473 Houston County Commissioners Meeting February 4, 2025 Perry, Georgia The Houston County Board of Commissioners meti in regular session at 9:00 a.m., onl Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry, Georgia. Chairman Perdue presided, and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson and Talton were present. County Attorney Tom Hall, Directoro ofA Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Director of Operations Brian Jones were also present. Chairman Perdue gave thei invocation. Commissioner Taltonl led thosei in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. CMSgt. Ronnie Stevens, from the 116th Operations Group, gave a brief history of his military career. He spoke about the. Joint Stars platform and the transition oft the 116th to flying the commandand-control. aircraft called the Kingpin, remote piloted aircraft, crypto intelligence and cyber operations warfare. He also spoke about the support given by the 116thi ins support of humanitarian assistance to Georgia residents affected last year by Hurricane Helene, and support ofp public safety efforts through helicopter and personnel transport and response. In closing, CMSgt. Stevens introduced his wife, Anna, a nurse at Navicent hospital who accompanied him to the meeting and stated they and their three children have lived in Each oft the commissioners expressed their appreciation for CMSgt. Steven's service, and the Chairman Perdue thanked CMSgt Stevens for the help and response by the 116th in the Chairman Perdue introduced Houston County Extension Coordinator & Area Livestock Agent Brandi McGonagill to give an update ont the Houston County Extension Office. Ms. McGonagill gave a presentation and then introduced: several staffr members: Ag & Natural Resources Agent Morgan Grizzle, County Extension Agenta and FACS Coordinator Lal Keshia Levi, Houston County 4-H Agent Samantha Price and Houston County 4-H Educator Noah Shedd. Each: staffr member gave and overview of their work during this past year and highlighted many ofthes schoola activities, Outreachopportunites: and communityi involvement opportunities that Mr. Talton said the education ina agriculture for studentsi ink Houston County schools wasag good Ms. Robinson commented ont the wide scope of work and education that the Extension Office Chairman Perdue thanked the Extension Office staff for their work and commented on the Inaf final comment, Brandi McGonagill expressed her thanks to the Board for their help in Houston County for 24 years. critical work he does ins support of the United States military. aftermath ofH Hurricane Helene. each had available orp participated in. influence. performs. wide range of work their office handles. building the outdoor classroom whichs she says is used weekly. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 474 474 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 473 Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, to approve the minutes from the. January 21, 2024, meeting. Upon voting Mr. Byrd, Ms. Robinson, and Mr. Gottwals voted yes. Motion carried. Mr. Talton abstained because he was absent from the meeting ont the 21st. Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar gave the second reading of the alcohol license Chairman Perdue opened a Public Hearing on the alcohol license for Monica Kinnebrew at Ast there were no comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the Motion! by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the alcohol license for the sale of Beer/Wine for off premise consumption to Monica Kinnebrew Building Inspection & Planning/Zoning Assistant Rebecca Kidd presented Special Exception Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion of the meeting and opened a Public Hearing on application for Monica Kinnebrew. 2802 US Hwy 41S.i in Elko. regular portion oft the meeting. for the storel locateda at 2802 US Hwy 41 S. Elko, Georgia. Applications #2817, and #28201 through #2831. the applications. Applicant #2817 was not present ast thei item wast tabled. Applicant #2820 was present, there wasi no opposition. Applicant #2822 was not present ast the item was withdrawn. Applicant #2823 was present, there wasi no opposition. Applicant #2824 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2826 was not present ast the item was tabled. Applicant #2827 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2828 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2829 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2830 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2831 was not present ast the item was withdrawn. Applicant #2821 was present and spoke inf favor of his application, there was no opposition. Applicant #2825 was present ands spokei inf favor of his application, also speaking inf favor were Bob Stewart, Jim Taylor, and Teresal Hathaway. Speakingi inc opposition were Bill Curtis and Vicki Tucker. With no further comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the County Attorney Tom! Halli madea al blankets statement fort thel benefit ofa alla applicants for Special Exceptions for home occupations: eveni ifthe Board 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 thel Board will not change any provision within the Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the following Special Exception Applications toi include any anda alls stipulations asr noted ont the Zoning & Appeals recommendation: and Section 95 Requirements staffr report: regular portion oft the meeting. covenant that prohibits any commercial or business activity. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 475 475 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 474 #2820 #2821 #2823 #2824 #2827 #2828 #2829 #2830 #2817 #2825 #2826 Stanley. Johnson. Jr. Jeremy Yuill Andrea Brasier Kaleb1 Turner Andy & Lynn Moss Grayland &1 Tatiana Allen Dylan & Hannah Swafford James Pierce Timothy' Winn Apparel & Vinyl Print Business Kids Entertainment Business Artwork & Writing Business Land Clearing & Dirt Work Hair Salon Business Graphic Design Business Landscaping Business Construction Business Automobile Programming &A Accessories Business Jeffrey Lake & Megan Norman Landscaping Business Trenton & Juamona Simmons Medical Case Management and tot table the following Special Exception Applications: Ms. Kidd informed the approved applicants that the next step to obtain their business license Planning and Zoning Director Tim Andrews explained to those applicants who had their applications returned tol be heard by the Zoning and Appeals Board that a news sign would be Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval of a Memorandum of Understanding to improve the quality of legal representation provided to children and parents before the Houston County. Juvenile Court and tos secure Title IV-E funds through reimbursement. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve entering a Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgia Office of the Child Advocate to participate int the program and work together to improve the quality of legal representation provided to children and parents before the Court, and secure Title IV-E reimbursement asa Chairman Perdue commented on the high turnaround in public defender representation in Juvenile Court and that this grant will endeavor toi improve the turnover rate. Mr. Byrd presented a request from the State Court Clerk's Office for approval of a contract Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the renewal ofac contract with Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP, of Houston Texas, to serve ast the collection agency for all unpaid traffic citations and fees. The contract period will Mr. Byrd presented a request from the Tax Assessors' Office for approval to enter a contract Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve entering a contract with GMASS of Norwood, Georgia, for GIS services. The terms of this contract will be January through. June of 2025 at a cost of $15,212.50, with the option for renewal in July. Also, for the Accounting Department to make any necessary budget was toa apply at the Commissioner's Office. posted ont their property. funding mechanism. renewal. bet twoy yearsf from the contract signing date. for GIS services. adjustments. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 476 476 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 475 Mr. Byrd presented a request to enter a Memorandum of Understanding for educational Motion byl Mr. Byrd, second byl Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously bya allt to approve entering aN Memorandum ofl Understanding with Reclaiming Ground Inc., of Warner Robins, Georgia,i in the amount of$ $78,050t to provide education within the schools system ont the danger of opioid Mr. Talton thanked both Coroner. James Williams and Sheriff Moulton for being present in Coroner. James Williams spokei inf full support oft this agreement between the County and Willie Sheriff Moulton stated that, as a narcotics investigator, he responded tor numerous overdose calls and that he fully supported the County in collaborating with Mr. Raines on his Opioid Willie Raines expressed his appreciation to the Board for the opportunity to work with the schools and the community on this problem. He spoke about an event recently held at Chairman Perdue commented on the efforts by Chief Stoner and the District Attorney to introducel Narcant top publics safetyemployees: andi in County! buildings toh help reverse overdoses Mr. Gottwals presented a request for approval of a bid for one new Chevrolet Tahoe LT to Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the bid on one new Chevrolet Tahoel LT from Hamby Automotive Network, Inc. of Perry, Georgia Mr. Gottwals presented: a request tot fillt the vacant Secretary position at the District Attorney's Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the hiring of Megan Rodriguezi tof fillt the vacant Secretary position att the District Attorney's Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the reappointment of Tara. Johnsonf for at two-y year term tos start. January 31, 2025 and end Mr. Taltone expressed his appreciation tol Ms.. Johnson for her willingness tos serve on the Aging Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by allt to approve services ont the dangers of opioids. use. The Opioid Settlement Fund will payf for this project. support oft this action. Raines andl his presentation about the dangers of Opioids. Awareness Assemblies ins schools and the community. Westfield: and upcoming events he will bel havingi int the community. and opioid-related deaths. replace a Sheriff's Office vehicle being reassigned. att the cost of $65,374.70. This purchase willl bei funded! by 2018 SPLOST. Office. Office ata a Grades 8 Step Ce effective February3,2025. January 30, 2027, tot the Middle Georgia Aging Advisory Council. Advisor Board the payment oft the bills totaling $5,035,951.84. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 477 477 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 476 The Chairman closed the regular portion of the meeting and opened the floor for Public Mr. Jim Taylor spoke about a positive experience he had recently at the Houston County Landfill. Ane employee assisted him and provided service when he had difficulty with his dump Mr. Tim Andrews expressed! his appreciationt to Fire Chief Chris Stonera andi the Houston County Fire Department staff for the recent class on Narcan administration, CPR, and emergency Chairman Perdue thanked Mr. Andrews for the feedback and said he was the second County Dr. Daryl Vining spoke about the subject of the current at-large representation by the Commissioners and commented about the need and benefits of going to a district-type of representation by the Commissioners like the Board of Education, City of Warner Robins, and As there were nof further Public Comments, the Chairman opened thet floor to Commissioner's Mr. Taltont thanked everyone fort their prayers ands support following his legi injury, spoke about the positive Commissioners' meeting and recognized and thanked his mom who brought him Mr. Byrd commented on the difference in two weeks weather-wise from today's warm temperature tot the previous Commissioners' meeting wheret the time had tol ber moved up due to the incoming snowstorm. He thanked the County's first responders for their efforts and work during the snowstorm as well. He commented about the recent audit with no findings and expressed his appreciation to the Accounting Department, Chairman Perdue and senior Mr. Gottwals commented ont the large number of small business license applicants and spoke aboutt the benefits small businesses bringt toa community. Het thanked everyone for attending and concluded his comments by explaining that his and the other Commissioners' service on an at-large basis allows him and the other Board members to serve every Houston County Ms. Robinson thanked everyone for attending the meeting and discussed the rules and regulations of the special exception process that allows home-based businesses to be approved while ensuring they operate without causing interruptions or issues for the neighborhood. She concluded her remarks by welcoming Commissioner Talton back after his Chairman Perdue thanked all those in attendance for their respectful comments and praised the Accounting Department staff, Robbie Dunbar, department heads, and constitutional officers for their assistance and cooperation concerning the budget and audit, which returned clear with no findings. He also noted that February is Black History Month and encouraged everyone to participate inl local and regional celebrations. He concluded his comments by Comments. trailer. preparedness and procedures offered to Countye employees. staffr member to express how beneficial: and educational the class was. the state andi federal government. Comments. tot the meeting due tol his legi injury. County staff for their worki in making this! happen. citizen. leg injury. Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 478 478 Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 477 expressing gratitude tot the Public' Works and Public Safety staffi in Houston County, as well as Chief Stoner, for theirr response during the snowstorm earliert this month. He also remarkedo on Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve the County'sefforts' to de-i ice bridges ons state highways. adjourning the meeting. Meeting adjourned. Robbiel Dunbar Director ofA Administration Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner