MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE
BUILDING #2, 214 W. KING STREET
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
The Chairman called the meeting to order.
Pledge of allegiance to the Flag
Roll call to determine quorum
The following members were present:
Mike Babb, Chairman
Harold Brooker, Vice Chairman (Absent)
Lynn Laughter, Member
Robby Staten, Member
Gordon Morehouse, Member
Others Present:
Mark Gibson, County Administrator
Citizens
Robert Smalley, County Attorney
Department Heads
Press
Motion was made by Commissioner Laughter and seconded by Commissioner Morehouse to amend the agenda. The
motion was approved 3-0.
5 items was added from the potential additional items; (Alcohol Application – Lopez Market, Petition to Close a
Portion of Fleming Street, Petition to Close Hemlock Circle, U. S. Forest Service – Houston Valley OHV Use Area
Alcohol Ban, and a meeting date change for the Regular Board of Commissioners meeting in January)
1 Item was removed from the Agenda (Public Works – One (1) 2013/2014 Ford Expedition)
Motion was then made by Commissioner Laughter and seconded by Commissioner Morehouse to approve the
amended agenda. The motion was approved 3-0, with Commissioners Morehouse, Laughter, and Staten in
agreement. Approval of the agenda was unanimous.
Mr. Jesse Bond was named the Whitfield County Employee of the Month for October 2013. Mr. Bond works in the Fire
Department.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Alcohol Beverage License Application – Lopez Market – 2500 Reed Rd. Dalton GA
Chairman Babb opened a public hearing for the Alcohol Beverage License Application for Lopez Market located at
2500 Reed Rd. Dalton GA.
Being that no one came forward to speak Chairman Babb closed the Public Hearing.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion was made by Commissioner Morehouse and seconded by Commissioner Staten to
approve the Regular Business Meeting Minutes of November 11, 2013 and the Special Called Meeting Minutes of November
13, 2013. The motion was approved 3-0, with Commissioners Staten, Laughter and Morehouse in agreement.
RESOLUTION:
1. Ratify FY 2014 CHIP Resolution to Authorize Application: Motion was made by Commissioner Morehouse and
seconded by Commissioner Staten to ratify the Authorizing Resolution for the FY 2014 Community Home Investment
Program (CHIP) application requesting $304,980.00 to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The
CHIP application will be to support a housing rehabilitation program that assists qualified homeowners with housing
repairs. The application deadline for Whitfield County was December 4, 2013. The motion was approved 3-0, with
Commissioners Laughter, Morehouse and Staten in agreement. (SEE EXHITBIT “A”)
Page 1 of 5
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE
BUILDING #2, 214 W. KING STREET
FOR CONSIDERATION
1. Alcohol Beverage License Application: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by
Commissioner Morehouse to approve the Alcohol Application for a Malt Beverage License for Lopez Market located
at 2500 Reed Rd. Dalton. The motion was approved 3-0 with Commissioners Morehouse, Staten and Laughter in
agreement.
2. Petition to Close Road a Portion of Fleming Street: Motion was made by Commissioner Morehouse and
seconded by Commissioner Staten to accept the petition from Road Force LLC to close a portion of Fleming Street,
located in Land Lot 142 of the 12th district and 3rd section of Whitfield County, Georgia. The public hearing for this
petition will be held at the next regular Board of Commissioners meeting on January 14, 2014, at which time a
decision can be made to close and abandon a portion of Fleming St. The motion was approved 3-0, with
Commissioners Morehouse, Staten and Laughter in agreement.
(SEE EXHIBIT “B”)
3. Petition to Close Road – Hemlock Circle: Motion was made by Commissioner Morehouse and seconded by
Commissioner Staten to accept the petition from Dudley J. Lock to close the road Hemlock Circle, located in Land
Lots 86 and 87 of the 12th district and 3rd section of Whitfield County, Georgia. Mr. Lock is the owner of all real estate
contiguous to Hemlock Circle. The public hearing for this petition will be held at the next regular Board of
Commissioners meeting on January 14, 2014, at which time a decision can be made to close and abandon Hemlock
Circle. The motion was approved 3-0, with Commissioners Morehouse, Staten and Laughter in agreement.
(SEE EXHIBIT “C”)
4. U.S. Forest Service – Alcohol Ban on OHV Areas: The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to eliminate alcohol use in
the Houston Valley Off Highway Vehicle use areas. Lee Dillivan from the U.S. Forest Service told the Board that the
U.S. Forest Service has handled multiple alcohol violations, DUI’s, wrecks, and has problems with littering on the trail
system in the Houston Valley area. The U.S. Forest Service has considered eliminating alcohol in the Houston Valley
area for several years. They have also informed Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood of the proposed ban. Since
the property belongs to the Federal Government, the Board of Commissioners didn’t take any action on this matter.
5. Regular Board of Commissioners January Meeting Date Change: Motion was made by Commissioner Laughter
and seconded by Commissioner Morehouse to approve the date change of the January Regular Business Meeting of
the Board of Commissioners to Tuesday, January 14, 2014 due to the 14th Annual Legislative Appreciation Reception
being held on the same night. The Reception is to be held on Monday, January 13, 2014 at the Georgia Railroad
Freight Depot in Atlanta from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The motion was approved 3-0, with Commissioners Staten,
Laughter, and Morehouse in agreement.
6. Ratify FY 2014 CHIP Contact with Gilbert & Associates: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and
seconded by Commissioner Morehouse to ratify an agreement with Gilbert and Associates for grant administration
services in support of Whitfield County’s Community Housing Investment Program. The CHIP application was
submitted to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs on December 4, 2013 requesting $304,980, if the grant is
funded by DCA, Gilbert and Associates will be paid lump sum of $6,000.00 for grant administration services and a
$1,500.00 project delivery fee for housing rehabilitation per unit to be paid out of the CHIP grant budget. The motion
was approved 3-0, with Commissioners Staten, Laughter and Morehouse in agreement. (SEE EXHIBIT “D”)
7. Amendment to EMS Agreement: Motion was made by Commissioner Morehouse and seconded by Commissioner
Staten to approve and authorize Chairman Babb to sign an amendment to the current Emergency Medical Services
agreement. Whitfield County previously entered into agreement with Hamilton Emergency Medical Services, Inc. on
December 17, 2012. This amendment to the agreement shall become effective on December 31, 2013. The motion
was approved 3-0, with Commissioners Laughter, Morehouse and Staten in agreement. (SEE EXHIBIT “E”)
Page 2 of 5
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE
BUILDING #2, 214 W. KING STREET
8. Vehicle Title Transfer to City of Dalton: Motion was made by Commissioner Morehouse and seconded by
Commissioner Laughter to approve the title transfer of a 2001 Crown Victoria to the City of Dalton. This vehicle will
be used as a courtesy car at the Dalton Municipal Airport. The motion was approved 3-0, with Commissioners
Morehouse, Staten and Laughter in agreement.
9. Alcohol License Renewals - 2014: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner
Morehouse to approve the 2014 Alcohol License Renewals contingent upon a clear criminal history and payment of
fees. Exhibit “F” is a list of establishments currently in operation and holding a 2013 Alcohol License. There were not
any reports of any violations regarding these establishments. The Accounting Department was in the process of
doing criminal background investigations on all applicants to ensure there has been no change in status over the past
year. The Accounting Department asked that all renewals be contingent upon a clear criminal history and payment of
fees. It was noted that a status change would require further action by the Board. The motion was approved 3-0, with
Commissioners Morehouse, Staten and Laughter in agreement. (SEE EXHIBIT “F”)
10. 2013 Response and Recovery Grant: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner
Morehouse to approve and accept the FY 2013 Emergency Management Response and Recovery Grant in the
amount of $10,500.00 and is a refundable grant. This grant is part of the Emergency Management Performance
Grant program. The Grant has a 25% match requirement in the amount of $3,500.00 bringing the total project cost to
$14,000.00. These funds will be used to purchase an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and patient transfer trailer for same
that will be used for search and rescue of injured and missing citizens in areas that can't be reached by any other
means. The motion was approved 3-0, with Commissioners Morehouse, Staten and Laughter in agreement.
11. EMA – Purchase of a 2013 Kymco ATV: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by
Commissioner Morehouse to approve the purchase of a 2013 Kymco MXU 700i ATV for the low bid of $8,592.48 by
Dal Kawa Cycle Center Inc. This purchase will be made using funding from the FY 2013 Emergency Management
Response and Recovery Grant. The motion was approved 3-0, with Commissioners Morehouse, Staten and
Laughter in agreement.
12. Parks and Recreation Department/Public Works – Purchase of a Zero Turn Mower: Motion was made by
Commissioner Laughter and seconded by Commissioner Staten to approve the purchases of an ExMark 35hp Zero
Turn Mower for the Public Works Department in the amount of $9,321.15. This will give the new crew another mower
to improve their mowing time. The low bid came from local vendor B&B Tractor of Dalton, Georgia. The motion was
approved 3-0, with Commissioners Morehouse, Staten and Laughter in agreement.
13. Public Works Department Bids: Motion was made by Commissioner Morehouse and seconded by Commissioner
Staten to approve all of the following Public Works bids for 2014. The motion was approved 3-0, with Commissioners
Laughter, Morehouse, and Staten in agreement.
a. Crushed Stone – Public Works bid out crushed stone to be used in the Public Works Department and only
received one bid. The bid was from Vulcan Material of Dalton Georgia. Public Works used Vulcan Material
in 2013 and requested that the Commissioners accept the bid from Vulcan Material for crushed stone. The
Commissioners accepted the bid.
b. Tongue & Groove Concrete Pipe - Public Works bid out tongue and groove concrete pipe. Hanson Pipe and
Precast was the sole bidder for these items. They also provided the items to Public Works in 2013. They are
located in Rome, Georgia. The Commissioners accepted the bid.
c. Lubricant – Public Works also received bids on lubricant to be used in the Public Works Department. Bids
were received from three vendors. These vendors were: Northeast Lubricant of Doraville Georgia, Owenby
Enterprises of Dalton Georgia and Southern Lubricants of Dalton, Georgia. Owenby Enterprises was the low
Page 3 of 5
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE
BUILDING #2, 214 W. KING STREET
bidder on most of the items used in the daily operations of Public Works and the Commissioners accepted the
bid from Owenby Enterprises.
d. Concrete and Concrete Products – Public Works bid out concrete and concrete products. Murray Mix was
the sole bidder for the items that were bid. Murray Mix provided the items to Public Works in 2013 as well.
The Commissioners accepted the bid.
14. Public Works Department 2014 Boot Allowance: Motion was made by Commissioner Morehouse and seconded by
Commissioner Staten to approve the boot proposal from Discount Sporting Goods. Whitfield County Public Works
Department requested bids for the Work Boot Allowance program and the following vendors submitted bids for the
items: Discount Sporting goods, Dalton, Georgia, and Uniform House Indianapolis, Indiana. It was the recommendation
of the Public Works Department to accept the bid from Discounts Sporting Goods. The motion was approved 3-0, with
Commissioners Staten, Laughter and Morehouse in agreement.
15. Public Works Declaration of Surplus for Govdeals.com: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and
seconded by Commissioner Laughter to approve the declaration of surplus vehicles and miscellaneous attachments
from the Public Works Department. Exhibit “G” is a list of vehicles and miscellaneous attachments to be declared as
surplus and to be sold on Govdeals.com. The motion was approved 3-0, with Commissioners Morehouse, Staten and
Laughter in agreement. (SEE EXHIBIT “G”)
16. Ratify FY 2014 Contract for OPEB Valuation Services: Motion was made by Commissioner Morehouse and
seconded by Commissioner Laughter to ratify the FY 2014 agreement with Stanley, Hunt, DuPree and Rhine for
OPEB Valuation services in the amount of $7,000.00. GASB Pronouncements 43 & 45 require governments to report
actuarial value of their “other post-employment benefits” (OPEB) liability. The motion was approved 3-0, with
Commissioners Morehouse, Staten and Laughter in agreement. (SEE EXHIBIT “H”)
17. October 2013 Financial Statements: Motion was made by Commissioner Laughter and seconded by Commissioner
Staten to approve the October 2013 Financial Statements as presented by Finance Director, Alicia Vaughn. In
discussion, Mrs. Vaughn reported that Local Option Sales Tax for October 2013 is $922,976. Local Option Sales Tax
for October 2013 show an increase of 5% compared to Local Option Sales Tax Collections for September 2013;
Local Option Sales Tax collections for October 2013 show a 1% increase from October 2012. Year to date actual
Local Option Sales Tax collections for 2013 of $8,258,007 show a decrease of 35% compared to actual Year to Date
Local Option Sales Tax for 2012 of $12,665,529 for the same period. Year to date actual revenues of $19,034,245 for
October 2013 are less than year to date projected revenue $19,179,100 by 1%. Year to date actual expenditures of
$30,005,453 for October 2013 are less than year to date projected of $31,043,463 by less than 3%. The County
began collecting the TAVT Tax on March 1, 2013. Collections for October were $137,754. The motion was approved
3-0, with Commissioners Staten, Laughter and Morehouse in agreement. (SEE EXHIBIT “I”)
.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. 2014 Proposed Budget
Chairman Babb opened the public hearing for the 2014 Proposed Budget.
Dan Rogers Chairman of Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center Authority Board, came before the Board
of Commissioners and expressed his thanks to for their continued support over the many years that the Trade Center
has been in operation. Mr. Rogers went on to say that the Authority is very pleased with their partnership with Dalton
State College. Mr. Rodgers further stated that he appreciated their consideration and that money is always tight and
capital is very important at the Trade Center and for the Board to keep an open mind and understanding of the Trade
Center’s needs. Mr. Rodgers again thanked the Board for their continued support.
Page 4 of 5
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE
BUILDING #2, 214 W. KING STREET
Brian Anderson President of the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce came forward to speak before the Board. Mr.
Anderson representing the Business Community of Dalton wanted to commend the Board for their actions during these
past couple of years with regards to the County’s Budget. Mr. Anderson stated that even with the following factors: loss
of digest, a low tax rate compared to most Counties of Whitfield County’s size, lower tax rate than state average, and
the recent Local Option Sales Tax negotiations, the Board has right-sized County Government, maintained the same
level of services to its Citizens, while planning for the needs of capital equipment. Mr. Anderson stated the Chamber of
Commerce is currently working on forty-five projects thanks to the actions the Board has made in the area of economic
development. Mr. Anderson further stated the Board has made wise decisions by focusing on the County and its
investments to keep the County competitive. Mr. Anderson concluded by saying the business community appreciates
the actions of the Board and the Chamber of Commerce will support the Board in any way they can, including the
possibility of a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax in Whitfield County. Whitfield County is one of three
communities who do not have a S.P.L.O.S.T.
Being that no one came forward to speak Chairman Babb closed the Public Hearing.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Jonathan Roberts from My Fathers Ministries came before the Board of Commissioners to inform them about his intention
to rezone an area of land for a homeless rehabilitation facility. Mr. Roberts states that the property is in a rural area and would
be the perfect setting for the facility and would like to open the facility next spring in the Cohutta area. County Attorney Robert
Smalley let Mr. Roberts know that he has been in contact with Barnett Chitwood at the Northwest Georgia Regional
Commission and Mr. Chitwood is trying to classify what type of use this would be under the Whitfield County Zoning
Ordinance. Mr. Roberts stated he has also been in contact with Mr. Chitwood. Chairman Babb told Mr. Roberts that Mr.
Chitwood would get with the Board when more information regarding the classification type of use the facility would fall under
in the Whitfield County Zoning Ordinance. Chairman Babb thanked Mr. Roberts for coming before the Board and speaking
about this plans.
ADJOURN Unanimous
______________________________________________
MIKE BABB, CHAIRMAN
WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
_____________________________________
BLANCA CARDONA, COUNTY CLERK
DATE: / /
Page 5 of 5