COFFEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

9:30 O’CLOCK A.M.

COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING ROOM

 

Coffee County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, October 3, 2011, at 9:30 o’clock A.M. with the following present; Chairman Jimmy Kitchens, Commissioners Earl Brice, Frank Jackson, Charles H. Deen and Tom Rice, County Attorney Tony Rowell, County Administrator Wesley Vickers and County Clerk Jo Ann Metts.  Chairman Kitchens called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.

 

The invocation was given by Rev. Raymond Musgrove, pastor of Jowers Chapel Church.  The pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was given by everyone.

 

Chairman Kitchens recognized Ms. Terri Dockery who retired after 29 years in the Magistrate Court Office.  Ms. Dockery received a plaque as appreciation for the years of service in the Magistrate Court.  Commissioners expressed their appreciation to Ms. Dockery.

 

Chairman Kitchens made the following announcements:

 

            The District 11 ACCG meeting will be held in Valdosta, Georgia, on October 25, 2011, at            10:00 o’clock A.M.  Please let Clerk know if you plan to attend this meeting.

 

            The 14th Annual Area Official Appreciation Evening will be held on October 18, 2011, beginning             at 5:00 o’clock P.M. at Dinnerman’s Farm in Adel, Georgia.

 

            The Regional Transportation Roundtable Event will be held on Monday, October 10, 2011, at      12:00 o’clock Noon at the C. E. Weir Center in Douglas, Georgia.

 

Commissioner Deen made a motion to approve the minutes of the pre-meeting work session and regular meeting held on September 19, 2011, and this was seconded by Commissioner Jackson.  All Commissioners unanimously agreed.

 

Chairman Kitchens stated the agenda needed to be amended by adding “Item 14.  Approve the Agreement for Professional Services between Coffee County Commissioners and Southern Georgia Regional Commission in reference to the 2011 CDBG grant”.   Commissioner Jackson made a motion to approve the agenda as outlined and this was seconded by Commissioner Brice.  All Commissioners unanimously agreed.

 

Chairman Kitchens stated he wanted to change the name of Mistic Road to Hiram Tanner, Jr. Road at the request of Rev. Raymond Musgrove, pastor of Jowers Chapel Church, for all Mr. Tanner  had done for the Church and for the County.  Chairman Kitchens stated it was an honor to get to do this for Mr. Tanner.  County Attorney Rowell stated it had been properly advertised and all the requirements met and everything was in order.  Chairman Kitchens made a motion to change the name of Mistic Road to Hiram Tanner, Jr. Road and this was seconded by Commissioner Jackson.  All Commissioners unanimously agreed.

 

County Administrator Vickers stated he had received the contract from DOT for resurfacing 8 ˝ miles of various county roads.   This contract will be returned to DOT so the Notice to Proceed can be given.  Commissioner Brice made a motion to sign this Contract and this was seconded by Commissioner Deen.   All Commissioners unanimously agreed.  Bids will be opened for this project on October 20, 2011.

 

County Attorney Rowell read Proclamation declaring the first week in October as National 4-H Club week.  Mr. Kevin Tatum thanked Commissioners for their support of the 4-H program in Coffee County where he has 1400 students enrolled this year.  Mr. Tatum invited Commissioners to the 4-H activities scheduled for Tuesday, October 4, 2011, from 5:00 o’clock P.M. until 7:00 o’clock P.M. at Central Square.

 

Mr. Charles Roberts, with Code Enforcement, Building & Zoning, stated this was the first reading of a request to rezone 1 acre of land from A/F to Commercial on Highway 441 South just past the Catholic Church.  This was approved by the Douglas-Coffee County Planning & Zoning Commission on September 22, 2011.  This request was from Michael L. and Debra E. Davis to open up a beauty salon.  The final reading will be held at the regular meeting scheduled on November 7, 2011.

 

County Administrator Vickers stated he had received two bids for telephone and data wiring for the Courthouse:

     Windstream                                                                                                                        $49,169.95

     Mr. Charles Dial, Southeast Georgia Computer Consulting and Engineering, Inc.          $46,031.81

Mr. Dial has given the Commission a letter that if the labor and materials are less that the bid, he will deduct this amount from the total bid.  The County Attorney will prepare a contract which can be signed at the next regular meeting. Commissioner Deen made a motion to accept the proposal from Mr. Dial subject to the contract being approved at the next meeting and this was seconded by Commissioner Brice.  All Commissioners unanimously agreed.  County Administrator Vickers stated this would be paid from the SPLOST V fund which was approved by the voters.

 

Ms. Shanda Henderson, Tax Commissioner, appeared before the Commission to get a Resolution for Judicial In Rem Tax Foreclosures approved.  This applies to excess levies with large estate tax foreclosures that is court ordered by the Superior Court Judge and allows the Tax Commissioner to sell the large tract or certain parcels of the tract of land whichever is decided by the Superior Court Judge.  This is just a procedure for collecting taxes.  County Attorney Rowell stated this was for estates that have not been resolved or cannot be identified and the legislature provided for a statutory provision which allows for the collection of taxes on these properties.  This is an important tool which is used by the Tax Commissioners but requires approval by the governing authority to give the Tax Commissioner approval to hold these sales.  Commissioner Jackson made a motion to approve this resolution and this was seconded by Commissioner Brice.  All Commissioners unanimously agreed.

 

County Administrator Vickers stated he had received the contract from Southern Georgia Regional Commission to administer the 2011 CDBG grant for paving and drainage on Sugar Sand Road and Star Dust Road.  This needs to be approved and submitted so that we can continue with this process.  Commissioner Brice made a motion for the Chairman to enter into this contract and this was seconded by Commissioner Deen.  All Commissioners unanimously agreed.

 

Commissioner Deen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:07 o’clock A.M. and this was seconded by Commissioner Brice.  All Commissioners unanimously agreed.