RUNDOWN: Bulloch Commission Meeting – July 5, 2023

This is an informal rundown of what happened at the Bulloch County Board of Commissioner’s Meeting on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME MEDIA AND VISITORS
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
ROLL CALL

All Commissioners were present.

Ahead of the official business, Commissioners presented former County Commissioner Walter Gibson with a commendation from Governor Brian Kemp for his 22 years of public service to the county.

APPROVAL OF ZONING AGENDA

1. VALNOC, LLC has submitted an application to rezone 76.7 acres from AG-5 (Agricultural 5 acres) to R25 (Residential 25,000 sq ft) for the purpose of a single-family residential subdivision. The property is located on Anderson Cemetery Road and Clifton Road, Parcel No. 110 000016 000.
   • Joey Maxwell of Maxwell Reddick was present to provide details on the subdivision to commissioners. There were no questions or comments from commissioners.
   • Planning & Zoning approved the application with conditions by a 4-0 vote
   • School impact is anticipated. A minimum of 52 new students in the Southeast Bulloch High School Feeder district
   • The staff recommended the following conditions if approval of the rezone request is granted:
     1. The principal uses approved for this property will be a R-25 single-family district as depicted in the sketch plan for this application.
     2. All structures must be site-built traditional construction according to state minimum building codes. No manufactured or industrialized structures shall be permitted.
     3. Roadway Improvements: Anderson Cemetery Road shall be paved for the length of the development requiring a minimum 60’ right-of way with design and materials approved by the county engineer.
     4. Right-of-Way Dedication: (30’) feet in width of right-of-way as measured from the centerline of Clifton Road and east shall be dedicated in fee simple to Bulloch County for the length of the rezoned property for future road improvements.
   • No one from the public was present to speak against the application.
   • Commissioners approved the request unanimously.

2. Shannon Heard has submitted a rezone application requesting to rezone 0.4 acres from R-15 (Single Family Residential – 15,000 sq ft) to R-2 (Two Family Residential – 15,000 sq ft) for the purpose of constructing one duplex housing structure. The property is located at 101 Dodd Circle, Parcel No. MS68000030 000
   • Planning & Zoning approved the application with conditions by a 4-0 vote
   • The staff recommended the following conditions if approval of the rezone request is granted:
     1. Off-Street Parking: Two parking spaces per unit shall be provided and paved. Each unit shall access individual driveways/ parking areas.
   • There were no questions or comments from commissioners. No one from the public was present to speak against the application.
   • Commissioners approved the request unanimously.
3. Eagle Village Development, LLC has submitted an application to rezone 20 acres from R-2 (Two Family Residential – 15,000 sq ft) to MHP (Manufactured Home Park) for the purpose of expanding current manufactured home park. The property is located on Eagle Blvd., Parcel No. 104 000010 000
   • Planning & Zoning approved the application with conditions by a 4-0 vote
   • Staff recommended approval of the application.
   • There were no questions or comments from commissioners. No one from the public was present to speak against the application.
   • Commissioners approved the request unanimously.
4. Timmy and Julie Rushing have submitted an application to rezone 44.5 acres from AG-5 (Agricultural 5 acres) to HC (Highway Commercial) with the intent to operate a recreational vehicle park and campground. Property is located at 16200 Hwy 46, Parcel No. 128 000053 000.
   • Commissioner Timmy Rushing recused himself from the vote and removed himself from his seat to sit in the audience.
   • Planning & Zoning approved the application with conditions by a 4-0 vote
   • Commissioners approved the request unanimously.
5. Timmy and Julie Rushing have submitted a conditional use application requesting to operate a recreational vehicle park and campground. The property is located at 16200 Hwy 46, Parcel No. 128 000053 000
   • Commissioner Timmy Rushing recused himself from the vote and removed himself from his seat to sit in the audience.
   • Planning & Zoning approved the application with conditions by a 4-0 vote
   • Fire Plan: A Plan shall be submitted to the County Fire Chief that includes the following:
     1. Location of portable extinguishing devices and fire lanes and escapes, sufficient to meet all state and local standards.
     2. No open fire shall be permitted except in facilities provided.
     3. No open fire shall be left unattended.
     4. No fuel shall be used and no material cured which emits dense smoke or objectionable odors.
     5. If fires are permitted the owner must make available fuel suitable for facilities provided.
   • Commissioners approved the request unanimously.

APPROVAL OF GENERAL AGENDA

CONSENT AGENDA

The consent agenda was voted on collectively for all 6 items in a single vote. Commissioners approved all items unanimously.

1. Resolution to Confirm the Name of County Road Number 520 to be Old Black Creek Road
   • Bulloch County GIS has requested clarification on the name of County Road Number 520. According to deeds and plats in the real estate records of Bulloch County, there is some evidence that the name of County Road Number 520 has in the past been considered to be Old Black Creek Road. Approval of the attached resolution confirming that the name of County Road Number 520 is Old Black Creek Road is recommended.

2. Approve and Ratify a Memorandum of Understanding by and among the Development Authority of Bulloch County, CG Statesboro, LLC, and Hanon Systems Alabama Corp.
   • The Development Authority has entered into the attached MOU with CG Statesboro, LLC and Hanon Systems Alabama Corp. for the location of a project in Bulloch County to supply vehicular HVAC components for Hyundai. The Development Authority, CG Statesboro, LLC, and Hanon Systems Alabama Corp. are the parties to the MOU, but the Board of Commissioners and Board of Tax Assessors have been requested to acknowledge the MOU and agree to applicable provisions. As an inducement for location of the project in Bulloch County, the MOU includes a 100% abatement of County ad valorem taxes for 10 years. The tax abatement does not include school taxes or taxes for the County’s fire district. In order to meet the closing schedule for this project, it was necessary to execute the signature pages prior to this meeting. Approval and ratification of the MOU is recommended by staff.
3. Approve an Economic Development Agreement by and among the Development Authority of Bulloch County and Ecoplastic America Corp.
   • The Development Authority has entered into an Economic Development Agreement with Ecoplastic America Corp. regarding a project in Bulloch County. The Development Authority and Ecoplastic America Corp. are the parties to the Agreement, but the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Tax Assessors have been requested to acknowledge the Agreement and agree to applicable provisions. The Board of Commissioners and Board of Assessors previously approved a Memorandum of Understanding related to this project on February 21, 2023. Approval of the Economic Development Agreement is recommended.

2. Accept A Grant Award from FEMA for the Bulloch County Fire Department
   • Authorize the County Manager to accept an Assistance to Firefighters Grant award and execute necessary agreement and documents
3. Motion to grant an alcoholic beverage license for retail beer and wine sales to Nidhi Rajnikant Patel, Jay Gajanana LLC, located at 3180 US Highway 25, Statesboro, Georgia 30461
   • Patel has met the County's requirements for the submission of an alcohol application
4. Motion to grant an alcoholic beverage license for retail beer and wine sales to Amrutbhai P. Patel, Neel 2022 LLC, located at 21196 US Highway 80 E. Statesboro, Gerogia 30461
   • Patel has met the County's requirements for the submission of an alcohol application

NEW BUSINESS

1. Motion to approve a bid and enter into a contract with Ellis Wood Contracting for the Antioch Church Road Paving project, in the amount of $184,750.00, to be funded by TSPLOST and SPLOST 13.
   • This contract includes clearing, grading, storm drain installation, road base installation, and paving of Antioch Church Road.
   • Sealed bids were received on June 22, 2023, as detailed in the attached memo from Parker Engineering, the design consultant for the project. Ellis Wood Contracting, Inc. submitted the lowest bid and met all requirements of the County's bid specifications. Ellis Wood's bid of $184,750.00 is below the budgeted amount of $200,00 (TSPLOST and SPLOST 13 funds). Parker Engineering has reviewed the bid and recommends approval (see attached memo). Since the low bid is within budget and all bid specifications were met, the County Engineer recommends awarding the contract to Ellis Wood Contracting in the amount of $184,750.00.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

COMMISSION AND STAFF COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION (REAL ESTATE)

ADJOURN