County Approves Landfill Agreement

voted to approve a resolution with Paulding County to allow landfill phasing within one-half mile of the county line. Commissioner Tom Worthan noted that without this resolution the county could lose more than 300 acres of exiting landfill space as it moves into what is termed its ‘Phase 2’ territory. The item was needed due to the ‘within one-half mile’ stipulation. Worthan said that the relationship with Paulding was a good one regarding this issue.

The Commissioners voted to approve all agenda items Tuesday during their regularly scheduled meeting. One resolution item and one consent agenda item passed by a 4 to 1 vote, and all other agenda items were passed unanimously.

The only item of new business gave the board authorization to approve Comprehensive Program Services (CPS) recommendation to approve Owner Contingency Authorization (OCA-008) in the amount of $98,415. with regard to costs associated with groundwater issues encountered under support building pile caps, retaining wall, and Slab On Grade on the new law enforcement center project.

RESOLUTIONs

• Resolution authorizing modification to the Memorandum of Understanding between PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Development Authority of Douglas County and Douglas County Board of Commissioners regarding Lease Structure and Valuation of Leasehold Interest and to authorize the chairman to sign all related documents. The resolution passed by a vote of 4 to 1 with Commissioner Robinson opposed, after some additional input from Joe Fowler, attorney for the Douglas County Development Authority. Fowler addressed the Board’s concerns regarding the item as some of the verbiage hab been modified from what appeared on the voting agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA items passed by the Board

• Authorization to accept the easement for the mitigation tract for development of a CVS at Hwy. 5 and Central Church Rd. subject to legal review and authorize the Chairman to sign all related documents. 

• Authorization to apply for Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) implementation funds for the multi-use Path from Deerlick Park to Chestnut Log Middle School with an estimated total cost for PE, ROW and Construction of $1,300,000 including a county contribution of $260,000. Voted on separately by the Board and passed by a 4 to 1 vote with Commissioner Guider opposed. Ms. Guider told the Board she felt there could be better, more vital projects on which to spend the money. The county contribution of 20 percent, or $260,000, was said to be over a 5-year period.

• Authorization for County staff to prepare an Urban Redevelopment Plan for Douglas County. The plan would focus on areas that are high in vacancy rates and/or low in rentals. This would allow the county to apply for tax incentive programs in the future. Some areas identified were along Thornton Road, along Hwy. 92, areas in Villa Rica and elsewhere. The plan once completed would come back to the Board for approval.

• Authorization to approve the extension of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 until Sept. 5, 2012 and authorize chairman to sign all related documents subject to legal review. 

• Authorization for the chairman to execute closing documents for the Douglas Hill Road property–for a new fire station.

• Authorization to approve a new cable franchise agreement with Comcast and authorize the chairman to sign all related documents subject to final legal review.

• Authorization to accept grant funds from Store #1488 in the amount of $1,000 to be used to purchase fire safety education materials and amend the Fire Department budget.