CHEROKEE COUNTY GA: Board highlights - Aug. 17, 2021 meeting

By Press release submission

Aug 26, 2021

Cherokee County GA issued the following announcement on Aug. 20.

The Cherokee Recycling Center soon will be able to accept glass again at its Hobgood Park location and will save money in the process.

At its Aug. 17 meeting, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of a glass pulverizer from low-bidder, Compactors, Inc. at a cost of $18,440. District 3 Commissioner Benny Carter made the motion to approve the purchase, which was seconded by District 2 Commissioner Richard Weatherby. District 1 Commissioner Steve West and District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale participated by phone.

The county contracts with a company to remove the glass and recycle it, however, a shortage of drivers has prohibited the company from removing the full bins in a timely fashion. As an on-call bin, Recycling Center staff calls the hauler when the bin is full. Prior to the pandemic, the bin would be picked up within 24-48 hours, but now, Recycling Center Manager Troy Brazie said it’s a month to a month-and-a-half. That is forcing Recycling Center staff to temporarily stop taking glass as a recyclable at the Hobgood Park location. The Blalock Road location continues to accept glass.

The county currently pays about $18,000 per year to have the glass hauled away and recycled, with $7,000 coming back as revenue. Eliminating the hauling contract, the pulverizer will pay for itself in two years and will eliminate an $11,000 annual loss.

The pulverizer grinds the glass, resulting in two by-products: glass cullet and sand. Both can be used by Public Works and Recreation and Parks as a replacement for material the departments are currently purchasing. Public Works can use the by-products as a fill material for various projects, and Recreation and Parks can use the material for things like top dressing material on turf.

“We are reducing expenditures from Public Works and Recreation and Parks because the end product is something they can use in various projects,” Brazie said. “It will replace materials they are now buying.”

The full savings will not be realized until the pulverizer is in full operation over time, as the cost savings are directly tied to the amount of by-product produced.

Brazie said the goal is to have the pulverizer fully operational by the end of October.

Hickory Flat Gym to be renovated

The Board approved a construction agreement with Ward Humphrey, Inc. for $1.5 million to renovate the historic Hickory Flat gym. The unanimous vote also included a county-controlled contingency of $160,000. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.

The county entered into a 50-year agreement with the Cherokee County School District in 2018 and engaged the public to learn the most desired use of the facility. In response to the requested uses, the county engaged KRH architects to evaluate the building and recommend renovations to meet the needs of the community.

Work to the building under the approved construction agreement include keeping the historic feel while providing a community center in the Hickory Flat area. The construction agreement includes structural improvements to the roof and floor, new utility services, ADA improvements for building access, restrooms and stage access, new HVAC, new roof, new cementitious board and batten siding and insulation, signage and landscaping. The facility, when complete, will allow Recreation and Parks to provide programming like basketball, fitness programs, senior programs and summer camps in the space, as well as special events.

In other business, the Board of Commissioners:

Proclaimed Aug. 17, 2021 Youth Sports Champions Day in Cherokee County.
Announced a public hearing by the Georgia House of Representatives Study Committee on Annexations. It will be held in Cherokee Hall at the Cherokee County Conference Center Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.
Approved, 5-0, a resolution regarding a victim fund organized and administered by the nonprofit Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta. This allows the organization to provide proceeds of the victim fund tax free to the victims and families of the March 2021 shooting that occurred in Cherokee County. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
Approved, 5-0, minutes from the Aug. 3 work session, executive session and regular meeting minutes. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
Held a public hearing on a request by Spectrum Land Resources to modify conditions from a 2007 zoning case. One resident spoke in opposition of the request. The applicant requested that the conditions regarding no access to Bishop Road and the minimum 50 feet undisturbed buffer along Bishop Road be removed. Commissioner West made a motion to table the action on the request until the first meeting in September. Commissioner Weatherby seconded the motion, and the motion to table was approved 5-0.
After adding it to the agenda, the Board discussed a notification from the city of Canton related to a 177-acre annexation for a winery, conference center and residences on Sam Nelson Road. The plans indicate entrances on both Sam Nelson and Talcmine Road. Planning Manager Margaret Stallings said the plan is not consistent with the county or city’s future development maps. Chairman Harry Johnston said the developer reached out to the county several months ago about the proposal, and he indicated that the county would not likely support the project that included multi-family housing and such an intense use in a rural area. Staff indicated a list of issues with the plan including the Fire Code requirement to upgrade Talcmine Road to county standards to provide a second access point. In addition, staff suggested comments to the city about fire suppression (water and fire department access), roads and the proposed bridge, and communication system to meet the county’s requirements for Emergency Responder Communications System. Chairman Johnston made the motion to request the city to impose a condition on the annexation requiring the developer to make the necessary improvements to Talcmine Road. Otherwise, the county could be forced to invoke the Dispute Resolution Procedure to ensure that county taxpayers don’t have to bear that cost. The motion also included giving the Chairman the authority to make the call at the last minute due to deadline constraints. Commissioner Weatherby seconded the motion, which was approved 5-0. Both Johnston and West commented that they did not like invoking the Dispute Resolution Procedure because it seems combative with the city and the process is “clunky.”
Approved, 5-0, under the consent agenda: adopting the name Long Swamp Creek Recreation Area as the name for the future park at 2015 Ball Ground Road; the SFY22 contract with the Department of Human Services in the amount of $148,542 and ratifying Chairman’s signature; an agreement with the Service League of Cherokee County for use of CATS vehicles for Riverfest; an agreement with Canton Mill Adventures for the use of CATS vehicles for the Georgia Wildlife Fundraiser; surplussing miscellaneous obsolete office furniture and equipment for the Clerk of Courts; calling for a public hearing on Sept. 7 to consider transmitting the 2021 Annual Impact Fee and Short Term Work Plan Update to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; calling for a public hearing on Sept. 7 regarding updates to the Open Burn Ban Ordinance; and a resolution to apply and accept a Livable Centers Initiative grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
Approved, 5-0, a waiver of residency requirements for CCL Creations for an alcohol permit at an existing business. The new owner lives in Cobb County, but the restaurant was already operating when it was purchased. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner West.
Approved, 5-0, a lump sum offer in the amount of $225,000 for a communication easement for an existing cell phone tower at Hobgood Park and approval of the easement. The county plans to use the lump sum payment for needed improvements to Hobgood Park. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
Approved, 5-0, a standard professional services agreement with Aquatic Environmental Services Inc. for solar aeration systems installation at Cochran Park and Cherokee Veterans Park ponds in the amount of $24,958. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
Approved, 5-0, awarding a design services contract and professional services agreement for the Etowah Valley Estates drainage improvement project to the highest scoring proposal, Keck & Wood, Inc., in the amount of $25,000. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
Approved, 5-0, the purchase of 10 new vehicles to arrive in fiscal year 2022 for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office. The total cost is $349,795 and will come from FY2022 SPLOST funds. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
Approved, 5-0, the purchase of FUSUS software for the sheriff’s office. The purchase was coordinated with Information Technology, and the total cost is $100,000 a year for three years. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
Approved, 5-0, the third amendment to the agreement with Trinity Services Group to extend the length of the food services agreement at the Adult Detention Center for one additional year. The amendment includes a 2.3 percent price increase. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
Approved, 5-0, purchasing 10 thermal imaging cameras and 50 vehicle-mount chargers for fire department. The vote also included the surplus of 10 thermal imaging cameras to trade in. The agreement is with Georgia Fire and Rescue, and the total approved amount is $81,664. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
Approved, 5-0, a resolution requiring face masks for employees and visitors at the Senior Center. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
Approved, 5-0, a development agreement with BMT JV Owners, LLC to allow the installation of a neighborhood sign for Belmont Downs on a portion of Highway 20. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
Approved, 5-0, an agreement with the Cherokee County School District Police for the use of the county’s 800 MHz radio system. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
Approved, 5-0, purchasing refurbished Cisco networking hardware in the amount of $76,132 from Logista Solutions. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
Approved, 5-0, purchasing a Ford F-250 for the Property Management department from Peach State Ford in the amount of $41,362.68. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
Approved, 5-0, an amendment to the pension plan to waive employee contributions after 30 years of service and to add a 50 percent death benefit for active employees after 15 years of service. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
Approved, 5-0, temporary hazard pay for employees working on ambulances. Paramedics earn an extra $100 per shift and EMTs earn an extra $50 per shift. The expenditure is covered by the American Rescue Plan Act funding provided by the U.S. Treasury. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.