Category Archives: Water

Videos: All Valdosta cases: 2 small and 1 big annexation and rezoning @ GLPC 2024-07-29

All the items were for Valdosta, and the Planning Commissioners unanimously recommended approval of all of them, two of them with conditions.

[Collage @ GLPC 29 July 2024]
Collage @ GLPC 29 July 2024

Six special conditions accompany the recommendation for the Bemiss Road Yazmin Saucedo storage facility and the “event center called the “Enchanted Hall” that specializes in weddings, quincenaras, and family reunions, with an anticipated overall seating capacity of about 160 people,”.

Several people spoke against the Bemiss Road Freeman Investments rezoning from R-P to C-N. Several people explained to them that if this rezoning did not pass, the owner could put up a three-story apartment building. The unanimous recommendation for approval came with a condition of a 6-foot opaque wooden fence between this property and the three it backs up on.

No conditions were recommended for the Southern Gateway Madison Highway rezoning and annexation south of the airport. I spoke to attorney Bill Nijem and Valdosta City Planner Matt Martin afterwards. There is indeed a pond in the middle of the part of the property south of Race Track Road SE. It’s not clear what will happen to it; it may be used as a detention pond. The eventual development of the property is as yet undecided. It’s also between the Withlacoochee and Alapaha River watersheds, and not well-connected to creeks, so probably not a problem.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by John S. Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also Continue reading →

Videos: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC Work 2024-08-12

There was some discussion in the 7-minute Monday morning Work Session of the Lowndes County Commission. They vote today (Tuesday) at 5:30 PM.

[Collage @ LCC 12 August 2024]
Collage @ LCC 12 August 2024

Regarding the Love’s Travel Stop Beer and Wine license, no public hearing is necessary if the license is for consumption off premises.

On 7.a. Pump Station Rehab, Chairman Bill Slaughter wanted to know how many lift stations the county has. Continue reading →

Videos: Animal Policies, Wetland and stream credits for Kinderlou-Clyattville Road, UPS, Fire Station alterations, Moody Hydrant, Grassy Pond Utilities @ LCC Regular 2024-07-23

Five citizen speakers said spending more money on an Animal Shelter building was not a solution to a problem that needs different policies: Burton Fletcher, Nancy and Danny Griffin, Janice Monaco, and Tara Parker.

[Collage @ LCC 23 July 2024]
Collage @ LCC 23 July 2024

All the voting agenda items sailed through unanimously, including the Wetland and Stream Credits for the Kinderlou Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage project. Also, as staff recommended, they rejected as too high the bid for the 6.b. Moody Hydrant Replacement Project.

Commissioner Scottie Orenstein asked if the architect had given a budget estimate for 6.a. Alterations to Lowndes County Fire Station #10. Engineering Services Director Chad McLeod said no, but they had done an internal estimate and the project is within the estimated range. Chairman Bill Slaughter added that the project is within budget.

A Commissioner, I think Mark Wisenbaker, wanted to know whether the county had had experience with the low bidder for 6.c. Grassy Pond Utilities Replacement. Answer: yes, on the LAS project, and they’re well known in the Waycross and Ware County area.

I’m still mystified why Moody AFB doesn’t count as a stakeholder.

I had some issues with the camera direction on 5.c. Vertiv Service Contract, UPS, 911 Center, Valdosta – Clyattville Tower. The battery ran down and I lost the beginning of 5.d. Quit-Claim Deed of Abandoned Section of Race Track Road SE. Gretchen is back and will handle this coming week’s videoing.

Below are links to the LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by John S. Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also Continue reading →

Packet: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC 2024-08-12

Update 2024-08-13: Videos: Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift @ LCC Work 2024-08-12.

Update 2024-08-11: Special Called Meeting about Opioids Settlement @ LCC 2024-08-12.

Two appointments, an alcohol license, and almost $2 million in Utilities Department bids are on the agenda for the Lowndes County Commission Work Session Monday morning at 8:30 AM. They vote Tuesday at 5:30 PM.

[Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift, Force Main sewer system @ LCC 2024-08-12]
Appointments to DFACS & VLPRA, Beer and Wine, Pump Station and Forklift, Force Main sewer system @ LCC 2024-08-12

Three bids were received for the Utilities Department Forklift, with low bid at $18,100.

Only one bid, for $1.792 million, was received for the repair and rehab at 14 lift stations, out of 4 contractors who attended the mandatory pre-bid meeting. Lift stations affected are Bevel Creek, Whitewater Road, US 84, Francis Lake, Old Pine, Davidson Road, Miller Farms, Moody Family Housing, Skipper Bridge, Union Road, Kinderlou Clubhouse, Griffin, Saddle Bags, and Stone Creek.

Cost What
$1,792,027.8.00Pump Station Rehab
$18,100.00Utilities Forklift
$1,810,127.8.00Total

 

VALORGIS shows Lowndes County’s sewer lines if you turn on the Water Sewer Service Areas layer, and within that Lowndes County Sewer Lines Force Main and Gravity. Be sure to turn off Water Lines and Valdosta Sewer Line.

In case anybody doesn’t know, Lowndes County’s sewer system is separate from Valdosta’s sewer system, and has about 10% of the capacity of Valdosta’s.

Also, for some years Lowndes County has been repairing parts of its sewer system before they break. Although I hear persistent rumors that there have been unreported leaks.

[Map: Lowndes County sewer system (green lines) --VALORGIS]
Map: Lowndes County sewer system (green lines) –VALORGIS

Lonnie Denton wants to be reappointed to the Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS) Board and DFACS County Director Gail Finley recommends that.

Bubba Highsmith wants to be reappointed, and George Foreman also wants to be appointed, to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) Board.

The beer and wine license request is for a new establishment, Love’s Travel Stop #550, 2319 Old Clyattville Road, Valdosta, GA.

Here is the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading →

Videos: Wetland and stream credits for Kinderlou-Clyattville Road, UPS, Fire Station alterations, Moody Hydrant, Grassy Pond Utilities @ LCC Work 2024-07-22

Update 2024-08-11: Videos: Animal Policies, Wetland and stream credits for Kinderlou-Clyattville Road, UPS, Fire Station alterations, Moody Hydrant, Grassy Pond Utilities @ LCC Regular 2024-07-23.

The Lowndes County Commissioners and staff were surprisingly inquisitive at yesterday morning’s Work Session. They vote this evening at 5:30 PM.

There was some discussion on 6.a. Alterations to Lowndes County Fire Station #10, which is the main station east on US 84.

[Collage @ LCC 22 July 2024]
Collage @ LCC 22 July 2024

About the 5.a. Purchase of Wetland Credits for PI#0016278 Kinderlou Clyattville Road, Gretchen noted, “There was a brief discussion of wetland credits and how they are calculated by the Army Corps of Engineers. The calculation is now cumulative to the project, not at each individual site. In my opinion, this is a good thing as a project with a lot of “little” encroachments now does not get a pass.

They also discussed the less expensive 5.b. Purchase of Stream Credits for PI#0016278, Kinderlou Clyattville Road.

Moody AFB is going back to the drawing board for the Continue reading →

All Valdosta cases: 2 small and 1 big annexation and rezoning @ GLPC 2024-07-29

On Bemiss Road, the storage facility and the “event center called the “Enchanted Hall” that specializes in weddings, quincenaras, and family reunions, with an anticipated overall seating capacity of about 160 people,” seem unremarkable in next week’s agenda for the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC).

[Two small Valdosta items and an annexation and rezoning @ GLPC 2024-07-29]
Two small Valdosta items and an annexation and rezoning @ GLPC 2024-07-29

For the Southern Gateway annexation and rezoning south of the airport, you can see a pond in the Aerial Location Map. Continue reading →

Packet: Wetland and stream credits for Kinderlou-Clyattville Road, UPS, Fire Station alterations, Moody Hydrant, Grassy Pond Utilities @ LCC 2024-07-22

Update 2024-07-23 Videos: Wetland and stream credits for Kinderlou-Clyattville Road, UPS, Fire Station alterations, Moody Hydrant, Grassy Pond Utilities @ LCC Work 2024-07-22.

Update 2024-07-23: Southern Gateway LLC annexation, rezoning, and aquifer recharge zone on Race Track Road SE, in All Valdosta cases: 2 small and 1 big annexation and rezoning @ GLPC 2024-07-29.

The ongoing Kinderlou Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage Improvements are getting both wetland and stream credits.

[Wetland & stream credits for Kinderlou-Clyattville Road, 2 Moody AFB projects, UPS, Fire Station alterations @ LCC 2024-07-22]
Wetland & stream credits for Kinderlou-Clyattville Road, 2 Moody AFB projects, UPS, Fire Station alterations @ LCC 2024-07-22

Something that seldom happens: staff recommends rejecting a bid, this one for the Moody Hydrant Replacement Project, because the one bid “far exceeded the budgeted amount for this project.”

Staff got four bids for the Grassy Pond Utilities Replacement and recommend the low bid for almost a million dollars.

Cost What
$995,604.00Grassy Pond Utilities Replacement
$891,210.00Moody Hydrant Replacement Project
$362,662.00Alterations to Lowndes County Fire Station #10
$59,220.00Purchase of Stream Credits for PI#0016278, Kinderlou Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage Improvements
$21,389.9.00Vertiv Service Contract for the UPS at the 911 Center, Valdosta Tower and Clyattville Tower Work/Regular
$10,800.00Purchase of Wetland Credits for P1#0016278 Kinderlou Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage Improvements
$2,340,885.9.00Total

Why is the Lowndes County Commission approving bids for these two Moody AFB projects when, according to the ULDC, Moody AFB is not a “stakeholder” and was not even mentioned in the previous County Commission Regular Session as getting drafts or meetings about changes to the ULDC?

Don’t get me wrong. I think Moody needs fire hydrants and Grassy Pond needs utilities repaired after hurricane of last fall. And Moody needs the wastewater treatment plant that the county now runs. I’m just mystified why Moody AFB doesn’t count as a stakeholder.

The bulk of this week’s board packet consists of three contracts for Vertiv Service Contract for the UPS at the 911 Center, Valdosta Tower and Clyattville Tower, each a dozen pages long, with only two pages each different: order number on one page, and site number, address, and a table of what is being bought for that site and for what amount on the other.

Here is the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website. We also got a copy of the draft minutes for the previous Planning Commission meeting. I don’t know why that was included in response to a request for County Commission packet materials, but we’re publishing it anyway.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, JULY 22, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading →

Videos: Budget, Court Grants, Stream Credits, Debris, Insurance, Vac-Trailer @ LCC Regular 2024-06-25

Commmissioner Demarcus Marshall asked what were the criteria for selecting firms for the 5.e. Pre-Event Debris Removal Contracts, at the Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission, June 25, 2024.

He also wondered about the timeline for 6.a. Bid for a Vac-Trailer for the Utilities Department.

Those and all the other items passed unanimously.

In her report, County Manager Paige Dukes said the Board of Tax Assessors had received 130 appeals for agricultural assessments.

There was one Citizen Wishing to Be Heard, Marcelle Rosbury of Enoch Lake Circle in Lake Park. She seemed to be complaining about road maintenance.

[Collage @ LCC 25 June 2024]
Collage @ LCC 25 June 2024

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also the Continue reading →

Videos: Budget, Court Grants, Stream Credits, Debris, Insurance, Vac-Trailer @ LCC Work 2024-06-24

Update 2024-07-07: Videos: Budget, Court Grants, Stream Credits, Debris, Insurance, Vac-Trailer @ LCC Regular 2024-06-25.

Lowndes County Commissioners had a few questions about 5.ef. Pre-Event Debris Removal/Monitoring Contracts, in their Work Session of June 24, 2024. The removal and monitoring items were presented together. FEMA requires a monitoring firm to make sure the debris removal firms do the right thing.

FYI, a Vac-Trailer is like a vac truck, but it’s smaller and can get into more places (for sucking up sewage spills).

At the end the Chairman requested an executive session to discuss personnel. That’s interesting, because as noted years ago in a Commission meeting, the Commissioners only have one personnel. Everybody else reports up to the County Manager.

[Collage @ LCC Work Session 24 June 2024]
Collage @ LCC Work Session 24 June 2024

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also the Continue reading →

Packet: Budget, Court Grants, Stream Credits, Debris, Insurance, Vac-Trailer @ LCC 2024-06-24

A million dollars, mostly for property and liability insurance, is on the agenda for the Lowndes County Commission at its Work Session Monday morning at 8:30 AM and it’s voting Regular Session Tuesday at 5:30 PM.

[Collage @ LCC Packet 2024-06-24]
Collage @ LCC Packet 2024-06-24

That and approving the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Since you didn’t go to the budget hearing week before last, you missed your only chance to comment to them in public before they approve the budget.

Cost What
$951,301.00Request for Proposals (RFP) for Property & Liability Insurance
$96,110.00Bid for a Vac-Trailer for the Utilities Department
$51,300.00Purchase of Stream Credits for Pl # 0016279, Coleman Road NW Paving and Drainage Improvements
$35,354.00Lowndes County Accountability Court Grant Approval and Cash Match
$26,343.00Lowndes County DUI Court Grant Award and Match Approval
$15,000.00Lowndes County Juvenile Accountability Court (LCJAC)
$1,175,408.00Total

Here is the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading →