SPALDING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING
The first order of business at the Spalding County Commissioners Meeting Monday September 21st
The commissioners:
Approved: on 2nd reading a rezoning request from Colony Bank, Owner – 7610 Newnan Road (1.379 acres) – from AR-1, Agricultural and Residential, to C-1, Highway Commercial.
Approved: on 2nd reading a rezoning request from Christal Yancey, Owner – McIntyre Corporation, Agent to rezone 10 parcels of property on Hudson road from Residential or Agricultural Residential to C-2 Manufacturing.
The parcels are: 583, 585, 587, 661, 663, 665, 667, 669, 671, and 1065 Hudson Road.
. The rezoning was approved with the following conditions:
a.. All of the separate parcels shall be combined into one tract.
b.. A minimum 50′ undisturbed buffer shall be provided along the western property line. Said buffer shall be supplemented natural screening of trees and shrubs at a planting height of 6′ where the existing buffer is insufficient. Buffers shall be in place by April 2016.
c.. Site lighting to be designed so as to not glare into adjacent residential areas or onto public streets.
d.. Pursuant to the letter submitted with the application both the shop and office will be re-roofed. The shop shall be painted a neutral color. The office will have new siding applied in a neutral color. The office shall have new plumbing, electrical and HVAC. All rotten boards to be removed and new installed. The back porch shall be removed on the office. New windows shall be installed on both the shop and office.
The commissioners:
Approved: to amend the ( UDO) Uniform Development Ordinance for the county residential areas to include the following provision: Home Occupation, general, excluding garage, repair garage, kennel, shooting range and such other proposed uses that may conflict or be inconsistent with existing nearby development or pose a threat to the public health and safety of residents of nearby properties.
Approved: an agreement with Liberty Technology, for $8,963.34 per month for 60 months, for recommended Telecommunications Solution. The solution will result in a monthly savings of $10,667 from what the cunty is paying now and after the five year contract the monthly fee will be reduced to approximately $4500.
Approved: a request for an Amplification Permit from the Rafferty Family for a wedding reception to be held at 1901 S. 6th Street on October 17, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Approved: on first reading an ordinance to amend The Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance establishing a means by which an applicant for a license to retail sell alcoholic beverages within 101 to 300 feet of a private residence may otherwise be eligible to obtain such license. The licence may be granted to an otherwise qualified applicant where such applicant provides clear evidence that the applicant has provided any “Affected Owner” notice of the application and no written objection has been received by the Spalding County Board of Commissioners prior to granting such license.
Approved: A five year contract with Andrews Technology for “Novatime Time and Attendance Software. First year cost is $58,593 and each year thereafter $32,058. Five vendors held a demonstration with the Budget Review Committee and the Committee unanimously recommended Andrews Technology.
Approved: an Agreement with Mendola & Associates, LLC for Tax Audit Program Services. The County has utilized Mendola and Associates for personal property tax audits before and were very satisfied with their work.
$24,000 is budgeted for these audits.
The commissioners:
Denied: by a 2/3 vote the recommendation from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission to set a formal policy regarding the rental of athletic fields. The commissioners asked that the Recreation Advisory Commission to look at the possibility of generating revenue by renting the fields. Spalding County has an unwritten policy to NOT RENT ball fields. The purpose of the motion presented was to put this standard practice into written policy. Open fields, when not reserved for seasonal sports programs or special events, are used on a first come basis by public users so they may enjoy open play or “pick up games” which are not organized events. During seasonal sports the use of the fields is reserved by associations that have a contract with Spalding County to carry out the youth program.
The commissioners:
Tabled: a request from South Atlanta Youth Association (SAYA) to rent Volunteer Park Football field on Saturdays after 2:00 pm when no rec programs are scheduled. It is not the Commissioners decision to rent the fields. It is the Rec departments decisiion.
Tabled: for further information a recommendation from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission to establish a community neighborhood passive-park at the Quilly Street Property. The Quilly Street Property is a part of a 130 acre parcel that includes and is contiguous to Dundee Park and Thomaston Mill Village Park located on North 9th Street. The overall concept would be to provide a blank canvas for community groups, ie,: Boy Scouts, non-profits, churches and corporations to assist with providing project ideas, funding and/or construction assistance in accomplishing the overall goals of the facility which can be compared to a large scale community garden project, whereas outside entities could participate in a portion of the development.
The commissioners:
Approved: a request from Three Rivers Area Agency on Aging to use their statewide contract for the provision of congregate and home-delivered meals to be served throughout the State. County Staff has reviewed lthe request and has no problem utilizing the state contract vendor.
Approved: a contract with Three Rivers Regional Commission for the writing and facilitation of Spalding County’s 2016 Hazard Mitigation Plan. Every 5 years as required by both the federal and state emergency management agencies the county must update its hazard mitigation plan. The planning process will take about six to nine months to complete and will include members of the City of Griffin, City of Orchard Hill, City of Sunny Side and other groups throughout the the county. This comprehensive plan provide funding to Spalding County in the case of natural disaster. Funding for the project will be paid through a grant received this year from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. The County will be responsible for matching dollars paid through in-kind funds (hours worked by county employees on the project).
Approved: to submit a Grant Application to the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank for funding of the North Hill Street/East McIntosh Road (Intersection #3) Project. Total project estimated cost $1,533,171. Grant request $1,220,335 with local funding of $312,842.00
Approved: a Purchasing Card Usage Policy as discussed at the Work Session on August 17, 2015. Selected employees that routinely make small dollar purchases will be issued a card. The goal is to save time and cost when compared to the traditonal purchase order method. The card is valid only to transact business on behalf of Spalding County.
Approved: an agency contract with the City of Orchard Hill for Fire Protection Services for the period beginning October 1, 2015 and ending on October 1, 2016. This is an Annual contract for Fire Protection Services. Contract amount $35,211.00 paid in monthly increments of $2,934.25 per month as budgeted revenues to be paid into the Fire District Fund.
Approved: an agency contract with the City of Sunny Side for Fire Protection Services for the period October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. This is an Annual contract for Fire Protection Services. Contract amount $18,409.32 paid in monthly increments of $1,534.11per month as budgeted revenues to be paid into the Fire District Fund.
Approved: on first reading an Ordinance amending the FY 2016 Budget Ordinance to provide for prior year encumbrances which is approximately $35,000 for all funds. Outstanding purchase orders from the previous fiscal year are carried forward per financial policies.
Approved: declaring surplus and authorizing disposal of various vehicles and equipment from various county departments. Total of 108 surplus items including 33 vehicles from the Sheriff’s office. Vehicles from all departments were selected based on age, reliability, and mileage. The Public Works Department has collected the surplus vehicles and equipment for auction at a later date.
Approved: changing the meeting dates for the Public Zoning Hearings in November and December due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. Move the 11/26 meeting to 11/16 at 5:pm and the 12/24 meeting to 12/07 at 5:pm.