[CALL TO ORDER]
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MORNING. LET ME WELCOME SUCH A LARGE CROWD THIS MORNING TO OUR WORK SESSION. WE THANK EACH OF YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO BE HERE THIS MORNING. WE GENERALLY OPEN IN A WORD OF PRAYER. SO IF YOU DON'T MIND, IF YOU'LL BOW WITH ME. NOW, OUR GRACIOUS HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS NEW DAY. LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE WARM WEATHER THAT YOU'VE SENT OUR WAY THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS, AND WE KNOW THAT WE ARE CLOSE TO COMING UPON THE SPRING TIME, AND ALL THE HANDIWORK THAT YOU HAVE CREATED WILL BE IN FULL BLOOM. AND LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. THIS MORNING WE GIVE US, I ASK, A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FOR THE WORLD. WE KNOW THAT THERE'S STRIFE OVERSEAS, AND A LOT OF MEN AND WOMEN ARE OFFERING UP THEIR THEIR LIVES TO PROTECT US AND THE FREEDOMS THAT WE HAVE, SUCH AS BEING ABLE TO GATHER HERE THIS MORNING. LORD, WE JUST ASK THE SPECIAL PROTECTION OVER THEM. AND WE ALSO PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS THAT WILL BE MAKING DECISIONS, HOPEFULLY, LORD, THAT WE CAN COME TO A TIME OF PEACE FAIRLY QUICKLY. LORD, WE ASK YOU TO BE WITH US NOW AS WE CONDUCT THIS MEETING. GIVE US WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT AS WE MAKE DECISIONS AND BE WITH EACH OF US THROUGHOUT THIS DAY. IN
[1. The Richard English, Jr. Strongest Link Award of Excellence for February 2026 (Chardonnay Scott)]
THY NAME WE DO PRAY. AMEN. AMEN. ALRIGHT, THIS TIME I'LL TURN IT OVER TO THE COUNTY MANAGER.THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN. COMMISSIONERS. FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE RICHARD ENGLISH JUNIOR STRONGEST LINK AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR FEBRUARY OF 2026. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. GOOD MORNING. AND CITIZENS OF TROUP COUNTY, THE RICHARD ENGLISH JUNIOR STRONGEST LINK AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IS GIVEN MONTHLY TO THE DESERVING EMPLOYEE WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTIVITY, LOYALTY, PROFESSIONAL PRIDE AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES THAT ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES LINK TOGETHER TO FORM A CHAIN THAT PROVIDE CITIZENS WITH EXCELLENT SERVICE IN TROUP COUNTY. NO ONE BETTER EXEMPLIFIES THAT SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE AND DEDICATION THAN MR. ENGLISH, WHO WAS A TRUE LEADER AND WHO DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE, OUTSTANDING DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. TODAY, WE HONOR HIS MEMORY AND LEGACY AS WE RECOGNIZE THE RECIPIENT FOR FEBRUARY 2026. I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY READING A PORTION OF THE NOMINATION FORMS THAT WAS SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF THE RECIPIENT. SHE CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATES EXCELLENCE IN HER WORK AND PAYS CLOSE ATTENTION TO DETAIL. WHEN THE OFFICE IS SHORT STAFFED, SHE KNOW SHE SHOWS INITIATIVE AND HELPS OUT WHEREVER SHE IS NEEDED. SHE IS ONE OF THE MOST HARDEST WORKING PEOPLE I KNOW. HER SMILE IS CONTAGIOUS AND SHE IS A JOY TO WORK WITH. IT IS MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE TO YOU THE RICHARD ENGLISH JUNIOR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE RECIPIENTS FOR FEBRUARY 2026. SENIOR ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT SHEREE OWENS.
CONGRATULATIONS. 93. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY FAMILY FRIENDS. OUT THERE FOR SURE. ERIC.
CONGRATULATIONS. SHEREE, YOU TRULY APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION AND LOYALTY THAT YOU HAVE PUT FORTH INTO TROUP COUNTY. YOU HAVE PROVEN THAT YOU ARE THE STRONGEST LINK.
CONGRATULATIONS! I ALSO LIKE THIS TIME. I WANT TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU TO CREATIVE COLLINS AND LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE, AS THEY GRACIOUSLY DONATED ITEMS FOR THE RECIPIENTS GIFT BACK
[2. 2026 1st Quarter Employee Service Awards (Chardonnay Scott)]
THIS MONTH. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE INTO THE 2026 FIRST QUARTER EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS. 30 YEARS. YOUR TALENTS AND EFFORTS HAVE HELPED TROUP COUNTY AND ITS CITIZENS.TOGETHER, WE TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. WE APPLAUD THE DETERMINATION AND EFFORT YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED DURING YOUR TENURE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL THE GREAT THINGS WE KNOW THAT YOU ALL WILL ACCOMPLISH IN THE UPCOMING
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YEARS. ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THE TROUP COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE ACCOMPLISHED EXCELLENCE OVER THE YEARS IN SERVING THE CITIZENS OF TROUP COUNTY. AT THIS TIME, I WILL BEGIN BY PRESENTING THE AWARDS FOR FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE. WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME UP TO THE FRONT TO RECEIVE YOUR AWARD AND TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOUR GROUP. FIRST WE HAVE REECE LEMONS, SERGEANT JAIL WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WESLEY MCCLUNG, MECHANIC WITH COUNTY SHOP. LASTLY, ASHLYN SCOTT, PARALEGAL WITH THE SOLICITOR'S OFFICE.AT THIS TIME, I DO WANT TO SEND CONGRATULATIONS TO WESLEY LEONARD, STATE COURT JUDGE WITH STATE COURT, AND MARY ANN LOVEJOY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC PLANNING, AS THEY WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND. NOW MOVING INTO 15 YEARS OF SERVICE, I HAVE ANTHONY SMITH, INVESTIGATOR WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
CONGRATULATIONS. NOW PRESENTING 20 YEARS OF SERVICE. I HAVE MICHAEL GUERRERO, FIREFIGHTER EMT WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. TAKE A PICTURE. CONGRATULATIONS, MICHAEL. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HONOR THE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE 25 YEARS OF SERVICE AND MORE. THE DEPARTMENT HEAD WILL COME UP AND READ THE NARRATIVE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. STARTING WITH 25 YEARS, I HAVE J. MORRIS JONES, THE THIRD COMMISSIONER WITH THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. I GUESS I'M YOUR DEPARTMENT HEAD. COMMISSIONER J. MORRIS JONES, THE THIRD, WAS ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTIVE DISTINCTION SINCE JANUARY 1ST OF 2001. HE HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO BETTER THE LIVES OF TROUP COUNTY CITIZENS, AND DURING HIS TENURE, THE COUNTY HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO ROADWAYS, BRIDGES, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MAJOR THOROUGHFARES LIKE PEGASUS PARKWAY AND INDUSTRIAL DRIVE AND TOM HORN PARKWAY, AND MANY OTHERS. MAJOR FACILITY CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE THE OAK CONSERVATION CENTER AT PIONEER PARK, THE GOVERNMENT CENTER, JUVENILE COURT RENOVATIONS, GREAT HILL COMMUNITY CENTER, NEW FIRE STATIONS, AND BOAT RAMPS. COMMISSIONER JONES HAS BEEN A DEDICATED MEMBER OF THE TROUP COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD, AND HIS LEADERSHIP HAS HELPED GUIDE THE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS AT LAGRANGE AND IN HOGANSVILLE ACTIVE LIFE CENTERS AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE ACTIVE LIFE CENTER IN WEST POINT. GEORGE HARRIS FIELDS THE FIRST TEE OF TROUP COUNTY, THE ANNE AND DOC MCCLUSKEY TENNIS CENTER, THE TODD TENTLER SPORTS COMPLEX, THE WHITE CODE, MIKE DANIELS RECREATION CENTER, WILLIAM GRIGGS RECREATION COMPLEX, AND POOL AND CAMPGROUND TRAILS, AND PIONEER PARK ARE JUST A FEW OF THE PROJECTS COMPLETED. COMMISSIONER JONES HAS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN PREPARING THE COUNTY FOR GROWTH, BY WORKING WITH THE CITIES AND STATE AGENCIES TO BRING INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THAT GROWTH, ALL WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF CITIZENS. TROUP COUNTY AT THE FOREFRONT OF DECISION MAKING. HE IS ALSO A
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FAITHFUL MEMBER OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. LAGRANGE HAVE SERVED AS A DEACON AND ELDER. HE CURRENTLY IS THE TREASURER OF THE TROUP COUNTY FARM BUREAU, TWO RIVERS RC COUNCIL, AND ROOSEVELT SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COUNCIL. MAURICE AND HIS WIFE ZELDA ARE PROUD UGA GRADUATES GO DAWGS! THEY HAVE TWO SONS, JAKE AND DUSTIN, AND DAUGHTER IN LAW LIZ OF ALL OF LAGRANGE. MAURICE HAS THREE GRANDCHILDREN, JULIAN, HARRISON, AND HAZEL.WE KNOW WE CAN'T GET A HOLD OF MAURICE BECAUSE ZELDA. WE DEFINITELY KNOW WHO'S IN CHARGE.
OF COOKIES. NEXT WE HAVE MICHELLE NELSON, OFFICE MANAGER WITH THE PROPERTY APPRAISAL OFFICE. MICHELLE BEGAN HER CAREER ON SEPTEMBER 23RD, 1996, IN THE TAX COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE. AFTER A BRIEF HIATUS, SHE RETURNED TO TROUP COUNTY, BRINGING HER DEDICATION AND STRONG WORK ETHIC TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISAL OFFICE, WHERE SHE HAS CONTINUED TO MAKE A LASTING IMPACT. THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, MICHELLE HAS DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND EXCELLENCE. SHE'S LEARNED HER EARNED HER APPRAISER TWO CERTIFICATION FROM THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, AND IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSING OFFICIALS. ON SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2019, MICHELLE WAS PROMOTED TO OFFICE MANAGER, A TITLE THAT IS TRULY REFLECTS HER ABILITY TO OVERSEE AND COORDINATE THE MANY MOVING PARTS OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISAL OFFICE. HER LEADERSHIP ENSURES THAT DAILY OPERATIONS RUN SMOOTHLY AND EFFECTIVELY, BRINGING CONFIDENCE TO BOTH STAFF AND CITIZENS ALIKE. CITIZENS OF TROUP COUNTY DEPEND ON MICHELLE'S KNOWLEDGE, PROFESSIONALISM, AND HER WILLINGNESS TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND IN PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE. MICHELLE IS ALSO BEYOND HER OFFICIAL DUTIES. MICHELLE IS ALSO KNOWN AS OUR GO TO PERSON, WHETHER IT'S MAKING SMALL REPAIRS AROUND THE OFFICE OR PREPARING HER DELICIOUS BREAKFAST CASSEROLE FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. MICHELLE, YOUR 25 YEARS OF DEDICATION AND SERVICE AND FRIENDSHIP HAVE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN OUR IN THE OFFICE AND OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND PROUD TO CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE WITH YOU.
MICHELLE. OH, JUST JUST HIM. I ALWAYS SAY. MY WORK PEOPLE. NEXT WE HAVE MELODY SWANSON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS WITH THE E-911 COMMUNICATIONS. TODAY, WE PROUDLY CELEBRATE MELODY SWANSON IN HER REMARKABLE 25 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO TROUP COUNTY. 911. MELODY BEGAN HER CAREER AT JUST 20 YEARS OLD, STEPPING INTO A PROFESSION THAT DEMANDS STRENGTH, COMPASSION, QUICK THINKING AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT. FROM HER VERY FIRST DAY, SHE DEMONSTRATED MATURITY IN A WORK ETHIC FAR BEYOND YOUR YEARS, SHE HAS BECOME A STEADY AND REASSURING VOICE FOR THE CITIZENS OF TROUP COUNTY DURING SOME OF THE MOST CRITICAL AND EMOTIONAL MOMENTS OF THEIR LIVES. IN THE WORLD OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS, THERE IS NO ORDINARY DAYS. EACH SHIFT BEGINS UNPREDICTABILITY, URGENCY AND RESPONSIBILITY.
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MELODY STARTED AS A DISPATCHER AND IS NOW DEPUTY DIRECTOR. HER IMPACT EXTENDS BEYOND THE HEADSET. SHE IS A TRUSTED TEAMMATE, A MENTOR AND A SOURCE OF STABILITY WITHIN THE CENTER.HER KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE AND WILLINGNESS TO HELP OTHERS HAVE STRENGTHENED THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION. THE CITIZENS AND EMPLOYEES OF TROUP COUNTY ARE SAFER AND BETTER SERVED BECAUSE OF HER COMMITMENT OUTSIDE OF HER PROFESSIONAL LIFE. MELODY'S GREATEST PRIDE IS HER FAMILY.
AS A DEVOTED WIFE TO STACY AND HER MOTHER, SHE IS A MOTHER OF TWO SONS, AGE 24 AND 20, AND HER 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. SHE HAS BALANCED THE DEMANDING WORLD OF 911 COMMUNICATIONS WITH RAISING THREE REMARKABLE YOUNG YOUNG ADULTS THE SAME COMPASSION, STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE SHE SHOWS AT WORK ARE REFLECTED IN HER ROLE AT HOME. CONGRATULATIONS, MELODY ON AN OUTSTANDING 25 YEARS. YOUR SERVICE TO TROUP COUNTY DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED AND YOUR IMPACT WILL BE FELT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. I APPRECIATE YOU AND OUR TEAM.
APPRECIATE YOU. CONGRATULATIONS.
CONGRATULATIONS. NOW I WILL BEGIN PRESENTING THE AWARDS FOR 30 YEARS. DANA EATON, CHIEF APPRAISER WITH THE PROPERTY APPRAISAL OFFICE. HONORABLE CHAIR AND COUNCIL COMMISSIONERS.
DANA EDENTON DANA BEGAN HER CAREER ON FEBRUARY THE 19TH, 1996 AS A REAL PROPERTY APPRAISER. THROUGH DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM, SHE ADVANCED TO ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF APPRAISER, AND IN APRIL 2009, SHE WAS OFFICIALLY APPOINTED CHIEF APPRAISER, A POSITION SHE HAS CARRIED WITH INTEGRITY AND DISTINCTION EVER SINCE. IN MARCH 2009, DANA COMPLETED ALL REQUIREMENTS TO EARN THE APPRAISER FIVE CERTIFICATION FROM THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF APPRAISER CERTIFICATION OFFERED BY THE STATE. SHE MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST CHIEF APPRAISER IN TROUP COUNTY TO ACHIEVE THIS PRESTIGIOUS DESIGNATION. DESIGNATION SETTING NEW STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM, EXCELLENCE FOR THE OFFICE OVER THE COURSE OF 30 YEARS, DANA SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATED COUNTLESS LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, ENSURING COMPLIANCE AND PROPERTY ASSESSMENT. HER LEADERSHIP HAS GUIDED THE OFFICE THROUGH FOUR COUNTYWIDE REVALUATION AND MAJOR TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE CONVERSION, MODERNIZING OPERATION AND STRENGTHENING SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC. BECAUSE HER CUSTOMER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC IS BEYOND GREAT, DANA COMMITTED TO HER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXTENDED BEYOND TROUP COUNTY. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF APPRAISERS OFFICE AND AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSORS OFFICES. IN 2024, SHE SERVED AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE OFFICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE FOR THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSING OFFICE,
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FURTHER DEMONSTRATING HER LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO ADVANCING ASSESSMENT STANDARD STATEWIDE AND FOR TROUP COUNTY. DANA IS MARRIED TO DOUG EATON. THEY HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS AND A SON IN LAW, KATELYN EATON. EMILY AND CHASE KENNEDY. TWO GRANDCHILDREN, BALLARD AND EASTON ADAMS, AND THE BOARD CAME TO SUPPORT DANA BECAUSE SHE DOES A GREAT JOB IN THIS OFFICE FOR TROUP COUNTY. SO ALONG WITH DANA, I WOULD LIKE FOR THE BOARD TO STAND AND GIVE HER A HAND.NEXT WE HAVE SHANE FRALEY, TAX COMMISSIONER WITH THE TAX COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE.
SHANE STARTED HIS CAREER IN 1990 WITH THE TROUP COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, LEAVING IN 1993 TO WORK FOR THE GEORGIA STATE PATROL. HE RETURNED IN 1996 TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WHERE HE WOULD ACHIEVE THE RANK OF CAPTAIN. IN 2016, SHANE WAS ELECTED TROUP COUNTY TAX COMMISSIONER BY THE CITIZENS, WHERE HE PROUDLY SERVES TO THIS DAY. SHANE DEMONSTRATES EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE, SHOWING KINDNESS AND COMPASSION TO INDIVIDUALS FROM ALL WALKS ALL WALKS OF LIFE. HE MAINTAINS HIGH STANDARDS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE WHILE CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATING FAIRNESS AND EMPATHY. HE LISTENS WITH UNDERSTANDING THAT EVERYONE FACES DAILY CHALLENGES. THIS COMMITMENT IS REFLECTED IN HIS LEADERSHIP AND REVEALS A HEART OF A HEART GROUNDED IN PURPOSE, DEDICATION AND CARE. HE IS MARRIED TO KELLIE. THEY HAVE FOUR BOYS AND TEN BEAUTIFUL GRANDCHILDREN, WITH ONE MORE ON THE WAY. SHANE IS GRATEFUL TO THE CITIZENS OF TROUP COUNTY FOR BELIEVING AND TRUSTING HIM EACH DAY. THANK YOU SHANE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY? WHO'S RUNNING FOR OFFICE? WHO'S RUNNING? I HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES. A LINE UP HERE, OKAY. HERE'S.
LASTLY. WE HAVE BRENDA POOLE, DEPUTY CLERK WITH THE CLERK OF COURTS.
GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. ON BEHALF OF MISS JACKIE W TAYLOR, HE WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE TODAY. BRENDA HAS SERVED THE CITIZENS OF TROUP COUNTY MANY DIFFERENT
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CAPACITIES IN THE EARLY YEARS OF HER EMPLOYMENT. SHE IS WAS ACTUALLY TEMPORARILY EMPLOYED IN THE BUILDING OF HIS OWN DEPARTMENT. THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, COURT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, THE MAGISTRATE COURT OFFICE AND THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO THE CLERK'S OFFICE. SHE'S BEEN INVOLVED AS A COMMUNITY IMPACT LEADER ON A TEAM THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE THROUGH A CARE IN CRISIS GRANT PROGRAM. SHE HAS CONTINUED HER EDUCATION AT LAGRANGE COLLEGE AND ASHFORD UNIVERSITY, WHERE SHE EARNED HER BACHELOR AND MASTER'S DEGREES. AND BRENDA ENJOYS TRAVELING, READING, VISITING HISTORICAL LOCATION, AND LISTENING TO JAZZ MUSIC. CONGRATULATIONS, BRENDA, ON BEHALF OF THE CLERK'S OFFICE.AND IF WE CAN GET THOSE THAT ARE HERE WITH THE CLERK'S, COME ON UP SO WE CAN GET A PICTURE.
CONGRATULATIONS. ONE. TWO. THREE. THANK YOU AGAIN. ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE ACCOMPLISHED EXCELLENCE OVER THE YEARS IN SERVING THE CITIZENS OF TROUP COUNTY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU. I ALWAYS LIKE TO KIND OF DO A TOTAL THAT REPRESENTS A LITTLE OVER TWO CENTURIES OF SERVICE TO TROUP, TROUP COUNTY. SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. NEXT ON THE AGENDA, WE HAVE LAURA FROM OUR EXTENSION OFFICE TO GIVE A PROGRAM ON THE STATE OF EXTENSION, AS WELL AS OUR MASTER GARDENERS PROGRAM.
GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSIONERS. LAURA, YOU MIGHT WANT TO GIVE ABOUT 42 MORE SECONDS. THEY'LL BE VERY SPECIFIC. YES. CLEANER IN THAT? NO. ALRIGHT. ALRIGHTY. SO I'M
[3. State of Extension/Master Gardener Presentation (Laura Mirarchi)]
EXCITED TO BE WITH YOU THIS MORNING TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL THE AMAZING THINGS THAT EXTENSION HAS BEEN DOING HERE IN THE COUNTY FOR THE OVER THE LAST YEAR. THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A LOOK FORWARD AS TO WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE. SO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW ME, I AM THE COUNTY EXTENSION COORDINATOR WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA. I ACT AS THE LIAISON BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE COUNTY AND OVERSEE THE OFFICE, AS WELL AS WORK WITH YOUTH THROUGH THE FOUR-H PROGRAM. WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM, AS YOU CAN SEE UP HERE ON THE SCREEN. AND WE DO HAVE ONE OPEN POSITION CURRENTLY FOR OUR AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES AGENT. SO THAT POSITION IS NOT LISTED. JUST FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE OF WHAT WE DO. AT EXTENSION, WE DO PROVIDE A PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF TROUP COUNTY. THE MISSION OF EXTENSION IS TO TRANSLATE THE SCIENCE OF EVERYDAY LIVING FOR GEORGIA FARMERS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. AND WE DO THAT THROUGH THREE PROGRAM AREAS WITH FOUR H. WE FOCUS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, WITH AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES. WE WORK WITH HOMEOWNERS AND PRODUCERS IN THE COUNTY. AND THEN THERE'S ALSO A THIRD PROGRAM, AREA OF FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES THAT FOCUSES ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMING. HERE IN TROUP COUNTY, WE HAVE TWO OF THE THREE PROGRAM AREAS COVERED.I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL OF THE BULLETED POINTS, BUT OUR AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL DOES EVERYTHING FROM SOIL AND WATER AND FORAGE SAMPLING FOR RESIDENTS. WE OFFER PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION COURSES OF FARM AND HOME SITE VISITS, AND
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THEN WITH THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ASPECT OF WHAT WE DO IN EXTENSION, WE ALSO GO INTO SCHOOLS. WE HAVE PROGRAMS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOLS AS WELL AS DAY CAMPS, ALL SET IN A SAFE AND POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SETTING. SO I'LL BRIEFLY GO THROUGH EACH PROGRAM AREA TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED FOR THE RESIDENTS OF TROUP COUNTY. THIS IS A LOOK BACK OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS OF TROUP COUNTY FOUR-H ENROLLMENT. SO ENROLLMENT REFERS TO THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN THAT ARE ENROLLED IN THE FOUR-H PROGRAM. AND YOU CAN SEE WE SHOWED ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2018. AND THEN WHEN WE REFER TO CONTACTS, THOSE ARE THE INDIVIDUAL INSTANCES THAT WE PRESENT PROGRAMS TO THESE CHILDREN. SO YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE INCREASED BOTH ENROLLMENT. SO THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE FREQUENCY THAT WE CONTACT THE KIDS THROUGH A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. AND IT HAS JUMPED EVEN THIS YEAR, WE ARE ON TRACK TO SURPASS WHAT WE HAD DONE LAST YEAR. SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE PROGRAM CONTINUE TO GROW. HERE ARE SOME NUMBERS FOR YOU JUST TO LOOK OVER IN. REVIEW. ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN OFFERING THE YOUTH HERE IN TROUP COUNTY. WE ARE SUPER EXCITED LAST YEAR TO BEGIN SEVEN NEW OUT OF SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE HAVE TWO SHOOTING SPORTS TEAMS SHOTGUN TEAM IN TEAM. AND THEN BEGINNING IN THE FALL WE WILL ALSO BE OFFERING ARCHERY. SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED. AND THOSE PROGRAMS ARE DOING VERY, VERY WELL. HERE'S JUST A COUPLE OF PHOTOS OF SOME OF OUR FOUR ARCHERS OVER THE PAST YEAR, BOTH IN SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAMS. WE DO PARTNER WITH THE LOCAL LIBRARY AND OFFER AS WELL, AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PROGRAMS ARE FREE TO YOUTH. ALL RIGHT. SO AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES WE UNTIL DECEMBER HAD AN AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES AGENT. SHEENA GAY WAS WITH US FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. AND THEN SHE DECIDED TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH HER FAMILY. UNDERSTANDABLY, AFTER SOME HEALTH CHALLENGES AND THE BIRTH OF HER FIRST CHILD. SO WE WERE SAD TO SEE HER GO. BUT IN THE TIME THAT SHE WAS HERE LAST YEAR, SHE GOT A LOT ACCOMPLISHED. SO AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE NUMBERS, SHE HAS A COUPLE THOUSAND FACE TO FACE CONTACTS AND THAT'S EVERYTHING FROM PROGRAMS THAT WERE OFFERED AT THE EXTENSION OFFICE TO GOING OUT TO HOMES, FARMS, PRESENTING ACROSS THE STATE.SHE'S VERY ACTIVE WITH THE CATTLE, WOMEN AND CATTLEMEN AS WELL. SHE ALSO FACILITATED 25 PROGRAMS THAT WERE HORTICULTURE, AGRICULTURE BASED. SOME OF THEM WERE AT OUR OFFICE. MOST OF THEM ACTUALLY WERE AT OUR OFFICE, WHICH IS LOCATED ON PEGASUS PARKWAY. AND THEN SHE DID OVER 20 SITE VISITS, WHERE EVERYTHING FROM COLLECTING FORAGE SAMPLES TO INSTRUCTING HOMEOWNERS HOW TO TAKE THEIR OWN SOIL SAMPLES, FOR EXAMPLE, OUT OF THEIR GARDEN. AND TODAY WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GROUP WITH US. THEY FALL UNDER THE AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROGRAM AREA, AND THESE ARE MASTER GARDENER EXTENSION VOLUNTEERS. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE TRAINED THROUGH AN INTENSIVE 12 WEEK PROCESS ON ALL KINDS OF THINGS, HORTICULTURE BASED, AND THEIR GOAL IS TO SPREAD THEIR KNOWLEDGE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE IN THE COUNTY. SO THERE'S A VARIETY OF PROJECTS THAT THEY HAVE THAT ARE CURRENTLY ONGOING. SO WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED WITH THE MULBERRY STREET CEMETERY POLLINATOR GARDEN. THIS WILL BE ALONG THE THREAD RIGHT THERE AT MR. KING'S BRIDGE ON EITHER SIDE. WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, THEY HAVE ASSISTED WITH FOUR-H AND DONE THE STATEWIDE POLLINATOR CENSUS WITH YOUTH AT HOLLIS HAND ELEMENTARY. WE'RE HOPING TO GET IN WITH FRANKLIN FOREST AND OTHER SCHOOLS THIS COMING YEAR THAT ALSO HAVE GARDENS. NOT ONLY DO THEY ASSIST WITH THINGS AROUND THE OFFICE, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING REALLY NEAT AND IMPACTFUL PROJECTS TO THE COUNTY, SUCH AS THE DAFFODIL. AND I THINK WE MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE A PICTURE OF THAT ON THE NEXT SLIDE. SO THE DAFFODIL PROJECT IS A MEMORIAL PROJECT. OH, SORRY, WE DON'T HAVE IT ON THE NEXT SLIDE. IT'S IT'S TWO SLIDES AWAY THAT HONORS THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST, SPECIFICALLY THE CHILDREN. AND THEY CHOSE THE DAFFODIL BECAUSE IT WAS VERY REMINISCENT OF THE YELLOW STAR OF DAVID THAT THE CHILDREN HAD TO WEAR. AND SO THE DAFFODIL PROJECT GOAL IS TO PLANT OVER A
[00:35:08]
MILLION BULBS. AND AS THOSE BULBS COME UP, THEY ARE A LIVING MEMORIAL TO THE THE SOULS OF THE CHILDREN THAT WERE LOST DURING THAT EVENT. AND WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO HAVE 250 OF THOSE BULBS PLANTED. AND THEY ARE COMING UP AS WE SPEAK AT THE AG CENTER. AND AND THIS IS THIS WAS ACTUALLY TAKEN YESTERDAY, THIS PHOTO AND THE THE PREVIOUS SLIDE SHOWS THE HARD WORK THAT OUR MASTER GARDENER EXTENSION VOLUNTEERS DID, EVERYTHING FROM LAYING OUT THE SITE TO DIGGING THE HOLES WITH AUGERS. AND LET ME TELL YOU, THAT WAS A JOB OUT THERE IN THAT HARD RED CLAY. BUT IF WE COULD GO BACK ONE MORE SLIDE, JAMES, JUST TO SHOW YOU SOME OF THE MASTER GARDENERS NUMBERS, IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPRESSIVE. AND IF Y'ALL DON'T MIND, WE HAVE SEVERAL HERE WITH US. IF YOU GUYS COULD STAND. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE A PORTION OF OUR MASTER GARDENERS. WE ARE SO PLEASED TO HAVE THEM HERE WITH US TODAY. LAST YEAR THERE WERE 741 HOURS VOLUNTEER HOURS THAT WERE PUT FORTH FOR A LABOR VALUE OF OVER $23,000. AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO GROW THE PROGRAM. WE HAVE FIVE NEW MASTER GARDENERS. ONE OF THEM IS HERE WITH US TODAY, CURRENTLY FINISHING UP THEIR TRAINING AS WE SPEAK. SO WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO THEM AND ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK AS THEY EXPAND THE REACH OF EXTENSION IN HORTICULTURE, PROGRAMING. AND YOU CAN SEE THEY WORK WITH YOUTH, THEY HAVE NUMEROUS CONTACTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH PHONE CALLS THAT THEY HELP US ANSWER CLIENT QUESTIONS THAT MAY COME THROUGH THE DOOR AND THEY HAVE PLANTED MANY, MANY PLANTS, 284 TO BE PRECISE, JUST AROUND THE AG CENTER IN GENERAL. SO THEY'RE ALSO HELPING US WITH BEAUTIFYING OUR LOVELY OFFICE THERE. SO. HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS THAT WE DO HAVE OF OF SOME OF THEIR WONDERFUL THINGS THAT WE WERE MENTIONING. AND IN JUST A MOMENT, I'M GOING TO ASK, I THINK WE HAVE ONE MORE SLIDE, MAYBE. YES, MISS SUSAN TO COME UP. SHE IS ONE OF OUR CURRENT TRAINEES WHO WILL YOU'LL BE FINISHING UP AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, WON'T YOU, MISS? AND SHE'S BEEN DOING FANTASTIC. BUT WE DO HAVE FUTURE PLANS THERE AT THE AG CENTER. AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO EXPAND THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAMS THAT WE CAN OFFER THE COMMUNITY. SO AS YOU CAN SEE, HERE'S AN OVERHEAD VIEW OF THE AG CENTER. WE'VE BEEN EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR ALLOWING US TO BUILD THE PAVILION. AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THE BEAUTIFUL RED CLAY AREA BEHIND THE BUILDING THERE CURRENTLY IS HOME TO SIX RAISED BEDS. BUT LOOKING FORWARD, WE WOULD LOVE TO PARTNER WITH THE TROUP COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF BEEKEEPERS WORKING ON THAT TO GET SOME HIVES ON SITE SO WE CAN HAVE SOME HANDS ON CLASSES FOR THE PUBLIC THERE. AT THE AG CENTER, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTING A GREENHOUSE WITH THE MASTER GARDENERS HELP. WE PLAN TO PLANT FRUIT AND FRUIT TREES AND SHRUBS, AS WELL AS A CHICKEN COOP AND ALL OF THESE STRUCTURES AND ELEMENTS THAT WILL BE ADDED TO WHAT WE'RE CALLING THE EDUCATION GARDEN, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WILL BE UTILIZED SPECIFICALLY FOR PUBLIC PROGRAMING. THAT FOCUSES ON HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE AS WELL. WE WILL ALSO INCREASE FOUR-H OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, BOTH WITH THIS GARDEN AND ALSO LOOKING FORWARD INTO THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. WE HAVE SCHOOLS REACHING OUT TO US, SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE MASTER GARDENER EXTENSION VOLUNTEERS. BUT AT THIS TIME, IF MISS SUSAN WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND JUST SAY A FEW WORDS, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. AND THEN WE WILL WRAP IT UP TO BE MINDFUL OF EVERYBODY'S TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DISTINGUISHED COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR SERVICE. AS A VOLUNTEER AT THE TROUP COUNTY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER. WE SERVE THE COMMUNITY TO THE EXPANSION OF THE OPERATIONS AT THE AG CENTER, THE TEACHING SHED AND OTHER FACILITIES THAT LAURA TALKED ABOUT WILL ALLOW US TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROGRAMING.SO I THANK YOU. I THANK YOU SO MUCH, DISTINGUISHED COMMISSIONERS, FOR YOUR SERVICE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALRIGHTY. AND I BELIEVE THAT IS IT. I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS
[00:40:04]
THAT YOU GUYS MIGHT HAVE ON THOSE CONTACTS. GO AHEAD GO AHEAD GO AHEAD GO AHEAD. YOU'RE FIRST. THE THE CONTACTS THE THE SUBSTANTIAL. AND FROM 23 TO 25. IS THERE A CERTAIN WAY THAT YOU ARE REACHING OUT DIFFERENT THAN YEARS PRIOR TO THAT? THE DIFFERENCE THERE WAS WE HAD A VACANCY FOR OUR FOR OUR PROGRAM ASSISTANT IN THAT TIME, AND WE WERE ABLE TO FILL THAT POSITION.SO WITH THE ADDITIONAL PERSON OF 40 HOURS A WEEK, WE WERE ABLE TO JUMP UP OUR OFFERINGS TO OTHER SCHOOLS AND EXPAND INTO OTHER SCHOOLS. SO HAVING THE ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBER IS WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE THERE. OKAY, WELL, WE THINK ALIKE AND I'LL SAY KUDOS TO LAURA BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN HERE NOW. HOW MANY YEARS? SIX YEARS. YOU'VE HAD GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH THE YOUNGER KIDS, WHICH IS REAL IMPORTANT. SO I THINK SHE'S MADE A SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE IN THE NUMBER OF OUR PARTICIPANTS ALSO. WELL, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. WE APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU
[4. Discuss Troup County Fire Station Remodel Project- Mountville #9 (Jay Anderson/Zac Steele)]
FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. ALL RIGHT. THE FINAL ITEM ON THIS MORNING'S AGENDA IS THE DISCUSSION FOR THE REMODELING OF MOUNTVILLE FIRE STATION NUMBER NINE. AND I'LL INVITE JAY ANDERSON AND ZACH STEELE UP TO THE FRONT. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.GOOD MORNING. WITH THE RECENT SALE OF SOME SURPLUS VOLUNTEER STATION PROPERTIES THAT READ.
EXCUSE ME, REID AND EICHELBERGER. TRYING TO REHAB AND REMODEL SOME OF THE VOLUNTEER STATIONS WITH SOME OF THAT FUNDING AS THEY COME BACK IN. AND WORKING WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER, ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER. I THINK THE PROPERTY THAT WE'VE COME UP WITH THAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE FOR LONG TERM INVESTMENT AND REMODEL WILL BE THE MOUNTVILLE STATION, ALSO KNOWN AS NUMBER NINE INSIDE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AND I'LL LET JAY HIT ON A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT THAT REMODEL PROJECT WOULD LOOK LIKE. BUT WE'RE SEEKING FOR PERMISSION TO GO OUT TO BID TO GET SOME BIDS FOR THAT REMODEL OF THAT FIRE STATION. WE'VE REACHED OUT TO THE PROPERTY OWNER THAT OWNS THE OLD GAS STATION THERE AT THE CORNER OF WOOD AND GREENVILLE ROAD, AND REQUESTED IF THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING AN EASEMENT FOR A SIGN AS WELL FOR THAT FIRE STATION. AND HE WAS INTERESTED IN MEETING WITH US AND HAVING FURTHER DISCUSSIONS. SO WE HAVEN'T NAILED THAT PART DOWN, BUT HE'S CERTAINLY OPEN TO IT.
THE HOMEOWNER, I BELIEVE, EXCUSE ME, THE PROPERTY OWNER, I BELIEVE DOES NOT RESIDE HERE, RESIDES OUT OF TOWN. SO WE HAVE TO SCHEDULE A MEETING FOR THAT PART OF IT. BUT KIND OF REHABBING THE WHOLE PROCESS WITH THE THE GROWTH IN THAT MOUNTVILLE COMMUNITY, REHABBING THIS VOLUNTEER STATION, BRINGING IT UP WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING IT CAPABLE OF STAFFING IN THE FUTURE IF THE PERSONNEL WOULD ALLOW FOR THAT. IT'S KIND OF WHAT THE GOAL IS FOR THE LONG TERM PUBLIC SAFETY VIEW OF IT. AND I'LL LET JAY KIND OF TALK ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT THE REMODEL WOULD LOOK LIKE AND WHAT SOME OF THE THINGS REQUIRED FOR THAT FACILITY WOULD BE. CHAIRMAN, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU, JAMES, FOR PUTTING UP THE STREET VIEW.
THAT IS A VERY ACCURATE PICTURE OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TODAY. IT'S IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE. AND SO WHAT THE STAFF HAS BEEN ADDRESSING, AS ZACH SAID, ARE TALKING ABOUT IS, IS GETTING PERMISSION FROM YOU TODAY OR TONIGHT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PUTTING A BUDGET TOGETHER, GETTING SOME BIDS AND COMING BACK TO YOU AT A FUTURE DATE WITH A BUDGET AND WITH THOSE QUOTES WITH THOSE, AND BE ABLE TO THEN PRESENT THOSE TO YOU AND HOPEFULLY AT THAT POINT GET APPROVAL TO SPEND THAT MONEY AND GET THOSE CONTRACTS TO TO RENOVATE IT. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING IS IT IS A RED IRON BUILDING. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DIMENSIONS. I WANT TO SAY 40 BY 60 BY 20 400FT■!S, MAYBE 40 BY 80. ANYWAYS, IS TO COMPLETELY TAKE OFF ALL OF THE ROOF. THE THE THE THE THE METAL ON THE WALLS, THE GARAGE DOORS, THE PERSON DOORS, THE WINDOWS.
IT'S IN BAD SHAPE. BASICALLY STRIP IT BACK DOWN TO THE RED IRON SKELETON AND THEN ALSO GUT THE LIVING QUARTERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THERE, WHICH IS ON THE FAR LEFT HAND SIDE WHERE THE WINDOWS ARE. IT'S JUST COMPLETELY GUTTED TO WHERE WE'D HAVE A SLAB AND THE RED IRON SKELETON LEFT, AND THEN BUILD IT BACK FROM THERE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SOME CONTRACTORS. THE BIGGEST ONE WAS RED, A METAL BUILDING COMPANY. AND WHAT WOULD IT COST TO STRIP A WHOLE ROOF OFF? STRIP THE METAL OFF, STRIP THE GARAGE DOORS, THE PERSON DOORS THE WINDOWS AND PUT IT BACK. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 100 $150,000 JUST TO DO THE SHELL. AND SO THEN THE THE OTHER PART WOULD BE THEN TO REBUILD THE INSIDE LIVING CORRIDORS, WHICH IS, WHICH IS NOT BIG. IT'S 2 OR 3 BEDROOMS AND A PUBLIC AREA AND A BATHROOM. AND SO AGAIN, WE WOULD ASK PERMISSION TONIGHT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PUTTING THAT BUDGET TOGETHER, GETTING QUOTES, GETTING BIDS, PUTTING THAT BUDGET TOGETHER, COMING BACK TO
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YOU AT A FUTURE DATE WITH THOSE NUMBERS AND SEEING IF THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO MOVING FORWARD TO RENOVATE THIS. IT'S IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE. IS THAT A IS THAT ONE OF THOSE OLD STRAND BUILDINGS? YES IT IS. IT'S PRETTY OLD. YEAH. AND JUST TO REITERATE, THE INTENTION WAS, IS THAT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE BACK TO ZACH'S POINT, WE SOLD REED ROAD AND EICHELBERGER AND WE WOULD REINVEST THE DOLLARS THAT WE GENERATED FROM THOSE SALES BACK INTO THIS FIRE STATION. AND WE THINK THAT THAT NUMBER THAT THE MONIES WE GOT FROM THE SALES IS GOING TO BE VERY, VERY CLOSE TO WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO COMPLETE RENOVATE THIS. IT'LL BE VERY CLOSE. WHAT ABOUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT AFTER THE BUILDING PART? WHAT ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT WITH THE TRUCKS? THAT'LL BE SOMETHING WE'LL HAVE TO ADDRESS LONG TERM. AND NOT JUST FOR THIS FIRE STATION, BUT KIND OF THE THE FLEET FOR THE ENTIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ONGOING, YOU KNOW, BEING ANALYZED HOURS, MILEAGE, YEARS, WHATEVER. WE CAN GET ISO CREDIT FOR SOME OF THOSE THINGS, BUT THOSE ARE THINGS IN THIS SPOT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS IS THE ADDITION OF PUMPERS OR PUMPER TANKERS, NOT ONLY FOR THIS FACILITY, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE FLEET AS WELL. AND IF JAMES ZOOMED OUT A LITTLE BIT, A LITTLE MONEY NEEDS TO BE SPENT ON THE THE PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY RIGHT THERE. IT'S KIND OF BREAKING UP. THERE'S IT'S HARD TO SEE, BUT THERE'S A PRETTY BIG HOLE IN FRONT OF THAT SECOND BAY DOOR. THIRD THE THIRD BAY DOOR RIGHT THERE THAT'S GIVING AWAY. SO ANYWAYS, THERE ALSO WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT OF ASPHALT AND CONCRETE INSIDE, BUT WE THINK THAT THE MONEY THAT WE SELL THOSE TWO PROPERTIES IS VERY CLOSE TO WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO, TO REALLY BRING THIS UP TO A GOOD CONDITION. WOULD THE INSIDE KIND OF BE REMODELED LIKE HILLCREST WAS? YES. BASICALLY WE'RE LOOKING AT JUST GUTTING IT, NOT I MEAN, THE THE FLOOR PLAN OF THE LIVING AREA BACK BE A LOT LIKE WHAT YOU. YES. ARE YOU GOING TO PUT THE SIDING BACK UP? JUST LIKE WHAT THE PICTURE SHOWING METAL. YES, SIR. WHAT IS THAT METAL DETERIORATED. IS THE METAL DETERIORATED ON THE GOOD PAINT JOB? WOULDN'T DO WITH THE OUTSIDE METAL? NO, SIR. IT'S IT'S GOT A LOT OF ROTTEN SPOT. OKAY. ESPECIALLY ON THE BACK WHICH YOU CAN THAT DENTS RIGHT THERE. BOTTOM CORNER WHERE IT'S BEEN HIT AND DENTED IN. IT'S IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE. THE GARAGE DOORS ARE IN BAD SHAPE. THE DOORS THE WINDOWS RUSTED AND THE INSULATION INSIDES ALL. I MEAN IT REALLY JUST TAKE. BUT THE BUT THE RED IRON SKELETON AND THE SLAB IS IN GOOD SHAPE. SO BASICALLY THE STRUCTURE IS GOOD. WE JUST GOT TO RESTART IT AND THEN BUILD THE OUTSIDE. PLUS IT'S BEEN LEAKING TO TO WHERE THE INSIDE'S IN BAD SHAPE. RIGHT NOW. BUT THEY QUOTED THEY QUOTED THE GUY THE GENTLEMAN AS I SAID QUOTED YOU KNOW, 100, 150. HE SAID 150,000. HE SAID YOU CAN COMPLETELY PUT ROOF, GOOD INSULATION, GOOD GARAGE DOORS, WINDOWS, DOORS, EVERYTHING FOR 150. AND THEN THAT STILL LEAVES US, WE BELIEVE, MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY THEN TO RENOVATE THE LIVING AREA. NOW WHAT'S THE SITUATION? CLOSE ENOUGH TO SERVICE THAT AREA. I WOULD COME OFF WHITFIELD ROAD, STATION SIX OR HAMILTON ROAD STATION ONE. AND JUST TO KIND OF REITERATE SOME OF THE LONG TERM PLANS THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED WITH COUNTY MANAGEMENT AND THE STAFF AND PUBLIC SAFETY STAFF IS THINKING, YOU KNOW, THE CURRENT STATION ONE LOCATION AT 2471 HAMILTON ROAD, I BELIEVE IS NEXT TO FIRE ADMIN ACROSS FROM SAINT WALKER.IT'S BEEN ANNEXED INTO THE CITY, ALONG WITH 8 OR 9 DIFFERENT PARCELS THERE. SO, YOU KNOW, OUR JOB IS TO TRY TO FIND THE MOST OPTIMUM LOCATION FOR A FIVE MILE COVERAGE FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THOSE FIRE APPARATUS THROUGHOUT THAT. SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS, IS WE POTENTIALLY RELOCATE THAT STATION IN THE FUTURE AS WELL, IS TRY TO BRIDGE THAT GAP BETWEEN THE WHITFIELD STATION, WHEREVER THAT IS GOING TO BE. IT'LL COVER MORE INTO THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. SO IT'S IT'S KIND OF RIGHT THERE IN THE MOUNTVILLE AS FAR AS THE CAREER STATION WISE, IT'S KIND OF CAUGHT RIGHT THERE IN NO MAN'S LAND BETWEEN STATION ONE STATION. WE GOT A LOT OF HOUSES GOING IN OUT THERE, TOO. I MEAN, A LOT OF GROWTH, A LOT OF ACTIVITY, A LOT OF VEHICLE ACCIDENTS UP AND DOWN GREENVILLE ROAD. 109 AND THIS WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO BE ONE OF THE QUICKER STATIONS ONTO I-85 AS WELL, WHICH YOU AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME RUNNING A LOT OF CALLS ON, ON THE INTERSTATE AND THEN OBVIOUSLY SERVING AS GOOD STEWARDS TO OUR NEIGHBORS NEXT DOOR, MERIWETHER COUNTY, WITH THE AUTOMATIC AGREEMENT, WHICH, YOU KNOW, RECIPROCATING AGREEMENT THAT WILL BENEFIT US COME OUT OF ISO EVALUATION TIME, IS WE'LL BE GETTING CREDIT BACK FOR HAVING AN AGREEMENT FOR THEM BECAUSE WE'LL BE RECEIVING ASSISTANCE AS WELL. SO WHEN YOU HAVE THOSE AGREEMENTS IN PLACE THROUGH THE ISO AUDIT, IT'S, YOU KNOW, MORE OR LESS WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER FIRE STATION, EVEN RIGHT INSIDE MERRIWEATHER THAT CAN COVER IN THERE. SO IT'S A BENEFIT IN A LOT OF WAYS.
YEAH. IT IS CLOSER TO THAT MERRIWEATHER LINE. AND IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THE FIVE MILE OPTIMUM RADIUS THERE, IF WE WERE GOING TO RELOCATE IT, THAT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE. BUT IF
[00:50:05]
WE'RE GOING TO INVEST IN A CURRENT FACILITY THAT WE HAVE, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE CONCESSIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE TO DO THAT FOR A LITTLE BIT CHEAPER. OKAY.GET THE COMPARISON ON IF YOU MOVE THAT STATION, BECAUSE WHERE IS YOUR FIVE MILE RADIUS FROM WHITFIELD TO HAMILTON ROAD IN THAT AREA? WOULD IT BE BETTER TO MOVE THAT STATION INTO A BETTER, BETTER LOCATION TO COVER THOSE PEOPLE WITH THE FIVE MILE RADIUS? I'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT IT TO BE EXACTLY SURE TO SEE KIND OF WHERE THOSE GO. IF YOU IF YOU'RE GETTING THIS STATION ALL THE WAY DOWN EXCEPT TO THE FRAME, YOU KNOW, IN THE PAD, I MEAN, TO ME TO GET THE FULL COVERAGE IN THE FIVE MILE RADIUS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S SOME OF THE DISCUSSION YOU HAD ABOUT WHERE THE LINES ARE WITH THE CITIES, YOU KNOW, FOR THE STATIONS THAT ARE OUT IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. I JUST THINK YOU NEED TO GET THE WHOLE FULL MILE RADIUS, FIVE MILE RADIUS AROUND. YES, SIR. AND I'VE GOT THE GIS MAPS THAT MEREDITH PROVIDED. WE'LL LOOK AT THOSE CERTAINLY. THAT WAY YOU CAN COMPARE. RIGHT. SOME INPUT BEFORE THIS EVENING WITH THE COST IS. ONE OTHER QUICK QUESTION BECAUSE WE JUST RECENTLY WENT THROUGH THIS, DO WE KNOW IF WE OWN THAT SITE OUTRIGHT OR IS THERE A REVERSIONARY CLAUSE ON THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY? THE TITLE? YEAH. AGAIN, WE'LL NEED TO CHECK THE TITLE. YEAH. MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO DO THAT SINCE WE'RE GOING TO INVEST A LOT OF MONEY INTO THAT PROPERTY IF WE DO. YOU KNOW, WE FOUND OUT RECENTLY THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS. AND JUST TO REITERATE TO, YOU KNOW, THE THE GENTLEMAN THAT OWNS THE PROPERTY LIVES IN MONROE, GEORGIA. AND WE DISCUSSED THE HAVING A SIGN THERE AT THE CORNER OF WOOD AND GREG, I THINK THAT'D BE IMPORTANT IS IF IF WE'RE GOING TO INVEST IN REHABBING THIS FIRE STATION IS IDENTIFYING IT PUBLICLY AND WHERE IT IS BECAUSE IT IS, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BLOCK OFF THE MAIN THOROUGHFARE RIGHT THERE. BUT THAT WOULD REQUIRE US CLEARING A PROPERTY AND THEN GET AN AGREEMENT DONE WITH HIM. BUT I FEEL LIKE WE COULD PROBABLY GET THAT DONE. I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, ZACH, BECAUSE IN THE PAST, WITH THE LOCATION OF THAT STATION, UNLESS THE PEOPLE AROUND THERE KNEW WHERE THAT STATION WAS AT BACK IN THE DAY, THEY WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT STATION WAS IN THERE. NO. THAT'S RIGHT. I MEAN, EVEN WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE, THEY GAVE ME THE ADDRESS AND I WAS DRIVING AROUND LOOKING FOR HIM. I COULDN'T FIND IT. SO THAT ONE TO BE 100% HONEST. THAT'S RIGHT. IT'S OFF OF WOOD. SO THAT'S WHY I'M PUTTING A SIGN UP. BUT WHAT'S KIND OF A BIG THING FOR ME IS MAKING SURE THAT REPUBLICAN MARKETING, EVERYBODY KNEW WHERE IT WAS. AND AGAIN, THE REQUEST TONIGHT WOULD JUST BE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT ANALYSIS, GETTING SOME NUMBERS, GETTING SOME BUDGETS, LOOKING AT AT THE WHOLE SCENARIO, KIND OF TO START THAT PROCESS. THEN WE'D COME BACK TO YOU LATER. OKAY.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. JUST TO GO OVER THIS
[5. Consideration of March 3, 2026 5:00 pm Board Meeting Agenda (Eric Mosley)]
EVENING'S AGENDA, WE HAVE AN INVOCATION FROM PASTOR JEFF MCCARTNEY OF MOUNT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH. AND THEN UNDER SPECIAL BUSINESS, WE HAVE TWO ITEMS. WE'LL WE'LL HAVE A BOARD APPOINTMENT AND THEN THE CONSIDERATION OF THE FIRE STATION REMODEL FOR STATION NUMBER NINE AND MOUNTVILLE AND A REZONING. WE HAVE ONE ITEM FOR REZONING ON HAGLEY ROAD AT 7130 HAMILTON ROAD. SO THAT IS ALL SOME AGENDA. OKAY. THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS EXECUTIVE[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
SESSION. SO I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION THAT WE GO OUT OF WORK AND GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS BOARD APPOINTMENTS. DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND OKAY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL RIGHT.MOTION IS ALL RIGHT. ENTERTAIN A MOTION THAT WE COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AND GO BACK INTO WORK SESSION. SO MOVED. ALL RIGHT. DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. OKAY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL RIGHT. NOT IT SAYS ALL VOTES HAVE BEEN CAST, BUT IT'S NOT I ASSUME. CAN YOU SEE. YEAH. OKAY. OKAY. SO IT PASSED. SO THAT MOTION CARRIED. ALL RIGHT. WE HAD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS BOARD APPOINTMENTS. AND I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT TONIGHT'S MEETING, MISS WEST WILL GIVE US REPORT ON BOARD ON BOARD APPOINTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS. SO ALL RIGHT, NOTHING ELSE. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY. OH, YEAH. I MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. YEAH.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.