APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MIINUTES November 4th, 2024 @ 5:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDFRMILCOMEINVOCATIONPIEDGE The Appling County Board of Commissioners held the regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 4H, 2024 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. Commissioner Leggett gave the invocation and John Mitchum led the group in the pledge. Present were Chairman Leslie Burch; Vice Chairman Charlie Leggett; Commissioners Randy Sellers, Theodore Wilkerson, Daryl Edwards and Doug Harris. Also, present were Interim County Manager Mike Deal, County Attorney Tracy Brown and County Clerk Robyn Evans. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Changes were made including adding Sandra Brauda to Public Input to discuss Autumn Grace Road. Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the revised agenda; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting - October 8, 2024; Called Meeting - October 16, 2024; Called Meeting October 22, 2024; and Called Meeting October 24, 2024 were all reviewed. Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve all oft the minutes; Commissioner Edwards seconded; unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS Solar Panel Ordinance The ordinance was reviewed by the board and Attorney Brown stated the ordinance was in compliance with state law requirements and the County is in charge of up-holding. Commissioner Sellers made a motion to approve; Commissioner Harris seconded; unanimously approved. Model Meeting Ordinance Review ofthe ordinance and discussion by Attorney Tracy Brown regarding the need to adopt this as directed by ACCG. Commissioner Harris made a motion to formalize the procedures for board meetings currently being followed by the County and legally required by O.C.G.A. and guidance by ACCG; Commissioner Wilkerson seconded; unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS Road Project Bid Award Information was given regarding the last road project bid. Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve GA Asphalt as the lowest bidder; Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved. Employee Christmas Bonus Commissioner Leggett made a motion to give full-time employees $1000 and part-time employees $500; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved. The bonus will not be given to elected officials. Request for Funds (Fencing) - Sheriff Melton Sheriff Melton shared that fencing was still an issue and was needed to secure land around the Sheriff's Department. He stated that since the adjacent property land has been cleared, there is a constant of stolen property stored as evidence, even a car. Sheriff Melton discussed that the original request to fence-in the entire property behind the department with razor wire was $90,000 for six (6) acres. He shared that the area for fencing could be reduced tojust the area right behind Sheriff's Department with an electronic gate for staff on two (2) acres for $47,846. Sheriff Melton requested to amend his departmental budget to add this amount to secure the impound yard. Request for Funds (Trailer Purchase) - Dwight Watts Mr. Watts provided quotes for a trailer to be purchased to move the lift to different locations. After review, Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the lowest bidder, Down-To-Earth; Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved. PUBLIC INPUT Barbara Courson Reynolds Veterans Day Parade Mrs. Courson requested that bleachers be provided for the Veteran' S Day program and gave invitations to Chairman Burch and Commissioner Sellers. Steve Aycock - Former County Manager Mr. Aycock spoke in regards to the former County Manager Al Meadows. He stated to the Board that "they let a good man go in forcing Al Meadows to resign; the decision could've been held over to allow the new Commissioners to vote". Henry Goethia- Autumn Grace Road Mr. Goethia and Mr. Wormick spoke in regards to Autumn Grace Road and his neighbor not allowing him access to his property on a county road. They stated that this road had been maintained by the County for many years until his neighbor, Ms. Brauda, begin inhibiting tractors and thru traffic. They also shared that Mr. Wormick had lost two years of rent because he can't get into his fields due to the road being blocked by Ms. Brauda. He thanked the Board for completing a survey on the road and requested the Road Department begin maintaining the road again and allow him to get to his property. Sandra Brauda Autumn Grace Road Ms. Brauda spoke about the same road and requested the Board allow her a few days to obtain her own survey on the road. Interim County Manager Deal said this could be allowed and asked if both parties agreed that ifthe survey revealed the county owned the road, that no further issues would incur regarding access. Both parties agreed. DEPARTMENT UPDATES Carroll Weaver, Road Department Supervisor, shared they were participating in FEMA meetings and continuing to cut bushes on roads and hauling dirt. He discussed various road damages from hurricanes, etc. He also stated that the price to remove old, damaged wingwall on Holmesville Road was $48,600. Commissioner Harris asked that more than one bid be sought before approval be granted. Mr. Weaver shared that he'd also received a proposal to remove and replace Azalea Road bridge for $625,000. Commissioner Harris requested more than one quote for this project, as well. Robert Eunice discussed status ofLandfill, sharing there is another free tire event for November 4-11, 2024. He shared that he'd received over a million tons of debris since Hurricane Helene. Robin Crosby spoke on behalf of the of Hospital in regards to the ambulances; two are in use, one is currently at Woody's Dealership awaiting approval to repair a blown motor, one in Savannah for warranty work on transmission. She also stated they are fourteen months our for a new ambulance purchase and they are currently utilizing EMA's under the emergency declaration but once that's over, not sure ifthey are allowed to continue. Commissioner Wilkerson made a motion to approve the blown motor repair which is to be paid out of contingency funds; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel Commissioner Edwards made a motion to close regular session and enter into executive session; seconded by Commissioner Sellers; unanimously approved. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to close executive session and re-enter regular session; seconded by Commissioner Leggett; unanimously approved. Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve internal advertisement ofthe expected vacancy (due to retirement ofYvonne Sellers, Personnel Clerk; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved. The advertisement will be open for one week. INTERIM COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS None CHATRMAN'S COMMENTS None ADJOURN There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM. Robyn Evans, County Clerk Leslie Burch, Chairman ADB - Jug E8uslis Buch ATTEST APPEING COAMTY GBOAGA APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CALLED MEETING for County Administrator Interviews November 25th, 2024 @ 9:00 A.M. CALLTO ORDER/WELCOME/INVOCATICATION/PLEDGE The Appling County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting on Monday, November 25th, 2 2024 at 9:00 AM in the Courthouse Annex to interview candidates for1 the County Administrator vacancy. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Leslie Burch and he welcomed all those in attendance. Frank Smith gave the invocation and Chairman Burch led the group in the pledge. Present were Chairman Leslie Burch; Vice Chairman Charlie Leggett; Commissioners Randy Sellers, Theodore Wilkerson, Daryl Edwards and Doug Harris. Also present were Interim County Manager Mike Deal, County Attorney Tracy Brown, County Clerk Robyn Evans, Incoming Commissioners Chad Kent and Jakharis Jones; Incoming Commissioner Ricky Barnes was present via facetime. NEW BUSINESS Attorney Tracy Brown asked Commissioner Sellers to draw names for the order ofi interviews, which resulted in the following order: 1. James Woods 2. Alvah "Bubba" Milton, II 3, Adieasia "Lisa" Cameron 4. Reid Lovett. Attomey Brown explained to those in attendance that candidates, while not interviewing, would wait in another room and refrain from social media. Interviews were conducted and candidates were invited to attend a luncheon provided for the Board. The meeting was recessed for lunch and reconvened at noon. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel Commissioner Wilkerson made a motion to close the regular meeting and enter into executive session; Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved. Commissioner Edwards made a motion to end executive session and return to the regular meeting; Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved. Commissioner Leggett made a motion to change the December 3rd regular meeting to Thursday, December 5th at 5:30 PM; Commissioner Sellers seconded; unanimously approved. Attorney Brown asked the Board to name their top nominee to fill the County Administrator vacancy. Commissioners Edwards, Leggett, Harris, and Wilkerson all named Candidate Reid Lovett as their choice; Commissioner Sellers named Lisa Cameron. Commissioner Harris made a motion to offer the position to Mr. Lovett; Commissioner Leggett seconded; unanimously approved. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS Chairman Burch thanked the candidates. ADJOURN There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 12:45 PM. Robyn Evans, County Clerk Leslie Burch, Chairman dele Bud, ATTEST APPLING COUMTY GEOSGA