CATOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 800 LA FAYETTE ROAD
April 1, 2008, 9:00 A.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in the Catoosa County Administrative Building, 800 LaFayette Street, Ringgold, Georgia.
Commissioner Hill 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: None Remove: Approve Bid for Perimeter Wells at the Landfill Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the agenda as amended 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 March 18, 2008. There were no corrections and the minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
APPROVE PURCHASE OF TRIMBLE GPS UNIT – NAVIGATION ELECTRONICS, INC. Carl Henson, Chief Financial Officer, stated the purchase is for a piece of equipment to be used for the GIS and is to be purchased through SPLOST funds and although the purchase price fell below the $15,000 threshold the County was originally looking at purchasing two units. The cost for the GPS unit is $9750 and has been thoroughly researched by the Stormwater Director and GIS Coordinator and will be used to locate specific points/structures in the County and input the locations and data into the GIS system. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the purchase of the equipment to indicate so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the purchase was approved by unanimous consent.
AMENDMENT TO LOOKOUT COMMUNITY SERVICES CONTRACT Carl Henson, Chief Financial Officer, stated the County signed a contract with Lookout Community Services through DHR earlier in the year and is for the current fiscal year to end June 30. Mr. Henson stated they have been forced to amend the contract and the total maximum payment will change only by $35. Mr. Henson stated the contract amount would be $48,717.75 versus the original contract amount of $49,753.17. Mr. Henson said the difference is in the number of maximum trips and the number of trips the County is required to make went up by 400 but the County is currently doing that number of trips anyway so it is not an additional requirement. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of the amendment to the contract to indicate so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the amendment was approved by unanimous consent.
CHANGE ORDER #2 – COURTHOUSE RENOVATION PROJECT – NATIONAL BUILDERS Carl Henson, Chief Financial Officer, stated the current contractor NBC, National Building Contractors, for the Courthouse renovation project is finishing up the original amount under the contract but there are certain items that were not included in the original contract that now stand out since the other repairs have been completed, such as removing loose and deteriorating mortar from the joints and pressure washing after completion. Mr. Henson stated the total amount of the proposed change order to complete these other items is $6,815. Chairman Clark called for all those in favor of approving the change order to indicate so by saying aye. There was no opposition and the change order was approved by unanimous consent.
Cherise Miller, Resident, said she has brought this item before the Board of Commissioners several times before and she is concerned about the building in the County. Ms. Miller quoted an article from the March 4th edition of the Times Free Press titled “Drought not Going Away”. Ms. Miller stated even though we have been experiencing heavy rain, David Glenn of Channel 9 stated that it took years for the drought to occur and it is going to take years for our earth to get replenished again with rain and who knows there may be another drought this summer and she is concerned about it because even though the County seems to have plenty of water she feels like the Governor and the State are going to require that those that have water will have to share it with Atlanta and other places that don’t have water. Ms. Miller stated that will cause us in the County to run short on water at some point in the future, so she is asking that the Board vote down the recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Board for new building and subdivisions.
Commissioner Jim Emberson said he would like to make a few comments concerning the public hearings on SPLOST. Commissioner Emberson said the Board has received notice that on April 15th there will be a public hearing to discuss SPLOST 2009 projects. Commissioner Emberson said the current SPLOST that is winding down is very specific where monies are to be spent in most areas and Carl Henson has watched very closely to make sure the funds are being spent as intended and has done an excellent job at it. Commissioner Emberson said he feels in the public hearing for SPLOST 2009 there should be maps that show where the proposed SPLOST sewer project monies will be spent because the public needs to know what they are voting on. Commissioner Emberson further expressed the need for staff to explain the emergency equipment, 911 upgrades, Stormwater projects, GIS projects, etc. that have requested funds through the SPLOST. Commissioner Emberson said he feels the County should hold a SPLOST public hearing in Constitution Hall in the west side of the County and one in Graysville.
ADJOURNMENT There was no further business, and the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 a.m.