More detail and issues with Bailey REZ-2014-16 after much discussion last time. Almost ten minutes on 6a. Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention. Numerous things incomplete or just FYI such as drug seizures in the financial report, none of which the citizens could see. This was in the Work Session Monday morning. They vote Tuesday 5:30 PM in the Regular Session.

They actually named the multiple bids for a water item, unlike the single-source price-not-quoted pump replacement last time. And they’re buying some property (at some place unnamed) for a booster pump.

The Rural Land Agricultural Improvement Schedules was actually for Commercial land. We learned why Shiloh Road needs emergency repairs. Nothing about that on the new county Lowndes411 twitter account, and the county still doesn’t publish its own board packets.

I can understand why the Commission needs to approve a juvenile justice grant, a GEFA loan application, to accept quit claim deeds for a subdivision’s detention ponds, and to accept infrastructure for a subdivision, not to mention a CDBG agreement. But to replace batteries in a UPS?

See the agenda. Here are links to the videos of the items as they transpired this morning.

• 1. Call to Order 4. Minutes for Approval

  Video.

• 6.h. Approval to replace UPS Batteries

  Video. Danny Weeks had an urgent meeting coming up, so he asked to be heard first, and they did.

• 5.a. REZ-2014-16 Bailey Madison HWY

  Video. County Planner Jason Davenport mentioned some detailed issues, such as outdoor storage wouldn’t be conforming and would trigger issues even with C-H or M-1 or C-C unless fixed, for example by putting up a fence. Applicant was OK with C-H zoning without condistions or C-C zoning with conditions. Applicant had concerns about hours of operation regarding deliveries that can arrive at all hours.

  Commissioner Crawford Powell “if we go C-C on TRC and Zoning’s recommendation” none of the issues just mentioned matter if applicant continues in their current non-conforming status? Answer: yes. Triggers only happen if they add structures or make other changes.

  Commissioner Demarcus Marshall said two TRC members were in opposition and wondered what their proposed conditions were. Davenport wasn’t sure what those conditions were.

• 6.a. Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention

  Video. Trying to keep low-risk youth from becoming higher risk. Therapist goes into home and meets one-on-one with family.

  Commissioner Demarcus Marshall wanted to know how success would be measured. Answer: Carl Vinson Institute of UGA measures that, and last year considered local program so effective they raised the grant amount by $105,000.

  There was more Q&A and a lot more detail. The court representative complimented Chad McCleod.

• 6.b. Property Acquisition for Booster Pump

  Video. Utilities Manager Mike Allen managed not to say where the property was, who the owner was, how big it is, or anything else that might reveal to the public what he was talking about.

• 6.c. Resolution and Approval of GEFA Loan Application

  Video. Commissioner Demarcus Marshall wanted to know if this was just for the Alapaha Water Treatment Plant, not for the other one they bought additional equipment for recently. Answer: just for the Alapaha Water Treatment Plant.

• 6.d. Accept Quit Claim Deeds for Creekwood Detention Ponds

  Video.

• 6.e. Adopt Resolution accepting infrastructure Glen Laurel III

  Video.

• 6.f. Cost for Emergency Repairs to Shiloh Road

  Video. County Engineer Mike Fletcher said pipes were discovered to have separated under the road. Scruggs Company and Roundtree worked to fix; took three days, for $45,279.98 to replace both crossdrains, rebuild headwalls, and repave road.

• 6.g. FY2013 CDBG Second Harvest Project Assurance Agreement

  Video.

• 6.i. Rurl land & Agricultural Schedules (actually Commercial)

  Video. Oops: they approved that previously; this is actually for commercial land.

• 7.a. . Bids for Alapaha Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

  Video. Mike Allen said Two bids received, Petticoat(?) and Schmidt for $392,700, Standard Contractors for $534,618.70. Staff recommends the low bid.

  Commissioner Demarcus Marshall asked if they would install the equipment. Answer: yes, the equipment previously purchased, and associated items.

• 8.a. Quarterly Financial Report

  Video. Finance Director Stephanie Black said some items were still incomplete, others were FYI only such as drug seizures, and apparently a few things were complete. Citizens couldn’t see any of that.

  Commissioner Demarcus Marshall had some questions, including “you think we’re on track”? Answer: I’m not sure whether she answered the question or not.

• 8. Reports – County Manager – meeting adjourned to closed session

  Video. County Manager Joe Pritchard asked for an executive session for the purpose of property acquisition. They immediately unanimously voted to do that.

Here’s a video playlist:

Videos: Emergency road repair, grandfathered business, water, and Rural Land Agricultural Improvement Schedules
Work Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 27 October 2014.

-jsq

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