They vote tonight at 5:30 PM, and yesterday morning they reviewed the three rezonings back the agenda after being tabled last month. County Manager Joe Pritchard said staff would be sending Commissioners a list of upcoming board apointments so they could think of candidates. He didn’t say anything about showing that list to the public.

See also the LAKE videos of last November’s Planning Commission meeting for those three rezonings.

Below are links to LAKE videos from each item yesterday morning, with a few notes, followed by a video playlist.

• 1. Call to Order 4. Minutes for Approval

  Video.

• 5a. REZ-2016-19 Turnberry at Thompson

  Video. On Thompson Road and Old US 41 N. Tabled last time because of last-minute change from R-21 (half-acre) to R-1 (1-acre). County Planner Jason said the opposition has apparently started a form letter, expanding their scope outside the immediate area, about traffic, property values, etc. He said he tried to put information in the board packet, but the county didn’t publish that for the public to see. The agenda sheet has a paragraph with some footnotes saying discussions with this developer started in 2012, and citing cases going back to 2005.

• 5b. REZ-2016-21 Seago, 4678 US Hwy 41 S, R-1 to R-A

  Video. According to County Planner Jason Davenport, the survey came back not with 2.5 acres, rather 2.35. So negotiations are in process with neighbors, which are basically the railroad and one other neighbor, including request to purchase or trade for the remaining fraction of an acre. So there may be need to table again, maybe more than once.

• 5c. EZ-2016-23 Branham Project, 2480 Copeland Rd, R-1 to R-21

  Video. County Planner Jason Davenport said Bill Branham the developer has hired an attorney to present Tuesday and also he’s engaged a traffic engineer, Mr. Kent. However, nothing in writing has come back from Mr. Branham.

• 5d. Beer, Wine and Liquor License 920 Old US 41 South

  Video. Finance Director Stephanie Black said this location is currently operating as the Taco Shack.

• 6a. Beer, Wine and Liquor License 3954 Old Hwy. 41

  Video. Previous owner licensed but never established the business. Location currently unoccupied, so this is a new business, said Finance Director Stephanie Black.

• 6b. Wine License 87777 Hwy. 135, Naylor, GA

  Video. Already has a license to sell beer for consumtion off premisses. Just wants to add Wine.

• 6 c. Adoption of the 2017-2018 Budget Calendar

  Video. Finance Director Stephanie Black said people were already going around collecting information for the budget and the Commission needed to approve a budget calendar as they did every year.

• 6d. Approval of Credit Cards for Elected Officials

  Video. Finance Director Stephanie Black said all the credit cards approved last month have expired, and this request is for a new probate judge.

• 6e. Declaration of Surplus Heavy Equipment and Authorization of Sale

  Video. So Finance Director Stephanie Black can post it on govdeals.

• 6 g. Workers’ Compensation Insurance Renewal

  Video. Annual renewal with ACCG self-insured workers’ compensation program, said Kevin L. Beals, Human Resources Director.

• 7 h. Timber Ridge Consultants, LLC Consulting Agreement

  Video. Consultant recommended by insurance agent to help with something about prescription benefits, said Kevin L. Beals, Human Resources Director.

• 6 i. Engineering Services for Sanitary Sewer System Improvements

  Video. Utilities Director said Carter & Sloope was the same firm who originally designed the Lowndes County Land Application Site. The agenda sheet says, apparently mispelling the name:

  This is a contract for engineering services with Cater & Sloope Inc. for sanitary sewer system improvements. Lowndes County received a GEFA loan for $1,734,000.00 for these improvements. Carter & Sloope has proposed to provide the engineering services for this project for $130,000.00 which is 7.5% of the total construction costs.

  Lowndes County has identified several sanitary sewer improvements to include the removal of sludge from the aeration basin, installing solar powered mixers in the holding pond, installation of a second screening structure, and the rehabilitation of several lift stations and manholes within the system.

  OPTIONS: 1. Authorize the Chairman to sign the contract.
  2. Board’s Pleasure.

  RECOMMENDED ACITION: Option 1.

  DEPARTMENT: Utilities Department Head: Steve Stalvey

• 6 j. Crossing Closures – Dasher Johnson Road and Kinderlou Road

  Video. CSX wants two at grade crossings closed. County Engineer Mike Fletcher says Langdale Company would prefer Kinderlou closed rather than Nadia, because it would be easier for them to get trucks in and out at Nadia.

• 6 k. Quit Claim Deeds for Abandoned ROW off Pikes Pond Road

  Video. County Engineer Mike Fletcher said back in October they decided to abandon, and now here’s the quit claim deed for the Chairman to sign. Here are the LAKE videos from the October 10, 2016 Work Session and the October 11, 2016 Regular Session.

• 6l. Preliminary Agreement with CSX for Old Quitman Road Bridge Replacement

  Video. For reviewing the plans, drawings, etc.

• 6m. GA DOT LMIG Grant Agreement

  Video. $1.05 million in LMIG from the state (gasoline tax dollars) with 30% match from the county. County Engineer Mike Fletcher said the project list was attached, but it’s not in the agenda sheet, so the public can’t see it.

• 7a. Children’s Advocacy Center – Construction Bids

  Video.

• 8a. Reports – County Manager

  Video. County Manager Joe Pritchard said staff would be sending Commissioners soon a list of board appointments needing to be made so they could be thinking of candidates. He didn’t say anything about showing that list to the public.

Here’s a LAKE video playlist:

Videos: Turnberry, Seago, and Branham back again, 3 alcohol, and budget
Work Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, January 9, 2017.

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