The first order of business at the Griffin City Commissioners Meeting 05/26/15:
The commissioners:
Recognized: Vicki Coggins with the Human Resources Department, for 30 years of dedicated service to the City of Griffin. In commenting on her years of service Human Resources Director Miles Neville described Ms Coggins as a kind, caring, very hard worker, friend, with a great smile.

Approved: to deny claim against the City and Police Officer Tina M. Bean, by The Howard Law Firm, P.C., on behalf of Derrick Wynn for damages in the amount of $358,213.33, arising out of the arrest of Mr. Wynn on a State Warrant for Aggravated Battery. Subject to the City’s per occurrence deductible of $25,000 per claim, this matter has been filed with GIRMA, who will assign defense counsel for both the City and Officer Bean, and satisfy any resulting legal liability, up to limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence.

Approved: to amend the City of Griffin’s General Fund Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Operating and Capital Budget in the amount of $2,210.00 for fireworks compliance and safety (Enforcement Officials Fireworks Training Program) as previously approved on April 28, 2015.

Approved: to amend the City of Griffin’s Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Operating and Capital Budget in the amount of $16,000.00 (grant award) for the purchase of vehicle cameras as previously approved on April 28, 2015; and approve the transfer of $124.00 to General Fund Operating Cash from Asset Forfeiture Cash.

Approved: on second reading an Ordinance amending the Code of Griffin, Chapter 90, Traffic and Vehicles, Article III, Speed Zones to update the speed zone schedule as proposed by the Georgia Department of Transportation, to permit the Police Department to utilize detection devices in traffic enforcement. The radar street and road list has changed since the last update of 2011.

Approved: a Resolution and Letter of Support for The Griffin Housing Authority’s Redevelopment Initiatives regarding Meriwether Homes Redevelopment, Phase II. As the Griffin Housing Authority moves forward with its redevelopment program regarding the Meriwether Homes, it is required by United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to submit support letters for the tax credit application. The final step in the application process is to acquire a letter from the City of Griffin outlining support for their redevelopment program.

Approved: an execution of agreement with Allen-Smith Consulting to prepare the City of Griffin’s FY2016 Community Development Block Grant application to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in the amount of $8,000. The city’s CDBG application will be for $500,000.00 in CDBG funds. Award of the CDBG would require the City of Griffin to match the grant with an amount to be determined after completion of the engineering report. Matching funds would be budgeted in FY2017 budget. The water and wastewater infrastructure in the CDBG target area are in significant need of repair. Both systems have been in operation for over 75 years. Approximately forty percent (40%) of the water mains and one hundred (100%) of the sewer system needs replacement due to age and reduced capacity due to pipe deterioration. The proposed application includes the first of three (1 of 3) zones of planned water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in southwest Griffin.

The commissioners approved: to Purchase for the Water and Wastewater Department an F250 Pick Up Truck from Speedway Ford in the lowest bid amount of $31,909.40 and surplus an existing 1999 Dodge 1500 with 123,689 miles on it.

Approved: the purchase of a Water Meter Test Bench Unit from Ferguson Waterworks in the amount of $33,582.93 and amending the FY 2014-2105 budget accordingly, for the Water and Wastewater Department. The Water Meter Test Bench is used in the testing of residential water meters for accuracy in their readings.
Approved: the purchase of a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for the High Service Pump #2 at Still Branch Water Treatment Plant from McNaughton-McKay in the amount of $178,894.45 for the Water and Wastewater Department and amend the budget accordingly. This is lowest and best qualifying bid. The VFD will replace the existing High Service Pump. The pump is one of two pumps which pump finished water from Molena to Griffin.

Approved: award of lowest and best bid and construction contract to McCoy Grading, Inc., for the GDOT LMIG program year 2015 in the amount of $433,149.37 for the Public Works and Utilities Department and amend the budget accordingly. In 2014 the City of Griffin agreed to use the funding from Georgia Department of Transportation LMIG funds and SPLOST funds to improve drainage, mill and resurface portions of Meriwether Street and N. 15th Street, sections of curb and gutter, as well as sidewalks, in conjunction with the new Meriwether Homes Project.

Approved: a Task Order to Paragon Consulting Group for the construction management of the GDOT LMIG 2015 project in the amount of $20,870.00 for the Public Works and Utilities Department and amend the budget accordingly. Paragon Consulting Group will oversee construction and engineering specification of the GDOT project on Meriwether Street and N. 15th Street which includes milling, resurfacing, manhole and valve adjustments, drainage considerations and sidewalk work.

Approved: a parking configuration to add on-street parking spaces to the east side of North 5th Street.
Business in the area has requested additional on-street parking in front of 110, 120 and 324 N. 5th Street. Ample Right Of Way exist to add the parking easily. Approximately nineteen (19) spaces will be added which will assist area business and add parking for the Solomon Street Park area. Adjacent property owners have been contacted and are in agreement.

Approved: changing the name of Thomas Packing Company Drive to Thomas Drive. Since there is no longer a Thomas Packing Company located on this premise, it would be more convenient to shorten the name of the street to Thomas Drive. Although the street is self-contained within the City of Griffin property it is still listed as a City street. There are no addresses on this street as the parcel on which the new electric facility sits is technically listed as 1010 N. Hill Street.

Approved: expenses for Chairman Hollberg and Commissioners Todd and McCord to the MEAG Power Annual Conference, July 13-15, 2015. Commissioner Todd is the approved voting delegate to the Conference. Registration for Commissioners will total $390 and is a budgeted item. Travel expense for Commissioners will approximate $2746 ($1752 for hotel and $994 for mileage) and is a budgeted item.

On Thursday June 4, 2015 at approximately 0432 hours members of the Griffin Police Department specifically Lt. James Richards’s shift (C) caught entering auto suspects inside a vehicle on Southridge Circle. The aggressive patrol and a call from a concerned citizen in the area led to the suspects being caught. Reginald Collier and Nilon Thompson of Griffin were arrested and charged with two counts each of Entering Auto.  If anyone has further information or if they have been a victim of Entering Auto in the area of Southridge Circle then they are to contact the Griffin Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 770-229-6452.

GRIFFIN GEORGIA KIWANIS CLUB

Eric Blehm, award-winning New York Times Best Selling author, is coming to Griffin to participate in the club’s annual Patriotic Day on June 24, 2015.

Blehm, who has dedicated his life to telling the stories of those who serve, has among his books, two best sellers, Fearless and The Only Thing Worth Dying For. Another one, The Last Season, was named by Outside Magazine as one of the “greatest adventure biographies ever written.”

The book Fearless is the inspiring story of Adam Brown and his tremendous efforts to rise to the top of the US Navy’s, Seal Team Six is being adapted for a film.

Blehm will speak to the members of the Griffin Kiwanis club and their guest at noon on June 24th. Then he will follow with a book signing for those present.

At about 2:00-4:00, the Kiwanis will host a meet the author and book signing supported by the Books A Million Company for the public. It will be conducted at the Kiwanis of Griffin Center on South Hill Street. The Kiwanis Club  encourages everyone to come on out and enjoy this great program. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Plans are being made for citizens other than just Kiwanis members to attend the luncheon and program.  On June 15, the Kiwanis Club will open up for non-members for any seats still left unreserved. The meal will only cost around $10.00. When the Fire Department limit for the building is reached, all reservations for the program will be cut off.

Later in the day starting at 7:00, he will have a shorter program with the residents at Sun City for a shorter version of his program.

More than $250,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 126 Gordon State College students through the Gordon State College Foundation. 

The money will be distributed for use during the 2015-16 academic year. 

“These funds show that companies, organizations, families, and individuals have chosen to partner with the Gordon State College Foundation to help deserving students cover some of the cost of attending college,” said Rhonda Toon, executive director of the Gordon State College Foundation. “Developing or supporting a scholarship is a perfect way for a donor to connect with the future by making a difference in a student’s life.” 

More than 20 percent of the students receiving a scholarship are enrolled in bachelor degree programs. Of those students, the average scholarship award totals $2,000. Other awards average $1,800 each.

Seven new scholarship endowment funds have been established at Gordon in the past two years. 

Among the newest scholarship awards is one given to students who attended the Super Scholarship Saturday event in January. During the event students entered a drawing for scholarships up to $1,000.   Another is the Founders Day Celebration and Scholarship fundraiser event, sponsored by the Foundation, which was first held in Spring 2014 and raised enough money to endow a scholarship. The Spring 2015 event doubled that endowment.

During the meeting the Commissioners will Recognize Chris Sprayberry, Help Desk Administrator with the Information Technology Department, as the May 2015 “Strongest Link” award recipient.

Also the graduates from the first annual Citizens Fire Academy class will be recognized.

The Commissioners will receive comments regarding the proposed budgets for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016.

Consider approval of a Resolution adopting the annual Fiscal Year 2015–2016 Operating Budget.

Spalding County Commissioner Flowers-Taylor requests to address the Commission regarding the extension of hours of local Parks and Recreation venues for the months of June and July 2015.

Consider approval of an ordinance amending the Code of Griffin at Chapter 18, AVIATION, by enacting a new Article V., SAFE, EFFICIENT USE AND PRESERVATION OF NAVIGABLE AIRSPACE. Griffin-Spalding County Airport.

Consider approval of a Job-Related Certification policy to encourage and reward employees for increasing their job-related knowledge and enhancing their value to their department and the City.

Also a Sign-On, Recruitment & Retention Bonus policy to provide the City with the ability to find, hire and retain quality employees in hard to fill classes of jobs.

Consider the approval of the 2015 Chemical Annual Bid in the amount of $544,485.93 to eleven (11) vendors for the Water and Wastewater Department of the Public Works and Utilities Department.

Consider approval of an amendment to McNaughton-McKay for the Variable Frequency Drive in the amount of $16,101.18 for Still Branch Water Treatment Plant of the Public Works and Utilities Department.

Consider approval on first reading an Ordinance revising the Code of Griffin, Georgia TAX ON HOTELS, by increasing the rate of tax to 8.0 percent effective August 1, 2015.

Appoint two (2) members to the Griffin-Spalding 800 MHz Radio Users Group.

Consider amending current lease agreement with Law Offices of G. Alan Dodson, LLC for Suite 405 at One Griffin Center to adjust ending date of 36-month lease agreement correctly to December 31,

Griffin High School Class of 2015 graduate Cornelius Randolph, whose career on the diamond helped spark a resurgence of the Bears’ baseball program, was selected Monday by the Philadelphia Phillies with the tenth pick overall in the opening round of the Major League Baseball first year player draft.  Randolph, who is committed to play collegiately at Clemson should he forego signing with the Phillies, played multiple positions during his high school career and most notably hit .528 during his senior season. He projects in the eyes of most scouts as either a second baseman or shortstop at the next level. Randolph’s selection in the first round marks the first time a Griffin High player was selected in the opening round since 2008 when Tim Beckham was the top overall pick in the draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. His selection also made Randolph the first Bear to be chosen in the MLB draft since Telvin Nash went in the third round to the Houston Astros in 2009.

During the meeting the Commissioners recognized:   Chris Sprayberry, Help Desk Administrator with the Information Technology Department, as the May 2015 “Strongest Link” award recipient.

The “Strongest Link” Award is given monthly to a deserving employee who has demonstrated excellent performance and productivity, loyalty, professional pride, and other noteworthy accomplishments.
The Commissioners also recognized the graduates from the first annual Citizens Fire Academy class. The nine graduates are: Regina Stephens; Leslie Fagin; Mark Johnson; David Mann; Amy Mann; Gwendalyn Dallas; Jennifer Romes; Alexander Cain; and Garrett Tiller.

Also the Commissioners approved a Resolution adopting the annual Fiscal Year 2015–2016 Operating Budget.

Spalding County Commissioner Flowers-Taylor addressed the Commission regarding the extension of hours of local Parks and Recreation venues for the months of June and July 2015. Commissioner Flowers-Taylor would like the City to participate financially in the costs to extend the hours at three recreation centers from 10am to 8pm Monday thru Saturday for the months of June and July. At their last meeting Spalding County Commissioners approved $2000 for June and $2000 for July. She asked the City Commissioners for a matching amount. The Commissioners approved $4000 from the Commissioner’s contingence fund to be used to extend the hours of the three recreation centers in Spalding County for the months of June and July.

The Commissioners approved an ordinance amending the Code of Griffin at Chapter 18, AVIATION, by enacting a new Article V., SAFE, EFFICIENT USE AND PRESERVATION OF NAVIGABLE AIRSPACE. The Griffin-Spalding County Airport Authority has requested the City adopt FAA regulations imposing height limitations on obstructions (permanent and temporary) on private properties surrounding the Airport and under approach zones. These are general development regulations that will pertain to the existing airport and any future airport within the City. Enforcement of these regulations has been a condition of FAA grants to the City and County since at least 2001, but they were never formally incorporated into the Code of Griffin.

Approved a Job-Related Certification policy to encourage and reward employees for increasing their job related knowledge and enhancing their value to their department and the City the new policies will be effective July 1, 2015.

Approved the 2015 Chemical Annual Bid in the amount of $544,485.93 to eleven (11) vendors for the Water and Wastewater Department of the Public Works and Utilities Department.

Approved an amendment to McNaughton McKay for the Variable Frequency Drive in the amount of $16,101.18 for Still Branch Water Treatment Plant of the Public Works and Utilities Department.

The Commissioners approved on first reading of Ordinance revising the Code of Griffin, EXCISE TAX ON HOTELS, by increasing the rate of tax to 8.0% The increased rate will become effective August 1, 2015.

The Commissioners appointed Public Safety Director Frank Strickland and IT Network Administrator Gibb Cotton to the Griffin-Spalding 800 MHz Radio Users Group. The Group will meet quarterly to review overall operations and policies of the system and as often as necessary to provide input and recommendations on policies, contracts, and general operations to the County Commission.

Approved amending the current lease agreement with Law Offices of G. Alan Dodson, LLC for Suite 405 at One Griffin Center to adjust the ending date of the 36-month lease agreement to December 31, 2016. The incorrect date was December 31, 2017.

At the June 2, 2015 meeting, the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education approved Marty Shiver as the assistant principal at Spalding High School.

Shiver has been with the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) for over 25 years. He began his career teaching physical education at Jackson Road Elementary School. Shiver then spent over 20 years at Taylor Street Middle School and Rehoboth Road Middle School teaching health and physical fitness and explorations in technology. Shiver also served as a Response to Intervention (RTI) and Student Support Team (SST) coordinator, on the leadership committee and school council and as the head football coach. Since 2014, Shiver has been employed at Spalding High School as a credit recovery administrator, data and assessment specialist, athletic director, assistant baseball coach and leadership team member.

He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education from Valdosta State University, his Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology from Georgia College and State University and his Specialist Degree in Administration and Leadership from the University of Southern Mississippi.

“His experience, enthusiasm and commitment made Marty Shiver an excellent choice for this position. I am confident we look will see continued success and great achievements at Spalding High School,” said Jim Smith, interim school superintendent.

Rock Springs Christian Academy is pleased to announce that Lindsay Wynn

will be leading our new Rock Springs Christian Academy Learning Center.  Mrs. Wynn has been a long time teacher at RSCA who holds a degree in Child and Family Development from Georgia Southern University as well as a Masters of Education with a focus in Early Childhood Teaching.  Mrs. Wynn also has experience in the pediatric healthcare field.  We are exceptionally excited to have Lindsay lead our new venture in providing excellence in early learning for families of our school community.

Rock Springs Christian Academy Learning Center will open on August 3, 2015, and will expand on the part-time, half-day programs already in place for two and three year olds.  In addition to the part-time and half-day options, the new RSCA Learning Center will also offer year-round care and learning for infants through three years of age on Mondays through Fridays from 6:30AM to 6:00PM.  The same priorities and focus that have made the part-time, half-day option so successful will now be provided to families every workday except for ten holidays.  RSCA Learning Center’s curriculum will be Christ-centered and progressive in preparing children for learning.  Mrs. Wynn plans for the program to seek national accreditation in early learning once established.

Rock Spring Christian Academy is proud of the leadership Mrs. Wynn will provide for this new program which will allow us to better meet the needs of families.  For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Wynn through the school or at lwynn@rsca.info.  We look forward to the opening of Rock Springs Christian Academy Learning Center — Where Excellence Begins!

Board Names New GSCS 2015-16 Administrations

 At a called meeting on June 9, 2015, the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education appointed the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, Jackson Road Elementary Principal and Assistant Principal for A.Z. Kelsey for the 2015-16 school year. Dr. Kiawana Kennedy was named the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services. Kennedy brings over 20 years of experience in Georgia public education to the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS). Most recently she was employed by the City Schools of Decatur where she served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for three years and the Chief Operating Officer for the last two. She began her career as a teacher in 1991, teaching fifth grade in Dekalb County and eighth grade in Atlanta. In 1996, Kennedy began her career in school administration.  She served as a middle school assistant principal in Cobb County for four years, an elementary and alternative school principal in Coweta County for two years and an elementary principal in Fayette County for six years. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in education from West Georgia College, her Education Specialist from the State University of West Georgia and her Doctorate of Education from the University of Georgia.

Karen Oot was appointed the principal for Jackson Road Elementary. Oot joins GSCS from the Fayette County School System where she has been since 1999. During her 25 years in education she has served as an elementary teacher, K-5 behavior consultant and assistant principal. Karen received her Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education from the University of South Carolina and her Master’s Degree in educational leadership from the University of West Georgia. The new assistant principal for A.Z. Kelsey Academy will be Gabriel Burnette. Burnette has 20 years of experience in the field of education and youth services. Since 2004 he has served as a middle and high school principal and assistant principal for the Newton County School System. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology, his Master of Arts in Teaching and his Education Specialist Degree in Administration and Leadership all from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. Burnette has also served in the United States Army and Army Reserves since 1994.

Earlier in the Board named Marty Shiver as the Spalding High Assistant Principa.  He has been with the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) for over 25 years. He began his career teaching physical education at Jackson Road Elementary School. Shiver then spent over 20 years at Taylor Street Middle School and Rehoboth Road Middle School teaching health and physical fitness and explorations in technology. Shiver also served as a Response to Intervention (RTI) and Student Support Team (SST) coordinator, on the leadership committee and school council and as the head football coach.  Since 2014, Shiver has been employed at Spalding High School as a credit recovery administrator, data and assessment specialist, athletic director, assistant baseball coach and leadership team member.

School Superintendent Jim Smith said, “Each one of these new administrators brings 20 or more years of experience in education to GSCS.  Their exceptional leadership skills and dedication to academic achievement made them all outstanding choices. With their experience and commitment to succeed I am certain that these new administrators will complement GSCS’s mission and vision.”

Effective July 1, 2014, all children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are attending seventh grade and children who are new entrants into Georgia’s schools must receive an additional dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine and one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Parents whose students do not hold a current immunization schedule must obtain a GA Form 3231 from their physician or Health Department. Students who do not meet these immunization requirements will be withdrawn from school. Please contact Licia Evans RN at (770) 229-3700 or the Spalding County Health Department at (770) 467-4740 for additional information. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.