Bulloch County Chairman Roy Thompson presided over the bi-monthly meeting of the Bulloch County Commission on Tuesday morning, February 21, 2023 in the temporary meeting location at the Honey Bowen Building.
During the meeting Tom Couch, Bulloch County Manager, reported to the commissioners that the county staff had completed the subdivision regulations and zoning ordinances revision recommendations. The revisions are now available for review on the county's website by clicking here for subdivision revisions and by clicking here for Zoning ordinances recommendations. These revisions will be presented to the planning and zoning board at their March 9, 2023 meeting. If approved by this board, they will then move to the next Bulloch County Commissioners meeting for final approval. Couch also recognized and thanked all of the county employees who have been involved in this arduous process.
CONSENT AGENDA
APPROVED - 1. Approval request for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Grant for the District Attorney's Office for $108,642
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council has approved the Federal Fiscal Year 2023 VOCA Continuation Base and Comp Advocate funding applications submitted by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia (PAC). The District Attorney's Office was selected to receive $108,642 in federal funds with a base waived match funds in the amount of $27,161.
APPROVED - 2. Motion to approve Bulloch Solutions Fiber Installation and Directional Bore Project at Splash in the Boro
and Mill Creek Regional Park.
Bulloch Solutions is our current fiber provider / installer at Mill Creek and Splash in the Boro. This project is for a fiber directional bore and install for extension of internet and internet-utilizing technology inside the entire park, especially to the concessions area for revenue purposes. As the park has grown, technology was not installed at the time to make this possible. Bulloch Solutions has submitted a cost for this project of $78,591. This project is budgeted in the FY23 CIP schedule - Project ID SPLA01 & SPLA02.
APPROVED - 3. Motion to Receive Service from Southern Asbestos Abatement Co., Inc in the total of $22,915.00.
An old structure on the PW property is in need of asbestos abatement. Cost of abatement is $22,915.00.
APPROVED - 4. Motion to Approve the purchase of a Ventilation System Upgrade from J.D.'s Heating and Air in the amount of $43,634.00.
Capitol Expense Allocation to upgrade and /redesign the Animal Shelter kennel exhaust system and climate control.
APPROVED - 5. Motion to approve a contract for Splash in the Boro Summer Marketing/Media purchases through Davis Marketing Company
Splash in the Boro Waterpark & Aquatics Center utilizes an outsourced marketing company for summer advertising and marketing. Davis Marketing Company (DMC) would consult and manage all of the Splash in the Boro media including social media, traditional media, and more. They also would design brochures, flyers, email blasts, and tv/radio commercials to boost attendance for the 2023 season. Also included in the contract is the Advertising Buy Plan. This is the amount that DMC would pay to third party advertising media for spots on their station/websites. This is a direct buy, no percentage of this is kept by DMC, it is paid directly to the vendors through DMC. The total of this contract is $23,346 and is budgeted in the Splash in the Boro Advertising budget. This contract would be a continuation of prior work, reference ID 2231.
APPROVED - 6. Motion to approve Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Company renewal contract for Firecracker Fest on July 1, 2023
This is a request to approve the renewal contract from Zambelli Fireworks to provide fireworks display for Firecracker Fest to be held on July 1, 2023 in the amount of $20,000. A deposit payment of $10,000 has already been paid from FY22 budget and was credited due to 2022 show cancellation. The remaining payment of $10,000 will be paid out of FY24 budget.
APPROVED - 7. Motion to Re-Appointment Kelly Barnard to the Southeast Georgia Regional Radio Network (SEGARRN) board.
This is a formality, to re-appoint Kelly Barnard to the radio system board to represent Bulloch County.
APPROVED - 8. Motion to Approve the Purchase of Twenty 20-Yard Roll Off Containers from Wastequip for a Total of $110.984.00.
APPROVED - 9. To grant an alcoholic beverage licence for retail beer and wine sales to Four Square Circle, LLC located at 4643 Hwy. 25.
NEW BUSINESS
APPROVED - 1. Motion to approve Accountability Court to submit FY2024 Grant Applications for Ogeechee JC Mental Health Court & Drug Court.
Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Drug Court and Mental Health Court's Request to apply for FY2024 Grants(Drug court Grant Amount $304,568.00 and Mental Health Court Grant Amount $192,487.00). Both Grants have a 12% Match requirement.
Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Michael Muldrew spoke in favor of the grant.
APPROVED - 2. Resolution to appoint Lawton Sack to fill the unexpired term of Hadley Campbell on the Bulloch County Board of Elections and Registration beginning on April 1, 2023 and ending on December 31, 2025
The current term of Hadley Campbell on the Board of Elections and Registration expires on December 31, 2025; however, Mr. Campbell has submitted his resignation effective March 31, 2023. Lawton Sack has agreed to serve out the remainder of Mr. Campbell's unexpired term. Approval of the attached resolution will appoint Mr. Sack to serve out the remainder of Mr. Campbell's unexpired term commencing on April 1, 2023 and ending on December 31, 2025.
APPROVED - 3. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding by and among the Development Authority of Bulloch County and Ecoplastic America Corp.
The Development Authority has entered into the attached MOU with Ecoplastic America Corp. for the location of a project in Bulloch County. The project is a manufacturing facility for the manufacture of automotive exterior and interior parts including bumpers, garnishes, consoles and trims for electric vehicles. The Development Authority and Ecoplastic America Corp. are the parties to the MOU, but the Board of Commissioners and Board of Tax Assessors have been requested to acknowledge the MOU and agree to applicable provisions. As an inducement for location of the project in Bulloch County, the MOU includes a 100% abatement of County ad valorem taxes for 10 years and a 50% abatement for an additional 5 years. The tax abatement does not include school taxes or taxes for the County's fire district.
APPROVED - 4. Approve a Change Order in the amount of $158,802.36 with Mill Creek Construction for material cost increases and additional work on the Hood Road Project. Project is funded by TSPLOST.
The original contract for the Hood Road Paving Project is $882,336.40. The original bid was received on August 31, 2021 and the project began in November 2021. Three separate delays occurred on the project, which were beyond the control of the contractor. The first delay was due to approximately 25 power poles that had to be relocated after the clearing and grubbing was completed. The power poles could not be moved prior to the project beginning because of the extensive tree canopy along the road. The second delay was due to the discovery of fiber optic lines that were not located by the utility company during the design phase, and required re-location. The third delay was caused by the re-location of one of the drainage easements on the project that was requested by a property owner. Mill Creek Construction has submitted documentation from their suppliers showing the increases in material costs for graded aggregate base ($92,180.92) and asphalt ($46,621.44) for the project, based on project quantities. Also included in the attached documents is a cost submittal for the extra work of relocating the drainage easement ($15,000) and replacing approximately 20 oak trees ($5,000) that were mistakenly removed due to an error in the County Engineer's instructions to the surveyor. The total change order amount is $158,802.36, which would bring the total contract amount to $1,041,138.76. The County Engineer has reviewed the request and recommends approval based on the delays being outside of the contractor's control, and the material cost increases appearing to be valid. The project is being funded by TSPLOST.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Statesboro City Council lady Shari Barr addressed the Commissioners regarding the Bring a Book to Life Character Contest supporting Ferst Readers of Bulloch County which started today. The Ferst Readers of Bulloch County began the campaign where citizens are participating by dressing up as characters from their favorite children's books to raise money to purchase books to Bulloch County preschoolers. Council lady Barr was dressed as Mother Goose for the meeting and for the campaign. To contribute or learn more about the campaign click here.
Joe Douglas, former employee of Bulloch County 911, addressed the county commission regarding his termination. Jeff Akins, County Attorney said that Mr. Douglas had requested a financial claim regarding his termination. Because of this, it has been turned over to the county's insurance company and they will be handling this going forward.
COMMISSION AND STAFF COMMENTS
Eddie Canon, Director of the Bulloch County Recreation and Parks, provided an update to the commissioners on activities coming up at the Recreation and Parks department. Cannon said the department is entering their busy season and there are activities for all ages available at the recreation and parks department. They are also heavily recruiting for employees for the summer including high school and college students. Below is a summary of activities and events coming up at Bulloch County Recreation and Parks.
Commissioner Timmy Rushing, cautioned department heads to monitor change orders and make sure that the change order is absolutely necessary. With all of the growth coming to Bulloch County change orders can really have an impact on the county's budget especially in roads, transportation and special projects. County Manager Couch agreed with Commissioner Rushing and said they need to review their project delivery culture.
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Live stream of meeting
