemex project. project.  this project.  work.  Serve Scott Road & Scott RoadE Extension project.  decreasing the total contract amount from $595,426.05 to $576,585.80.  Justice (DJJ).  payment oft the bills totaling $4,628,615.97. Chairman Perdue opened the floor for Public Comments.  Mr. Bob Floyd had questions aboutt the location oft the approved new water tower.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 445    445  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 444  Chairman Perdue responded that ity would be located across from Bonaire Baptist Church. Mr. Floyd then commented on the Lashley Subdivision area, the conditions of the roads, and Chairman Perdue explained that solving the property issues was no short-term process. He County Attorney Hall agreed with Chairman Perdue that the legal process of remediating a Mr. Logan Cowperthwaite spoke about issues that his neighborhood in Centerville was having with homeless people andi indiscriminate target shootingi int the area during quiet hours. Ms. Meg Mehserle spoke about! her views on election integrity and being released from a poll watcher position. She presented: a news article anda asked Chairman Perdue abouti its contents.  the many! blighteda anda abandoned properties int that area. then asked County Attorney Tom Hall to comment ont the issue.  blighted property took time.  Mr. Byrda asked Chairman Perdue ifh he had written the article inc question.  Chairman Perdue replied that he had not.  Without further comments, the Chairman closed Public Comments and opened Commissioner Ms. Robinson thanked everyone for attending and commented on the many and various community-related items accomplished during the meeting. She also thanked Mr. Floyd for attending andl bringing! his concerns: about the Lashley Subdivision tot thel Board. She concluded Mr. Gottwals read ai few lines from Every Moment Holy and commented that we should all Mr. Byrd mentioned that today was the last dayt to vote and encouraged everyone to do so. He commented on the various community-oriented agenda items and the parts of the community present,i including the participation oft the City of Warner Robins Mayor Patrick and other staff members. He recognized Mr. Talton and the invocation given att the beginning of the meeting. He mentioned: Sheriff Talton's recent passing and spoke of what a great man, publics servant, and Sheriff he was to Houston County. He concluded bys saying that wes should Mr. Talton commented ont the greatr meeting andt the substantial wayt that the Boardg gives back tot the community through its support of the homeless and youth of Houston County. Chairman Perdue commentedi thati there wasar recent community meeting focusing on! hearing from the residents of the Lashley Subdivision. He stated that formulating a plan toi improve the area would take time. He commented on the blighted properties, saying that with the rights of private property owners, remediating the blighted vacant properties in the Lashley Subdivision would bea a lengthy process. He next spoke about Sheriff Talton and said that the County was ing good hands with Sheriff Billy Rape. Chairman Perdue concluded his comments  Comments.  her comments by reminding everyone to vote, saying it was election day. respect each other ont this election day, nor matter the election results.  also remember Sheriff Billy Rape serving now int that role.  by reading Philippians 4:8.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 446    446  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 445  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