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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16 2012 Explorer program, and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office could not be more proud of the class o

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FRIDAY

NOVEMBER 16

2012

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA, HELD ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012, IN THE COMMISSION MEETING ROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE CHATHAM COUNTY COURTHOUSE, LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING, 124 BULL STREET, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA. I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Pete Liakakis called the meeting to order at 9:25 a.m. on Friday, November 16, 2012. ============

II. INVOCATION Chairman Liakakis said, I call on Commissioner Dave Gellatly for the Invocation. Commissioner Gellatly said, thank you, Mr. Chairman. If we could bow our heads. Commissioner Gellatly gave the Invocation as follows: Dear God, our Heavenly Father, please guide, protect and look over our troops wherever they may be serving, our firefighters and our law enforcement officers, and particularly their families. Please help them through every day. Amen. ============

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Liakakis said, I ask Commissioner James Holmes to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Holmes led all in the Pledge of Allegiance to Flag of the United States of America. ============

IV. ROLL CALL Chairman Liakakis said, okay, I call our County clerk, Janice, to give us the roll call. The Clerk called the roll. Present:

Pete Liakakis, Chairman Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas, Vice Chairman, District Eight Helen L. Stone, Chairman Pro Tem, District One James J. Holmes, District Two Patrick Shay, District Three (arrived at approximately 9:35) Patrick K. Farrell, District Four Tabitha A. Odell, District Five David M. Gellatly, District Six Dean Kicklighter, District Seven

Also present:

R. E. Abolt, County Manager R. Jonathan Hart, County Attorney Janice E. Bocook, County Clerk ============

V.

PROCLAMATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 1.

RECOGNITION OF CHATHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE EXPLORER POST 876.

Chairman Liakakis said, under special presentations, we have the recognition of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 876. I call on the Sheriff to come forth and to let all of us here and especially the public where we are videoing this about the Explorer Post. Ms. Michelle Gavin said, good morning Commissioners and other dignitaries, I’m Michelle Gavin, the Director of Public Information for the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, and it is my pleasure this morning to introduce you to Explorer Post 876. While no one is quite sure exactly when Explorer Post 876 began, we do know that it has been around for generations. Many police officers serving our communities today got their start at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office 1

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Explorer program, and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office could not be more proud of the class of explorers that we have here today. In all there are 15, 5 girls and 10 boys, representing eight local public and private schools in our area. We have a dedicated team of advisors and trainers who teach the Explorers about felony traffic stops, crime scene investigations, defensive tactics and much more. The Explorers also learn a lot about respect, leadership and character. Explorer Post 876 is led by Post Advisor Deputy Rhonda Bryant-Elleby, who is here today. Deputy BryantElleby, along with Major Brian Counihan, Lieutenant James Moore, Sergeant Mark Eichenlaub, Sergeant Carlos Michael, Corporal Lamiles Hill, Corporal Gary Murphy, Deputy Christopher Blount, and Deputy Niaomi Deloach, volunteer many, many hours training and guiding these young men and women. In the past year the Explorers have marched in five Chatham County parades, participated in two competitions, including Winterfest in Gaitlinburg, Tennessee, and Summerfest right here in Savannah. At Summerfest they placed first in cell extraction and third in three other events. They also took a trip with the Georgia Sheriff’s Association Youth Home children to Walt Disney World, and two weeks ago, they went on a camping trip to Magnolia Springs. Deputy Bryant-Elleby would now like to introduce you to our Explorers. Deputy Rhonda Bryant-Elleby said, good morning. Chairman Liakakis said, good morning. Members of the Board collectively said, good morning. Deputy Bryant-Elleby said, at this time I will introduce you to the members of the Explorer Post 876. We have Captain Zachary Brooks. He attends Calvary School -- Calvary Day School. We have Lieutenant Andrea Stokes. She attends Johnson High School. We have Sergeant Scotty Carlson. He attends Savannah Christian. We have Corporal Mary Margaret Tarsitano. She attends Calvary Day School. We have Corporal Avery Williams. He attends Johnson High School. We have Kwanza Cooper. She attends New Hampstead. Jonathan Norman. He attends Benedictine. We have Malcolm Davis. He’s college-bound now. We have William Vaughan. He attends Savannah Christian. We have Ethan Lee. He attends South Effingham High School. We have Christian Crawford. He attends Savannah Arts Academy. We have Jada Cooper. She attends New Hampstead. And we also have three other members that could not be here today, Jordan Water-Ford. He attends Johnson High School. We also have Aaron Parker, who attends Jenkins High School, and Paris Wineglass, who also attends New Hampstead High School. At this time we would also ask for the Captain, which is Mr. Zachary Brooks, and our Lieutenant Andrea Stokes to come up and just share with you some of their experience with the Explorer Post 876. Lieutenant Andrea Stokes said, good morning. Chairman Liakakis said, good morning. Members of the Board collectively said, good morning. Lieutenant Stokes said, being in the Explorer Post has, I think I speak for all of us when I say, it has given us an experience to learn the dos, the don’ts, the whys, why nots and the hows of law enforcement, and it gives us a chance to become a team to achieve set goals. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you. Commissioner Odell said, thank you. Sheriff Al St. Lawrence said, let me just thank you for recognizing them this morning. They work very hard. This program been going a long time. I particularly want to thank the staff that’s dedicated dear time to working with these young people, and I appreciate again your recognition of those people this morning. Thank you. Commissioner Thomas said, Mr. Chairman? Sheriff St. Lawrence said, yes, sir, Coach? Chairman Liakakis said, Priscilla [Thomas]? Commissioner Holmes said, what’s the total number that are in the group? Sheriff St. Lawrence said, 15. Commissioner Holmes said, 15? Sheriff St. Lawrence said, 15. And may I ask how’s the qualifications for entering? Sheriff St. Lawrence said, well, I’m going to get Rhonda Elleby up -- back up here and let them answer the specifics. Deputy Bryant-Elleby said, actually you have to be between the ages of 14 and 20 years old and actually we do have it on our website also, all the qualifications. But you have to maintain at least a C in school also. We do run the background on -- criminal background on you. You have to be able to pass that also. Commissioner Holmes said, mm-hmm. Deputy Bryant-Elleby said, but that -- that is the big thing, but again, you must -- if you express a interest in law enforcement also, that’s something that we’re looking for also. Commissioner Holmes said, right. 2

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Deputy Bryant-Elleby said, but all the criteria and the requirements are also listed on the -- on the website. But the big thing is to be at least between the ages of 14 and 20 years old. Commissioner Holmes said, well, congratulations young boys and girls. Chairman Liakakis said, Priscilla [Thomas]? Commissioner Thomas said, thank you. I’m excited about this program, and I -- I want to applaud each and every one of you, particularly, the young people who are participating and to those who are really training these young people. Two key things that I -- I noticed that was mentioned this morning, which I think is very significant in terms of the expectations, and I think the deputy eluded to these, and she said that they have to learn the dos and the don’ts, as well as work as a team. And that’s very important. Take your work very seriously, and every time you will come out to be a winner. So, continue to do great works, and we applaud you for all that you’re doing and continue to maintain your grade average in school. That’s very important. Thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you. Commissioner Stone said, Mr. Chairman? Chairman Liakakis said, and -- yes, Marcus [Brown]? Youth Commissioner Marcus Brown said, what was the name of the website? Deputy Bryant-Elleby said, go to ChathamCountySheriff.org, and we’re right there. You can download the application and everything. Commissioner Thomas said, thank you. Commissioner Stone said, Mr. Chairman? Chairman Liakakis said, all right. Commissioner Stone said, Pete [Liakakis]? Chairman Liakakis said, Helen [Stone]? Commissioner Stone said, thank you. This is a wonderful program, and this is -- I’m -- I’m surprised. I didn’t know this existed, and I would like to see if we can’t have something publicized about this to make sure that all the young people in this community are aware that -- that you offer this program, Mr. Sheriff, to this community. Sheriff St. Lawrence said, we go to the schools. Commissioner Stone said, okay. Sheriff St. Lawrence said, and we tell them we have the program to try to encourage them as Deputy Elleby has said -Chairman Liakakis said, come up to the mike, Al [St. Lawrence]. Sheriff St. Lawrence said, we try to encourage them to -- to participate in the program and -- and, you know, these -these young people got to stay straight if they’re going to be in the Explorer program because if they don’t maintain that C average in school or -- you know, it’s not going to work. But -- but, you know, they -- they’ve accomplished a lot, and, for instance, as was pointed out already, they finished first in cell extraction at the competitions in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and they were participating -- it’s a lot of other Explorer groups. So, we feel we’re making headway and -and, of course, it’s been mentioned already all the staff that’s here that -- that volunteers their time to work with them. Commissioner Stone said, wonderful. Chairman Liakakis said, well, we can see, you know, we feel that we got the best Sheriff in the USA maybe even going beyond that wherever they have Sheriffs because this is just one of the great programs that he has established in the Sheriff’s Department for many years. We can see when he came on board in 1992 as our Sheriff after leaving the -being the chief of police for our county police, and he’s created things that he has done and helping. He has programs in the jail to try to turn those ones that are in jails to get life skills and work skills also to help them that when they leave the jail that they can do better in life and not continue to be in that criminal element. So, Sheriff, on behalf of the County Commission, we thank you and all of those with the -- the Post and also with all of your staff members and all of the deputies because they’ve done a great job. Commissioner Thomas said, Mr. Chairman? Chairman Liakakis said, yes? Commissioner Thomas said, one -- I think the question was also asked how could you -- I think Commissioner Stone or someone asked about how the community can better get acquainted with what’s going on with these young people. I would suggest that we include them on Channel 16 with the other things that Mr. Nichols places on there. They’re pictures and then maybe whatever else he puts in there. Commissioner Stone said, and possibly --

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Commissioner Thomas said, and that would be another avenue of exposure to, you know, to highlight what -- who they are. Commissioner Stone said, and -- and possibly in our quarterly newsletter that goes out. Commissioner Thomas said, exactly. Commissioner Stone said, I just think it’s such a wonderful program. Sheriff St. Lawrence said, yes, we, you know, people tell us all the time we need to work more with young people, but my resources are limited to a certain extent. We try to do as much as we can and the law enforcement explorer group is one thing we do do. And -- and we do many other things. We go to the schools all the time, but, you know, again, we are limited by our resources. Commissioner Kicklighter said, Sheriff, we just want to brag on you, that’s all. Sheriff St. Lawrence said, thank you. Commissioner Kicklighter said, just want the public to know more -- all the good stuff. Commissioner Thomas said, all the good stuff. Commissioner Kicklighter said, that -- that’s all they mean. Sheriff St. Lawrence said, thank you very much. I’m very proud of what Michelle [Gavin] and Rhonda [Bryant-Elleby] has accomplished, and anybody wants any information they can contact either one of them. I think Dr. Thomas’ suggestion about Channel 16 would be a good thing to get the word out. But, you know, we got certain rules they have to adhere to and -Commissioner Thomas said, that’s right. Sheriff St. Lawrence said, -- and some of these young people have been there quite a while, and they’ve adhered to those rules. Commissioner Kicklighter said, Mr. Brown wants to ask a question. Chairman Liakakis said, okay, wait just a minute. Carlton [Brown], you wanted to ask the Sheriff something? Youth Commissioner Carlton Brown said, yes, sir. What events do you guys do around our community? Sheriff St. Lawrence said, what events do we do around the community? Well, we -- we’ve had -- we have had a lunch buddy program going on in the schools with -- with the young people, the Explorer group, as far as young people. We’ve been asked to get involved at the -- with more young people as far as those that are incarcerated at the Youth Detention Center, but the State runs that, and I can’t -- that’d be something that they’d have to do, but we’ve got many programs in -- for those inmates that are incarcerated, 12 as I understand it right now, GED programs and life skill programs and so forth. Deputy Bryant-Elleby said, may I answer him, Sheriff? Sheriff St. Lawrence said, yeah. Deputy Bryant-Elleby said, as far as the Explorer program, they participate in the parades, they march in the parades. We also are big sponsors of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association Youth Homes, which are children who have been abandoned or are neglected and are in one of these youth homes across the State, and we try to get our Explorers involved with those children. That’s why they went on the trip to Walt Disney World with them. They’re going to be collecting, helping us collect gifts here real soon, ‘cause we provide Christmas gifts for all the children in the youth homes, and then the Explorers will be going with us, three and a half hours a way to Hahira, Georgia, to actually deliver those gifts and to be a positive influence in the lives of those children. So we try to -- to get them out in the community and bring the community to them as well. Chairman Liakakis said, okay, thank y’all very much. I appreciate that. Commissioner Kicklighter said, thank y’all. Chairman Liakakis said, and what I’m going to do, while -- I understand some of them they have to go back to school, is that right? Deputy Bryant-Elleby said, yes. Sheriff St. Lawrence said, yes. Chairman Liakakis said, so if you want to dismiss them now, so that they can head back to their school, that’s fine. Deputy Bryant-Elleby said, thank you. =========

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CHATHAM COUNTY YOUTH COMMISSION Chairman Liakakis said, and while we’re doing that, three of the members that you’re seeing up front here, I’m going to introduce to you. They are part of the Chatham County Youth Commission that -- that’s -- we have the first Youth Commission in the entire country, and it came up with -- Commissioner Priscilla Thomas came up with this idea a number of years ago, and it’s been real successful, and what has occurred with them that many of them because of the programs and the things that they learn and participate in, many of them have graduated. The majority of them over these many, many years, have -- go and a lot of them have scholarships where they go to different colleges and universities around the country, and it’s been really successful. And what I’d like to do right now, on my left, your right, is introduce our three Youth Commissioners that sit up here when we have our County Commission meeting. The first one is Carlton Brown, and he’s the Youth Commissioner for Benedictine; Hollis Brown, Youth Commissioner for Savannah Arts Academy; and Marcus Brown, Youth Commissioner for Benedictine also. Now, I want to ask you a question, this might be that -- maybe we have Van Johnson that might have set this up like this, but are you -- do you have any relationship or any kin? Youth Commissioner Marcus Brown said, no. Chairman Liakakis said, it just happens to be that we’ve got three Browns here today. Okay. Well thank y’all very much for coming today. ============

VI. CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS 1.

RECOGNITION OF ROBERT S. JEPSON, JR.

Chairman Liakakis said, next on the item the Chatham’s Items -- the Chairman’s Items, and I’d like to call right now, the -- Bob Jepson and his wife to come to the podium, please. Mr. Robert S. Jepson, Jr., said, Alice is working at the hospital this morning. Chairman Liakakis said, okay, see that’s another great thing they do, they volunteer all over the community. Mr. Jepson said, well you have me, but you don’t have the beauty. I’m sorry. Chairman Liakakis said, oh, that’s okay. What I’m going to do here is read this proclamation that we have, and -- and this is really important. I’m really honored to do this today because you have for many, many years in our community done lots and lots of things that people don’t even know about, but you do a great many things on a low key and a lot of people don’t know that because that’s the way that you live your life. And a lot of people don’t understand the wonderful things that you do in charity and the educational field and the art field and all of that. Not only around in our community, Chatham County, but around the country, especially with all the educational particular programs they have with universities and schools in other places around the country. We really appreciate that. Chairman Liakakis read the proclamation as follows:

WHEREAS, the commitment to make a community better can embodied in different means, and through entrepreneurial achievement, a stalwart spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy, Robert S. Jepson, Jr., has unquestionably helped to make Chatham County a better community; and WHEREAS, Mr. Jepson’s entrepreneurial excellence can be viewed in the success of Jepson Associates, Inc, which he founded in 1989 and where he continues to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and previously in the success of the Jepson Corporation under his leadership as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and WHEREAS, while his business achievements could be considered a singular success of a lifetime, Mr. Jepson has channeled his leadership qualities and benevolent service as a board member, officer, chairman and/or benefactor to many community organizations, including the Telfair Museum, Georgia Historical Society, Junior Achievement, Bethesda Academy, Hospice Savannah, Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, Historic Savannah Foundation, United Way, Savannah Music Festival, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, the Mighty 8th Heritage Museum, 5

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and the Curtis G. Anderson Cancer Center. The Jepson Center became dedicated in his honor to recognize his contributions to the arts and as the major benefactor to Telfair’s modern cultural arts center on Telfair Square; and WHEREAS, besides his commitment to higher education through volunteerism and philanthropic contributions to several universities and colleges in America, including in our community the Savannah College of Art and Design, an example of his enduring focus on education can be viewed in the Savannah Education Alliance, a program which he founded with his wife in partnership with Mr. & Mrs. John C. Kane and Mr. & Mrs. Curtis G. Anderson, to provide full scholarships at Savannah State University for 24 graduates of the Savannah-Chatham Public School System; and WHEREAS, beyond his community service, Mr. Jepson has helped to shape the State of Georgia’s economic success as a board member and Chairman of the Georgia Ports Authority during a period of unparalleled growth in shipping imports and exports through the Port of Savannah; and NOW, THEREFORE, I, Pete Liakakis, Chairman, on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, do hereby acknowledge Robert S. Jepson, Jr. and his extraordinary contributions to our community, by proclaiming this date of November 16, 2012, as ROBERT S. JEPSON, JR. DAY IN CHATHAM COUNTY ______________________________ Pete Liakakis, Chairman ATTEST: ______________________________ Gail F. Gordon, Administrative Assistant to the Chairman Commissioner Shay said, all right.

[Applause.]

Chairman Liakakis said, and what -- what I’d also like, and this is a special medal that we have to award you the special medal for all the wonderful things in our community that you have done making a difference in a lot of people’s lives, especially those that -- in charitable situations and turning their lives around, helping all the time when somebody request that Bob Jepson help them. So, we really appreciate what you have done, and it’s a real honor for me to make this presentation to you today. [Applause.] Mr. Jepson said, thank you so much, Pete [Liakakis]. I am certainly pleased to be with you today. I am honored by this recognition. My secretary told me that Pete [Liakakis] had called and said the Commission would like for you to appear on the 16th, and I thought, oh boy, what have I done? And this is a pleasant surprise. Everywhere I go in this country, people say where are you from, and I say with pride, Savannah, Georgia. They always smile and say wow, what a city, and the question is what is the secret, and the secret I think is quite easy for anyone to see. We are blessed by nature. We have a wonderful government, and we have a wonderful citizenry. We all care and love about where we live, and we do the best we can to make it better. Thank you all. Love -- I just love being with you, and I’m glad that I came for a happy occasion and not a sad occasion, Pete [Liakakis.] Chairman Liakakis said, and since your wife couldn’t be here because she’s volunteering at the hospital, you’ll be able to watch this on Channel 16 because this has been videoed while we have the meetings, and we put it on our government Channel, 16, so she can see this particular occasion. Mr. Jepson said, well, I watch you all often. It’s great drama. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you. =========

2.

NAMING OF THE SOUTHWEST POLICE PRECINCT.

Chairman Liakakis said, next on the agenda is naming of the Southwest Police Precinct. And this is a great occasion for us also because what we wanted to do is give recognition to one of the top law enforcement persons in our community and around the State of Georgia and other places also. Because he has dedicated his life coming from Illinois and coming to our community and being our Chief of the Savannah Police Department for some 20 years and working with other law enforcement officers doing a great job in our community. And we can see many great things that he did while he was chief of police and how he continues to support the law enforcement community. And what I’d like for everyone to know this, and I’d like our Chief of the Metro Police Department, Chief Lovett, to come up to the podium right now. And since we’ve got a great chief of police now, we can see all of the things that Chief Lovett has done in our community for many years. We’re glad that we were able to elect him as our chief of police through the City and the County Police Policy Committee. And we looked at many, many things that the other police chiefs that were applying for this job, but, of course, all of the great things that he has done. But anyway, the -- one of the things that I would like for him to do is speak up for our County Commissioner, the retired Chief of Police from the Savannah Police Department. [Applause.]

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Chief of Police Willie Lovett said, good morning Commissioners, Mr. Chairman. It is certainly a pleasure of me to speak on behalf of our former chief, Dave Gellatly. When I started my career, I could almost -- almost remember the exact day and time that I met him. I -- I was already a member of the Savannah Police Department on patrol, and his first day or first trip across what was then the Talmadge Bridge, he runs a red light. Had the opportunity to back up an officer that stopped him, and he got out of the car, the officer got out, and I walked up behind him, and he introduced himself and said, I’m the new chief. Well that’s all I needed to know, I got in my car and left. That was the beginning for me of a very meaningful relationship. When he came in, he said, if you’re going to be successful, the first thing you need to do is get an education. I took his advice. I did. And then he said there’s two other things that can’t happen that will get you in trouble. I won’t mention them, but I followed his advice and didn’t. But through the years, Dave Gellatly has been a mentor, a teacher, and a very solid citizen backing police functions. I can’t imagine that I could have had a better person to teach not just me but many other officers in the police department. He’s truly a policeman’s policeman. I don’t know how much longer you’re going be with us, but the one thing that I can certainly tell you even now, he will never, ever be replaced. I don’t think there’s anyone that I know of or could imagine that could have had the impact on me and many other members of the police department that he has. And for that, I’m truly grateful. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you Chief, appreciate that.

[Applause.]

Chairman Liakakis said, and Dave [Gellatly], what I’d like to do, first I’d like to have a motion naming of the Southwest Police -Commissioner Stone said, so moved. Commissioner Thomas said, second Chairman Liakakis said, -- Precinct. Okay, before I finished it, that’s great for -- to be named for our County Commissioner, who’s been on here a number of years also serving the citizens in our County and has done a great job bringing a lot of knowledge to this particular Commission. But, Chief David Gellatly is being named today as the Southwest Police Precinct, and we’ll have a -- we’ll have a label up there and other things denoting that this particular precinct is being named after you so that the citizens show that we really appreciate all the great things that you have done. And what I’d like for you to do, Dave [Gellatly], if you don’t mind, if you go up to the podium and just speak, if you’d like to, about this particular -- this particular naming you for the Southwest Police Precinct. Commissioner Gellatly said, Mr. Chairman, if -- if it’s all right with you, you know, obviously, I’m thrilled and tickled to death about the honor, and my -- my response is thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, you’re welcome. Commissioner Gellatly said, that’s it. Chairman Liakakis said, all right. Let’s -- Helen [Stone]? Commissioner Stone said, I just have one question for the Chief. Every building that we’ve built since we’ve been in office here, the Chief has been very adamant that that plaque go up recognizing this Commission. Now, Chief, will this work for you? Commissioner Gellatly said, I think it will, Commissioner. Commissioner Stone said, okay. Commissioner Gellatly said, I think it will. Commissioner Stone said, and I want to also say that he has been a mentor to me both professionally and personally in the eight years that I’ve been on the Commission, and I cannot think of a better person for this precinct, who fought for his precinct over and over and over for it to be named for him. So congratulations, Chief. Commissioner Kicklighter said, Chairman? Commissioner Gellatly said, thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, okay. Commissioner Kicklighter said, I just want to say that too, that for many, many, many, many years we’ve been fighting to try to get this precinct actually built, and, you know, it -- it -- I can’t think of a better person. I’ve been honored to work with this man. He’s -- during my I guess 16 years of being an elected official, he’s one of the most honest people I’ve ever worked with, and I respect him as much or more than anyone that I’ve had the opportunity to work with. He’s a good man, and this is a really small, small honor compared to what he’s actually given our community. And, although, I probably at one time I can think of at least, hadn’t been -- wasn’t the biggest supporter, I truly admire this man, and I am one of his biggest supporters, and I -- and I thank him for everything he’s done, and I’m going to miss him when he’s gone from here. Chairman Liakakis said, Priscilla [Thomas]? Commissioner Gellatly said, thank you. Commissioner Thomas said, thank you. Chief, just want to say that it certainly has been a pleasure serving on this Commission with you. You certainly have been a role model. A man of few words, but words of substance when you speak, and I want you to know that everything that you have done not only on this Commission but in this community 7

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at large is highly appreciated, and we wish you well as you prepare to move on to greater things, and we will always remember you. So thank you so very much. Commissioner Gellatly said, thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, Commissioner Holmes? Commissioner Holmes said, Chief Gellatly thank you and congratulations for what you has accomplished in here. But I remember when I get a letter and a phone call at the Boys and Girls Club asking me to serve on your task force for riot. And I asked the gentleman who came in and -- and wanted me to be a riot healer, you know, who recommended me for this? He said Chief Gellatly. Now, Chief, I only wore about 130 pounds at that time, and I -- I -- I wonder what could I have done if there was a riot in Savannah me standing up trying to control thousands and hundreds of people being in a riot. But I could contest [sic] to what Chief Lovett said. You didn’t only ask me to serve on it, you asked me to go to Savannah State and took up the course of community policing. And I did that, got my certificate, and I called back and let you all know that I was ready to be anything you wanted me to be. Thank God, Chief, a rioting never took place. Congratulations. Chairman Liakakis said, okay. Let’s go on the board. Commissioner Gellatly said, I don’t think I should vote for me own -Chairman Liakakis said, oh, that’s okay. Motion passes. Thank you very much Dave [Gellatly]. We really appreciate all the things that you have done in this community and changing people’s lives on programs that you had with the Savannah Police Department also. Commissioner Gellatly said, Mr. Chairman, I -- I -- I’d like to thank the Board and the community and the Metropolitan Police Department, and it’s -- it’s really neat to be alive and hear these nice words. Usually you hear them at your funeral. Thank you. ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Stone moved to name the Southwest Precinct after Chief David Gellatly. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Gellatly abstained from voting.] =========

VII. COMMISSIONER'S ITEMS 1.

FERAL CAT COLONIES (COMMISSIONER STONE).

Chairman Liakakis said, all right. Next on the agenda, Commissioner’s Items, on the feral cat colonies. Commissioner Stone. Commissioner Stone said, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know that there are several people here in the audience that want to speak on this issue, but I’m -- I’m going to say a couple of words first. I never stated in the last meeting that I was interested in rounding up and euthanizing all the feral cats in our county. My comments resulted from concerns that our current ordinance -- ordinance does not address cat colonies, and on page 22 and -- through 25 of our ordinance, under stray dogs and cats, it says, no person shall feed or provide substance to any animal dog or cat upon the public property or private property of others except with the express permission of the -- of the owner of said animal or property owner upon which the food or substance is being provided. So does this make these colonies legal or illegal? Do they meet the health and public safety requirements, as well as the humane treatment of these animals? And that was my concern. Nothing more, nothing less. We don’t have anything that addresses this in our current ordinance. We also had a -- an outbreak, some people don’t want to call it an outbreak, but when rabies shows up I don’t know what else you call it, with a cat on the Diamond Causeway. I want to be proactive on this issue and not reactive when someone gets hurt. We have a responsibility. The first responsibility of government is public safety. So that is why I brought it up two weeks ago. I’ve had numerous conversations, numerous emails, both sides of the fence. My goal in this going forward today is to try to work out a solution that we can all live with in this county. And Mr. Chairman, I -- I don’t know who you -- how you want to proceed with this, but I know that there are some representatives in the audience that would like to speak. Chairman Liakakis said, okay, on the feral cat item that we have on the agenda today, I’d like to start over on the right, and what I’d like to do also in the time that we are here today, that if a person speaks for different things about the feral cat situation that if somebody comes before you and makes the same statements, if you would just hold off so that we can hear both sides. I see you’re holding up your hand, and if you’ll come forth. Commissioner Stone said, Mr. Chairman, I don’t know whether you want to hear from -- we have representatives as well from the Georgia Department of Agriculture have made the trip down here today, who have been familiar with this issue, as well as representatives from our own Chatham County Health Department. So I don’t know in which order you want to take this, but I just want to thank every one for showing up today, and hopefully we can come to some solution. But Mr. Chairman, if you -- however you want to do this, but we do have some representatives here from out of town. Chairman Liakakis said, okay, what we’ll do is we’ll set up a three-minute time limit, and since you had -- had your hands up first, if you’ll come forth to the podium right now, and then I’ll engage with the members on the professional end of it. 8

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Ms. Kathryn Williams said, thank you Chairman. Good morning Chairman Liakakis, Chairman Pro Tem Stone and members of the Commission. My name is Kathryn Williams, and I’m here today representing a group of individuals and many of the animal welfare organizations in our community. I’d like to begin my remarks by commending the Commission for recognizing the need to review and update our existing Animal Control Ordinance. I believe that we all agree that an updated ordinance is needed and must address feral cat colonies to meet the needs of our community. The issue of feral cats is not a new one and is not unique to Chatham County. Sadly, due to ill responsible pet owners who fail to spay and neuter their pets and then dump the mothers and kittens to fend for themselves, feral cat colonies now exist everywhere in the United States. The estimated feral population in Chatham County alone it exceeds 50,000 cats. The challenge facing you as elected officials is how to deal with this issue. The three most frequently used approaches to management of feral colonies includes, do nothing; catch and kill; and TNR. Ms. Williams said, the first option, do nothing, is really not an option at all and only compounds the problem with untold litters of kittens being born. The second option, catch and kill is unacceptable to many of your constituents as being cruel and inhumane and has proven to be ineffective and extremely expensive. The estimated cost of trapping, holding, killing and disposal is at least $150 per animal. Implementation of this method would cost the county in excess of $1 million a year with no guarantee of success. The third option, trap, neuter and return, is the most humane and costeffective approach and has proven to reduce populations over time. The TNR efforts in Chatham County are all volunteer and operate without funding from the County. I’m here today in response to Chairman Pro Tem Stone’s invitation to develop a proposed ordinance that will fulfill the County’s public safety and health standards. Given the complexity of this issue, I, on behalf of animal welfare organizations, am requesting that the Commission give us time to work with all interested parties, including the Department of Agriculture and the Health Department to craft a proposed ordinance to present to the Commission within the next nine months. Finally, because spaying and neutering is the ultimate answer to our over population problems, we are fortunate that the Humane Society is eager to establish and operate a community low-cost spay/neuter clinic. I urge you to take a proactive approach to over population that will also help reduce future -- future animal control expenses by assisting in bringing this clinic to a reality for all of Chatham County. I thank you very much for your time and attention, and if you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them. Chairman Liakakis said, Helen [Stone]. Commissioner Stone said, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Kathryn [Williams], I really appreciate your being here today and -- and working with the other representatives. The -- the sterilization of these animals is wonderful. It does not allow them to keep reproducing. Ms. Williams said, mm-hmm. Commissioner Stone said, another concern though that I have is vaccination. Ms. Williams said, mm-hmm. Commissioner Stone said, I mean, once they’re sterilized and put back into these colonies, who is going to keep up with the necessary vaccinations to keep these animals -- to prevent these animals from spreading any diseases, zoonotic diseases or any other diseases to humans? Ms. Williams said, well, that is an issue that has been a topic of conversation with our -- within our group. I would like to go on record as saying the cat that tested positive for rabies was not out of a feral colony. But that being said, rabies is a very important issue. All of us here today live in this community, and we’re very concerned about public health and safety as well. Moving forward we’ve talked, and this is all preliminary because it would be premature to come and ask you to allow us to work with a group of interested parties and then having made all of the decisions before the first meeting. But some of the things that we’ve talked about would include micro chipping the cats so that we could track the vaccinations. The life spans of feral cats are three to five years as opposed to your house cats, which I had to that lived to 18 and 19 years old just recently, but, the, you know, we are looking at that. There’s a lot of research being done on three-year vaccines. There’s -- that’s something that we would have to work with Animal Control and the Health Department with, but we are looking very carefully at tracking the animals, having a data base so that we can present proof that these animals have been vaccinated and re-vaccinated. Commissioner Stone said, well -- well -- certainly I would -- if -- if the chipping is a way, and I think that Commissioner Odell had recommended that, if you could track down who dumped these animals, I would like fines implemented on -on those folks. Ms. Williams said, well -- and see, that would be part of the ordinance as well, and I didn’t go into a lot of detail out of consideration for your time and your lengthy agenda. I know you don’t want to be having dinner delivered here tonight, but it is a very complex issue. We do need to deal with animal abandonment, and if we have cats that are micro chipped, that would help us track that. We need very strong penalties, and I am proud that many of the judges in our community are taking animal abandonment and cruelty very seriously because I’m sure the Chief can tell you that people that have a history of mistreating animals usually are involved with the criminal justice system as well on other levels. So, you know, that is something that we’ll be looking at as well. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you very much. Commissioner Stone said, thank you. I know that -Chairman Liakakis said, go -- go ahead, Helen [Stone]. Commissioner Stone said, no, no, Commissioner Odell had some comments that I wanted to hear. Commissioner Odell said, hi. 9

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Ms. Williams said, hi. Commissioner Odell said, I have a couple of questions, please. Ms. Williams said, sure. Commissioner Odell said, over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been able to do some research which started because of the numerous emails, phone calls, text message and letters that I had received. My understanding of trap, neuter and release is that it takes about 10 years before you see a decrease in population. Ms. Williams said, well, actually, we have a test case here that was done in Chatham County with our -- the Islands Feral Cat Project, and I’m sure Melonie [Kinert] can speak to that in more detail if you would like that information, but they within seven years of the establishment of a colony, they were reduced to one cat, and then there were three other cats, if I’m not mistaken that were abandoned there. They were not ferals, but they were dumped off. Commissioner Odell said, over the course of seven years? Ms. Williams said, yes. Commissioner Odell said, okay. Ms. Williams said, and so it’s not going to be an instant fix-all. Commissioner Odell said, well, see, that -- that’s part of my question. Ms. Williams said, mm-hmm. Commissioner Odell said, because, I mean, would you agree that there are citizens here who are not overly happy that -- to have feral cats or the nuisance that they provide to their homes, property or cars? I -- and I understand that everyone is very passionate about it, but you also have people who are very passionate that they don’t want to have to entertain feral cats. And I’m not really sure how we plan to balance their desires, wishes, and concerns versus your -- your group’s desires, wishes and concerns because it’s unfair to ignore them. And a lot of those people will not come forward because some of your supporters tend to bully people who don’t agree the way they do. Ms. Williams said, well, I will say -- I will say that people are very passionate about their animals. Commissioner Odell said, yes, ma’am. Ms. Williams said, and I do acknowledge that not everyone is supportive of this, and I think that I would be remiss in not saying that TNR is not perfect. There are people that do not support it, but this whole situation is the result of poor human behavior. Commissioner Odell said, yes, ma’am. Ms. Williams said, we are realistic in recognizing that we can’t say this is a no kill situation. There are situations, and we’ve been talking with the folks out in Nevada who have a very successful program, and I would be happy to share their email -- their website information with you. Commissioner Odell said, yes, ma’am, please. Ms. Williams said, where they have successfully reduced the population of the feral colonies. They also -- the ordinance includes the process of removing nuisance cats. It -- if there is a colony that is very problematic that can, you know, that can be addressed, but people need to be aware, relocation is a myth because there’s no kitty Shangri La waiting for these unwanted cats, so rounding them up means killing them. Now, just anecdotal information, I live at Tybee, and probably 20 years ago, I can remember driving down Butler Avenue and just caught out of the corner of my eye what I first thought to be a flock of seagulls in the old Days Inn parking lot. When I looked closely, it was a flock of cats. I mean dozens of them, and I learned that there was so much trouble with people dumping animals down there and the inter-breeding that many of the cats were born with congenital defects and deformities, but the volunteers that have invested tremendous amounts of their time and resources have reduced this population. Our -- we don’t really have significant problems on Tybee with the feral cat colonies. They’re very well managed. And management is going to come into play with this because, you know, you can have a great program where things are managed very professionally, they are very considerate of the community around them, and then you may have people that aren’t so compliant. But a properly crafted ordinance would give us the mechanism to -- to deal with that. Commissioner Odell said, okay. And what about these -- these managed colonies that you want to have? Ms. Williams said, mm-hmm. Commissioner Odell said, and cleaning them and making sure that they’re not filthy? Ms. Williams said, well -Commissioner Odell said, I mean the Health Department has commented on how much feces is around, the stench, the standing water, mosquitos, the food feeding stations. I mean what -- what about that is planned -- would be done?

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Ms. Williams said, well that would be part of the ordinance is establishing standards for the colonies. I know that a colony that I see frequently is located on the little side street separating my church, The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, from the back of a shopping center where the Savannah Bee Company is now on Wilmington Island. That place looks like a little kitty playground. I mean they have very nice facilities. It’s -- when the weather’s rainy, somebody goes out there and puts up tarps. They’ve been adding, you know, bedding for warmth at this time. It’s always cleaned and well-maintained with -- but with anything, you can have people who do a good job and people who do a not so good job even though their hearts might be in the -- in the right place. But it’s my contention that we can through an ordinance manage these colonies and put in rules and regulations so that we don’t have the concerns that you’re raising now. Commissioner Odell said, okay. Thank you, and I would like those -- that information that you have. Ms. Williams said, okay. I’ll be glad to get it to you. Chairman Liakakis said, all right. Ms. Williams said, any other questions? Chairman Liakakis said, Dean [Kicklighter]? Commissioner Kicklighter said, thank you. No ma’am. I don’t have any questions. Ms. Williams said, okay. Commissioner Kicklighter said, thank you. Ms. Williams said, all right. Thank you so much for your time. I know this is a very complex issue. I think you guys did a great job in the way you allowed the bee and chicken coalition to work together to come up with an ordinance that, you know, put all of the concerns to rest, and we haven’t really heard anything else, haven’t had any headlines about chickens or bees or anything else since that time, and we would appreciate the same opportunity. Commissioner Kicklighter said, thank you. Mr. Chairman? Ms. Williams said, thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, yes? Commissioner Kicklighter said, out of respect for all of the people in the audience that would like to speak and in a -in an attempt to save a little time and move forward with a orderly, respectful atmosphere, I’d like just suggest to this body that we allow each person that wants to speak to have their three minutes, and if we have a question or comment, maybe we could write their name down, and after everyone has the opportunity to speak, we can then ask questions and move forward where we’re not redundant with this. I would just like to ask if we could do that. Chairman Liakakis said, okay. Next I would like the representative for the Georgia Department of Agriculture to come forth. Dr. Robert M. Cobb, Jr. said, good morning, Mr. Chairman. Chairman Liakakis said, good morning. Dr. Cobb said, Commissioners. Members of the Board collectively said, good morning. Dr. Cobb said, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to come today to speak with you. Commissioner Stone said, thank you. Dr. Cobb said, I have with me Mark Murrah. Mark is the manager of our Animal Protection Section at the Georgia Department of Agriculture, which is our companion animal section. I’m the State veterinarian and Director of Animal Industry for the Department of Agriculture. We came today to just kind of explain where the Georgia Department of Agriculture stands as far as feral cats are concerned. We have no regulations concerning feral cats per se. What we do have, and I’ll allow Mark [Murrah] to speak about this -- are licensable activities that different entities have that are licensed with us. As a veterinarian and as the State veterinarian, my concern is animal safety, animal health, and also our one health, which is animal/human health within the State of Georgia. Animals that are roaming at -- roaming in -unattended are prone to come into contact with multiple other animals. Some of the diseases that are associated with cats are things like rabies, toxoplasmosis, these are zoonotic diseases, which a zoonotic disease is a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, okay? Toxoplasmosis; hook works; which are extremely common even in our domestic pets; also round worms. You have external parasites such as your fleas and things like that, fleas and ticks, but it’s your zoonotic diseases that are the biggest concerns. Our rabies in our state is pretty much localized within our wildlife, and if we have animals that are coming in constant contact with our wildlife, they are prone to be exposed to these -- these diseases such as rabies. Vaccinations for rabies are -- are good, and that is the way that we are going to control rabies. It is not something that’s a one-time thing. Any vaccinations for any kind of disease is not a one time thing. You have to boost these vaccines on a regular basis to have control, and that prevents the animal from contracting the problem, but also by doing that, you prevent the spread of the disease. That is my main concern is that we do not expose our public or our other domestic animals to these zoonotic diseases. I’d like Mark Murrah to have a chance to speak concerning -11

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Mr. Mark Murrah said, thank y’all for having me. Let me get these things right. I’ve been down here I guess it was several months ago and met with some of you all and had some dialogue on this conversation. I’m -- I’m just here and kind of -- there’s been some misinformation out there as to exactly what the Department regulates and -- and what we don’t. And since our meeting, there’s been some misinformation out there that -- that some seem to believe that we -the Georgia Department of Agriculture came down here and, you know, put a stop to the TNR of feral cats. That’s not exactly the case. I -- I want to speak to exactly what we do regulate. The Department of Agriculture’s animal protection section and what we consider licensable activity, I know you’ve heard that term, but we enforce a -- a set of laws called the Georgia Animal Protection Act. In that Act we enforce and regulate pet dealers, bird dealers, animal shelters, which consist of municipal shelters and animal rescue organizations, and also kennels, which consist of the animal service industry, such as boarding and grooming. Some of the -- what you consider rescue organizations are licensed through us as licensed rescue groups. They’re either 501(c)(3) entities or they’re licensed through the Secretary of State as a non-profit organization. These organizations are required to adhere to the Animal Protection Act. In that act there are many requirements, one of them to especially be record keeping requirements, which requires that we know the exact information of where these animals come from and where they’ve gone -- and where they go to in the end. It is imperative such as what Dr. Cobb was speaking to that we be able to track these animals and the entities that we regulate. Mr. Murrah said, TNR on a personal level in personal animals, the Department of Agriculture does not regulate. So I just wanted to clarify that while I was here today so that misinformation will no longer be. And we wanted to be here also if any of you have any questions on respect as far as what the laws and regulations are as far as the State’s concerned, we’ll be here to take those. Commissioner Gellatly said, Pete [Liakakis]? Chairman Liakakis said, Dave [Gellatly]? Commissioner Gellatly said, either one of you. Maybe you don’t regulate it, but I can remember years ago, maybe it was someone from the Department of Wildlife or something like that, but they said -- and most states have laws like this, you can’t just turn animals loose into the wild because they -- for medical reasons that they can cause some serious problems out there. For instance, you can’t -- in most states, you can’t turn your pet python loose, you can’t turn a pet goat loose, even, for --for a variety of reasons. You don’t regulate that, but would that be something that the wildlife people would -- are you saying that there’s no regulation in the State of Georgia? In other words, you pretty well answered what you do or don’t do, does -- do you speak for every organization? Mr. Murrah said, yes, sir. Yes, sir. I can answer that. Georgia’s no exception. We also have a law on the books that says it is unlawful to abandon an animal on any right of way or any such -- just as what you’re speaking about. However, the Department of Agriculture being a regulatory entity, does not go out and write citations or violations on the State code. We just enforce a -- the group of rules and regulations. This animal abandonment law that is on the Georgia -- in Georgia code is -- is just that, it is a law and is -- and it is enforceable by any law enforcement. And abandonment of an animal, of course, is up for interpretation like any law is. It’s not for us as a regulatory agency to interpret that. Dr. Cobb said, animals -Chairman Liakakis said, Tabitha [Odell]. Commissioner Odell said, go ahead. Dr. Cobb said, I’m sorry. May I add that any animals running at large is the Sheriff’s -- the Sheriff’s Department is responsible for those animals. Commissioner Odell said, okay. I have a question, please. Cats were originally bred to be domesticated animals. Pets. So they’re not normally found in nature, right? I mean they’re not -- they weren’t bred for that. If you went to some place if you found a cat, it would be somebody’s cat that they turned loose? Dr. Cobb said, a house cat. Commissioner Odell said, right. Dr. Cobb said, a house cat -- they all originated from the wild. Commissioner Odell said, right, but basically domesticated house cat breeds -Dr. Cobb said, okay. Commissioner Odell said, were bred for pets. Dr. Cobb said, correct. Commissioner Odell said, so what impact do they have on the wildlife and the -- nature in general. It’s my understanding that they -- that feral cats eat about 480 million birds a year. Does that have an impact on the natural order of things in some way? Dr. Cobb said, I don’t know the exact number, but cats are carnivores. They are hunters. That’s what they do. Commissioner Odell said, mm-hmm.

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Dr. Cobb said, that’s how -- they’ve always been that way. Commissioner Odell said, right. Dr. Cobb said, so they -- they’ve got to eat, and if they are out in the wild, in other words, they’re not confined, in a confined environment, if they’re free to go and come, they’re going to go to the easiest food source, and if -- if they don’t have a food source, they’re going to hunt. Commissioner Odell said, uh-huh. Dr. Cobb said, and that’s what they’re going to do. They will have an impact on your -- your wild. The Department of Natural Resources, DNR, would be the one to speak specifically for the wild animals. Commissioner Odell said, okay. Now don’t cats maintain their predatory instincts whether they’re well-fed or not, and they will hunt just for the hunt and maybe not eat their prey? They maintain their predatory instincts, correct? Dr. Cobb said, yes. Cats are -- are hunters. Commissioner Odell said, okay. Dr. Cobb said, now if a cat is in an environment such that they don’t have to hunt, you know, they -- they -- they’re not going to go ahead and do that in lieu of, you know, their easy meal, but they -- they -- they have a tendency to want to -- their genetics placed them in such a way that they will go out and hunt. Commissioner Odell said, and hunt. Dr. Cobb said, right. If that answers your question. Commissioner Odell said, yes, sir. Dr. Cobb said, okay. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you. Dr. Cobb said, you’re welcome. Chairman Liakakis said, appreciate it. All right. Are there any other -Commissioner Farrell said, Hollis [Brown] has a question. Chairman Liakakis said, huh? Commissioner Farrell said, Hollis [Brown] has a question. Chairman Liakakis said, oh, Hollis [Brown] go ahead. Youth Commissioner Hollis Brown said, I was just wondering if you could briefly define what a feral cat is. Commissioner Odell said, it’s -- it’s someone’s pet that they set free that is out roaming. No? What -- what is it? Chairman Liakakis said, Jon [Hart], since you’re our esteemed attorney -County Attorney R. Jonathan Hart said, I don’t claim to be the cat feral -Chairman Liakakis said, she would like to know what is a feral cat? County Attorney Hart said, typically it’s an animal that’s been let go. It has gone wild after it’s been out in the wild, or it’s part of a colony that is actually born in the wild, you know, if it has a litter that has no -- nobody’s responsible for the cat. The cat’s basically responsible unto themselves except for people who want the cat colony there, and, you know, provide assistance for survival of the cat colony. Commissioner Shay said, it’s -- it’s an animal that’s usually thought of as being domesticated. There are feral hogs; there are feral horses in some places on the coast of Georgia, usually thought of as being domesticated but has become wild. It’s a wild animal. It’s not somebody’s pet. It’s not somebody’s -Commissioner Farrell said, livestock. Commissioner Shay said, -- you know, livestock. It’s a wild animal now, but the breed is usually a breed that we all tend to think of as being a domesticated animal. Chairman Liakakis said, well, next we’ve had the State make their presentation. Are there any other -- and I’ll be answering people in the audience. Are there anybody else -- professional representatives here? Raise your hand. Commissioner Farrell said, the Health Department. Commissioner Stone said, the Health Department.

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Commissioner Odell said, the Health Department. Chairman Liakakis said, the Health Department. Anybody here from the Health Department? Come forth. Mr. Randy McCall said, good morning. Members of the Board collectively said, good morning. Mr. McCall said, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners. My name is Randy McCall. I’m the administrator for the Chatham County Health Department, and with me today is Todd Jones, he’s our Environmental Health Director, who’s department has direct responsibility for, among other things, rabies control. And as Commissioner Stone pointed out earlier, our main focus is public health and safety. Todd [Jones]. Mr. Todd Jones said, good morning Chairman and members of the Commission. I appreciate the opportunity to speak in front of you today. One of the -- one of the aspects in which I’m going to focus in on today is the public health risk associated with rabies. The public health department is obligated by statute to minimize the risk of rabies in Chatham County. This is -- this falls under O.C.G.A. Title 31-19, if anyone needs a reference on that. Under that ordinance, or excuse me, under that law, the Board of Health has delegated some authority locally to the Chatham County Animal Control, as well as Chatham County Building Safety and Regulatory Services. Chatham County Animal Control is the entity that would enforce the local Animal Control Ordinance, whereas the Building Safety and Regulatory Services are our record-keeping arm of that. Rabies is a viral disease that is spread among mammals. We’re all kind of aware of that. It’s spread through the -- the saliva or neurological and spinal fluid of animals through exposures. Rabies in itself is indemic in Georgia, especially in this -- in this area amongst racoons. Racoons are the primary reservoir of rabies in -- in this area. Most small mammals cannot survive an attack from a -- from a rabid racoon, however, the cats can because of their size. Two confirmed positive cases of rabies from -- that were submitted from the Chatham County Health Department to the Georgia Public Health Lab took place in 2010, and then one again in 2012. Seventy cats tested positive for rabies in Georgia from 2002 to 2006, and the Georgia Department of Public Health has identified cats as the single largest reservoir of rabies and human exposures that need post-exposure prophylaxis or treatment. Mr. Jones said, in 2007, the Georgia Department of Public Health and Georgia Poison Control reported that cats are the most common domestic animal involved in human rabies exposure with over 89% of the cats associated with these exposures being unvaccinated. Thus the recommendation from the local health departments for post-exposure prophylaxis. Colonies and wildlife interaction with racoons serve as our primary reservoir, and these particular isolated cases cannot be prevented because of just the sheer numbers. These feral cats pose a significant health for rabies in humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife. With that being said, I’d like to mention that we do in public health have to look through this from the lens of public health. There are many, many other agencies that -- that can offer assistance with that, and we’ll be more than happy to assist the Commission in any decision that needs to be made at this point. Chairman Liakakis said, Tabitha [Odell]. Commissioner Odell said, I have a question, please. Mr. Jones said, yes, ma’am. Commissioner Odell said, ‘cause I don’t want to give the impression that the only thing we’re -- that the only reason we’re even talking about this is because of rabies. Your department went out and looked at two sites and -- and found several things in addition to the concern of rabies. Mr. Jones said, yes, ma’am. Commissioner Odell said, you had -- you had numerous complaints from customers at the local CVS, so you went out and did a site visit -- well not you personally, but a site visit was done at Sandfly and on Cottonvale Road. You were -you found that there was feces, fresh and old. It was difficult to walk the area without contaminating one’s shoes. The standing water, which could lead to breeding for mosquitos, and the food stations, which were feeding not only the cats but racoons, squirrels and whatever else managed to get to it, correct? Mr. Jones said, yes, ma’am. That’s correct. Commissioner Odell said, right. Now there are other issues besides rabies, such as ringworm, hook worms, and the like. Mr. Jones said, yes, ma’am. Commissioner Odell said, and those are pretty prevalent in catching. You might catch that sooner than you’d catch rabies. Mr. Jones said, that would be correct. Commissioner Odell said, okay. Mr. Jones, and it’s mainly deal to the -- due to the human interaction with the animals specifically. And -- and the reason I eluded to rabies previously is because that’s the one we’re statutory -- where we have a statutory obligation for. But, yes, we did visit two sites, and I visited a third this past week, which asked that I remain -- that they remain anonymous because of -- they were -- they were afraid of some bad publicity. With that being said, yes, it was noted that there were large quantities of feces associated with the particular site, especially at the Cottonvale Road location. And the Sandfly location, the standing food, it created an area for flies and maggots also to breed.

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Commissioner Odell said, okay. Now, the -- if you have your shoes contaminated with this feces, and you leave and you walk other places, what is the impact or is there a problem with this feces being transferred around town -Mr. Jones said, well with -Commissioner Odell said, -- when someone goes somewhere else? Mr. Jones said, I apologize. With toxoplasma -Commissioner Odell said, uh-huh. Mr. Jones said, gondii especially, the o assists or the vegetated cells that can -- that can lead to reproduction can -can survive for up to two to four years within soil -Commissioner Odell said, uh-huh. Mr. Jones said, and one would have to -- and I don’t like making assumptions, but one would assume that that could be then transferred into a home for care givers and/or general public. Commissioner Odell said, okay, now can -- is there any possibility of these areas that are not being cleaned and that these contaminates can contaminate the soil, the water table, it could be passed to say birds through eating worms, or whatever? Mr. Jones said, through the research that we’ve done -Commissioner Odell said, uh-huh. Mr. Jones said, -- that does seem to be the case, and again, I don’t have all the answers to that, but I’ll be more than happy to get back with you on that. Commissioner Odell said, I’d appreciate it. Mr. Jones said, as well as we do have several zoonotic disease specialists within the community that assisted the Health Department and the Commission with the development of other code ordinances, such as the bees and chicken ordinances, and that might be an appropriate question to ask. Commissioner Odell said, okay, and one of your -- one of the recommendations was that an integrated pest management program be put in place, correct? Mr. Jones said, yes, ma’am. IPM program is a -- is a 10,000-foot approach, which incorporates some of the TNR practices. It incorporates some of the euthanasia practices and it also in -- it incorporates some exclusion practices from areas that are prone -- that are sensitive to the wildlife -- or sensitive to the cat populations, the Esteron® areas, etcetera. Commissioner Odell said, thank you. Mr. Jones said, yes, ma’am. Chairman Liakakis said, okay. James [Holmes]? Commissioner Holmes said, yeah. Todd [Jones], the gentleman’s -- what your name is Mark -Mr. Murrah said, yes, sir. Commissioner Holmes said, it’s Mark [Murrah]. Did you -- you -- you mentioned that when cats go out and roaming and they come in contact with other animals they pick up diseases and then you said that can be transmitted into a human being. Am I correct? Mr. Murrah said, Dr. Cobb can answer that. He’s the state veterinarian. Dr. Cobb said, that’s what a zoonotic disease is. It can be transmitted from animal to people. Commissioner Holmes said, to people. Now, if -Chairman Liakakis said, James [Holmes], hold it. Commissioner Holmes said, -- in touching -Chairman Liakakis said, come up to the microphone because this is being filmed and speak up here so that the audience can here it. Commissioner Holmes said, sorry to call you back up here. Dr. Cobb said, that’s what a zoonotic disease is is that it can be transmitted from animals to people. Commissioner Holmes said, now -- now, do the animal have to attack a person or just touching the animal?

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Dr. Cobb said, it depends on which disease you’re speaking of. If you’re speaking of rabies, then yes, the animal -you have to transmit the virus -Commissioner Holmes said, exactly. Dr. Cobb said, -- to the -- to the other person. That’s typically done through saliva through a bite wound or through if a person -- individual has scratches on their hands and saliva gets into the scratches. That kind of a thing. Commissioner Holmes said, mm-hmm. Okay, so what disease -Dr. Cobb said, but with the other diseases, such as hook worms and ringworms -- ringworm is a fungus. Commissioner Holmes said, okay. Dr. Cobb said, okay? Hook worms are -- those are parasites, and these parasites pass eggs and you have larvae, okay, and if these -- these eggs are ingested or -- the larvae of hook worms can actually go into your skin, they don’t have to be ingested, okay? Those kinds of -- so different diseases can be passed on by different mechanisms. Commissioner Odell said, how about ringworms? Commissioner Holmes said, so if a little child begin to play with a -- one of these cats, can that transmit that disease like that? Dr. Cobb said, yes, sir. Yes, sir. Commissioner Holmes said, okay. All right. Dr. Cobb said, the -- yes, sir, is the answer. Commissioner Holmes said, all right. Dr. Cobb said, the simple answer. Commissioner Holmes said, okay. Commissioner Odell said, how about ringworm? How is that passed? Dr. Cobb said, ringworm is a fungus, okay? It’s transmitted pretty much by contact. For example, if -- if the animal has ringworm, okay, fungus, and somebody handles the animal, touching the animal, that kind of a thing, that’s how it’s transmitted. Okay? It’s transmitted between animals as well that way. Chairman Liakakis said, okay, thank y’all very much. Appreciate it. Now, raise your hand, and I’ll have you come up to the podium. The person -- come up. Come forth now. And when you come up to the microphone, let’s keep everything -- pardon? Commissioner Stone said, did you want to speak? Chairman Liakakis said, go ahead and I’ll come back over there. And when you come up to the microphone, please give your name so that we can put it in the records, and also please hold your comments for three minutes if you would. Mr. Ed Cawley said, I’ll do my best. I’ll talk as fast as I can. Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. My name is Ed Cawley. I’d like to speak on behalf of some of our county residents that cannot speak for themselves. For the record I’m not affiliated with any trap, neuter and return program. My greatest concern is if you do collect and wholesale exterminate thousands of cats, how can you tell the ones that are feral cats and the ones who are simply pets who live outside? We’re going to collect cats that have already been spayed, neutered and returned? Are you going to -- are you going to reimburse the spay, neuter and return non-profits for the money they have spent over the years trying to care for these abandoned animals? Who’s going to pay to collect and kill these cats? I don’t want my tax dollars to pay to be used to butcher these animals. Also, if the county declares war on the feral cats, you’ll be looking -- you’ll be giving basically carte blanche to all the crazies in the county who just don’t like cats. They’ll use this as an excuse to kill the cats in the neighborhood perhaps. Feral cat colonies are a direct result of the county’s historical failure to adequately address the growing pet populations in a humane manner, and to sufficiently fund facilities and staff at the Animal Control Center, which by the way I believe should be maintained as a no-kill facility. Mr. Cawley said, the feral cat colonies exist because of the social nature of cats, which prompt them to group together when they are abandoned by their humans. The successful trap, neuter and return programs are a solution -- I hear many solutions for this abandonment issue, and should be supported by citizens and governments at all levels. If what they’re doing is contrary to existing ordinances, then change the ordinances, which has been addressed. By eliminating unwanted breeding and vaccinating these animals, the trap, neuter and return programs are doing the best possible job in controlling the populations, preventing disease and helping these innocent animals live out their lives as comfortably as possible, despite the fact they were thrown away by their owners. Most of them were. These non-profit organizations are providing a valuable service to the community at no cost to the tax payers and if careless pet owners would stop dumping unwanted pets into these colonies, the colonies would soon disappear because the cats would naturally die off in just a few years. The underlying problem is not the feral cat colonies. In fact, the control, care and monitoring these colonies is the best solution we have today for the abandonment issue. The real problem is negligent pet owners who think that pets are disposable and discard these animals like so much trash. You need to solve this problem at it’s source, provide for a no-cost or low-cost neuter and vaccination programs sponsored by the county to 16

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encourage all county residents to have their pets spayed or neutered before they breed. Provide for sufficiently punitive fines for people who negligent or abuse or abandon their animals and define unrestricted breeding as negligence and abuse because that’s what it is. Providing a low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter program would also reduce the number of kittens who are currently being placed in plastic bags and dropped in the middle of the streets for traffic to run over them, which I have seen the result of. And will also reduce the number of puppies that are being thrown in the river in bags so they can drown. Mr. Cawley said, now crying ringworm and rabies from feral cats is I think a chicken little call to alarm. First off ringworm is a skin fungus and according to medicine.com is almost impossible to identify the source of a particular person’s skins fungus. In fact cats are just as likely to get it from humans as humans are to get it from cats. Now according to the CDC website, all due respect to our experts here, according to the CDC website, from 1995 to 2011, only one person in Georgia was diagnosed with rabies, and they got that from a bat not a cat. The true measure of a government, I believe, is found in how it cares for animals in it’s trust. Pets are not disposal even if they belong to someone else or in this case, to no one in particular. Chairman Liakakis said, if you could condense it now. Mr. Cawley said, I’ve got one more line. These guiltless animals have been discarded once. Haven’t they been persecuted enough? Allow the trap, neuter and return program to continue to help care givers care for these colonies of cast offs. Help them to help these abandoned animals, and help to reduce the number of animals that need their help with that low or no cost spay and neuter program not by wholesale slaughter. Thank you. [Applause.] Chairman Liakakis said, thank you very much. There was somebody over here that raised their hand a little earlier to speak. Commissioner Stone said, Pamela? Chairman Liakakis said, who was that Helen [Stone]? Commissioner Stone said, Ms. Oglesby. Ms. Pamela Howard-Oglesby said, good morning. Commissioner Odell said, good morning. Ms. Howard- Oglesby said, to Honorable Pete Liakakis and all of the Commissioners. I am Pamela Howard-Oglesby. I live in west Savannah. We don’t have that I know of a feral cat colony that concerns me, but I did have a very bad experience with some feral cats. Now to Commissioner Odell I will tell you, I don’t know if you know me that well, but maybe bullying might have been a little strong word, but I’m telling you, I’m bully-proof. I will speak. So, I’m going to stand here and speak as John and Jane Q Public, the people who do not want feral cats out in the wild. With the chickens and bees, I sat on that work -- task force because you’re correct, many times people will not speak up because they are afraid to speak up because you have more people on one side supporting an issue and you’re in the minority so you don’t pick -- speak up or you say, well, I don’t want to get involved. So with the chicken and bees, I sat on that task force. We came to a happy medium. I suppose we can come to a happy median here but whenever they set up the committee or whatever, whomever’s going to work, I surely hope that some people will be represented that are against having these colonies loose like this. Ms. Howard-Oglesby said, now, I gave Commissioner Stone a letter that I wrote to the Oglethorpe Mall Properties’ manager because there are feral cat colonies at Oglethorpe Mall. I don’t particularly believe in just killing cats. It’s not that I hate cats. I just don’t enjoy cats. I’m not an animal person. Period. I am visually impaired. Animals carry smaller things many times on them that I can’t see. So anything you can’t see, you will fear. I promise you that. So, therefore, I’m just not an animal kind of warm and fuzzy person. So with that I would say I do have a relationship with cats. I have two grandcats. My daughter owns two cats, and she takes better care of them then most people take of their children. But when you have animals out in the wild -- my question to all the people who support the cat colonies would be this, have you thought about all of the things that could happen to a person? My experience was trying to get into the exterior door of Piccadilly Restaurant at Oglethorpe Mall. My sister was here visiting from New York. We went out to the mall, we got out in the parking garage, we attempted to go into the exterior door when all these cats came out. I can’t see well. The cats were coming so fast I couldn’t even see them. My sister took her purse and started to fend them off and started yelling run, Pam, run. So I had to dash into the door. These cats came out, I assume because they thought we were coming to feed them maybe. ‘Cause from what I understand, people have been going out feeding these cats so when you approach that sidewalk, the cats come out. An elderly lady and man were behind us. The lady was on a cane. If her husband hadn’t really steadied her, I believe with all my heart she would have fallen ‘cause I almost fell. Somebody’s going to get hurt. What my question would be is when you have private property like that, as a governing body, do you not have a responsibility to the citizens such as myself to make it safe whether I can go in or out of any door at a public mall that I choose as a paying customer? Ms. Howard-Oglesby said, now I wrote the letter that’s being -- that I gave to Commissioner Stone, and I’d like for it to just pass around. I don’t need it back. It’s a copy. I’m sorry I didn’t have a copy -- you know, the ability to make a copy for all of you. But my situation is this, there are people such as me who are impaired. I’m visually impaired. I don’t deal with cats and animals, and I’ll tell everybody I’m afraid of everything except a dead man ‘cause I know he can’t do me any harm. Chairman Liakakis said, Pam, the time -- will you wrap it up, please? Ms. Howard-Oglesby said, okay. I’m fixing to wrap up because what I want to say is, we’re not thinking about the other things. I’m sitting over here. I’m telling you I can tell that some of the people over in this area own animals because it’s bothering my nose. I have allergies. People have allergies to cats. There are people with asthma that can’t stand 17

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and tolerate being around cats. To walk into that exterior door of that mall, you smell the stench. You smell the animals, and what’s supposed to happen for people who have impairments, illnesses, that cannot deal with being around these cats loose like that, particularly in public areas, recreational areas, malls and that kind of thing. That’s what my question is. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you. Commissioner Odell said, thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, okay. Let’s see. Okay. Come forth, please. Ms. Paula Wagner said, it’s been a while since I’ve -- my name is Paula Wagner and it’s been a while since I’ve been up here. I was active in the committee that developed the Animal Control legislation that was passed a number of years ago. I am here to offer some help as a solution rather than just discussing the problem. It’s regard to the abandonment issue under the regulations that we passed. There is a fine for abandoning your dog, it’s under animal neglect. We just need to convince the courts to fine them. Second of all we do need feral cats. Recently I visited a city of about this size that had ordinances against any cat being out. The rat situation was horrible. You went to visit someone, and they told you, first thing, welcome to my house, the rat traps are here, here, and here, watch your step. If you took your garbage out, you took it out with a baseball bat in one hand. Trust me, it is a nightmare you do not wish. Third of all, I’d like to offer my services once again to serve on a committee to help develop the legislation for the feral cats. Being the legislative representative of the Savannah Kennel Club and the Savannah Dog Training Club, I do have -- wish to offer my -- our services by including in our programs we give to the schools on proper conduct around strange dogs that work. They really work. They are offered free of charge to the school system, and we can include a component on how to behave around cats as well. We can work with the Cat Fanciers Association and the American Veterinary Association and include the educating the public on how to avoid being hurt is always good. Chairman Liakakis said, all right. Give her your name and phone number, please, and then we’ll go from there, and then they’ll set something up. Appreciate you volunteering to do that. Ms. Wagner said, well we would be delighted to be included, and I would be glad to serve once again -Chairman Liakakis said, thank you. Ms. Wagner said, -- on the committee. Chairman Liakakis said, if you’ll just give her your phone number -- your name and phone number. Ms. Wagner said, thank you. If you want I’ve got -- if you want I’ve got information on the black death that was caused by all the dead, you know, the cats and the rats. Chairman Liakakis said, all right. You can hand that to her. Ms. Wagner said, thank you very much. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you. Commissioner Odell said, thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, okay next. Come forth, please. Ms. Cathy Schaap (phonetic) said, I’m already out of time. Good morning County Commissioners. My name is Kathy Schaap. I’m a retired wildlife officer for the Department of Defense. You’re correct in what you’re assuming as far as the spread of diseases among all animals, not isolated just to feral cats. What we have found with a major employer here in Chatham County is we have a feral cat problem. The initial solution was trap and kill. By doing that, we put our own people at risk. Oftentimes when you do trap and kill, whether it’s a board, a base board, an employee station or on public land, you always have the people who want to let those cats out. They put themselves at much greater risk. To solve this problem, we instituted something that worked for everyone, a board bases at college campuses, in municipal areas that were away from the general public on county land, which was a trap, neuter and release program. This program has worked tremendously well. The key to this and to anything else with your citizens in your area is putting it in the area that they are wanted. They’re already established in some areas. If that’s the case, have your ordinance say what can be done and what cannot be done. Have it set up so that if they’re going to take care of these colonies, do it in safe, clean manner that does not put your people at risk. It’s going to happen. You’re going to have feral cats. You cannot trap them all. It’s never going to end. It’s up to you to decide the best way to handle it. Thank you. Commissioner Kicklighter said, Mr. Chairman? Chairman Liakakis said, yes? Commissioner Kicklighter said, I -- I think that was absolutely brilliant. That sounded actually logical. That -- that was good. I know the county has land we’re going to take a tour, wetlands, and that’s an excellent idea. Catch them, do what we need to do with the vaccinations, and release them in an area away from the population, and that -- that -- I like that. Thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, next. Anyone else? Come forth, please ma’am.

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Ms. Florence Cawley said, good morning. My name is Florence Cawley, and I support the trap, spay/neuter and vaccination, particularly the long-term vaccination program. I’m personally not a member of any group but I do help and support neighborhoods, and I am here to talk about neighborhood cats, as well as feral. For many of us who care for outdoor cats, we feel that these cats are our friends and we maintain them as friends. Oftentimes we get presents of half eaten rats and mice, so they are helping in that way in the middle of the town. I fear the round up or at least acknowledgment of rounding up cats and the slaughter of them, domestic and feral will result in my cats, who are my friends, being caught in the situation. If the county allows a round up or at least insinuates we’re going to have a round up, what will prevent cat haters in general from cruelly butchering, perhaps poisoning or maming them in the name of the county made me do it, or the county gave me permission to do it. And there will be people who will see this as open season on cats, whether they are domestic, stray or feral, and I’m just worried about general health and safety of our neighborhood cats as well, and who will protect and identify these as neighborhood cats who are well-fed and maintained and vaccinated and spayed and neutered from the feral populations. Thank you for your time. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you. All right. We’ll have one more if you -- anybody in the audience would like to speak, raise your hand. Please come forth. Ms. Melanie Kinert said, I need more than three minutes. Hello. Commissioner Odell said, hello. Ms. Kinert said, I’m Melonie Kinert, president of Island Feral Cat Project. Let me say that the colony that Ms. Williams spoke about started with 32 cats. There’s one of the original. Most of those died off about six years ago. There are three additional cats there now who were put out at that area because they saw me -- someone saw me feeding them. There are so many feral cats in Chatham County, and there are an awful lot of colonies in Chatham County, and we, as the trap, neuter, return people, do not know of all those cats. I can say that I feel very sorry for Animal Control having to even think or dream about doing this project because they cannot with the staff that they have. We help people generally on a daily basis who is feeding the cats in their -- on their property or at their business. And they -we loan our traps to them. They trap the cats, bring them to us. We send them to Ridgeland for low-cost spay/neuter, and then they bring them back and the people come and pick them back up. Over the last few years I’ve done 2,050 cats, which is very good, and I feel like that I’ve saved the county an awful lot of money, and so as the Milton Project. Ms. Kinert said, as far as the diseases from cats. The rabies problem I can’t -- I’m sorry, I just can’t see that it’s a problem because one cat out of 45,000 to 50,000 cats in Chatham County had a problem with rabies. It was probably bitten by a racoon. It would be wonderful if the Commission could buy the racoon rabies bait for the general public. I would love to have some and would gladly pay it because I have racoons that come up on my back porch, and I’ve talked to so many people and our Islands, even our city, has a racoon problem. As far as the cats, we will work with Animal Control in doing everything that we can. We’ve always wanted to do that. And as far as the rabies vaccinations, we want to give them the initial rabies vaccination and then the supplement vaccination three to six months later for the three- to four- year rabies vaccine. Managed colonies and managed cats works. As far as handling the cats and getting ringworm, you would have to actually handle the cat to get ringworm or hook worms. Feral cats are cats generally you can’t handle. I can some of the cats that I have, but they’ve known me for years and I feed these cats daily, take care of the problems. Places like Oglethorpe Mall and other public areas, you’ve got the general public feeding these cats. We don’t have any control over that. Now had someone come to us and say what can you do about the problem, we’ll do our best. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you very much. Appreciate that. Ms. Kinert said, thank you. [Applause.] Chairman Liakakis said, now, Mr. County Attorney, you heard all of the comments and have made notations on that, and we’ll go from there. Okay? Commissioner Stone said, Mr. Chairman, is there any directive to get these groups together to see what we can do to address this in the ordinance? I mean we need to set up something. Chairman Liakakis said, if you will put that down, Mr. Manager. County Manager Russ Abolt said, sure. Chairman Liakakis said, okay. =========

VIII. TABLED/RECONSIDERED ITEMS U nless action is contem plated at today's m eeting, staff report and file m aterial has not been duplicated in your agenda packet. The files are available from the C lerk. Those on which staff is requesting action are indicated by asterisk (*).

*

1.

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF A WATER BILLING REFUND OF $6,400 AS REQUESTED BY MS. PAIGE MORRISON OF 117 SUMMIT RIDGE DRIVE. STAFF RECOMMENDS DENIAL OF THE ADJUSTMENT. ITEM WAS TABLED AT BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 19, 2012, AT THE REQUEST OF THE PETITIONER.

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Chairman Liakakis said, all right, next. There’s a tabled item. Since there’s no information on that at this point, and it was tabled two meetings ago, we’re leaving it on the table. County Manager Abolt said, Mr. -- Mr. Chairman, just for the sake of procedure, I want to make sure, and I know the Board is very supportive of this that the customer that’s appealing the water bill has an outstanding bill that the staff cannot resolve because the water’s going to the meter, and until the customer chooses to come forward that bill is still outstanding. My understanding is she has made a partial payment that would in effect delay shutting off the water, but unless there’s some disposition with her participation and testimony before you, when that interim payment is not enough, the water will be shut off. Chairman Liakakis said, okay. All right then, and you’ll have your staff advise her of that? County Manager Abolt said, she already -- she’s aware of that. Commissioner Stone and I met with her. She’s well aware of it. ========

IX. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL ACTION (Unless the Board directs otherwise, adoption of an Action Item will mean approval of the respective County staff report and its recommended action.)

1.

TO REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TRANSFERS: (1) in the GENERAL FUND M&O: (a) transfer $3,200 from other purchased services to salaries and wages in the Building Safety and Regulatory Services - Animal Tag Division budget and (b) transfer $3,373 from operating line items to salaries and benefits in the Clerk of Superior Court budget, (2) in the SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT FUND transfer $3,200 from other purchased services to salaries and wages in the Building Safety and Regulatory Services Licensing and Regulatory Services Division budget, (3) in the CONFISCATED REVENUE FUND appropriate $10,885 confiscated revenue for the Counter Narcotics Team and (4) in the MULTIPLE GRANT FUND: (a) increase revenues and expenditures $172,647 for a grant awarded to the Savannah-Chatham County Drug Court, (b) increase revenues and expenditures $27,643 for a grant awarded to the Chatham County DUI Court, and (c) increase revenues and expenditures $20,301 for a grant awarded to the Chatham County Family Dependency Treatment Court.

Chairman Liakakis said, next on the agenda, Items for Individual Action, one, to request approval of the following budget amendments and transfers: to the General Fund M&O: (a) transfer $3,200 from other purchased services to salaries and wages in the Building Safety and Regulatory Services - Animal Tag Division budget and (b) transfer $3,373 from operating line items to salaries and benefits of the Clerk of Superior Court budget, (2) in the Special Service District Fund transfer $3,200 from other purchased services to the Regulatory Services Division budget, (3) in the Confiscated Revenue Fund appropriate $10,885 confiscated revenue for the Counter Narcotics Team and (4) in the Multiple Grant Fund: (a) increase revenues and expenditures $172,647 for a grant awarded to the Savannah-Chatham County Drug Court, (b) increase revenues and expenditures $27,643 for a grant awarded to the Chatham County DUI Court, and (c) increase revenues and expenditures $20,301 for a grant awarded to the Chatham County Family Dependency Treatment Court. Need a motion on the floor. Commissioner Stone said, so moved. Commissioner Holmes said, second. Chairman Liakakis said, I have a motion on the floor and a second. Let’s go on the board. Motion passes. ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Stone moved to approval of the following budget amendments and transfers: (1) in the General Fund M&O: (a) transfer $3,200 from other purchased services to salaries and wages in the Building Safety and Regulatory Services - Animal Tag Division budget and (b) transfer $3,373 from operating line items to salaries and benefits in the Clerk of Superior Court budget, (2) in the Special Service District Fund transfer $3,200 from other purchased services to salaries and wages in the Building Safety and Regulatory Services Licensing and Regulatory Services Division budget, (3) in the Confiscated Revenue Fund appropriate $10,885 confiscated revenue for the Counter Narcotics Team and (4) in the Multiple Grant Fund: (a) increase revenues and expenditures $172,647 for a grant awarded to the Savannah-Chatham County Drug Court, (b) increase revenues and expenditures $27,643 for a grant awarded to the Chatham County DUI Court, and (c) increase revenues and expenditures $20,301 for a grant awarded to the Chatham County Family Dependency Treatment Court. Commissioner Holmes seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioners Shay and Thomas were not present for the vote.] AGENDA ITEM : IX-1 AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012

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TO:

Board of Commissioners

THRU:

R. E. Abolt, County Manager

FROM:

Linda B. Cramer, Finance Director

2012

ISSUE: To request of the following budget amendments and transfers: (1) in the General Fund M&O: (a) transfer $3,200 from other purchased services to salaries and wages in the Building Safety and Regulatory Services Animal Tag Division budget and (b) transfer $3,373 from operating line items to salaries and benefits in the Clerk of Superior Court budget, (2) in the Special Service District Fund transfer $3,200 from other purchased services to salaries and wages in the Building Safety and Regulatory Services Licensing and Regulatory Services Division budget, (3) in the Confiscated Revenue Fund appropriate $10,885 confiscated revenue for the Counter Narcotics Team and (4) in the Multiple Grant Fund: (a) increase revenues and expenditures $172,647 for a grant awarded to the Savannah-Chatham County Drug Court, (b) increase revenues and expenditures $27,643 for a grant awarded to the Chatham County DUI Court, and (c) increase revenues and expenditures $20,301 for a grant awarded to the Chatham County Family Dependency Treatment Court. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1. The Building Safety and Regulatory Services Director has requested transfers of $3,200 from other purchased services to salaries and wages in both the Building Safety and Regulatory Services - Animal Tag Division and the Building Safety Regulatory Services Licensing and Regulatory Services Division budget for a salary adjustment. Correspondence is attached. 2.

The Clerk of Superior Court has requested a transfer of $3,373 from operating line items to salaries and wages in the Clerk of Superior Court Budget for a salary adjustment. Correspondence is attached.

3.

The County Narcotics Team Director has requested $10,885 appropriation for the purchase of equipment. A staff report is attached. The request has been sent to the County Attorney for review.

4.

The Accountability Court Funding Committee has awarded a $172,647 grant to the SavannahChatham County Drug Court. Correspondence and a resolution to amend the Multiple Grant Fund are attached.

5.

The Accountability Court Funding Committee has awarded a $27,643 grant to the Chatham County DUI Court. Correspondence and a resolution to amend the Multiple Grant Fund are attached.

6.

The Accountability Court Funding Committee has awarded a $20,301 grant to the Chatham County Family Dependency Treatment Court. Correspondence and a resolution to amend the Multiple Grant Fund are attached.

FUNDING: Funds are available in the General Fund M&O, Confiscated Revenue, and Special Service District Funds. The budget amendment will establish funding in the Multiple Grant Fund. ALTERNATIVES: 1. That the Board approve the following: a) b)

GENERAL FUND M&O Transfer $3,200 from other purchased services to salaries and wages in the Building Safety & Regulatory Services - Animal Control Division budget. Transfer $3,733 from operating line items to salaries and wages in the Clerk of Superior Court budget.

SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT FUND Transfer $3,200 from other purchased services to salaries and wages in the Building Safety and Regulatory Services Licensing and Regulatory Services Division budget. CONFISCATED REVENUE FUND Appropriate $10,885 from CNT contingency to CNT. a) b) c)

2.

MULTIPLE GRANT FUND Increase revenues and expenditures $172,647 for a grant from the Accountability Court Finance Committee to the Savannah-Chatham County Drug Court. Increase revenues and expenditures $27,643 for a grant award from the Accountability Court Finance Committee to the Chatham County DUI Court. Increase revenues and expenditures $20,301 for a grant award from the Accountability Court Finance Committee to the Chatham County Family Dependency Treatment Court.

Amend or deny the request.

POLICY ANALYSIS: necessary.

State law grants the Board authority to amend the budget during the year as it deems

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RECOMMENDATION: That the Board approve Alternative 1.

2012

Prepared by: Estelle Brown

==========

2.

BRIEFING BY CHIEF LOVETT.

Chairman Liakakis said, next we have a briefing by Chief Lovett. Chief Lovett said, good morning again. Chairman Liakakis said, good morning. Members of the Board collectively said, good morning. Chief Lovett said, overall not much has changed from last month’s report. Fortunately for us crime is -- is still down overall. In particular we are having some problems, violent crime is only 2 percent down, and that is caused mainly by armed robberies, and, of course, this time of the year it’s something that traditionally happens because of the holiday season. But, overall, again crime is down, and what I want to give you actually crime trends and talk about what the future holds for us for the next couple of months. In particular I’ll be -- and particularly I’ll be talking about two precincts which are in Chatham County -- precincts in Chatham County, and that is the west Chatham precinct and the Islands precinct. Islands precinct traditionally takes care of all the islands totally in the unincorporated area. In that particular area we have commercial robberies which has created a real problem for us, and right now, we’re approximately 15 incidents this year over where we were at the same time last year. West Chatham precinct crime is down by 15 percent, and again commercial robberies is taking the lead there. Chief Lovett said, for the remainder of this year, I will be focusing on -- on several things, first is the traditional sense of holiday crime and what we actually do to try to prevent it. We have what we call jingle bell patrol and basically that is to deploy more officers in the areas where people are likely to be shopping and doing other things. We realize that we can’t be everywhere, but we will make a concerted effort to make sure that we do what we can in terms of preventing robberies or burglaries or any type crime around our commercial areas. Chief Lovett said, also, a trend this time of the year is auto thefts seem to go up, and that has taken its toll already. Within the last two weeks we have seen a drastic increase in the auto thefts. The reason for that being is that people have a tendency to want to get into a warm automobile, so they’ll go outside and crank them up, let them run to get hot and somebody else drives off with it. They go into the stores, they don’t want to cut them off, they leave them running, again somebody drives off with it. That is something that we’re trying to prevent. We keep putting the Public Service Announcement but again it’s something that continually happens year in and year out. Also right now we’re plagued with gang activity, and that’s not just in the two precincts, that’s for the entire county. We’re in the process of putting together some holiday plans to try and combat that, but this is not something that’s unique to the holiday season. This has been going on for a while. And we have asked for -- I have asked for some help from the US attorney’s office, and they have assigned a assistant US attorney to work with us in help developing not just the gangs but more specifically for drug enforcement which is part of that. And basically that’s where we are right now. If anybody’s got any questions about that? Commissioner Kicklighter said, I’ve got a question. Chief Lovett said, sure. Chairman Liakakis said, go ahead, Dean [Kicklighter]. Commissioner Kicklighter said, Chief, do you know how much it costs to actually like train a drug dog? Chief Lovett said, between $10,000 and $15,000. Commissioner Kicklighter said, it would be a small bite, but it I think could have an impact if somehow we could find out and we could train dogs and have one dog on every high school site every day. Lives there, there’s officers that are stationed there, and that would take a plan working with the Board of Education -Chief Lovett said, right. Commissioner Kicklighter said, -- police, but have them walking with their dog when they’re patrolling and -- and it would keep the drugs at least out of the schools at all times, which I know is not going to solve the problem, but it’ll give one safer zone then we have for these kids now a days, and that’s just -- I guess that’s not even pertinent to the whole conversation, but it’s just something I think would help out with our schools and the kids a little bit. Chief Lovett said, it’s done on a limited basis now by the Sheriff’s Department who actually have drug dogs. They do go to the schools. Commissioner Kicklighter said, no, and I know, but it, like you said, it’s once every -- when they call them in, but if -if we -- the Board of Education has put a police officer at every high school I believe, and if that person could be trained with the dog, then we wouldn’t have any drugs in the schools, and that would be of help. Chairman Liakakis said, James [Holmes]?

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Commissioner Holmes said, Chief, I don’t want you to go into no details on this but I -- there’s quite a bit of community outcry pertaining the incident over at the fairground. Are we staying on top of that incident? Where’s it at? Chief Lovett said, without divulging too much information -Commissioner Holmes said, I don’t want that. Chief Lovett said, I can say it’s under control now. Commissioner Holmes said, that’s good enough. Thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, you know, one thing that makes your job and the officers’ job very difficult is people don’t realize how many of the repeaters that we have committing crimes in our community because a couple of prime examples that I’ve mentioned before, you’ve got one individual that was arrested 54 times. He had 53 criminal charges against him before and how can it possibly be that whoever is letting that person out or getting a shorter term, you know, how does that happen? Then you’ve got another one that came to my attention with 25 -- he had 25 and this was his 26th time he’s been arrested. That has to be addressed, and I’m looking into some things so that what we can do is find out who can somebody commit 53 times, you know, different crimes and be still out on the street to be arrested for the 54th time? That is absolutely terrible, and hopefully my conversations with some of those in Atlanta with the parole and probation people that we can get some information from them and also from the court system because that puts a big problem. People don’t understand 80 percent of the crime in our community is committed by 20 percent of the criminals. The repeaters basically that we have. And hopefully, Chief, that we can have something, you know, so that can be addressed in the not too distant future. Commissioner Gellatly said, Pete [Liakakis]? Chairman Liakakis said, Priscilla [Thomas] and then Russ [Abolt]? Commissioner Thomas said, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you Chief for all that you do. It is a hard task out there trying to deal with a lot of the negative that’s going on in our community, particularly with our young people today. I personally feel that we’ve got to guide our attention in addition to the other things that have been said but I personally feel that we need to be guiding our attention in terms of preventive measures, not just, you know, to put the dogs and stuff out there. We’ve got to deal with the court system in terms of getting them involved, in terms of prevention. We need to be dealing with the parental side of it, the community at large, as well as your governmental entities. And maybe I’m saying a whole lot, but that is going to be the key to, you know, downgrading all of the things that are now going on. It’s going to take everybody. Everybody to help in this situation in terms of lowering whatever is taking place in our community, and so, therefore, I think we need to be trying to deal with that in that regard from a prevention, you know, side of it. In addition to what you’re doing. I’m not saying doing the other things, but we need to be, you know, on the same page in terms of how we are going to deal with these continuous problems that we have, and I think that the judges need to be on -- on page with this, as well as all of us. And I think then we’ll begin to see, you know, some significant difference there. Commissioner Gellatly said, Pete [Liakakis]? Chairman Liakakis said, any -- Dave [Gellatly]? Commissioner Gellatly said, yeah. I -- I’d just like to make a comment, Chief, and I want -- I want to compliment you on your leadership style. Commissioner Thomas said, yes. Commissioner Gellatly said, I want to -- unlike your predecessor, it’s obvious that you like police officers and it’s also good that you have an ability to get along with other law enforcement agencies in the area, both state and federal and municipalities, and I think you’ve had a good relationship with the District Attorney’s office, which has been difficult at times maybe, but I think after the first of the year, you -- you -- things are going to get a lot better. Chief of police in any department, whether it’s a two-person department or a 30,000-person department sets the tone for the entire department. So, your ability to get along with these other agencies professionally and cooperate with them is -- is outstanding, and it’s something that I can see every single day, and it’s something that we should take note of and -and I deeply appreciate it sitting here and not in a law enforcement seat anymore, but I -- I do know that the chief of police will set the tone, and the department is not going to be any better or any worse than the chief’s values and attitudes. Thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, thank you. Okay. Russ [Abolt]? County Manager Abolt said, just -- just to follow up on what y’all have said so far, Mr. Chairman and members of the Board. There’s a psychology in the way in which your agenda’s put together. You’ve got a briefing from the Chief which you’ve just received. In a moment Director Ragan will get up, and then you’ll conclude with a discussion on legislative priorities. Now remember your discussion last time, the first priority, the Department of Corrections’ release of people still on parole. But it comes down to what the Chief has said, and I -- I complimented him personally on this, but sometimes he like all of us I guess can capture in a few words what the problem is. And I read in the local paper a few weeks back a quote attributed to the Chief, some folks should remain locked up. That’s the situation we’re faced with right now. Recidivism and the continued arrest of bad people, it’s what’s plaguing the Chief’s department and Director Ragan and everybody. I -- I cannot imagine the affect on morale when the officers are doing their job, they’re arresting, convictions are put in place, and yet these folks are coming back out on the street. Commissioner Kicklighter said, I have a --

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Commissioner Farrell said, following up on that because we touched on that at the -- at the previous Chief’s briefing. Russ [Abolt], could -- could you perhaps help bring the -- the other governmental entities in here that play hand in hand with the police department and address what the Chairman was saying earlier? You know, the really bad folks that really need to be locked up for significantly longer stretches of time, why they’re back on our streets. If -- if a small percentage of particular individuals are causing the most problems, I’d like to hear from the proper government agency that’s putting those folks back on our streets and exasperating the problem of our police and Sheriff’s department and CNT where they’re working these same guys and gals over and over again. So could -- could you possibly arrange to have those folks explain ‘cause I don’t particularly understand the logic in putting them back out here and releasing these folks in a manner where we have to deal with them constantly on a repetitive basis and our citizens are in danger. County Manager Abolt said, if I may, we can -- that’s a slam dunk response. We have already in place for a number of years what is referred to as the Drug Advisory Board which is involved of all these law enforcement people. I -- I will look to Director Ragan and possibly some time after the first of the year get them together with you all and brief you. As the Chief said, and both Commissioner Gellatly and I witnessed as -- as Commissioner -- as Director Ragan has said, the cooperation between law enforcement agencies has never been better in Chatham County, and that’s from 25 years of experience. They can tell you. I -- I would submit to you that sometime after the first of the year, particularly given the opportunity for the new District Attorney to familiarize herself with the situation that would be very, very beneficial to you all. It would also in effect piggy back with item four, and -- and when Mr. Hughes gets up here and -- and the petitions to the Department of Corrections, all this is momentum and it’s focused on one thing, stop the release of people that should remain behind bars. Commissioner Farrell said, thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, Helen [Stone]? Commissioner Stone said, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Did we not at the last meeting ask for a Resolution or some letter to go forward? County Manager Abolt said, yes, ma’am, it’s --- it’s in your agenda packet. and Mr. Hughes can give you an update, but specifically we said, yes, do it. Commissioner Stone said, okay. County Manager Abolt said, Lee’s [Hughes] doing it. He’s also, I believe, had contact with City of Savannah folks so, and that -- right now at least absent direction on item number four, that’s your number one legislative priority. Commissioner Stone said, right, I just wanted to make sure that we followed up on what we said from the last meeting because it is -- the Chief and I have talked about this, it is imperative. Thank you. Commissioner Kicklighter said, Mr. Chairman? Chairman Liakakis said, Dean [Kicklighter]? Commissioner Kicklighter said, thank you. Chief, Chief, I just want to make it clear that I agree with everybody. It’s not -- it’s not that you’re not arresting the people. I mean, you’ve -- you’ve -- most of the pardoned criminals that are out there actually killing people you’ve had in jail over and over and over and over. I’m wondering if there’s any way because I imagine the releases would be based on the pardons and parole releasing people, but also, there would have to be some accountability for the judges, who based on their allowance of minimum and maximum sentences. Is there a way that we could track -- track the judges with -- with their record percentages based off of minimum and maximum sentences and where they average sentencing people? That would be something come election time that would be good for the general public to know if we have a judge that’s very lenient or -County Manager Abolt said, that wouldn’t be -- permit me, that’s not an -- a question that you should be asked of the chief of police. Commissioner Kicklighter said, who should it be asked of Russ [Abolt]? I mean we’re trying to keep -County Manager Abolt said, I think this body -Commissioner Kicklighter said, -- the people in jail that they arrest. County Manager Abolt said, this -- this -- this -- I think that this is a peer issue with elected officials. I mean in my particular -- it would be get the information but don’t ask the Chief to be there grading judges. See what I mean? Commissioner Kicklighter said, is -- is there something out there -- yeah, I do see what you mean. County Manager Abolt said, I -- I wish you all -- as a -- as an elected body you want to talk about that. I -- I understand what you’re saying. I support it, but I just want to say I don’t think the direction or the work should be done by the chief of police. Commissioner Odell said, but it’s the parole board that lets them loose. Commissioner Kicklighter said, oh, I know. I mean, I know. Chairman Liakakis said, okay. Any other questions for Chief Lovett? Okay. Thank you, Chief.

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ACTION OF THE BOARD: For information only. ==========

3.

CNT MONTHLY REPORT GIVEN VERBALLY BY DIRECTOR RAGAN.

Chairman Liakakis said, okay. Next up the Chatham Narcotics Team monthly report given verbally by Director Ragan. Director D. Everett Ragan said, thank you, Mr. Chairman, Board of Directors -- Board of Commissioners, excuse me. If you would, I would like to take about 30 seconds since it’s Dave Gellatly day here, and a well deserved day, to speak on something very personal. I had the privilege most of the time of working with Chief Gellatly for 17 years, but my first really encounter with the Chief was in November of 1980, less than two months after he got here. It was on a Veteran’s morning -- Veteran’s Day morning. I was at the church, my brother and I, who was a police officer, we were burying my father. The Chief had been here for less than two months. He didn’t know Harold Ragan and Everett Ragan from Adam’s house cat. Very busy morning for him, Veteran’s Parade and everything, they were -- you know, he would be riding in and as I looked down the hallway of the church, here is the Chief coming to my father’s funeral. He had no idea who he was, and it was a very touching moment for my brother and I, and it’s something that we’ve held in our back pocket for all these years, Chief, and I just want to say that that’s what -- when a Chief can come down -- brand new Chief coming in town and touch his employees that way, we certainly did appreciate it 32 years ago, and I still appreciate it today, and thank you very much. Director Ragan said, getting back to the business, the Counter Narcotics Team initiated 108 investigations last month. Of those investigations, 64 of them have been closed out. You can see year to date the quantity of narcotics that we received -- that we have recovered, and the drugs purchased out there again powder cocaine and marijuana was our -was our leading drugs that we were working. Recovered four firearms. So far we’ve recovered 37 firearms year to day. Fifty-one arrests last month, and if you can -- look at the total number of hours we spend, again, we are spending a lot of hours in the -- in the municipalities and, of course, in comparison, with the City of Savannah, you’re looking at over 20,000 hours so far of this year spent into -- in the City of Savannah and then great -- much -- much greater proportion than what we spend in the municipalities. Director Ragan said, I do want to touch on a couple of -- a couple of highlights, and just bare with me back on the last page you’ll see on highlight number three was an individual, again, getting back to our issues of people that have been released from prison, this individual was arrested in 2008 by the Counter Narcotics Team, charged with trafficking in cocaine. He did minimal time in prison. He’s back out. We had his house under surveillance for a while. We were able to arrest him and his brother, execute a search warrant of the house. At that time we got three ounces of crack cocaine again, again it’s for a trafficking amount of cocaine. Four guns. This is in the area where we’ve had a recent spade of violence over in Cuyler-Brownsville off of the West 40th Street, 600 block. Individual who does not learn his lesson. At the time of arrest he wants to make comments that I’ll make one phone call and the homicide rate will go sky high in this town. This type of thing. Just doing his thug bragging. However, he is not that smart. We seized his phone, when we got his phone, he -- he enjoyed taking pictures of himself with drugs, guns, apparently there’s a person they beat up on -- on -- on film, we’re following up with that. It appears to have taken place in the jail not on the streets of Savannah, and he has now talked his way in to -- we will take him -- the US attorney’s office has agreed to take him under federal cease fire program, so he will be looking at an -- at an extended period of time in federal prison this time, where, as we well know, there is no parole in federal prison. Once you go to federal prison you’re going to do 85 percent of the time you get. So he -- we should not have a problem with him in my future or -- or the Board’s future for quite a number of years. Director Ragan said, another issue I’ll -- case I’ll report on in depth more next week [sic], but again it’s a snapshot of what we do at CNT. We had information on an -- a drug dealer on Wilmington Island. Turned out to be a 17-year-old high school kid. We made two under cover buys from that individual, decided to effect an arrest warrant, search warrant night before last. That was being handled by my TACT team, TACT team number 2. They came into work at 10:00 o’clock that morning. Worked that afternoon, ordered up the mari -- marijuana, followed the individual from his house to where he went to pick it up, which was in the 500 block of Harris Street. When he -- he left that residence and started back, we affected the arrest on him. We then began working on the Harris Street address that afternoon. By 11:00 o’clock that night we had hit the Harris Street address, recovered four pounds of marijuana and an additional about four grand out of that house. All of our buy money. We always like getting our buy money back so we don’t -we just reuse it again. Again, this team that had come to work at 10:00 o’clock that morning, now it was well past midnight, did not stop. They continued on. Woke up a judge at 3:30 in the morning. We hit the man on Harris Street, we hit his supplier and -- in Thunderbolt and picked up 28 pounds of marijuana, four guns and additional -- several thousand dollars worth of cash. So, they worked well over 24 hours on that. Came back this morning at 5:30, same team, hit another place and got trafficking amounts of heroine. So they continually keep on working, and -- and the first case is what we do. We -- we take one, we follow it up to a -- his supplier and try to follow up to the next supplier. The guy we got 28 pounds from, his supplier’s in Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina, so we’ll continue to work with our federal partners and see what we can do about that. Commissioner Kicklighter said, excellent. Director Ragan said, any questions? Chairman Liakakis said, thank you. What I’d like to do is make some comments. We have a Drug Advisory Board and it is composed of all the chiefs of police for all the cities and also it’s the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the federal, the FBI, the federal ATF, the federal Immigration Custom’s people that belong to this Advisory Board and they meet once a month.

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Director Ragan said, it’s once a quarter. Chairman Liakakis said, and in that I’ve had some of those federal agency’s director tell me personally that they have worked in different parts of the country and into the drug areas and all and that Chatham County has the best drug team that they have ever seen in any of the other cities, the larger cities and also the, you know, even smaller cities, wherever they might be assigned to. And that is a great comment. Since 1994 when this drug squad was formed, they have arrested thousands of people. Now just give you one example what Everett [Ragan] was just saying, is they spent 20,000 hours in Savannah alone this time element, and that’s a huge amount of time. The majority of their arrests comes from Savannah. Now once in a while, sometimes a little more than that, you hear about that, hey, they’re not doing their job or anything. Their main task is to arrest those people and do a lot of surveillance and -- and intelligence things and to work with the different departments, but also, to take in custody those that are suppliers, those big dealers, those out of town people and all. Sometimes people don’t realize that what happens that when they have a big investigation on drugs, they have to maybe put 12, 13, 14 people on it because of monitoring certain activities that are going on at a certain location and see, then, in that. And so we can see those thousands of hours. But all of the police, let me tell you what was said to me, all of the chiefs of police personally told me that they want to keep it the way it is set up. The chiefs of police and also the mayors of those particular cities in other areas -- those other six cities. So I want people to know that we’ve got an outstanding drug team that is doing an excellent job and working especially with the biggest department, with Chief Lovett. And Chief Lovett is the chief -- the chairman of that advisory committee, correct? Director Ragan said, yes, sir. Chairman Liakakis said, yeah. And he goes over that and has those representatives every month to come in and, of course, they get their reports and what all has been done. Okay. Any other questions? Any questions? Well, thank you, Everett [Ragan], and thank you to your people. Commissioner Odell said, thank you. Director Ragan said, you’re welcome. AGENDA ITEM: IX-3 AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012

Chatham~Savannah Counter Narcotics Team October, 2012 NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS Investigations Initiated During the month Total Number of Investigations Cleared (Arrest, E.C., Unfounded)

108 64

DRUGS SEIZED Drug Type Value Approx. Weight Approx. Total Value Powder Cocaine $100 per gram* 1.70 Grams $170.00 Crack Cocaine $100 per gram* 92.30 Grams $9,230.00 Methamphetamine $100 per gram** 2.0 Grams $200.00 Marijuana $140 per ounce* 9.70 Ounces $1,358.00 Heroin $250 per gram* 0 Grams $0.00 Ecstasy $25 Dosage Unit 725 D/U $18,125.00 Misc. Pills $30 Dosage Unit 5 D/U $150.00 Hallucinogens $10.00 per gram * 0 Grams $0.00 Synthetic (Steroids) $10.00 per ml * 0 ml $0.00 1999*Source: Office National Drug Control Policy ** Source: Established regional average price ***Source: IAW National Drug Standards – One marijuana plant equals 2 pounds of processed marijuana.

DRUGS SEIZED—YEAR TO DATE Drug Type Powder Cocaine Crack Cocaine Methamphetamine Marijuana Heroin Ecstasy Misc. Pills Hallucinogens Synthetic (Steroids)

Approx. Weight 194.3 Grams 227.9 Grams 915.6 Grams 1,549.2 Ounces 2.5 Grams 823 D/U 1,197 D/U 20.5 Grams 39 m/l

Approx. Total Value $19,260.00 $13,560.00 $91,360.00 $215,530.00 $625.00 $2,450.00 $35,760.00 $205.00 $390.00

DRUGS PURCHASED Drug Type Powder Cocaine Crack Cocaine Methamphetamine

Value $100 per gram* $100 per gram* $100 per gram**

Approx. Weight 4.20 Grams 2.10 Grams 0 Grams

Approx. Total Value $420.00 $210.00 $.00 26

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Marijuana $140 per ounce* Heroin $250 per gram* Ecstasy $25 Dosage Unit Misc. Pills $30 Dosage Unit Hallucinogens $10 Dosage Unit Source: Office National Drug Control Policy ** Source: Established regional average price

2012

4.20 Ounces .5 Grams 0 D/U 19 D/U 0 D/U

$588.00 $125.00 $0.00 $570.00 $0.00

WEAPONS SEIZED Firearms (including hand guns and long guns) Year To Date Totals

4 37

PERSONS ARRESTED Felony* Felony Sales/Trafficking Misdemeanor Felony Non-Drug** Total Arrests Year To Date Totals *Felony includes Manufacturing Methamphetamine or Marijuana **Non-drug related offenses include firearms violations, Obstruction, Simple Battery, etc.

23 26 1 1 51 342

DRUG COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED Drug Complaints Project Log/Official Complaints Hot Line / Call-In Complaints Green Sheets/ Outside Agencies Crime Stopper Complaints DRUG COMPLAINTS—YEAR TO DATE

Received 0 3 7 25 427

Assigned 0 3 7 24 410

DRUG INVESTIGATIONS HOURS WORKED BY ZONE SCMPD – All Precincts Municipalities (Unincorporated Chatham County—245 hours)

2,502 491 TOTAL

Administrative Hours Case Administration Pharmaceutical Diversions Central Intelligence Out of County (Task Force Operations, etc.) Assistance Rendered to Outside Agencies Training Court Hours

640 454 480 480 488 28 220 44 TOTAL

Total Hours Worked

2,993

2,834 5,827

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 1.

During the month of October, after receiving complaints about drug activity occurring at two hotels and various convenience stores in Savannah, CNT undercover agents made drug purchases from suspects at the Alamo Plaza on Bay Street, the Arbors Cottages on Ogeechee Road, and convenience stores located at 4711 Ogeechee Road, 502 West Bay Street, and Martin Luther King Boulevard at West Oglethorpe. A total of 11 suspects were arrested for the Sale of Controlled Substance as a result of this operation.

2. On 10/24/12, CNT agents learned that 2 suspects were preparing to manufacture methamphetamine in a hotel room located at Eisenhower and Abercorn Streets. Working in an undercover capacity, agents were able to identify one of the suspects while she was trying to obtain multiple boxes of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine. A search of the hotel room resulted in the seizure of items necessary to manufacture methamphetamine including a coffee grinder with white residue on it. Both suspects were charged with the Manufacture of Methamphetamine and are being held at the Chatham County Detention Center with no bond. 3. On 10/31/12, after a month long investigation, CNT agents executed a search warrant in the 600 block of 27

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West 40th Street. The owner of the residence, who is a convicted felon, has 2 sons who were identified as the suspects. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of over 3 ounces of crack cocaine (a trafficking amount), 3 hand guns with ammunition, and approximately 1 ounce of marijuana. One of the suspects was arrested at the residence at the time the search warrant was executed and was charged accordingly. The first suspect has been arrested in Chatham County 17 times, 12 of which were drug related, and the other charges stemming from parole or probation violation of the original drug charges. The second suspect was arrested a few days later at the residence and was in possession of more cocaine and $6,500.00 in cash. This suspect has been arrested in Chatham County 7 times, 6 of which were drug charges. Both suspects are currently being held in the Chatham County Detention Center with no bond. The ATF is seeking federal charges on both suspects, who have multiple felony drug convictions, for the possession of the weapons. =========

4.

DISCUSSION ON LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD-ELECT HAVE BEEN INVITED TO BE IN THE AUDIENCE.

Chairman Liakakis said, next on the agenda, discussion on legislative priorities. Members of the Board-Elect have been invited to be in the audience, and of course we’ve got our lobbyist here who will be giving a report right now. Mr. Lee Hughes said, good morning Commissioners and Commissioners-Elect. Just as background for the -- for the members of the Board that will take office in January, we typically go through this process every year developing a legislative agenda by getting recommendations from the staff and also members of the Board and put together a -- an -a list of priorities to take to the capital in January. So that’s the process that goes on this time of year every year, and then we meet with the legislative delegation, the local Chatham County representatives and senators, there’s eight of them, and that is scheduled this year for December 21st , and that meeting is typically held at the end of the County Commission meeting for that day. So it’s on a Friday, December 21st. That should be news to y’all ‘cause that just came together actually this morning. We do try to keep the list short because we want them to be Chatham County specific priorities. There are a lot of -- I want to be real clear that we might have five or seven or ten or twelve issues on our agenda, but there are a lot of other state-wide issues that we follow and are involved in either through my involvement or on some occasions staff, some occasions members of the -- of the Board of Commissioners on statewide issues that may not show up on this list. And, of course, there are a lot of issues that we can’t foresee that will come up during the session, and we have to be prepared to be involved as well with that. Just as a reminder, a housekeeping matter, there is Chatham-Savannah Day is -- has actually been moved from Thursday, the 24th of January to Thursday, January 31st, and typically all the members of the Board of Commissioners come to that event, and we have -- we have a good opportunity to interact with state officials, legislators, and -- and constitutional officers. So please put that on the calendar. Mr. Hughes said, each of you was mailed -- I’ve got four pages in front of me relevant -- relevant to what we’re discussing now. The -- a -- a draft for a 2013 priority list, also the Resolution that you passed that Commissioner Stone just asked about a few minutes ago about the Resolution related to parolees and the actual Resolution that was drafted by the legal department for your consideration as a Board, and then the back page is just for reference, the legislative priorities. This was the last draft of the legislative priorities for 2012. Happy to talk about any of those if you have any specific questions on them, but page one of those four is the draft for the coming year. There are six items on there as of right now. The first being to encourage the Chatham delegation to correct the problem of disproportionate -- of a disproportionate number of parolees being released into Chatham County. I don’t pretend to know how they would address that, but you’ve got a Resolution asking them to address it, so that’s the number one priority per your direction. Mr. Hughes said, the number two agenda item is remove the penalties in the TSPLOST law for regions that did not vote for it. The Chairman might be able to correct me on this, I -- I think there were 13 regions that voted on that, three voted it in, the others get a lower matching rate from the State of State funds for transportation dollars. That’s according to the legislation that passed that allowed for the TSPLOST vote. There has been some discussion of going back in and changing that so as not to punish the communities that did not vote for the -- for the optional TSPLOST. The feedback I’ve received from some of you and from staff is that since we did not vote for it, and since we would not get that higher reimbursement rate, we would be supportive of changing that aspect of the law. County Manager Abolt said, it’s significant. Chairman Liakakis said, yeah, and that’s really important because what it means that Chatham County, all the cities, that we would be burdened with that on road projects and have to put a lot more money in for matching funds. It’s simple as that. I mean, it went way up because we lost in that. And hopefully when this term of the legislators go into office that they will do something about making sure that the marketing of a transportation bill is done better than it was done before. You might remember that most of it was done two weeks before the election, and in there, they just had individuals from different walks of life and different businesses and all, and they gave one or two sentences what they stated about the transportation bill instead of talking about how, you know, how great it would be, and how it would be good for the economy in our community, how it would help transportation, the Georgia Ports, all of these different things, and give those particular commercials on television at least 45 seconds to at least a minute, and if they’d have done that and showed what advantageous it was for that instead of having those different people over there and giving one or two sentences and boom that’s it. You know, the people with the State Chamber of Commerce, they let us down because with that situation and the monies that came in wasn’t sufficient enough to do that. But that’s really important because we are now in a negative position in our road projects in Chatham County with all of the cities that have been involved. In fact, we are in the Coastal Regional Commission which is comprised of ten counties and 35 cities that meets once a month in Richmond Hill to go over specific governmental items, and this situation we really need them and to encourage. Now no city, county, or federal -- city, county or state can put any money into the particular commercials or any money spent on that. We have to leave it up to the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to come on board and show how important these road projects are to our community and the others. Okay. 28

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Commissioner Kicklighter said, I -- I would -Chairman Liakakis said, go ahead, Dean [Kicklighter]. Commissioner Kicklighter said, if you could just kindly throw it out there, not as a priority but I’d love to see eight lanes coming from at least Bloomingdale all the way into downtown Savannah on I-16 with a new interchange on I-95. That would eliminate so much traffic congestion and allow for more growth, which is going to happen as the economy picks up. It’s -- it’s something they need to be looking at, and -- and it’s not in the big scheme of things compared to the Atlanta drain of -- of our road monies up there, it’s not really a big deal, but -- but it would be major as far as future growth and, you know, getting people back and forth throughout that area. County Attorney Hart said, Commissioner Kicklighter, I can’t tell you important this provision with the penalty is as far as the future of the community here. They’ve doubled the match basically. Instead of 20 percent money, you got to come up with 40 percent money on the front end. We have traditionally tried to do projects where we could go back to the 80 percent and use SPLOST funds to leverage that which gives us a double bang for the buck, but, you know, you talk about a project the size you do and come up with 40 percent match, you will hear a sucking sound when you -when you say it. I mean it’s a big number that changes the dynamics there. Commissioner Kicklighter said, right, and as far as for the public and you stated it there, basically because we didn’t vote that through, it was a 20 percent penalty against our county and region I guess in that case, and they need to -Mr. Hughes said, and Commissioner that’s not -- I’m sorry to interrupt, that’s not even in the extra tax dollars that would have come with the SPLOST, that’s in DOT dollars, and -- and plus we don’t have the TSPLOST money. Commissioner Kicklighter said, right. Mr. Hughes said, so, you’re right. Chairman Liakakis said, any other questions? Commissioner Farrell said, yeah. Chairman Liakakis said, go ahead, Pat [Farrell]. Commissioner Farrell said, I’d like to -- to support Dean’s [Kicklighter] recommendation that we look at the ingress and egress to Chatham County on the interstate system and on Highway 21. As I travel around the different surrounding counties, and I’ve talked to different elected officials, they’re always wanting to -- to help their community bring in more business and -- and more enterprise and that sort of thing. Here in Chatham County we have a great situation where we have lots of people coming to our community to work. We have lots of people coming to our community to play. We have lots of people coming to our -- our community to shop and spend their money. From a business perspective, we want to make that an enjoyable experience for all those people, and we don’t want to jam them up on a parking lot called -- and name it I-16 or Georgia 21. Whatever we can do to expedite visitors to come in and when they’re ready to leave expedite visitors to -- to get out of town by improving our interstate and our highway system, I think is a great opportunity for our community. So I want to -- I want to go along with -- with making that a legislative priority that we improve the ingress and egress to Chatham County so that we can welcome more visitors and people that want to come spend their money in our community and people that want to work in our community and bring in expertise that we may not have, you know, from outlying counties and be a regional destination which we are, but let’s not be short sighted because the next five, ten, fifteen years, if -- if those arteries clog up and people are not able to come here, then other communities and other areas will in my opinion stand up shopping areas, stand up factories and that sort of thing, and job opportunities, and they’ll just by-pass us all together. I think Mr. Scott has something to say. Chairman Liakakis said, Al [Scott]? Come up to the mike, Al [Scott]. This is our Chairman-Elect right here, Al Scott. Chairman-Elect Al Scott said, just quick question. The Association and Lee [Hughes] perhaps you can answer this, have they taken a position on this, changing the law so that the counties who did not vote for it are not penalized because this is really a state-wide issue. Commissioner Farrell said, yes. Commissioner Stone said, that’s right. Mr. Hughes said, it’s more important to some regions than others, but I don’t know if they’ve taken a -- you talking about ACCG? Chairman-Elect Scott said, yes, that’s correct. Mr. Hughes said, yes. I don’t know if they’ve taken a formal position yet. Commissioner Stone said, I don’t think they have. Chairman Liakakis said, well, ACCG, Al [Scott], they were in favor of it, and they did some work, but they didn’t put out, you know, a tremendous amount of commercials and other information to get out to the general public. Chairman-Elect Scott said, I’m only saying this because unless the Association -- all the counties take the position, you know, we’re just whistling dixie. Commissioner Kicklighter said, right. 29

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Chairman-Elect Scott said, if this is Chatham’s position and not the Association’s. Commissioner Thomas said, exactly right. Commissioner Farrell said, well, let me address that. I’m on the ACCG Transportation Committee, and -- and that from the very inception of this legislation has been one of the things that ACCG has spoken about is to eliminate that even before the election. So I feel pretty confident that they would be behind it, and even after the election and -- and -- and the failure in 10 out of the 13 regions. So that -- that was a great concern throughout the State that -- that -- about the penalty from different Commissioners. Mr. Hughes said, two -- two things on that. I guess a better answer to Mr. Scott’s question would be that as far as I know they have not taken a position yet. They might take one between now and the session. But the other issue is that there is some, like for instance, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is not going to oppose -- be in favor of removing -- removing those penalties. The Savannah Chamber’s talking about making that one of their agenda items. But there is some heartburn by some that worked to try and pass a law and then go back and change the rules because it didn’t go the way that they -- that they wanted it to. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but there’s some reluctance on the part of those who advocated the law the way that it was written to now go back and change the law because the election didn’t go the way they wanted it to. Commissioner Farrell said, well when you’ve got 10 regions that are going to be suffering and three that aren’t you -you have the weight of the majority -Mr. Hughes said, right. Commissioner Farrell said, -- that probably, you know, can hopefully influence their state representatives to reconsider that. And -- and again it was -- it was an item of concern to Commissioners all over this State way before it came up for a vote, as it was, you know, being talked about and discussed. Chairman Liakakis said, Lori [Brady] and then Tom [Thomson] and then our County Manager? Commissioner-Elect Brady said, good afternoon, since we’re talking about ingress and egress on 16 and 21, I think we need to have a serious discussion about Highway 204. Commissioner Farrell said, oh yeah, I didn’t mean to leave that one out. Commissioner-Elect Brady said, so, I just wanted to make sure we wanted to talk about that and the Truman Parkway coming in on -- on Abercorn. Commissioner Farrell said, absolutely. Absolutely. Commissioner Kicklighter said, I was going to ask Tom [Thomson] to actually brief us because I know there’s plans with no money to do it too, so. Commissioner-Elect Brady said, exactly, and -Commissioner Farrell said, well that’s how you start. Commissioner Kicklighter said, yeah. Commissioner-Elect Brady said, and then the last thing I would like to -- to talk about is number six, the increase reimbursement rate which I know we’ve been trying to get for years, watching the county try and get it. But there’s also been some severe issues with the Youth Detention Center, and I’m not sure how that works into it, but I think we need to focus on some of what’s going on at the Youth Detention Center as well. Commissioner Kicklighter said, thank you. Mr. Tom Thomson said, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, Tom Thomson, Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission, and the Coastal Region MPO, and first of all congratulations to the Chairman-Elect and Commissioners-Elect. I guess you’ll be sitting up here in the front pretty soon. It’s a great conversation we’re having about the transportation needs. I know Lee [Hughes] and I have talked about keeping aware of what might be happening with Plan B from the Governor’s office and so on, and I think it’s important we stay on top of that in the legislation, but I just want to mention a couple things since Commissioner Kicklighter and Commissioner Farrell brought up transportation projects. The plan that we’re working on as your Coastal Region MPO is for really four more lanes in the 21 corridor, very high level description of that, four more lanes in the 21 corridor; two more lanes in the I-16 corridor; four more lanes in the 204 corridor; and two more lanes in the I-95 corridor, okay? Now the State can do -add lanes to 16 with the current bridges so there’s room to do that. That’s a relatively easy project, not cheap but easy in terms of rebuilding bridges and things. So, that’s our plan. That represents $1.6 billion. That would give us limited access connectivity, I-95, I-16 to downtown, State Road 21 to downtown, State Road 204 to downtown and keep us connected through the region through those other extensions of those roads. So, that’s the plan. I’d love to have the opportunity to come and brief the Commission in a workshop session about what’s going on there, but if you want to see the State Road 204 concept, if you go to our web page, mpc.org, and my picture’s there with some narrative about the 204 project. At the bottom is a link to a 15-minute video that describes that. And coming up on November 27th at 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Georgia -- at Georgia Tech, and I’ll have to get you -- you’ll get an email with this information, there will be a public information open house on the State Road 21 corridor concepts that we’re working through right now.

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Commissioner Kicklighter said, and on the I-95/I-16 interchange, does your plan currently have a new intersection on/off ramps because that design’s horrendous. Mr. Thomson said, right. Well Georgia DOT did a Georgia -- a Chatham County Interstate Study about five years ago, and that’s one of the interchanges in the priority list. Probably, you know, each of those interchanges are very -- $10 to $30 million a pop just off the top of my head, so -Commissioner Kicklighter said, but I mean it literally -Mr. Thomson said, none of this -Commissioner Kicklighter said, -- it literally is designed like a kid just drew out a circle and -Mr. Thomson said, well, yeah -Commissioner Kicklighter said, it all dumps out together and -- and like engineers didn’t even take part in that. Mr. Thomson said, that was a great design when traffic wasn’t as -Commissioner Kicklighter said, right. Mr. Thomson said, -- you know, heavy and now it’s old so -Commissioner Kicklighter said, yeah, it’s bad. Mr. Thomson said, -- it needs to be updated. Commissioner Kicklighter said, thank you. Mr. Thomson said, sure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman Liakakis said, Russ [Abolt]. County Manager Abolt said, ladies and gentlemen, I want to underscore what the County Attorney said a few moments ago in the context it’s just not item two on TSPLOST but what’s going to be facing the new Board come the first of the year and that’s SPLOST. When we -- we look at and we’ll give you a catalog of projects you may wish to include in the new SPLOST, exactly what the County Attorney said, it’s going to be sucked up in what we talk about a diminution of State match. And -- and in past, and I’ve gone through many of them, one of the big selling points of SPLOST in addition to 30 some percent of it’s paid for by tourists, is that we get a good infusion of State money to in effect compliment local dollars. That’s not going to be there. And we’re going to find ourselves with major road projects that are not going to be affordable as a result of that. I also want to make a companion comment to what Commissioner Farrell said about his work on one of the ACCG committees. The Commissioners-Elect will be going to an orientation sponsored by ACCG the first few days in December. They certainly now are well-prepared to talk to ACCG folks and no doubt will have around that table Commissioners from other districts that are effect are suffering from the same thing we’re suffering from. Commissioner Kicklighter said, Chairman? Chairman Liakakis said, go ahead. Commissioner Kicklighter said, the Chairman-Elect eluded to the fact of the difficulty of tasking our man here with count -- with state-wide changes, and I’ve harped on that for as long as you’ve been here that -Mr. Hughes said, and I thank you for that. Commissioner Kicklighter said, -- yes, sir. I -- I think -- I think that’s why I would like to see us -- we need to go after that ‘cause it’s the proper thing to do, but we need to have the ACCG behind us on those. But instead of on the priority list of where we ask this gentleman to change complete state-wide policies, we need to have that bullet list of actual projects and things that he can go after specifically that’s not going to take a state-wide change, and that’s like some of the major interchanges and road areas we’re talking about, it wouldn’t take a -- a change for the entire state to try to go after them to get them to do some of those projects and fund the DOT in that area to do those projects. So, you know, I -- I would -Mr. Hughes said, and Commissioner I -Commissioner Kicklighter said, -- like for us to consider -Mr. Hughes said, I appreciate you saying that. I think there’s -- there’s kind of a middle ground there. I think that, and this goes to what Chairman-Elect Scott referred to, I think it’s somewhat our role and our duty to make sure that our local delegation is aware of these issues even if they’re state-wide so that we are helping the state-wide County Commissioner Association, the ACCG folks, lift that issue into a priority for the whole legislature. So I -- I appreciate very much that you say that from time to time and you’re absolutely right that it’s hard for us in the independent State of Chatham to change a state -- a law with state-wide ramifications. On other hand, it’s perfectly appropriate for us to be part of that state-wide effort. So, it’s kind of about expectations, but -Commissioner Kicklighter said, part -- part of it, Lee [Hughes], but giving you an agenda item -- agenda item that is number one on our goal that there’s a great chance that you’re not -- you’re going to fail. I’d like to see you come back 31

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with some -- some victories. And if -- if we graded you, not your fault, but because we’ve asked you year in and year out to change state policies, I would -- I’d hate to look at your record because we’ve asked you to change the entire state rather than bring home some projects and enhance some area specifically for this county. And -- and if I were in your position, I would like to have a task every now and then that I could actually accomplish without changing the state. If -- if -- if -- if you succeeded on every list we gave you so far, you need to be consulting for something much larger than Chatham County because it would be an amazing job that you would have done because every year we’re giving you four or five things to change state-wide, and I just -- I -- I thank Commissioner Farrell for backing that because I think we have to go with some projects here for you to really harp on that -- that you can accomplish without changing the world. So thank you for trying and -- and -- and I know you can talk with our local delegation, and should it come up because collectively all the counties wants to see something happen, ours will know the opinion of this Commission, but, you know, it’s -- it’s kind of hard for them to change a state-wide policy also. So. Thank you. Chairman Liakakis said, and -- and as you well know this, what we got to do is lobby hard with as many legislators around the state because just take a $50 million road project for our area. We’re going to have to have $20 million. Where do we get the $20 million? We don’t have $20 million in our bank account to put for that 50 million, and it so goes on. Just think for that fifth phase, the last phase of the Truman Parkway, it was $166 million. Just think if that hadn’t been done a head of time where would we get that? You know, we’re talking about somewhere between $50 and $60 million just on that project. Go ahead -- talk about the other couple that you didn’t mention -- those other projects the -- out of the six. Mr. Hughes said, just continue going through the list here. Chairman Liakakis said, yeah. Mr. Hughes said, the -- the -- the third project is seek $6 million in state funds for extension of Slip One on Hutchinson Island. That’s to -- to dredge that slip that’s on the end of the riverwalk area. There is a permit that is set to expire in March for that, and it is -- it would be very difficult to get that permit again if it does expire and the dredging of that slip cannot begin without the money already committed to it. This money was asked for at the state level last year, and we did not get it. There’s -- I had a meeting yesterday with the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. We had discussions about this. There are some efforts underway by Linda Cramer and Pat Monahan to figure out ways that we can fund that before that permit expires because it’s a multiple agency permit, I’m looking to the County Attorney here to -- to back me up on this, and if we lose that permit, I think it’s a good change we would never get it again. County Manager Abolt said, if -- if -County Attorney Hart said, that’s probably an understatement. County Manager Abolt said, it’s dead. Chairman Liakakis said, okay. Commissioner Farrell said, do we have -- since that’s now in the City of Savannah, are they also on board with wanting it dredged? Would they -- would they also speak in favor to our legislators on that? Mr. Hughes said, I can’t speak to that, but it’s worth asking them. We’re partnering with them on the parolees Resolution issue. We can ask them about that as well. Commissioner Farrell said, I would think that would be a good -- good thing to -- to mention. Mr. Hughes said, the -- the problem with this and so many issues as Commissioner Kicklighter was talking about before, these solutions cost a lot of money and the -- the budget years at the capitol have gotten increasingly worse. This year is supposed to be worse than all the previous years because there is no stimulus money. The -- the revenue has -- there’s been a shortfall based on their projections. They’re already going to have to adjust this current budget that we’re in by $200 to $300 million in January, and then they will start on the fiscal 2014 budget. So, when we go to them and ask for that, I did confirm that it could be bond money, but the bond package will be between $800 and $830 million this year when in passed years and under the previous Governor and the -- the better revenue days, it was over $900 million. So $6 million doesn’t sound like a lot of money out of $830 but a lot of it’s already committed. So, we will ask for that. Mr. Hughes said, number four and number five are two very related issues about franchise fees and also the distribution of the LOST and SPLOST. Obviously there’s discussions at a local level about the distribution but also there has been discussion the last two years they have come close to addressing the franchise fee programs around the State and that was thought that that might be part of the tax reform package, but it ultimately was not. As you all know, there was a significant tax reform package passed this last year, and they are saying now, they being legislative leadership, that they don’t expect to go back to it this -- this session, but we’ll watch for an opportunity to try and address these specific items, number four and number five. And number six is our perennial issue to try and get them to raise the reimbursement rate for prisoners in the county detention center over the cost of actually housing the inmates. For background for the new Commissioners, it’s estimated to cost in the neighborhood of $50 maybe slightly less per day per inmate at the county detention center and our -Chairman Liakakis said, $58. It’s $58 a day now. Mr. Hughes said, $58 is -- is the winning bid right now. The -- the daily reimbursement rate we were able to get increased from $20 to $22 several years ago. We’re still obviously -- that math is easy for anybody to do. It’s still a very expensive project for the county, and we would love to see that changed, but again, as Chairman-Elect Scott and Commissioner Kicklighter referred to, that’s a state-wide issue, so there’s a tremendous cost involved in that. There 32

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is a possibly a better opportunity this year because of the changes in the sentencing guideline laws that some -- they’re going to have to go back and tweak that, and so we have been told that we might have an opportunity to address the reimbursement rate during that -- those modifications. So. That’s what I have for the agenda. We’re going to meet again -- this group will meet with the legislative delegation by the 21st. This is a fluid agenda. As it is now this is what will be presented to the legislators, but that’s just our local delegation, and our priorities change throughout the month of November and December and then of course during the session as well, so, I’m here if -- if anybody has other thoughts on it. Chairman Liakakis said, well, on that franchise fee, here it is in the unincorporated area, it’s about $4 million that the tax payers pay in that area of the -- of the county and that money is taken and distributed to the other cities in our county. The unincorporated tax payer get not one cent out of that or nothing because the way it’s set up. And there’s only about five counties in the entire state, so it’s not a state-wide thing, and it should be easier to get the GMA and ACCG to go ahead and correct that. Commissioner Kicklighter said, I just want to point out for this poor man when he comes back next year, out of the six priorities here, only two of the six are actual local. Four of the six are all state-wide changes. So, you know, if -- I’d like to see us get maybe a little more creative on some -- a few local things to throw on there that he could possibly bring home to us. Chairman Liakakis said, okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. ACTION OF THE BOARD: For information only. AGENDA ITEM: IX-4 AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012 DRAFT NOVEMBER 13, 2012 Potential Chatham County 2013 Legislative Priorities 1.

Encourage Chatham delegation to correct problem of disproportionate number of parolees being released into Chatham County.

2.

Remove penalties in TSPLOST law for regions that did not vote for it.

3.

Seek $6 million in state funds for extension of Slip 1 on Hutchinson Island.

4.

Correct franchise fee collection and distribution system so that unincorporated districts receive franchise fee revenue.

5.

Change law to provide that unincorporated areas qualify for LOST and SPLOST revenue just as any municipality does.

6.

Increase reimbursement rate for prisoners in County Detention Center to cover the actual cost of housing inmates. =========

X. ACTION CALENDAR The B oard can entertain one m otion to adopt the below -listed calendar. Such m otion w ould m ean adoption of staff's recom m endation. Any B oard M em ber m ay choose to pull an item from the calendar and it w ould be considered separately.

Chairman Liakakis said, the Action Calendar, we have Items 1 through 8 and under Item 8 we have items A through L. We need a motion on the floor for approval or you can take -- hold back any others. Commissioner Farrell said, so moved. Commissioner Thomas said, second. Chairman Liakakis said, have a motion on the floor to approve items 1 through 8 and under Item 8, A through L. Let’s go on the board. Motion passes. ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Farrell moved to approve the Action Calendar, Items 1 through 8 and under Item 8, Items A through L. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] ========== 33

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[NOTE: ACTION OF THE BOARD IS SHOWN ON EACH ITEM AS THOUGH AN INDIVIDUAL MOTION WAS MADE THEREON.] ==========

1.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 2, 2012, AS MAILED.

ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Farrell moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 2, 2012, as mailed. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] ==========

2.

CLAIMS VS. CHATHAM COUNTY FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 25, 2012 THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2012.

ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Farrell moved to authorize the Finance Director to pay the claims against the County for the period October 25, 2012 through November 7, 2012, in the amount of $3,639,045. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] ==========

3

REQUEST BOARD CONFIRMATION FOR THE CHATHAM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CEMA) TO ACCEPT A 50% MATCH, $33,100 FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION GRANT THAT WILL ENABLE CEMA TO INDIVIDUALLY ACTIVATE ANY OR ALL OF THE COUNTY’S 60 OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS.

ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Farrell moved the Board for confirmation for Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) to accept a 50% match, $33,100 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pre-disaster mitigation grant that will enable CEMA to individually activate any or all of the County’s 60 outdoor warning sirens. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] AGENDA ITEM: X-3 AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012 TO:

Board of Commissioners

THRU:

R.E. Abolt, County Manager

FROM:

Clayton S. Scott, Director, Chatham Emergency Management Agency

ISSUE: To obtain confirmation of approval for the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) to accept a 50% match, $33,100 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant that will enable CEMA to individually activate any or all of the county’s 60 outdoor warning sirens. BACKGROUND: Chatham County has been selected by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) to receive a FEMA grant to significantly improve the county’s siren program. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1. This 50% match grant will enable CEMA to: a. Selectively and automatically activate outdoor warning sirens based on National Weather Service parameters. b. Automatically send text and email messages and post information on CEMA’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. c. Eliminate the delay required for human intervention in the activation of sirens. 2.

CEMA will initially be required to provide a $33,100 total investment. One half, or $16,550 will be 34

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reimbursed by the Federal Government. The remaining $16,550 will be fulfilled by in-kind service match during the installation of the new system. 3.

As otherwise uncommitted GEMA administered grant funds are being requested for this project, CEMA has been given only one week for acceptance of the grant; therefore, confirmation of acceptance of this grant is requested.

ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve acceptance and the expenditure of the $33,100 grant to be used to improve the current Emergency Warning Siren program and help provide more effective notification and the Citizens in Chatham County. 2.

Do not approve acceptance and expenditure of the $33,100 grant.

FUNDING: 1. 2. 3.

Chatham County has funding available to cover the estimated initial investment cost of $33,100 required by the provisions of the 2012 grant. Chatham County agrees to have funding available to cover the local $16,550 share and will submit documentation to support the local cash and/or in-kind match, when requested. Chatham County will file for reimbursement of $16,550 for the estimated Federal share of the grant.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is the policy of the Board of Commissioners to accept Federal grant funding that is in the interest of the community. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board adopt Alternative #1. ==========

4

REQUEST TRANSFER OF BEER AND WINE RETAIL LICENSE AND A NEW BEER AND WINE POURING LICENSE FOR 2012. PETITIONER JAMES ANTHONY DALY, III, D/B/A BULL RIVER MARINA, LLC, LOCATED AT 8005 US HIGHWAY 80 EAST, 31410. [DISTRICT 4.]

ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Farrell moved the Board for transfer of beer and wine retail license and a new beer and wine pouring license for 2012. Petitioner: James Anthony Daly, III, d/b/a Bull River Marina, LLC, located at 8005 US Highway 80 East, 31410. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] AGENDA ITEM: X-4 AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012 TO:

Board of Commissioners

THRU:

R.E. Abolt, County Manager

FROM:

Gregori S. Anderson, Director of Building Safety and Regulatory Services Willie Lovett, Chief of Police

ISSUE: Request for transfer of beer and wine retail license and a new beer and wine pouring license for 2012. Petitioner: James Anthony Daly, III, d/b/a Bull River Marina, LLC, located at 8005 US Highway 80 East, 31410. BACKGROUND: Bull River Marina, LLC has a new owner, James Anthony Daly, III, and he requests approval for transfer of beer and wine retail license and a new beer and wine pouring license in connection with an existing business. The business at this location meets the requirements of the Chatham County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1. The application was reviewed by the Police Department for compliance of the applicant and site distance requirements and approved. 2.

The returned application was reviewed by Building Safety. The County Fire Marshal inspected the site for compliance and approved the facility.

3.

The applicant and business meet the requirements of the Chatham County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance and Sunday Sales Ordinance.

4.

The applicant has been notified in writing of the date and time of the hearing. 35

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2012

RECOMMENDATION: The Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department and Regulatory Services recommend approval. District 4 We verify that the attached report and attachments are complete and correct as to form.

Gregori S. Anderson, CBO

Chief Willie Lovett ==========

5.

REQUEST FOR NEW BEER AND WINE RETAIL LICENSE FOR 2012. PETITIONER: ALKABEN PATEL, D/B/A OM FOOD MART, INC., LOCATED AT 5999 OGEECHEE ROAD, 31419. [DISTRICT 6.]

ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Farrell moved the Board for new beer and wine retail license for 2012. Petitioner: Alkaben Patel, d/b/a Om Food Mart, Inc., located at 5999 Ogeechee Road, 31419. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] AGENDA ITEM: X-5 AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012 TO:

Board of Commissioners

THRU:

R.E. Abolt, County Manager

FROM:

Gregori S. Anderson, Director of Building Safety and Regulatory Services Willie Lovett, Chief of Police

ISSUE: Request for new beer and wine retail license for 2012. Petitioner: Alkaben Patel, d/b/a Om Food Mart, Inc., located at 5999 Ogeechee Road, 31419. BACKGROUND: Ms. Patel requests approval of new beer and wine retail license in connection with a new convenience store. The business at this location meets the requirements of the Chatham County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1. The application was reviewed by the Police Department for compliance of the applicant and site distance requirements and approved. 2.

The returned application was reviewed by Building Safety. The County Fire Marshal inspected the site for compliance and approved the facility.

3.

The applicant and business meet the requirements of the Chatham County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance and Sunday Sales Ordinance.

4.

The applicant has been notified in writing of the date and time of the hearing.

RECOMMENDATION: The Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department and Regulatory Services recommend approval. District 6 We verify that the attached report and attachments are complete and correct as to form. Gregori S. Anderson, CBO

Chief Willie Lovett ==========

6.

REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF BEER, WINE AND LIQUOR POURING LICENSE AND SUNDAY SALES LICENSE FOR 2012. PETITIONER: DIDIER GBLA, D/B/A RUBY TUESDAY, LLC, #4407, LOCATED AT 580 AL HENDERSON BOULEVARD, 31419. [DISTRICT 7.]

36

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2012

ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Farrell moved the Board for transfer of beer, wine and liquor pouring license and Sunday Sales license for 2012. Petitioner: Didier Gbla, d/b/a Ruby Tuesday, LLC, #4407, located at 580 Al Henderson Boulevard, 31419. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] AGENDA ITEM: X-6 AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012 TO:

Board of Commissioners

THRU:

R.E. Abolt, County Manager

FROM:

Gregori S. Anderson, Director of Building Safety and Regulatory Services Willie Lovett, Chief of Police

ISSUE: Request for a transfer of beer, wine and liquor pouring license and Sunday Sales license for 2012. Petitioner: Didier Gbla, d/b/a Ruby Tuesday, LLC, #4407, located at 580 Al Henderson Boulevard, 31419. BACKGROUND: Mr. Gbla requests approval for transfer of beer, wine and liquor pouring license and Sunday Sales license in connection with an existing restaurant. The business at this location meets the requirements of the Chatham County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance. The license is being transferred from Justin Levi Johnson to Didier Gbla. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1. The application was reviewed by the Police Department for compliance of the applicant and site distance requirements and approved. 2.

The returned application was reviewed by Building Safety. The County Fire Marshal inspected the site for compliance and approved the facility.

3.

The applicant and business meet the requirements of the Chatham County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance and Sunday Sales Ordinance.

4.

The applicant has been notified in writing of the date and time of the hearing.

RECOMMENDATION: The Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department and Regulatory Services recommend approval. District 7 We verify that the attached report and attachments are complete and correct as to form. Gregori S. Anderson, CBO

Chief Willie Lovett ==========

7.

REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF BEER POURING LICENSE FOR 2012. PETITIONER: DIANA L. LARES OCHOA, D/B/A EL PARAISO, LOCATED AT 4001 OGEECHEE ROAD, 31405. [DISTRICT 5.]

ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Farrell moved the Board for transfer of beer pouring license for 2012. Petitioner: Diana L. Lares Ochoa, d/b/a El Paraiso, located at 4001 Ogeechee Road, 31405. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] AGENDA ITEM: X-7 AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012 TO:

Board of Commissioners

THRU:

R.E. Abolt, County Manager

FROM:

Gregori S. Anderson, Director of Building Safety and Regulatory Services Willie Lovett, Chief of Police

37

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2012

ISSUE: Request for transfer of beer pouring license for 2012. Petitioner: Diana L. Lares Ochoa, d/b/a El Paraiso, located at 4001 Ogeechee Road, Savannah, GA 31405. BACKGROUND: El Paraiso has a new owner, Diana L. Lares Ochoa, and she requests approval for transfer of beer pouring license in connection with an existing Billiards Parlor. The business at this location meets the requirements of the Chatham County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1. The application was reviewed by the Police Department for compliance of the applicant and site distance requirements and approved. 2.

The returned application was reviewed by Building Safety. The County Fire Marshal inspected the site for compliance and approved the facility.

3.

The applicant and business meet the requirements of the Chatham County Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance and Sunday Sales Ordinance.

4.

The applicant has been notified in writing of the date and time of the hearing.

RECOMMENDATION: The Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department and Regulatory Services recommend approval. District 5 We verify that the attached report and attachments are complete and correct as to form. Gregori S. Anderson, CBO

Chief Willie Lovett ==========

8.

REQUEST BOARD APPROVAL TO AWARD BIDS AS FOLLOWS: (Please note that new purchase thresholds of $10,000 or more have been enacted; however, contracts and change orders of a lesser amount still will appear).

ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Farrell moved for approval to award bids as follows: (Please note that new purchase thresholds of $10,000 or more have been enacted; however, contracts and change orders of a lesser amount still will appear.) Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] ITEM A. Revenue producing lease agreement at Rodney J. Hall Boat Ramp

DEPT. Public Works and Park Services

SOURCE

AMOUNT

FUNDING

Michael J. Neal, d/b/a Moon River Kayak Tours

($2,700)

N/A - Revenue Producing

B. Change Order No.2 Engineering to contract QBS 07-9-4 for a Needs Assessment for Renovation of Unit 5, Renovation of Existing Complex and Work Release Center

CDI Architects, Inc. (L. R. Kimball)

$108,000

•SPLOST (2008-2014) - Detention Center Expansion project for Unit 5 and the Existing Complex •SPLOST (2003-2008) - Work Release

C. Annual contract for multi-function copier equipment

Various

Océ Imagistics, Inc. d/b/a Océ North America Document Printing Systems

Various

Various

D. Terminate the janitorial annual contract with CKC Enterprises and award to Randall Green Professional Cleaning

Facilities Maintenance and Operations

Randall Green Professional Cleaning *MBE

$38,400

General Fund/M&O Facilities Maintenance and Operations

38

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NOVEMBER 16

ITEM

DEPT.

SOURCE

2012

AMOUNT

FUNDING

E. Professional services CEMA contract for the design and engineering services for a new Emergency Operations Center

Architects Design Group

$1,377,826

•DHS Port Security Grant •DHS Port Security Grant •SPLOST (2008-2014) - CEMA - Public Safety Construction

F. 2012 Ford-250 replacement truck for Animal Control

J. C. Lewis Ford

$22,499

CNT - Confiscated Funds

G. Construction Engineering contract for highway signs, steel posts, thermoplastic pavement markings and removal of existing striping on 26 County roads

Peek Pavement Marking, LLC

$266,769

SPLOST (2003-2008) Roads Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) *Funding for this contract will be reimbursed by GDOT

H. 2013 Chevrolet Fleet Tahoe from the State of Georgia contract for CEMA

Hardy Chevrolet

$26,005

General Fund/M&O Reimbursable Expenses

I. Extend lease agreement for one month at 408 W. Broughton Street

Special Projects

410 West Broughton, LLC

$4,849

SPLOST (2008-2014) Courthouse Project

J. Veterinarian services for Animal Control

Animal Control

Mary E. Martin, DVM

$50/hour, not to exceed 20 hours/week

General Fund/M&O Animal Control

K. Three 2012 Ford Interceptors

Fleet

J. C. Lewis Ford

$82,329

CIP - Fleet Operations

Myers and Son, Inc.

Varies

•General Fund/M&O Public Works •Water and Sewer •Solid Waste

Fleet

L. Change Order No.1 Public Works to recognize unit pricing and add additional mowing for Solid Waste

AGENDA ITEM: X-8 A thru L AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012 TO:

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

THRU:

R.E. ABOLT, COUNTY MANAGER

FROM:

MICHAEL A. KAIGLER, ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER/ DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND SERVICES

SUBJECT:

AWARD OF BIDS

ITEM A ISSUE: Request Board approval to enter into a $2,700 annual revenue generating property lease agreement at the Rodney J. Hall Boat Ramp with the option to renew for four (4) additional one (1) year terms with Michael J. Neal, d/b/a Moon River Kayak Tours, for annual revenue for the County. BACKGROUND: On December 4, 2009, the Board approved a lease agreement with Michael J. Neal, d/b/a Moon Rover Kayak Tours to operate and rent kayaks at the Rodney J. Hall Boat Ramp. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

Moon River Kayak Tours would like to renew the agreement. The fees would increase by $300 after the first two (2) year period of the agreement.

2.

Staff believes the total cost of $2,700 to be fair and reasonable.

FUNDING:

N/A - Revenue producing

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board approval to enter into a $2,700 annual revenue generating property lease agreement at the Rodney J. Hall Boat Ramp with the option to renew for four (4) additional one (1) year terms with Michael 39

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2012

J. Neal, d/b/a Moon River Kayak Tours, for annual revenue for the County. 2.

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is consistent with Board policy to provide concessionaire operated services at selected parks and recreational facilities. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL MELVA SHARPE ITEM B ISSUE: Request Board approval of a $108,000 Change Order No. 2, to contract QBS 07-9-4 with CDI Architects, Inc. (L. R. Kimball), for a Needs Assessment of additional requirements of the Chatham County Detention Center (CCDC). BACKGROUND: The 2008-2014 SPLOST referendum allocated funds in the amount of $109 million for the design and construction of the Chatham County Detention Center Expansion project. On August 22, 2008, the Board awarded the contract for A/E design services to L. R. Kimball & Associates. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

L. R. Kimball provided complete architectural and engineering design services for the CCDC Expansion Project. The project was bid in August 2010. Bids received were lower than the estimated construction budget. The construction contract was awarded to Hunt/Mills, A Joint Venture on December 17, 2010. Construction is ongoing and the project is on schedule.

2.

During the design phase of the project, the CCDC was conservative in prioritizing their needs in an effort to remain within budget. The emphasis was on new construction and a large portion of renovation work was shelved. The CCDC has identified three (3) major areas of additional work (renovation and new) that were not included in the project, to be addressed and funded from the project balance:

3.

a.

Renovations to Unit 5: Unit 5 was constructed in 1988 and is the oldest of the five (5) housing units. Re-design and renovation is required to accommodate increased inmate programming needs, replacement of the mechanical systems and roof etc.

b.

Renovation of Existing Complex: This would comprise of i. replacement of the entire roof (the ten (10) year warranty on the roof expired in 2002 and the roof has large leaks in several places) ii. integration of the existing Building Automation System with the new construction iii. evaluation of existing boilers and chillers iv. installation of a wireless network and radio boosters v. re-design of the Multipurpose Room to separate inmate and non-inmate populations vi. installation of a man-down system to increase operational safety vii. improved Jail Management Software to accommodate the increased size and complexity of the Detention Center viii. re-paving of the degraded perimeter road ix. installation of a traffic light at Chatham Parkway x. replacement of inoperable fire doors (a life safety issue)

c.

Work Release Center: Funded in SPLOST IV ($4 million), the Work Release Center/Diversion Center is to house approximately 100 inmates. It is to be located outside the security perimeter to allow for operation in a safe and controlled manner.

Based on the requirements of the CCDC staff, CDI Architects, Inc. (L. R. Kimball) will perform a detailed needs assessment and feasibility study. The Needs Assessment report will establish an approximate construction budget. Based on funds available, the scope of the project will be established. CDI Architects, Inc. (L. R. Kimball) will propose a fee for architectural and engineering design services for project design, bid and construction. The fee for the Needs Assessment is as follows a. b. c.

4.

Unit 5 Assessment Existing Complex Assessment Work Release Total

Contract history: Original Contract (8/22/10) Change Order 1 (1/14/11) Change Order 2 (pending) Revised contract amount

FUNDING:

$33,000 $44,000 $31,000 $108,000 $6,407,762 $ 531,540 $ 108,000 $7,047,302

•SPLOST (2008-2014) - Detention Center Expansion project for Unit 5 and the Existing Complex (3803355 - 52.12003 - 38060407) $77,000 •SPLOST (2003-2008) - Work Release (3234980 - 52.12003 - 32360737) $31,000 40

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2012

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board approval of a $108,000 Change Order No. 2, to contract QBS 07-9-4 with CDI Architects, Inc. (L. R. Kimball), for a Needs Assessment for additional requirements of the Chatham County Detention Center (CCDC).

2.

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is consistent with Board policy to approve awards of contracts and change orders. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommend approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL GLORIA SAUGH BUDGET APPROVAL CHRIS MORRIS ITEM C ISSUE: Request Board approval to award an annual contract for multi-function copier equipment with Océ Imagistics, Inc., d/b/a Océ North America Document Printing Systems of Savannah, GA. The contract with Océ will renew for five (5) years with individual copier rentals being for four (4) years with a possible one (1) year renewal. BACKGROUND: The County has approximately 118 copiers with varying statuses including owned, currently under lease and those with expired leases. Annual expenditures for copiers is approximately $342,909. The copiers have not previously been consolidated under one contract but have been contracted by individual departments at widely varying rates. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

An analysis of current copier invoices compared to Océ’s proposed rates was conducted by Purchasing to determine the savings the County would achieve under a consolidated contract. Based on a one (1) month review of invoices, the consolidated copier contract will result in an estimated $90,000 per year cost reduction to the County when the contract is fully implemented. This will occur over several years as current leases expire.

2.

The contract is a base plus cost per copy contract with the option to establish a base volume for larger volume departments. Purchasing will manage the copiers centrally so that the County has more control over copier costs. Currently, the County pays anywhere from $.009 to $.016 per page for black and white copies and $.06 to $.14 per page for color copies. The new contract rates are $.008 for black and white and $.05 for color. Base charges for every class of copiers are also substantially less than what the County currently pays.

3.

Proposals were solicited and five (5) proposals were received on August 2, 2012. The proposals were scored by the evaluation committee and a site visit was conducted with the highest rated vendor. Proposal results were as follows:

4.

Vendor Océ Imagistics, Inc. Savannah, GA

Total Score 95.20

DocuQuest, Inc. Savannah, GA

85

Automated Business Resources (ABR) Savannah, GA

83.80

Coyle Business Products, Inc. Savannah, GA

83.60

Xerox Corporation Savannah, GA

79.20

The proposed contract pricing is attached on page 19.

FUNDING:

Various

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board approval to award an annual contract for multi-function copier equipment with Océ Imagistics, Inc., d/b/a Océ North America Document Printing Systems of Savannah, GA. The contract with Océ will renew for five (5) years with individual copier rentals being for four (4) years with a possible one (1) year renewal.

41

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NOVEMBER 16

2012

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is consistent with Board policy to award service contracts to the highest scoring vendor.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL READ DEHAVEN ITEM D ISSUE: Request Board approval to terminate the $32,520 annual contract to provide janitorial services at the Administrative/Legislative Courthouse with CKC Enterprises and approve a $38,400 Change Order No. 1 to the annual contract with Randall Green Professional Cleaning to provide janitorial services at the Administrative/Legislative Courthouse. BACKGROUND: On September 5, 2008, the Board approved an annual contract with CKC Enterprises to provide janitorial services at the Administrative/Legislative Courthouse. On October 16, 2009, the Board approved an annual contract with Randall Green Professional Cleaning to provide janitorial service at Juvenile Court. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

Staff has received notification from CKC Enterprises requesting to terminate their contract effective November 17, 2012.

2.

Staff contacted four (4) companies that currently provide janitorial services to the County requesting quotes for janitorial service at the Administrative/Legislative Courthouse. Quotes are as follows: *

*

Randall Green Professional Cleaning Savannah, GA

$38,400/Year

Quality Cleaning Contractors Savannah, GA

$41,410/Year

Imagann Cleaning Service Savannah, GA

$51,000/Year

Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire Savannah, GA

$53,423/Year

*MBE 3.

Staff believes the low quote provided by Randall Green Professional Cleaning is fair and reasonable and would recommend a change order to incorporate the Administrative/Legislative Courthouse into the scope of work of their annual contract.

FUNDING:

General Fund/M&O - Facilities Maintenance and Operations (1001565 - 52.21301)

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board approval to terminate the $32,520 annual contract to provide janitorial services at the Administrative/Legislative Courthouse with CKC Enterprises and approve a $38,400 Change Order No. 1 to the annual contract with Randall Green Professional Cleaning to provide janitorial services at the Administrative/Legislative Courthouse.

2.

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is consistent with Board policy to terminate contracts upon contractor’s request, and to approve change orders to recognize changes in scope of services. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL MELVA SHARPE ITEM E ISSUE: Request Board approval to award a $1,377,826 professional services contract to Architects Design Group for the design and engineering services for the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency and Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

42

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NOVEMBER 16

2012

BACKGROUND: In March of 2009, the Board authorized the CEMA Director to negotiate with the Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF) Commander to request the allocation of space for the construction of a Chatham County multipurpose EOC. In March of 2012, the Commander of HAAF issued a letter of concurrence with the County’s request contingent upon Department of the Army approval and execution of a memorandum of agreement outlining operational parameters and responsibilities. On February 25, 2011, the Board approved CEMA’s receipt of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Grant to be used for the design of a hardened Emergency Operations Center to be located on Hunter Army Airfield. This Grant also included funding for other pre-construction activities such as environmental assessment, topographical survey, geotechnical survey, architectural and engineering fees, energy modeling, permitting, etc. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

Proposals were solicited for Design/Engineering Services for the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency and Emergency Operations Center. Seven (7) proposals were received. The proposals were scored by the evaluation committee and two (2) proposals scored high enough to set the “Short List” at two (2) firms. These two (2) firms were interviewed by the evaluation committee. After the interviews were scored and added to the proposal scores, Architects Design Group was the high scoring firm. (See attached matrix on page 15 and 16 for detailed scoring)

2.

After it was determined that Architects Design Groups the high scoring firm, CEMA staff negotiated fee and final scope of services for design and engineering services. Staff finds the negotiated fee and scope of services to be fair and reasonable for the size and complexity of this project.

FUNDING:

•DHS Port Security Grant (2503920 - 52.39001 - 25024252) - $750,000 •DHS Port Security Grant ( 1003920 - 52.39001 - 2502425M) - $250,000 •SPLOST (2008-2014) - CEMA - Public Safety Construction (3244980 - 54.03001 - 32460367) - $377,826

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board approval to award a $1,377,826 professional services contract to Architects Design Group for the design and engineering services for the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency and Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

2.

Provide staff with other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is consistent with Board policy to award professional services design contracts to the highest scoring firm. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL RUSHEDA ADESHINA BUDGET APPROVAL GLORIA SAUGH ITEM F ISSUE: Request Board approval of $22,499 purchase for a 2012 Ford F-250 replacement truck for Animal Control from J. C. Lewis Ford. BACKGROUND: Animal Control (Police) per the Police merger agreement is required one (1) replacement vehicle per year. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

In an effort to expedite the solicitation process, a request for quote was advertised and received on October 23, 2012.

2.

Staff received quotes from three (3) vendors which two (2) were local. Quotes are as follows:

3.

Speedway Ford Griffin, GA

2013 F-250

$19,672

Roberts Truck Center Savannah, GA

2013 F-250

$20,050

J.C. Lewis Ford Savannah, GA

2012 F-250

$22,499

The apparent low vendor, Speedway Ford of Griffin, GA, quote did not meet specifications due to the omission of the driver’s spot light. The second apparent low vendor, Roberts Truck Center, is unable to 43

FRIDAY

NOVEMBER 16

2012

deliver the vehicle for 90 days and the department is in immediate need of this essential piece of equipment. 4.

J. C. Lewis Ford bid meets specifications and the vehicle can be delivered immediately after notification.

FUNDING:

CNT - Confiscated Funds (2103222 - 54.22001)

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board approval of $22,499 purchase for a 2012 Ford F-250 replacement truck for Animal Control from J. C. Lewis Ford.

2.

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is consistent with Board policy to purchase replacement vehicles for the using department. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL GLORIA SAUGH ITEM G ISSUE: Request Board approval of a $266,769 construction contract for highway signs, steel posts, thermoplastic pavement markings and removal of existing striping on County roads, with Peek Pavement Marking, LLC, for the Signing and Marking Safety Project. BACKGROUND: An agreement with Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for the Signing and Marking Safety Project was approved by the Board on March 9, 2012. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

The project includes signing and marking on 26 roads within Chatham County.

2.

The project was properly advertised and three (3) bids were received and opened November 5, 2012. The bid results are as follows:

*

Peek Pavement Marking, LLC Columbus, GA

$ 266,769

TMI Services, Inc. Graham, N.C.

$ 312,877

Sheets Construction Co, Inc. Locust Grove, GA

$ 338,965

* WBE firm FUNDING:

SPLOST (2003-2008) - Roads Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) (3234220 - 54.14001 - 32355657) *Funding for this contract will be reimbursed by GDOT with federal safety money.

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board approval of a $266,769 construction contract for highway signs, steel posts, thermoplastic pavement markings and removal of existing striping on County roads, with Peek Pavement Marking, LLC, for the Signing and Marking Safety Project.

2.

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is consistent with Board policy to approve award of contracts to lowest responsive, responsible bidder. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL CHRIS MORRIS ITEM H ISSUE: Request Board approval of a $26,005 purchase of a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe, from the State of Georgia, contract from Hardy Chevrolet, Dallas, Georgia for CEMA. This vehicle is an addition to the Fleet.

44

FRIDAY

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2012

BACKGROUND: At their meeting on October 5, 2012, the Board approved the purchase of a vehicle for CEMA. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

A local dealership, Coastal Chevrolet declined the opportunity to match the State of Georgia contract pricing.

2.

Staff believes the total cost of $26,005 for the purchase of the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe to be fair and reasonable.

FUNDING:

General Fund/M&O - Reimbursable Expenses (1009957 - 57.10111)

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board approval of a $26,005 purchase of a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe, from the State of Georgia, contract from Hardy Chevrolet, Dallas, Georgia for CEMA. This vehicle is an addition to the Fleet.

2.

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is consistent with Board policy to approve the purchase of vehicles for the using department. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL CHRIS MORRIS ITEM I ISSUE: Request Board approval to extend the lease for 408 West Broughton Street for one (1) month with 410 West Broughton Street, LLC, until completion of the renovation of the Pete Liakakis Government Building. BACKGROUND: The Pete Liakakis Government Building is not scheduled for completion until December 2012. Because of the holidays, county offices will not be able to relocate until then. County offices located at 408 West Broughton Street will need to remain in leased space for one (1) more month. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

The building at 408 West Broughton Street, owned by 410 West Broughton Street, LLC, provides space to house the District Court Administrator, some Sheriff’s Office operations and some Board of Assessors’ staffing. More importantly, during the sequence of construction, it has served as convenient interim space as needs arise.

2.

The property leases for $4,849 a month (base price plus pro-rated taxes and insurance). Its convenient location makes the property ideal, and its lease rate remains competitive for commercial rental property in the Landmark Historic District.

3.

The lease will be through December 2012.

FUNDING:

SPLOST (2008-2014) - Courthouse Project (3244980 - 54.13011 - 32460427)

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board authorize execution of a one-month lease extension with 410 West Broughton Street, LLC, for $4,849.

2.

Board direct staff to consider other locations not within proximity of the Courthouse as a way to lower potential rental payments.

3.

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: Notwithstanding the legal authority for the Board to enter into lease agreements as a contract, a practical consideration for temporary office for Courthouse offices should be its accessibility to the Courthouse. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL GLORIA SAUGH ITEM J ISSUE: Request Board approval of a Veterinary services contract with Dr. Mary E. Martin, DVM, for Animal Control Shelter and Rescue Facility.

45

FRIDAY

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2012

BACKGROUND: At the October 19 meeting, the Board approved a six-month pilot program aimed at certifying dogs and cats for adoption in hopes of reducing euthanasia rates and improving shelter protocols for general animal welfare. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

The Purchasing Office advertised an Request for Interest (RFI) in The Savannah Morning News and sent the RFI to veterinarians listed in the AT&T phonebook.

2.

Only Dr. Mary (Beth) Martin, DVM, responded. She has practiced veterinary medicine for 13 years and previously served as staff/chief veterinarian and surgeon for the Humane Society, where she also helped to develop Standard Operating Procedures. In addition, Dr. Martin has volunteered at the animal shelter.

3.

The contract rate will be $50/hour. Services shall not exceed 20 hours per week.

4.

Staff at the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department reviewed her resume and concur in Dr. Martin’s selection.

FUNDING:

General Fund/M&O - Animal Control, Other Contracted Services (1003910 - 52.39001)

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board authorize execution of a contract with Dr. Beth Martin for part-time veterinary services at the Animal Control Shelter and Rescue Center. Services shall not exceed 20 hours per week. The contract will be for six (6) months; however should the pilot program prove successful, the contract term will be three (3) years with annual renewal.

2.

Board direct staff to re-advertise the RFI.

3.

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: Notwithstanding the legal authority for the Board to enter into contracts under the Purchasing Ordinance and Procedures Manual, the selection of a veterinarian would be consistent with the Board’s approval of a pilot program aimed at certifying dogs and cats for adoption in hopes of reducing euthanasia rates and improving shelter protocols for general animal welfare. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL GLORIA SAUGH ITEM K ISSUE: Request Board approval of $82,329 purchase of three (3) 2012 Ford Interceptors from J.C. Lewis Ford of Savannah for Fleet Operations. BACKGROUND: On July 20, 2012 the Board approved an award for police type vehicles to J.C. Lewis Ford. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

These are replacement vehicles. The base cost for each vehicle is $27,443. The vehicles are equipped for both Police and Sheriff use.

2.

These are additional vehicle purchases from the July, 2012 bid.

3.

Staff believes this price is fair and reasonable.

FUNDING:

CIP - Fleet Operations (3501567 - 54.22001 - 3503004A)

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Request Board approval of $82,329 purchase of three (3) 2012 Ford Interceptors from J.C. Lewis Ford of Savannah for Fleet Operations.

2.

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is consistent with Commission policy to approve bids for the purchase of replacement vehicles. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL CHRIS MORRIS

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ITEM L ISSUE: Request Board approval of Change Order No. 1 to the annual contract for mowing services of canals, landfills and a waste/water treatment facility with Myers and Son, Inc., to recognize unit pricing (see attached detail on pages 17 and 18), and add to the scope of work an additional mowing for Solid Waste as a result of a change requested by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD). BACKGROUND: On August 24 , 2012, the Board approved the award of an annual contract for mowing services of canals, landfills and the waste water treatment facility. The agenda item for the contract award contained a total for the basis of award. The goal of Staff was to have unit pricing for the entire contract which would enable Staff to take into consideration the variances that routinely occur during each mowing cycle. During the intervening time between contract award and notice to proceed, GA EPD performed compliance inspections of closed County landfill sites. Due to the protracted warm weather conditions, GA EPD found a discrepancy for length of grass cover with the remediation being the requirement to add an additional mowing. FACTS AND FINDINGS: 1.

Due to variances in the amount of areas to be mowed due to annexations, construction, releases from the Engineering Department to Public Works and Park Services for maintenance, unit based pricing allows Staff the ability to accommodate these fluctuations without having to pursue change orders.

2.

The additional mowing costs, mobilization and transportation costs are a product of increased maintenance requested by the GA EPD.

FUNDING:

•General Fund/M&O - Public Works (1004100 - 52.21411) •Water and Sewer (5054400 - 52.39001) •Solid Waste (5404501 - 52.39021)

ALTERNATIVES: 1.

Board approval of Change Order No. 1 to the annual contract for mowing services of canals, landfills and a waste/water treatment facility with Myers and Son, Inc., to recognize unit pricing (see attached detail), and add to the scope of work an additional mowing for Solid Waste as a result of a change requested by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD).

2.

Provide staff other direction.

POLICY ANALYSIS: It is consistent with Board policy to approve change orders to recognize unit pricing and changes in the scope of work. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Alternative 1. BUDGET APPROVAL CHRIS MORRIS BUDGET APPROVAL RUSHEDA ADESHINA PREPARED BY PURCHASING AGENT ==========

XI.

FIRST READINGS

Proposed changes to ordinances m ust be read or presented in w ritten form at tw o m eetings held not less than one w eek apart. A vote on the follow ing listed m atters w ill occur at the next regularly scheduled m eeting. O n first reading, presentation by M PC staff and discussion only by C om m issioners w ill be heard. C om m ents, discussion and debate from m em bers of the public w ill be received only at the m eeting at w hich a vote is to be taken on one of the follow ing listed item s.

1.

AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 20, BUILDING (CONSTRUCTION) REGULATIONS, ARTICLE I, SECTION 20-107, ENTITLED “PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.”

Chairman Liakakis said, First Reading. Of course there’s no action on it, but it’s Amendment to Chapter 20, Building (Construction) regulations, Article I, Section 20-107, entitled “Penalties for Violation.” ==========

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XII. SECOND READINGS Chairman Liakakis said, there are no Second Readings today. ==========

XIII. INFORMATION ITEMS Chairman Liakakis said, you’ve all been distributed the Information Items that the County has.

1.

PROGRESS REPORT ON GENERAL FUND CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT - M&O AND THE SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT (SEE ATTACHED).

ACTION OF THE BOARD: A status report was attached as information. ==========

2.

LIST OF PURCHASING ITEMS BETWEEN $2,500 AND $9,999 (See Attached.) AGENDA ITEM: XIII-2 AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012 List of Purchasing Items between $2,500 and $9,999 That Do Not Require Board Approval ITEM

DEPT.

SOURCE

AMOUNT

Equipment for courthouse construction project

Special Projects

Grainger

70 tons of asphalt hot mix

Public Works and Park Services

Carroll & Carroll Inc. $4,130

SSD-Public Works

2012 audit services

Tax Commissioner

Karp, Ronning & Tindol P.C.

$7,500

General Fund/M&O - Tax Commissioner

Five (5) uninterruptible I.C.S. power supplies with remote management adapters at new Data Center

Entre Solutions (MBE)

$3,658

2005 DSA Bond Fund

One (1) radio base station for Public Works and Park Services

Savannah Communication & Electronic

$3,132

SPLOST (2003-2008) Public Works Building

Printing and mailing of Tax Commissioner 2012 final installment tax bills

Diversified Companies, LLC.

$9,793

General Fund/M&O - Tax Commissioner

Electrical supplies

Detention Center

Savannah Winlectric

$4,235

General Fund/M&O Detention Center

Soccer officials for October 6-14

Public Works and Park Services

Greater Savannah $3,101 Soccer Association, Inc. (Sole Source)

General Fund/M&O Parks and Recreation

Repairs to one (1) monitoring well and survey of three (3) monitoring wells

Public Works and Park Services

Advanced Environmental Management

$4,111

Solid Waste Management

Printed file folders

State Court Clerk

VIP Printing & Office Supply (WBE)

$3,050

General Fund/M&O State Court Clerk

Stock large truck tires

Fleet Operations

SOS Radial Tire Service

$6,124

Inventory Account

Stock vehicle tires

Fleet Operations

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

$3,959

Inventory Account

Inventory repair parts for month of August

Fleet Operations

White Brothers Auto $2,597 Parts Warehouse

Inventory Account

I.C.S.

$3,591

FUNDING SPLOST (2008-2014) Courthouse Construction

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ITEM

DEPT.

SOURCE

2012

AMOUNT

FUNDING

Inventory repair parts for month of September

Fleet Operations

White Brothers Auto $3,480 Parts Warehouse

Inventory Account

Plumbing supplies

Detention Center

Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.

$2,688

General Fund/M&O Detention Center

Telephone cables and I.C.S. patch panels at Pete Liakakis Government Building

Integrated Network Solutions, Inc.

$4,843

2005 DSA Bond Fund

Transmitter, receivers and microphones for audio system

Court Administrator

Stage Front Presentation Systems (Sole Source)

$9,322

General Fund/M&O Court Expenditures

Addition of remote sites to telephone system

I.C.S.

Integrated Network Solutions, Inc.

$2,808

2005 DSA Bond Fund

Ten (10) telephones

I.C.S.

Mitel Business Systems, Inc.

$2,585

2005 DSA Bond Fund

Replaced transmission on Unit #149-Public Works pickup truck

Fleet Operations

Roberts Truck Center, Inc.

$2,636

General Fund/M&O Fleet Operations

Replace tires and repair Unit #574CEMA sedan, Replace struts and mounting plates on Unit #579-CEMA sedan

Fleet Operations

Ford Quality Fleet Care

$2,575

General Fund/M&O Fleet Operations

==========

3.

ROADS AND DRAINAGE REPORTS.

ACTION OF THE BOARD: A status report was attached as information. AGENDA ITEM: XIII-3 ROADS AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012 TO:

Board of Commissioners

THRU:

R. E. Abolt, County Manager

FROM:

A.G. Bungard, P.E., County Engineer

ISSUE:

To provide information on the status of Chatham County road projects.

BACKGROUND: Funding priorities for projects using Federal aid are established in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). For awarded construction contracts, this report provides the latest scheduled completion dates. FACTS AND FINDING: 1.

Truman Parkway, Phase 5. Construction underway by GDOT contract. Estimated completion December 2013.

2.

Diamond Causeway. Construction by GDOT of a high level bridge over Skidaway Narrows to replace the bascule bridge will be delayed pending GDOT decision on how to resolve problems with installing mid-span bridge beams. Estimated completion of September 2013 will be delayed.

3.

Whitefield Avenue. Construction underway by GDOT contract. Estimated completion September 2013.

4.

Bay Street Widening. Project put on hold in 2010 pending another Assessment of Effects (AOE) to historic properties. ROW acquisitions process expected to resume by the end of calendar 2012.

5.

Jimmy Deloach Parkway Phase 2 and Interchange of Jimmy Deloach Parkway at U.S. 80. Design ongoing. ROW acquisitions expected to begin summer 2013. 49

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2012

6.

SR 307 Widening from US 17 to I-16. Construction underway. Estimated completion in October 2013.

7.

Islands Expressway Bridge Replacement. Design is underway on a high level bridge to replace the bascule bridge over the Intercoastal Waterway on Islands Expressway. ROW plans expected by summer 2013.

8.

Local Roads. a.

Hunt Road and Faye Road Bridge Replacements. Expect to solicit bids for construction contracts for both bridges November 2012.

b.

Ridgewood Avenue, Beechwood Avenue and Elmhurst Avenue. Construction underway. Estimated completion March 2013.

RECOMMENDATION:

For information.

Districts All AGENDA ITEM: XIII-3 DRAINAGE AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2012 TO:

Board of Commissioners

THRU:

R. E. Abolt, County Manager

FROM:

A. G. Bungard, P.E., County Engineer

ISSUE:

To provide information on the status of Chatham County drainage projects.

BACKGROUND: For awarded construction contracts, this report provides the latest scheduled completion dates. For projects pending environmental permits, start dates are best estimates. Project scopes include varying degrees of canal widening, bank stabilization, bridges and culverts. FACTS AND FINDING: 1. Pipemakers Canal. The project includes canal widening, bank stabilization, sluice gates and culverts. Construction of Phase 2A (from Daniel Street to Dean Forest Road) is substantially complete. Construction of Phase 2B is underway with completion scheduled for August 2014. Staff is working to identify and obtain canal rights of way west of I-95. A project to improve access for maintenance north of Briarwood in Garden City is under design. 2. Pipemakers Pump Station. The project was identified in the 2003-2008 SPLOST as a part of capital improvements to the Pipemakers Canal Drainage Basin. The hydraulic model is complete. The draft concept plan and cost analysis will be submitted to staff for review by December 2012. 3. Hardin Canal. The project includes canal widening, bank stabilization, bridges and culverts. Projects that replaced culverts at SR 307 (Dean Forest Road) and within the Southbridge golf course area are complete. Staff is pursuing improvements to facilitate maintenance in the area of the completed culvert project at Dean Forest Road. 4. Queensbury Drainage Improvements. The project will improve drainage and provide maintenance access in the area south of Montgomery Cross Road and west of Ferguson Avenue (includes Tara Manor, Ennis Mobile Home Park-Elmhurst Court, and the Forest City Gun Club.) A project in the area of Remington Drive is complete. Design and permitting are complete on a project to improve drainage at Tara Manor. 5. Ferguson/Remington Drainage Improvements. The project will improve drainage and provide access for maintenance for the Remington Canal from Ferguson Road to the outfall at Moon River. A design scope of work and engineering fee is under development. 6. Wilmington Park Canal. The project will improve drainage and maintenance access within the canal and surrounding areas. Phase I will replace four undersized culverts along the canal. Construction began in September with completion scheduled for August 2013. Phase II will improve drainage from the southern portion of Ashley Road and is under design. The existing outfall from this area is not accessible due to a lack of drainage easement. 7 Louis Mills/Redgate Canal. The project will correct inadequate drainage capacity and the lack of maintenance access to the canal. Improvements are complete between Garrard Avenue and the CSX Railroad. Projects to extend the improvements along the Marshall Branch Canal are underway and include construction of maintenance access and culvert replacements access and culvert replacements. Design of the culvert replacement is underway. Based on recommendations from Purchasing, bids received for construction of maintenance access along the downstream part of the Marshall Branch Canal have been rejected. 8. Ogeechee Farms Area. The project includes improvements to canals and culverts. Phase 1 installed about 0.2 miles of stormwater pipe south of Vidalia Road and replaced a road crossing at Waynesboro Road. This phase was completed in July 2005. Phase II replaced five undersized culverts south of and under Vidalia Road and was completed in June 2010. Phase III replaces three culverts under Ridgeland Road, a private drive, and Yemassee Road and Chevis Road and completed in November 2012.

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9. Whippoorwill Road Drainage. The project will relocate and improve a canal tidegate structure to a location that can be accessed for maintenance. The existing structure is undersized and was damaged by previous storm events. It cannot be accessed for repair or maintenance because it is located on private property. Design and permitting is underway for a replacement structure in a new location that is accessible for maintenance. 10, Laberta-Cresthill Area. The project replaced a culvert under Whitefield Avenue with a double box culvert to relieve flooding within the Cresthill Subdivision. Construction is complete. 11. Norwood Drainage Outfalls. The project will improve drainage capacity and access for maintenance for two drainage outfalls from Norwood Avenue. Construction of improvements is complete at Norwood Place. Design work and permitting are underway for the outfall near Skidaway Road. 12. Henderson/Gateway. Drainage is provided by the Little Neck Canal and the Henderson Branch Canal (combined length 2 miles). Projects to replace the golf cart culvert and culvert at Henderson Oaks Drive and Little Neck Road are complete. Engineer proposals from engineering firms for design of drainage improvements in the Gateway area are under review by Staff. 13. Shipyard-Beaulieu Area. The project will improve drainage capacity and access for maintenance. Phase I replaced an undersized storm drain pipe at Beaulieu Avenue was completed in January 2010. Phase II will replace three undersized storm drain pipes and reshape the existing ditch. Acquisitions of required easements are complete. Final design plans and permitting are underway. 14. Lehigh-Shipyard Lane Area. The project will relieve roadside drainage issues causing nuisance flooding in the Lehigh Avenue and Shipyard Lane area. Final design work and permitting are complete. Construction is expected to begin in December 2012. 15. LaRoche Culvert. The project will replace a drainage culvert located under LaRoche Avenue north of Lansing Avenue. The culvert replacement is in response to a deteriorating brick arch culvert with several cracks. Final design work and permitting are complete. Bids opened in April 2012 exceeded project budget and were rejected. The design is being modified to lower construction costs. 16. Little Hurst Canal. The project will improve drainage capacity and access for maintenance along the canal. A design scope of work is under development. 17. Wahlstrom Road. The project will address inadequate drainage capacity and maintenance access along the portion of Wahlstrom Road north of the railroad tracks. The drainage infrastructure in the area received infrequent maintenance in the past due to extensive industrial activities in the area and lack of access. Current work is directed toward identifying ownership and responsibility of existing infrastructure and locating existing drainage easements and rights of way. 18. Wymberley Area. The project will address inadequate neighborhood drainage including roadside ditches, culverts and rear yard areas not accessible for maintenance of public systems. In early 2012 staff presented conceptual plans to stakeholders of the Wormsloe Historic Site and received preliminary verbal agreement for the improvements. Design work is underway. 19. Cottonvale Road Drainage. The project will relieve drainage and maintenance access issues causing nuisance flooding in the Cottonvale Road area. Acquisition of a required easement is complete. Final design plans are underway. RECOMMENDATION: For information. Districts: All ==========

EXECUTIVE SESSION Chairman Liakakis said, and the -- that’s it for today. We need a motion on the floor -County Manager Abolt said, personnel. Chairman Liakakis said, -- for executive session. County Manager Abolt said, personnel, litigation, land acquisition. Commissioner Farrell said, so moved. Commissioner Stone said, second. Commissioner Kicklighter said, second. Chairman Liakakis said, let’s go on the board. Motion passes. ACTION OF THE BOARD: Commissioner Farrell moved to recess to executive session to discuss personnel, litigation and land acquisition. 51

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2012

Commissioners Stone and Kicklighter seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] The Board recessed at approximately 12:03 p.m. ==========

ITEMS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION 1.

Payment of Damage to Employees’ Vehicles of the Tax Commissioner’s Office

Action of the Board: Commissioner Odell moved approve the residual payment of $3,738.17 for damage to the vehicles of employees of the Tax Commissioner’s Office when a tree fell on their car. Commissioner Holmes seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] ===========

2.

Personnel

Action of the Board: Commissioner Kicklighter moved to approve a $180,000 payment to County Manager Russ Abolt, upon his retirement, in addition to his terminal pay. This amount will be paid monthly over a six-year period to Mr. Abolt or his beneficiary. The Board voted and the motion carried unanimously. [NOTE: Commissioner Shay was not present for the vote.] ===========

ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to be brought before the Commissioners, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. =========== APPROVED: THIS

DAY OF DECEMBER, 2012.

PETE LIAKAKIS, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA

JANICE E. BOCOOK, CLERK OF COMMISSION

52