County Meeting September 19, 2024 Minutes Union County Courthouse The meeting was called to order by Commissionerlamar Paris at 6:01pm. The Commissioner welcomed everyone to the meeting. The invocation was given by Fire ChiefDavid Dyer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Bill Walker. The minutes from the August 15, 2024, County Commissioner Paris asked his assistant Jennifer Mahan to come up to the podium and read the first item on the agenda which was al Proclamation declaring September 1st, as Micajah Clark Dyer Day and reads as follows: Whereas, Micajah Clark Dyer was born on July 13,1822 and lived and farmed in Union County, Georgia until his death on January 26, 1891; and Whereas, Mr. Dyer's only formal eduçation was at a one-room school in the Choestoe community; and Whereas, Mr. Dyeri is recognized as a true genius because ofhis many inventions; and Whereas, some of Mr. Dyer'si inventions were running water in his home, an efficient water-powered gristmill, and a "perpetual motion" machine that could power devices; and Whereas, Mr. Dyer's most famous invention was an "apparatus for navigating the air" which he flew over a meadow on his farm in the Choestoe community south of Blairsville; and Whereas, Mr. Dyer received a patent on September 1, 1874, for his flying machine that embodied aeronautical principles theretofore not employed in air navigation; Now Therefore, I, Lamar Paris, Commissioner of Union County, Georgia in honor oft the memory ofMicajah Clark Dyerand his ingenious invention at this early date in history do proclaim September 1, 2024, to be Micajah Clark Dyer day and the 150th Anniversary oft the patent for the Apparatus for Navigating the Air" in Jennifer continued to read the next item on the agenda which was a Proclamation declaring Constitution Week, and Constitution Day and reads as follows: Whereas The Constitution oft the United States ofAmerica, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government in a Republic dedicated to rule by law; and Whereas The Old Unicoi Trail Chapter oft the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution is al leader in local efforts (1) to emphasize citizens' responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it for posterity; (2) to inform the people that the Constitution is the basis for America' 's great heritage and the foundation for our way oflife; and (3) to ençourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787, and its subsequent amendments; and Whereas it is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary, and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate it; and Whereas Public Law 84-915 signed in 1956 guarantees the issuing of aj proclamation each year by the President ofthe United States ofA America designating September 17h through the 231d as Constitution Week. Now, Therefore, I, Lamar Paris, by virtue ofthe Meeting were approved as presented, and attendees were provided copies. Union County and do sO affix my signature this. August 26, 2024. authority vested in me as Sole Commissioner ofUnion County, State of Georgia, do hereby proclaim the week of September 17th through the 231d, 2024 as Constitution Week, and Thursday, September 17th as Constitution Day, the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787 in Philadelphia. Ia ask the citizens ofUnion County to read the Constitution and reaffirm their support for the ideals the Framers ofthe Constitution held in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the rightful liberties it guarantees to us. In Witness Whereof, Ih have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Government oft the County of Union, State of Jennifer also read the next item on the agenda which was a Proclamation for Constitution Week and reads as follows; Whereas the Constitution of the United States the guardian of our liberties, is a product ofreflection and choice, embodying the principles oflimited government in a republic dedicated to rule by law, not by men; and Whereas The Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter oft the Sons of the American Revolution as a local leader in patriotic, educational and historical efforts marks September 17h, Constitution Day, as the anniversary oft the drafting oft the Constitution ofthe United States of America by the Constitution Convention; and Whereas Iti is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this memorable anniversary, and to the patriotic exercises that will commemorate the occasion; and Whereas; Public Law 84-915, guarantees the issue ofaj proclamation each year by the President of the United States of America designating September 17th, through the 23rd as Constitution Week; NOWTHEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, I, Lamar Paris, Sole Commissioner, ofUnion County, Georgia do hereby proclaim to participate in CONSTITUTION WEEK and urge all Union County residents to study the Constitution and to express gratitude for the privileges ofAmerican citizenship in our. Republic; functioning under the super body of laws - the Constitution of the United States of America. IN WIINESSTHEREOK, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the official seal ofUnion The Commissioner moved onto the next item on the agenda where he approved the Adoption of Commissioner Paris then approved the next item on the agenda which was the Adoption oft the Commissioner Paris approved the next item, which was the approval of the following Business Georgia to be affixed. County, Georgia to be affixed. the Title VI Plan for the Union County Transit System. Tille VI Plan for Union County Government. License: New Union County Short-term Rental Licensees August 12, 2024-S September 15, 2024 BOOKWORM'S RIVERFRONT HIDEAWAY,LLC 137. By Thel River Suches, GA 30572 CAGNINA, DON & PAM 352 Highland Trace Blairsville, GA 30512 72 Greenbriar Dr Blairsville, GA 30512 CLARK, DANNY 46 Angel Hart Lane Blairsville, GA30512 769 Voylestown Rd Morganton, GA 30560 EDWARDS, MARK 160 Emerald Pond Dr Blairsville, GA 30512 HICKORY REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC 838 Sweetbay Dr Blairsville, GA: 30512 HIDDEN RETREAT, LLC 573 Ridgecrest Dr Blairsville, GA 30512 1243 Forest Dr Blairsville, GA 30512 TOUPS, LOUIS & CAROLYN 895 Fisher Field Rd Blairsville, GA 30512 1251 Stephens Rd Blairsville, GA 30512 CARRINGTON, KRISTIN MAURICE, JEROME CRUZ, ANA MARGARITA TRANQUILITYLLC Everyone was provided with a copy oft the list of Business Licenses that were issued in Union County from August 12th, 2024, to September 15th, 2024, for the purpose of operating a short- term rental within Union County. The Commissioner approved all Business Licenses contained The Commissioner presented the next item on the agenda which was the Agreement between Cummins Sales and Service and Union County for aj planned maintenance agreement in the amount of $748.33 with an effective date ofJuly 1,2024, to November 1, 2024. This agreement Commissioner Paris approved the next item, which was the Agreement between Cummins Sales and Service and Union County for a planned maintenance agreement in the amount of$1,565.53 with an effective date ofNovember 1, 2024, through October 31, 2025. This agreement covers two service visits, one full maintenance service, and one maintenance inspection. on the list provided. covers one inspection of the generators at 911 Dispatch during this time. The Commissioner approved the agreement between Mobile Communications: America, Inc. and Union County to maintain the radios, repeaters, and consoles in the Union County 911 Dispatch Center. This agreement has an effective date of August 1,2024, through July 31,2025 in the amount of $4,788 for the duration of the agreement. The next item the Commissioner approved was an agreement between. AT&Tand' Union County fora a Master Service. Agreement for the call answering equipment at 911 Dispatch. This includes phones, servers, backup phones, computers and 24-hour Tech Support. Thisi is a monthly contract for $1,813 per month. The service agreement will be in effect until cancelled upon the completion of the new Union County 911 Center, which we hope to be able to bid out in the next The Commissioner accepted an agreement between Union County and Paymentech, LLC, also known as Chase Merchant Services, for the processing of credit card transactions at the Transfer Station. The program will interface with the County's accounting software. There is no cost The Commissioner accepted an agreement between Tech Assurance and Union County fora a maintenance agreement and supply cost program for the Union County Tax Commissioner's Office and the Union County Tax Assessor's Office. This agreement provides that Union County purchases supplies for the printers from Tech Assurance at a discounted rate and that the The Commissioner adopted Resolution R-2024-12 authorizing the filing of an application with the Department ofTransportation, United States of America, and Georgia Department of Transportation for a grant under Title 491 U.S.C., Section 5311. Which is for our county The Commissioner accepted the following roads into the pounty-maintained road system: Loftis Mtn. Road - 2,500 linear feet from the intersection with Bradley Road 60 days. associated with this agreement. maintenance ofthe printers is provided at no cost. transportation system that comes through GDOT. Loftis Mtn. Way - Entire Road Loftis Lane - Entire Road The Commissioner asked Adam Payne to come up and speak regarding the Mountain Shelter Humane Society. He discussed the challenges they are facing with abandoned animals. They are focusing on spreading awareness within the community. Invited everyone to start following their The Commissioner introduced Robert Mawyer, who spoke regarding the professionalism ofthe Commissioner Paris thanked Mr. Mawyer for speaking and invited Jennifer Mahan to come up to Jennifer explained she has done a lotofresearch on HB-581, and you will have to vote on this item in the upcoming election. You will have al homestead exemption, your home will still be assessed, but your taxes cannot increase more than the Consumer Price Index. Jenniferinvited anyone that would like to ask questions after the meeting, she would be available. Commissioner Paris came back to the podium and explained that homes still must be assessed, and everyone gets a $2,000.00 homestead exemption, then your taxes are calculated against 40% social media pages for information about the shelter, Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services. the podium to explain HB-581 bill that will be on the ballot for this election. ofyour assessment. This will set a cap that willl hopefully help keep your property taxes in line The Commissioner went over the roads that have been resurfaced SO far this year, with a goal of hopefully 8 miles this year. The company that is paving is pushing hard and will try to get finished before the snow starts falling. We will be doing 142 miles of striping since we have the The new 911 center will hopefully be able to go out to bid in about 60 days. This is SO deserving, especially since the buildings are in need of repair. Recycling will be getting ai new compactor that should make everything in your home able to recycle except for Styrofoam. and not increase SO much. funding from SPLOST. We should be finished in about 30 days. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:39 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sanllahan Génnifer Mahan, County Clerk a 1gtayof December 3004 Lamar1 Commissioner