Floyd County Commission action report
FLOYD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 22, 2008
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
1. Andy Wade, Disability Link Northwest, regarding transportation for disabled persons.
Background story
Commissioners heard from a contingent of disabled residents and their supporters during their caucus session before the meeting and set up a special Transportation Committee to look into extending bus service into the unincorporated area.
Wade, one of the appointees to the committee, said the lack of transportation imposes limits on disabled workers and keeps them from normal activities such as taking college courses.
“People with disabilities need a choice of where they’re going to live," he said, adding that “I would gladly pay for the transportation and I’m sure there are a lot of people who feel the same way.”
Plans are to determine the extent of the need and work with the city of Rome on possibly expanding its system.
2. Buddy Floyd, 2523 Maple Road, regarding loud mufflers — not present
3. Don Lawalin, 7 Johns Drive, regarding Chubb Road — not present
4. Spencer Brewer, 173 Lavender Road, regarding ULDC Sign Ordinance.
Background story
Brewer and several other business owners registered complaints about a recent crackdown on sign ordinance violations.
“External signage is everything to a small business,” said Brewer, who is scheduled to appear in Magistrate Court on May 2.
The board agreed to direct the Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department to issue only warnings until an ongoing ordinance revision is complete.
“We want to work with business leaders, with individuals willing to work with us, to come up with an ordinance that is based on sound principles and common sense,” Commissioner Chad Whitefield said.
The board also asked Poe to let the magistrate know of their stance before Brewer’s hearing, although Poe noted that “we can’t tell the judge what to do.”
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Adopt minutes of April 8 meeting
PROCLAMATIONS
1) Public Safety Day, May 8, 2008
Click to view 'Public Safety Day proclamation'
The 12th annual memorial service for fallen law enforcement officers will be held at 11 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Building. The family of a jail officer killed in Floyd County in 1929 is scheduled to attend.
At the close of the ceremony, about 11:45 a.m., a lone bagpiper will lead a procession of officers down Fifth Avenue and Broad Street to The Forum.
The officers will be treated to a luncheon by the Community Criminal Justice Foundation, formed nine years ago to honor public safety workers. Guest speaker will be Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham.
2) Thistle Garden Club 50 years of service
Click to view 'Thistle Garden Club proclamation'
FOCUS ON FLOYD
Richard B. Russell Regional Airport – Mike Mathews, Airport Manager
Mathews reported the county-owned airport has six employees and took in $1,231,875 last year. With expenses of $1,114,632, less depreciation, the facility ended 2007 with a profit of $117,242.
He also reported on grant-funding and projects in the works — including mid-field taxiway improvements and the Coosa Valley Technical College classroom hangar.
Improvements made for the school’s aviation program, including water and sewer extensions, also will serve the North Terminal expansion expected to attract new industrial hangar operations, he said.
Click to view 'Airport project renderings'
There are currently 123 aircraft based at the facility.
RESOLUTIONS
Deferred action on an intergovernmental agreement between Floyd County and the city of Rome related to the Historic Courthouse Parking Deck project. (2006 SPLOST)
FIRST READINGS – None
SECOND READINGS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
Possible closure of McFry Lane railroad crossing.
County Manager Kevin Poe said the railroad is offering to upgrade the nearby Pinson Road crossing in Shannon if the county agrees to close the McFry Lane crossing.
A Georgia Department of Transportation study indicates closing the crossing would reduce accidents by 80 percent.
However, several residents in the area said the closing would create problems for them.
Sharon Gollahon said they would have no way out when the creek floods and motorists who use the road as a short cut to Ga. 53 would have to take a longer route.
Milton Gaines said he has lived in the area for nearly all of his 84 years.
“There’s not many who live there so we can’t draw a big crowd, but that road is important to us,” he said.
James and Linda McFry also sent a letter to the board detailing the same concerns.
Click to view 'McFry letter'
Public Works Director Michael Skeen talked to the residents after the meeting to determine possible remedies for the flooding. He said there is the potential to get help from the railroad in upgrading the road as a condition of the closing.
Commission Chairman Jerry Jennings said the board will consider the public input, along with traffic counts and other data, and will let the residents know if it decides to move forward with the closing.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The board held a closed session to discuss pending litigation.
Attorney Scott Bergthold spoke to commissioners regarding Entice Adult Superstore’s stated intent to appeal a ruling upholding the county’s ordinance restricting the locations of sexually oriented businesses.
No action was taken.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
1. Administrative/Finance Committee – Commissioner Whitefield, Chairman — no report
2. Public Safety Committee – Commissioner Lumsden, Chairman
Discuss New Pawn Shop Reporting System
Background story on Rome’s system.
The board asked County Attorney Tommy Manning to draft an ordinance amendment requiring pawnshops in the unincorporated area to report all transactions via an Internet-based system that can be monitored by police.
A first reading is tentatively scheduled for the board’s May 13 meeting and could be adopted at its May 27 session.
3. Public Works Committee – Commissioner Mayes, Chairman — no report
4. Water Committee – Commissioner Fricks, Chairman — no report
5. Judicial Services Committee – Commissioner Jennings, Chairman — no report
6. Special Committee Reports — no reports
CLERK’S REPORT
Approved the Consent Agenda containing a list of tax refunds and the removal of expected taxes from the Tax Commissioner’s Roll totaling $9,214.78.
The removed properties drew no bidders at a tax sale and were sold to the county, which can dispose of them for back taxes or transfer them to the Land Bank Authority for possible redevelopment.
MANAGER’S REPORT
1. Award of Bid for 1-Ton Truck for Prison.
Accepted low bid of $31,115 from Courtesy Ford. (Budgeted amount: $40,000)
2. Award of Bids for Public Works equipment:
a. ¾ Ton Truck — accepted low bid of $15,925 from Courtesy Ford. (Budgeted amount: $22,000)
b. 1-Ton Truck with Service Bed — accepted low bid of $31,401 from Brooker Ford. (Budgeted amount: $45,000)
c. 6-Yard Dump Truck — accepted low bid of $60,300 from Wade Ford. (Budgeted amount: $63,000)
d. Self-contained Leaf Machine — accepted low bid of $28,176 from Old Dominion Brush Co. (Budgeted amount: $42,000)
3. Award of Bid for Sewer and Pump Station for Coosa Valley Technical College classroom/hangar project at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport.
Background on the project.
Accepted low bid of $38,271.60 from T.J. Lyle and Co.
4. Took no further action on the Go Fish Georgia program.
Background story
5. Acknowledged a $5,000 Grant Award which Floyd County will be receiving from ACCG-GHBP Health Promotion and Wellness Program.
6. Promoted Shelter Manager Jason Broome to Animal Control director and reclassify Scotty Hancock as Emergency Management director/Communications Coordinator.
Hancock had retained his Animal Control directorship when he was named director of the Floyd County Emergency Management Agency.
County Manager Poe said Hancock’s EMA duties have expanded in the past few years and Broome has shown he can oversee the animal control operations.
Also, Poe said, there is a growing need to have someone at the helm of efforts to establish a technologically advanced communications system to be shared by the various public safety and emergency response agencies.
7. Discussed Financial Participation in North Georgia Air & Car Show
Background story.
Commissioners tentatively agreed to Air Show organizer Gene Schayer’s request they put up $25,000 in contingency money to help cover costs if rain affects attendance.
The agreement is contingent on Schayer capping the cost of the show and meeting a target of $80,000 in sponsorship backing by June 1.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT - none
OTHER BUSINESS - none
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