APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CALLED MEETING January 7th, 9 2025 @ 4:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME/INVOCATICATION/PLEDGE The Appling County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting on Tuesday, January 7th 2024 at 4:00 PM in the Courthouse Annex. The meeting was held to discuss updates on Appling Healthcare and Debris Removal. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in attendance. Commissioner Edwards gave the invocation and Chairman Leslie Burch led the group in the pledge. Present were Chairman Leslie Burch; Commissioners Randy Sellers, Jakharis Jones, Chad Kent, Ricky Barnes, and Daryl Edwards. Also present were County Manager Reid Lovett, County Attorney Tracy Brown and County Clerk Robyn Evans. APPROVALOE AGENDA The agenda was approved on a motion by Commissioner Sellers; seconded by Commissioner Barnes; unanimously approved. A. Appling Healthcare Update Lee Lewis, Chairman of the Appling Hospital Authority Board, spoke on their behalf and introduced Interim CEO, Shannon Martin and Interim CFO Robin Crosby. He gave the Commissioners an update on the financial state of the hospital. He shared the following: the hospital has increased their net by 3.5%, ending in a much less loss than anticipated. Mr. Lewis stated the hospital board would still like the at the table with the Board of Commissioners and will need financial assistance from the County; adding they'd like to work together to ensure the hospital remains here for many years. Doug Harris, member of1 the Hospital Authority Board, spoke on their behalf, in regards to an Intergovernmental Agreement for a loan, which would be paid back in a reduction of future assistance. Chairman Burch thanked Mr. Lewis and others from the Hospital for attending and continuing the discussion with everyone. B. Debris Removal Update and Discussion Representatives Brian Smallwood and Tim Markus were present for Phillips and Jordan; John McNeese with DebrisTech. Mr. Smallwood addressed the Board and ensured that all debris, breakdown, and disposal will be complete by January 24th, 3 2025, making note that all expenses in relation to debris cleanup is 100% FEMA reimbursable for this time period. He also noted that trucks, equipment and crews needed to make the deadline would be implemented as necessary. Several Commissioners and Citizens expressed concern over the numerous piles of debris still remaining throughout the County on the right-of-way. Mr. Smallwood asked if a central list could be made and disseminated to his local supervisors to ensure all debris is removed timely. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS Mr. Burch thanked everyone for their attendance. ADJOURN There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM. A - - - ESoalus Budl, Robyh Evâns, County Clerk Leslie Burch, Chairman DOAR a ATTEST APPLIPS COLRE GEOKSS APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES January 7th, 2025 @ 5:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME/INVOCATION/PLEDGE The Appling County Board of Commissioners held the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 7h, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the Courthouse Annex. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in attendance. Jonathan Mann gave the invocation and Commissioner Kent led the group in the pledge. Present were Chairman Leslie Burch; Commissioners Randy Sellers, Daryl Edwards, Ricky Barnes, Chad Kent and Jakharis Jones. Also, present were County Manager Reid Lovett, County Attorney Tracy Brown and County Clerk Robyn Evans. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Changes were made to the agenda, adding Item H- Tax Resolutions. under New Business. Commissioner Sellers made a motion to approve the addition; Commissioner Kent seconded; unanimously approved. APPROVALOF MINUTES Minutes from the following were reviewed and approved on a motion by Commissioner Sellers; seconded by Commissioner Kent; unanimously approved. Regular Monthly Meeting, November 4, 2024; Called Meeting November 25, 2024; Called Meeting December 5, 2024; and Regular Meeting December 5, 2024 OLD BUSINESS A. Board Members (Appointed by Commissioners) w/Expiring Terms This item was tabled from the December meeting in order to allow the new Commissioners to have input on the nominations and approval. Appling County Department of] Family & Children Services - Edsel Lewis Commissioner Edwards made a motion/nomination forl Mandy Gjone to serve as a representative from the medical field; Commissioner Jones seconded; unanimously approved. Appling County Board of Elections - Kristy Bennett (Dist.II), Rodney Williams (Dist. IV), Danny Causey (Dist. V) Commissioner Barnes nominated Jetta Sapp to fill the seat in District V; Commissioner Jones made a motion to approve; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved. Appling County Development Authority - Charlie Leggett Commissioner Jones nominated Commissioner Daryl Edwards to fill this seat; Commissioner Kent made a motion to approve; Commissioner Barnes seconded; Commissioner Edwards abstained from and all others unanimously approved. Appling County Public Library - Daryl Edwards, Mike Dyal, Marianne Rigdon Commissioner Barnes nominated Robin Taylor to fill District V seat; Commissioner Kent made a motion to approve; Commissioner Jones seconded; Commissioner Edwards abstained from voting and remainder unanimously approved. Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission - Theodore Wilkerson, Rev. James Futch. Commissioner Kent nominated Commissioner Jones to fill the Commissioner seat. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved. The private sector nomination was tabled until the next meeting. The remaining members that wished to continue serving on their respective boards were approved on a motion to reappoint by Commissioner Barnes; second by Commissioner Jones; unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS A. Annual Appointment of County Attorney Commissioner Edwards made a motion to reappoint Tracy Brown as County Attorney; Commissioner Barnes seconded; Commissioner Sellers abstained from voting; Commissioners Jones and Kent voted in favor. B. Annual Appointment of Vice Chairman, Board of Commissioners Commissioner Sellers nominated and made a motion to approve Commissioner Kent as Vice Chair; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved. C. Purchasing Authority/Limits Ordinance Revision Commissioner Edwards made a motion to table this item until the next meeting; Commissioner Kent seconded; unanimously approved. D. State of Emergency Extension County Manager Lovett recommended extending the Current State of Emergency in place since Hurricane Helene from January 4th, 2025 - February 4h, 2025, due to debris clean-up still in progress. Commissioner Kent made a motion to approve the extension; Commissioner Jones seconded; unanimously approved. E. Debris Pick-up Contract - Phillips & Jordan F. Debris Pick-up Monitoring Contract - DebrisTech County Manager Lovett shared with the Board, that debris pickup and monitoring contracts expired in December and recommended the Board consider extending same for an additional thirty (30) days, at which point it would be further evaluated. Commissioner Sellers made a motion to approve; Commissioner Barnes seconded; unanimously approved. G. FEMA Lease Agreement County Manager Lovett recommended the FEMA Lease be continued but moved to 83 S. Oak Street to allow large functions at the Ag Center to reconvene such as the Hog Show. Commissioner Sellers made a motion to approve the agreement; Commissioner Kent seconded; unanimously approved. H. 2025 Tax Resolutions Resolutions for the Tax Commissioner to receive tax payments and Waive Tax Penalties were approved on a motion by Commissioner Edwards; seconded by Commissioner Kent; unanimously approved. DEPARTMENT UPDATES Ms. Ann Singer thanked everyone on behalf of the Appling Heritage Center and noted they were in the process of applying for a historical marker for the Surrency Ghost. She also shared various upcoming projects such as changing trees to Red Maples on Heritage Parkway, inducted John Tillman into the Hall of] Fame and invited the Commissioner:/Board to become a member of the Heritage Center. County Manager Lovett shared updates as follows. Landfill in process of building-up Cell 2E, which should've lasted two (2) years with normal waste, but has increased by two (2) million pounds of debris/waste in December alone. He stated the Road Department hauled numerous loads of dirt to ensure proper coverage for the cell. CM Lovett mentioned that almost every County-owned facility had damage from Hurricane Hellene. Recreation Supervisor Timmy McGuirt presented the Board with annual booklets ofthe Department's accomplishments and activities. He also shared they were very excited to start a new program called the Exceptional Kids' Program. This is being created SO that youth with Special Needs can participate and compete in recreational activities and would be open for surrounding Counties, as well. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel Commissioner Edwards made a motion to close regular session and enter into executive session; seconded by Commissioner Barnes; unanimously approved. Commissioner Kent made a motion to close executive session and re-enter regular session; seconded by Commissioner Edwards; unanimously approved. County Manager Lovett shared that discussion was held in regards to maintaining Mike Deal's employment for an additional thirty (30) days but reducing to part-time or 20 hours per pay week at the same hourly rate. Commissioner Barnes made a motion to approve this item; Commissioner Kent seconded; unanimously approved. County Manager Lovett shared that discussion was also held in regards to employment status ofYvonne Sellers, stating the recommendation was to continue employment, with benefits, for the remainder of January 2025. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve; Commissioner Jones seconded; unanimously approved. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT County Manager Lovett shared that staff were continuing to work on FEMA documentation for Hurricanes Debby and Helene for the County to be reimbursed and working on updating county job descriptions for the Board's s review and approval. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS Chairman Burch allowed Dedra Hewitt to speak a few moments in regards to opening a Warming Station for homeless citizens and others for the upcoming freezing temperatures. She explained the screening process for lodging and expressed appreciation to the Board for allowing usage of a County Building. She also thanked Commissioner Jones and Chairman Burch for their visits and support. Chairman Burch addressed the Board with questions, asking "whom can call a board meeting" and "who approved the severance pay of the previous County Manager that resigned". He also addressed the Administration Staff, including himself, stating our job is to be respectful and serve each Commissioner equally." Chairman Burch also addressed a concern in relation to a social media post sharing executive session information. He thanked everyone for attending. ADJOURN There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned. Robyn Evans, County Clerk Leslie Burch, Chairman Esolis Buck 0 o ATTEST APPLING COUNTY GEORGIA