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The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:00 am. Members present were Bandon Braddy, Franklin Brantley, John Carpenter, Vernon Sumner and Clarence Thomas.

Vice-Chairman Braddy called the meeting to order. Commissioner Thomas led the invocation followed by the pledge to the flag.

The first order of business was to elect new officers. Commissioner Brantley made a motion to elect Commissioner Sumner as Chairman. Motion died due to lack of a second. Commissioner Carpenter made a motion to elect Commissioner Braddy as Chairman, seconded by Commissioner Thomas. Commissioners Carpenter and Thomas voted in favor of the motion. Commissioners Brantley and Sumner voted against the motion. Commissioner Braddy had to vote to break the tie. Commissioner Braddy voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Sumner made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter to elect Commissioner Brantley as Vice Chairman. Motion carried.

Commissioner Sumner made a motion to elect Commissioner Thomas as Deeds Commissioner, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter. Commissioner Thomas declined the motion. Commissioner Brantley made a motion to elect Commissioner Sumner as Deeds Commissioner, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter. Motion carried.

Commissioner Carpenter made a motion to appoint Macky Bryant as County Attorney, seconded by Commissioner Thomas. Motion carried.

The agenda was amended to add Mayor Joey Fountain under appearances; to add Toombs-Montgomery EMS Board, CDBG Southland Drive, VOIP Resolution, and General Fund check signature card to new business on a motion by Commissioner Sumner, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter. Motion carried.

The minutes were approved as written on a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Brantley. Motion carried.

Appearing before the Board was Sharon Strickland of the Board of Assessors. Mrs. Strickland informed the Board that Chris Kight of Kight Appraisal from Soperton has been doing some field work and he is finding homes that have been built with out a building permit. The Board of Assessors has prepared a set of rules for building permits which will be advertised in the paper on two separate occasions. The Assessor’s Board has also voted to close the office on Veterans Day. This is to be a paid holiday.

Uvalda Mayor Martin Moses appeared before the Board expressing concerns about the Development Authority Board. Mr. Moses stated since the Development Authority Board was reorganized last summer, the City of Uvalda is no longer represented on the D.A. Board and that not all members on this Board live in the county. Mr. Moses said that since Uvalda is no longer represented and its citizens pay taxes that support this board, Mr. Moses asked the Commissioners to suspend all funding to the Development Authority. Commissioner Brantley agreed that the reorganizing of this Board was not handled properly and he does not feel that the best interest of the County has at hand when those decisions were made and the people on this Board now does not have the best interest for the County and that the person that does not live in Montgomery County be removed. Commissioners Carpenter and Sumner agreed that this needs to be looked at closer. Commissioner Thomas said it does not matter where you live as long as you look out for the county. Commissioner Braddy suggested this be discussed in Executive Session.

Mt. Vernon Mayor Joey Fountain appeared before the Board with concerns about the stray dog problem. The Commissioners will have a meeting with the mayors to discuss this problem.

Robert Wheeler gave an update on the web-site.

Joe Filippone, Director of the Development Authority stated that he found it disturbing that some of the Commissioners feel that the Development Authority does not have the best interest of the county at heart. Mr. Filippone informed the Board that the jointly owned site in Ailey will be transferred to the D.A. Mr. Filippone will be meeting with Higgston City Officials to discuss the 280 corridor annexation.

Bill Mitchell of the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber informed the Board of upcoming events.

Administrator Curry reported that 232 hours had been put on the machines. The pull behind grader is now in use. The Board needs to look at roads for the upcoming CDBG application.

In new business, the courthouse roof repair was discussed. Commissioner Thomas made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Brantley to accept the bid from Skyline Construction, with the uncoated copper dome, for $371,520.00, plus 7% architect fee. Motion carried.

All three banks in the county are charging 3% interest. On a motion by Commissioner Sumner, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter the Board agreed to use all three banks, each for 1/3 of the cost plus 10% contingences for the courthouse roof repair loan. Motion carried.

There will be a jail conference call next Tuesday. We are still waiting on the financing.

After holding a bid opening on Southland Drive, the bids received were from Everett Dykes Grassing for $296,793.80; E&D Contracting for $1,413,100.60; Land Care Services for $428,857.25; Littlefield Construction for $309,003.50; Murray Construction for $312,978.50; Reeves Construction for $432,108.54; and Ricketson Construction for $310,476.42. Roger Fowler of Statewide Engineering recommended Everett Dykes. The bid is $172,000.00 under budget. There is about 6/10 of a mile that is not included in the bid that may be paved with the money left in the grant. Commissioner Thomas made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Brantley to accept the bid from Dykes with the additional 6/10 mile being paved, pending DCA approval of the grant. Motion carried.

The Board had previously agreed to contribute $4,800.00 to the American Red Cross. Attorney Bryant said he did not think this was legal. He will check on this.

In new business, on a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter the Board appointed Franklin Brantley to replace Brandon Braddy, and to reappoint Charlie Williams and John Roller to the Heart of Georgia RDC Board of Directors.

On a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Sumner the Board appointed Dr. Ronnie Smith to the Toombs Montgomery EMS Board for a term of one year. Motion carried.

The Board will schedule a time to meet with Linda Carroll to look at possible roads for the CDBG.

On a motion by Commissioner Sumner, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter the Board agreed to sign the VOIP Resolution. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Carpenter, seconded by Commissioner Brantley the Board agreed to place the Chairman and Vice Chairman on the special funds check signing card and to place all the Commissioners on the General Fund check signing card. Motion carried.

In comments, the old ambulance has a blown engine and STC needs an ambulance for educational purposes. Maybe this could be donated to STC.

On a motion by Commissioner Sumner, seconded by Commissioner Thomas the Board went into Executive Session. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Sumner, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter the Board came out of Executive Session. Motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Sumner, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter the Board appointed Arren Moses of Uvalda and John Roller of Mt Vernon as additional members to the Development Authority. Motion carried.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Brantley. Motion carried.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

CALLED MEETING

JANUARY 15, 2009

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting on January 15, 2009 at 4:00. The purpose of the meeting was to adopt the courthouse roof repair resolution, discuss a Toombs County meeting, and discuss an appointment to the Vidalia Tourism Board.

Members present were Brandon Braddy, Franklin Brantley, John Carpenter, Vernon Sumner, and Clarence Thomas.

Chairman Braddy called the meeting to order and led the invocation.

On a motion by Commissioner Brantley, seconded by Commissioner Sumner the Board agreed to adopt the Courthouse Roof Repair Resolution. Motion carried.

There will be a meeting with Toombs County concerning the E-911 fees, ambulance service, and the site in Ailey on January 20. Commissioners Braddy and Sumner will attend this meeting.

The Board will appoint someone to the Vidalia Tourism Board and replace Larry Atkins on the Development Authority in the February meeting.

The Board postponed any decision on the revised building permit pending discussion with the county attorney.

The Board took a recess at this time to do site visits on county roads that may be eligible for paving with a CDBG.

On a motion by Commissioner Brantley, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter the Board agreed to put Old Kibbee Road on the CDBG application for paving. Motion carried.

The being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Commissioner Brantley, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter. Motion carried.