CATOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 800 LA FAYETTE ROAD
October 3, 2007, 2:00 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held Tuesday, October 3, 2007 at 2:04 p.m. in the Catoosa County Administrative Building, 800 LaFayette Street, Ringgold, Georgia.
Interim County Manager Mike Helton gave the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Clark called the meeting to order. The following commissioners were present: William H. H. Clark, Chairman; Ken Marks, Commissioner District One; Robert Winters, Commissioner, District Two; James F. Emberson, Commissioner, District Three; and Dewayne Hill, Commissioner, District Four.
Additions: Letter of Support for Work Ready Region Application for Technical Colleges; Memorandum of Understanding for Local Update of Census Addresses; Proposed Closing Out of “99” SPLOST; Funding for Fort Oglethorpe Fire Department Remove: Purchase Large Plotter for GIS
Commissioner Emberson stated he did not learn until late afternoon Friday that the Board would consider today the appointment of County Manager. Since he did not learn of it and has not had an opportunity to evaluate the qualifications of the only person that is being considered he is asking that the item be removed from the agenda until a later date. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of removing the appointment of County Manager from the agenda do so by saying aye. The Clerk called the roll. Commissioner Marks stated he has spoken with Commissioner Emberson regarding the matter and the thing that was not mentioned was that the Commissioners have been out of town at an ACCG meeting until this afternoon and he feels this is a big decision the Commissioners make and he would like for the decision to be unanimous and if Commissioner Emberson has some thoughts he would like for the Board to give him until the next meeting and he does not want a Commissioner to have any thoughts they may regret. The Clerk called the roll. The motion to remove the appointment of County Manager from the agenda failed by a 2-3 vote, with Commissioners Clark, Winters, and Hill voting nay. Chairman Clark called for any other deletions or additions to the agenda. County Attorney Young requested the GeoSyntec Contract item be moved to after executive session due to legal advice. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the agenda as stated do so by saying aye. By unanimous consent the agenda was approved as amended.
MINUTES
Chairman Clark called for approval of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 18, 2007. There were no corrections and the minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
County Attorney Chad Young read aloud the Proclamation designating the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce as Entrepreneur Friendly. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the Proclamation do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the Proclamation was approved by unanimous consent. Chairman Clark presented Chamber of Commerce President Martha Eaker with the Proclamation.
APPOINTMENT OF COUNTY MANGER County Attorney Chad Young the advertisement was published and circulated according to Georgia Law at least 14 days in advance of the meeting that the Board of Commissioners would consider appointing Michael Helton as permanent County Manager. Mr. Helton now serves as Interim County Manager. Chairman Clark made a motion to appoint Michael Helton as the permanent County Manager. Commissioner Winters second the motion. Chairman Clark called for discussion on the motion. Commissioner Emberson stated Mr. Helton seems like a very nice man, however he has no idea what his qualifications are, job experience, or his education. Commissioner Emberson said Mr. Helton might be extremely qualified for the position, however this is the first time ever that the Board has not had the opportunity to compare resumes of many different applicants, therefore there is nothing to compare to. Commissioner Emberson further commented the position of County Manager has the responsibility of a 23 million dollar budget, additional 7 million per year SPLOST, and over 100 employees that answer to the position. Commissioner Emberson said he has an obligation to the citizens of the County to make a measured evaluation for the person occupying the position and he does not take that lightly and without an opportunity to evaluate Mr. Helton’s qualifications he is not going to vote blindly for him. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the motion to appoint Mr. Helton as County Manager do so by saying aye. The Clerk called the roll. The motion passed with a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Emberson voting nay.
APPOINT M. HELTON TO DOAS SURPLUS PROPERTY LIST Olney Meadows, Public Works Director, stated the Georgia Department of Administrative Services receives used equipment from various state agencies as well as federal agencies. The equipment is dispersed back to state agencies with public sales and also present them by acquisition to the cities and counties. The County has had good success over the years with the program and in order for the County to continue the Board needs to appoint the new County Manager to the list. There are two different areas that the County has people listed with DOAS. One of them is Certifying Officials, Mr. Carl Henson is on the list and staff is requesting that Mr. Helton be put on that list, the second area is property selectors, Mr. Meadows and Gary Blackwell, Maintenance Director, are on that list. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving adding Michael Helton to the DOAS Surplus Property List do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the motion was approved by unanimous consent.
VETERANS MEMORIAL GRANT MATCHING FUNDS Olney Meadows, Public Works Director, stated earlier the Board of Commissioners approved the application for Federal Highway Transportation Enhancement Funds, with the total project cost of $428,370, the County has not heard back from the application but he feels Catoosa County will be selected for at least part of the money for which we applied. The funds requested were $341,170 the total match of 20% is $87,200 of which at least $21,000 must be a cash match. The purpose for the cash match is engineering and architectural services which will be required to design all the features of the trail and the memorial. The cash match cannot be in-kind due to federal highways do not provide funds for engineering. If the Board votes to approve the $25,000 for the cash match that is the purpose it will be used for. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the money for the Veterans Memorial do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the motion was approved by unanimous consent. Mark Fletcher, Board of Directors Veterans Memorial, stated the Board of Directors is very pleased and very happy to accept the funds and the funds will help to provide something all citizens can be proud of. Mr. Fletcher stated the Board of Director’s would also like to dedicate the walking trail to the citizens and veterans of Catoosa County, the citizens and veterans have had a big part in every controversy that the Country has had sacrificing many times for the Country.
COUNTY MANAGER REPORT
County Manager Mike Helton reported on the following:
OLD BUSINESS
RATIFY COST OF INSTALLATION OF NEW DIGITAL TRAFFIC LIGHT AT LAKEVIEW AND PAGE ROAD Olney Meadows, Public Works Director, said that at one time Lakeview Road was a state highway and was later given over to the County. This is the only intersection that the County has at this time, which has a signal traffic light, which has been there for many years and is now obsolete. The Georgia Department of Transportation has provided the County with all the equipment necessary to bring the traffic light up to today’s standards and specifications. The Traffic light will be a digital light instead of an analog as before. Navco Electric has agreed to do the installation for $24,920, which was accepted and staff is requesting that the Board of Commissioners ratify at this time. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of ratifying the action do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the motion was approved by unanimous consent.
RATIFY COST OF PAVING OF 4 SUBSTANDARD ROADS Olney Meadows said the County had the opportunity last week at the end of the fiscal year to pave 4 substandard roads. Bids were accepted with the total of all being $32,050, each transaction was under $15,000 which is within the County Manager’s approval of acceptance and staff is requesting the Board of Commissioners ratify the total cost of $32,050 and by doing the competitive bidding the County was able to knock off half of the cost of paving the roads. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of ratifying the action do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the ratification of the action was approved by unanimous consent.
RESOLUTION FOR E911 PHASE II UPGRADE TO INCREASE WIRELESS CHARGE County Attorney Skip Patty presented the proposed resolution for the E911 Phase II upgrade to increase the fee on wireless phones from $1.00 to $1.50. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION # 07-012
WHEREAS, Catoosa County operates an Emergency 911 system; and,
WHEREAS, Section 46-5-134 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, authorizes local governments to impose a wireless enhanced 911 charge upon each wireless telecommunications connection subscribed to by subscribers whose billing address is within he jurisdiction of the local government; and,
WHEREAS, such charges may be imposed by any local government that operates or contracts for the operation of an emergency 911 system which is capable of providing automatic number identification of wireless telecommunications connections and the location of the vase station or cell site; and,
WHEREAS, the Emergency 911 System operated by Catoosa County is capable of providing and does provide automatic number identification and automatic location of identification of a wireless telecommunications; and,
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on the question of imposing a wireless enhanced 911charge in Catoosa County on October 3, 2007.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the governing authority of Catoosa County, that a wireless enhanced 911 charge be imposed upon each wireless telecommunications connection subscribed to be subscribers whose billing address is with the jurisdiction of Catoosa County, at the rate of $1.50 per month per wireless connection provided to each telephone subscriber.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said wireless charge shall be imposed on the first day of the month of February 2008.
Resolution adopted at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners on this 3rd day of October 2007.
LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR WORK READY REGION APPLICATION FOR TECHNICAL COLLEGES County Manager Helton read aloud the letter of support requested from the Board of Commissioners for the Work Ready Region Application for Technical Colleges. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the letter of support do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the letter was approved by unanimous consent.
LOCAL UPDATE OF CENSUS ADDRESSES – MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING County Manager Helton discussed the Local Update of Census Addressing (LUCA) memorandum of understanding. Mr. Helton stated Catoosa County and the municipalities of Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe are requested to sign the Memorandum of understanding to cooperate with the census update of addresses. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the Memorandum of Understanding do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the Memorandum was approved by unanimous consent.
PROPOSED CLOSING OUT OF “99” SPLOST FUNDS Carl Henson, Chief Financial Officer, stated the “99” SPLOST has ended collections and one project was under the proposed cost due to the City of Ringgold’s participation with the project which the County was able to receive credit of $75,000. Therefore Mr. Henson proposes the funds be used on the current County sewer Project in the Peavine Basin, Morris Estates, due to the prior project being in the Peavine Basin as well. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving Mr. Henson’s recommendation do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the recommendation was approved by unanimous consent. Mr. Henson stated he would also like to make a correction to a story in the Catoosa News regarding the closing out of the 99 SPLOST funds, the article read that Catoosa County would transfer the funds to the City of Ringgold. Mr. Henson said there is no transfer of funds to the City of Ringgold; the County is using the funds in County sewer project in the Peavine Basin.
FUNDING FOR CITY OF FORT OGLETHORPE FIRE DEPARTMENT Commissioner Hill made a motion to compensate Fort Oglethorpe City Fire Department for a period of 3 months while the County is working on consolidation of the County Fire Department at the current rate. Commissioner Winters second the motion. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
LETTER OF INTENT – GRANT FOR SHERIFF DEPARTMENT RADIO EQUIPMENT Sheriff Phil Summers stated he is requesting that the Board of Commissioners submit a letter of support for a grant that the emergency services have put together in regards to interoperability communications for the northwest Georgia area. Mr. Summers stated the proposed grant would help to move forward with the continued project of building a regional radio system. The Sheriffs office has submitted paperwork several times requesting grant funds and have been turned down, now the state has recognized the Project and federal grant monies will be coming available as soon as March 2008 of about $23 Million to fund interoperability radio systems in the state of Georgia. They will be submitting the paperwork in the next week for the grant for a $6.8 million grant that will enhance Catoosa County and improve the radio system the County is building, by taking the system to the next phase and go into Walker County and Dade County. The grant is an 80/20 grant and Walker County has sent a letter of support and he expects a letter of support from Dade County as well. Catoosa County only has to commit to request the grant matching monies from SPLOST 2009. Chairman Clark questioned if the 2009 SPLOST does not pass where does the million in matching funds come from. Sheriff Summers stated if the grant is approved and the SPLOST does not pass, the County would not spend the money. Chairman Clark questioned what would happen if the other Counties involved decided not to participate. Sheriff Summers stated if that happened the money would not be spent if the other Counties decline to participate. Chairman Clark questioned exactly what the monies would be spent on. Mr. Summers indicated the monies would be spent to build more infrastructure, towers, and to upgrade existing ones to provide more coverage and simulcast frequencies. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the Letter of Intent do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the motion passed by unanimous consent.
Commissioner Emberson stated the decision has been made today to appoint Mr. Helton as County Manager and he accepts and respects the decision that was made by a majority of the Commissioners. Commissioner Emberson said he pledges to Mr. Helton that he will support him and help him and hopes he will succeed and be a capable leader and he has no hard feelings towards him at all and reiterate he has his full support and he looks forward to working with him.
EXECUTIVE SESSION Chairman Clark said the Board would go into executive session for the purpose of legal. The vote was taken by roll call and the Board unanimously voted to go into executive session for legal matters at 3:00 p.m. The Board voted unanimously to come out of executive session at 4:12 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of indefinitely tabling the GeoSyntec Contract for carbon credits do so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the motion passed by unanimous consent
ADJOURNMENT There was no further business, and the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting at 4:13 p.m.