MINUTES PUBLIC MEETING BARTOW COUNTY COMMISSIONER October 7, 2020 - 10:00 a.m.

After calling the meeting to order, Commissioner Taylor presented the following items of business:

Minutes  The minutes of the September 16th Public Meeting were approved as presented.

Public Services  Mr. Bryan Canty, Director of the Bartow County Humane Society gave an update on the Humane Society. Mr. Canty shared that when he started his tenure with the Etowah Valley Humane Society in 2010, the euthanasia rate was at 82%. Today the euthanasia rate is at 4.3%, which means 96% of all the animals taken in by Bartow County Animal Control end up being transferred over to the Humane Society for adoption or claimed by one of our licensed rescue partners. Right now we’re looking at 18 months in a “no kill” status. According to the animal activist group, if you’re able to release 90% of the animals taken in by animal control, you’re considered “no kill”. They also recognized that there are certain challenges that face geographical regions. For instance, in the south, parvo is very prevalent. They will also factor into the equation animals that come in to the facility with temperament/aggressive issues that cannot be adopted out. Taking these factors into consideration, instead of a 4.3% euthanasia rate, Bartow County is actually at a 0% euthanasia rate, because no healthy, adoptable animals have been lost this entire year. In closing, Mr. Canty stated that his door is always open if anyone would like to review his numbers. The EVHS is a partner of Bartow County and Bartow County Animal Control. Commissioner Taylor recognized EVHS for their work and thanked them for what they do for animal welfare.  Commissioner Taylor approved agreement with Floyd County for two additional inmate work crews at the landfill.

Appointments  Commissioner Taylor re-appointed Ronnie Evans, Larry Holt and Tommy Strickland to the Joint Cartersville-Bartow Regional Industrial Development Authority for another four-year term.

Finance  An agreement with the Georgia Department of Justice to receive and administer $18,559.00 in grant funds to purchase a utility terrain vehicle for the Sheriff’s Office was approved as presented.  Commissioner Taylor also accepted grant funding in the amount of $22,955.00 for the Juvenile Court Adult Drug Court Program.  The Grant Writing Department presented a recommendation to award a contract to Tower Interior Construction in the amount of $528,917.50 for renovations to the Good Shepherd Foundation facility. Commissioner Taylor approved the contract as presented.

Property  Commissioner Taylor authorized Donate a 2014 F-150 Truck from the Water Department be donated to the City of Taylorsville.  A 2008 Chevy Trailblazer from Community Development was donated to Hickory Log Vocational School.  County Administrator Peter Olson presented documents transferring 8.3 acres of County owned property on Cloverleaf Drive at SR 41 to the Development Authority of Bartow County. Mr. Olson explained that this property was purchased by the County several years ago for the intended purpose of constructing a new Fire Headquarters building. However, plans have since changed for the headquarters

building, leaving this parcel of land undeveloped by the County. The County feels this is a prime piece of property and should be developed to suit the surrounding commercial and/or medical properties. The Development Authority has indicated their desire to promote this property for commercial use. The Commissioner approved the property transfer as presented.  An avigation easement for the Cartersville-Bartow County Regional Airport was also approved as presented. Mr. Olson stated that this is one of several agreements that are necessary to acquire airspace easements surrounding the airport in order to ensure that the airspace remain unobstructed, therefore providing safe passage of aircraft in and through the airspace entering the airport.  Commissioner Taylor also authorized the acquisition of a parcel of land in the North Village Subdivision. According to the County Administrator, the prior developer of North Village Subdivision caused structural damage to Pine Log Dam 66 which partially lies within the subdivision. The damage significantly impacts a lot within the subdivision where the spillway is located, which could result in potential flooding of the property. The County has determined that purchasing the lot will allow it to remain undeveloped and therefore remove the flood risk.  The County Administrator presented a second amendment to an easement and maintenance agreement between the County and Renaissance Group Cartersville, LLC related to the hotel project and adjacent property under development at the Clarence Brown Conference Center. The second amendment addresses shared property lines and also a pro rata share of costs associated with the reconstructed retention facilities. It also a license for their solar panels. Commissioner Taylor approved the agreement as presented.

Community Development, Transportation and Water  Commissioner Taylor accepted a section of Moss Way in the Hamilton Crossing Estates Subdivision into the County Road System.  Amendments to the Development Regulations related to unfinished subdivisions was approved as presented.  Geosam Capital US has purchased the remaining undeveloped lots in the North Village Subdivision and has requested that the County lift the construction hold that had previously been placed on the development as a result of the prior developer’s damage to Pine Log Dam 66. The company has agreed to pay the County $42,000 toward the structural repairs to the dam if the County will release the hold on the development. Commissioner Taylor accepted the terms of the agreement as presented in order to proceed with the necessary repairs to the Dam and release the development hold on the subdivision.  The following Zoning Applications were presented for the Commissioner’s review: o RZ-2376-20: an application by Craeden Bearden requesting to rezone 1.78 acres at 82 Bearden Road from A-1 (Agriculture) to R-1 (Residential) in order the split the lot to sell. The Planning Commission recommended approval with a 7-0 vote. There were no speakers for the request. Commissioner Taylor approved the application as presented. o RZ-2384-20: an application by Richard Schloemer requesting to rezone 3.22 acres located at 70 Tower Ridge Road from A-1 (Agriculture) to R-1 (Residential) to split the property into three lots. There was discussion at the Planning Meeting of the curvy road and the topography of the area. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5-2, with the condition that only one additional lot is allowed. Ms. Margaret Schloemer, 70 Tower Ridge Road, requested that the Commissioner reconsider and allow them to split the property into three lots. She stated that when they asked which lot, they were told it didn’t matter. The only concern of the adjoining property owners seems to be that cars park on the road. There is a home down the street that has large parties or gatherings and cars park up and down the street but she has no control over those neighbors or who they invite to their house. Commissioner Taylor went along with the Planning Commission and approved the application with the condition that there is only one additional lot allowed.

o CU-2383-20: an application by Harjas Freight, LLC requesting a conditional use for 9.31 acres on Cass White Road in order to use the property for parking of commercial vehicles. The Planning Commission recommended approval with a 7-0 vote. Kurt Cooper, 2228 Bohler Road, Atlanta spoke on behalf of Harjas Freight to offer any information the Commissioner might need. Commissioner Taylor approved the application as presented, adding that hopefully this will take some of the trucks off the interstate ramps.

Having no other business to address, the meeting was adjourned at 10:23 a.m.

On File Kathy Gill, County Clerk

APPROVED:

On File Steve Taylor, Commissioner

11/4/2020 Date