Commission to Meet Tuesday

After a year and a half, impact fees are on the minds of Cherokee County officials again.

In 2000, Cherokee became the first county in the state to impose the fees meant to offset the costs of building new schools, roads, sewers or other needed resources due to development. The gist is that growth creates the need for these projects and that taxpayers shouldn’t have to bear the burden.

But as growth slowed down with the economy, so did the amount of money coming into the county.

In July 2009, the county commissioners cut the impact fees by 90 percent in an attempt at drawing development, jobs and businesses to the county.

But Tuesday night the issue will again be before the county commissioners. It is mentioned as a discussion item, but Chairman Buzz Ahrens said the issue was discussed at the board’s annual retreat and “we’ll do something.”

Ahrens said the issue is whether to raise them again and by how much. It might mean starting at half of what they once were. He also mentioned maybe having a step process where it gradually increases.

“We want to give people fair notice,” Ahrens said.

But at the same time, the county needs to look at all avenues to raise revenue, he said. The county is expecting a $7 million shortfall in 2012.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the county’s government complex at 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton.

                                                         AGENDA

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners

FEBRUARY 15, 2011                  REGULAR MEETING                   6:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER                                                                        CHAIRMAN

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

“Veterans of U.S. military service may proudly salute the flag while not in uniform based on a change in the governing law on 25 July 2007”

Members of Fire and Emergency Services Explorer Post 469 will present the colors and lead the pledge.

RECOGNITIONS

Sheriff Roger Garrison will recognize the Criminal Investigation Division, Property Unit

Chief Raymond Gunnin and Chief Eddie Robinson will recognize Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Explorer Post #469 members who placed first, second and third in 3 of the timed events at the annual Winterfest 2011 competition

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

ANNOUNCEMENTS

On Saturday, February 26 at 8:00 a.m. (check-in at 7 a.m.) at Hobgood Park, the 5th Annual GUNS and HOSES 5k Run/Walk will be held. Registration is $20.00 in advance and $25.00 race day. The Sheriff’s Office GUNS will donate to CASA. The Fire Department HOSES will donate to the Hope and Light Foundation. You can register online at www.active.com or print a registration form at www.crpa.net and mail it in or register in person at the South Annex Recreation Center

PUBLIC COMMENT

APPROVAL OF WORK SESSION MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2011

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2011

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

(1)         Consider the adoption of standards for the construction and/or development          of indoor and outdoor firing ranges – Vicki Taylor Lee

(2)         Consideration of revisions to the Zoning Districts, the Permitted Uses Table          and related sections of the Zoning Ordinance – Margaret Stallings

ZONING SUMMARY FOR FEBRUARY 1, 2011

Zoning Cases:

CASE NUMBER                                             : 11-01-001

APPLICANT                                             : Highridge Partners, Inc.

ZONING CHANGE                                        : R-40 to NC and GC

LOCATION                                                      : Holly Street

MAP & PARCEL NUMBER                           : 15N08-110 & 15N07-003

ACRES                                                      : 0.99

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT                           : Medical/Health Services

COMMISSION DISTRICT                           : Post 3

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT MAP                  : Suburban Living

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL with CONDITIONS of previous case #10-08-018.  Conditions are as follows:

1.         The northern entrance along Bells Ferry Road should be a right in/right out driveway with an exclusive northbound right turn lane.  The right turn lane should be extended to Holly Street to provide an exclusive right turn lane onto Holly Street.

2.         The southern entrance along Bells Ferry Road is a full entrance access          driveway.  A southbound exclusive left turn lane and a northbound exclusive          right turn lane should be provided.

3.         This driveway should also line so that it does not limit access to the General          Commercial property on the west side of Bells Ferry Road near this location.

4.         Prohibit use of any gas station or convenience store.

5.         The design of the buildings shall be Craftsman-style with the following          elements:

• Exterior clad with a brick or natural stone base and wood or cement siding above.
• Vertically proportioned windows and doors with Craftsman style trim.
• Rectangular or battered columns (if used).
• Sloped, overhanging roofs with bracket details.

COMMISSION BUSINESS

         CHAIRMAN                                                      L. B. AHRENS

         Appointment to Cemetery Preservation Committee

         Consideration of a statement, or resolution of support, regarding Post voting          ... one Post or two Posts [ current ]

         COMMISSION POST 1                                    HARRY B. JOHNSTON

         VICE CHAIR/COMMISSION POST 2                  JIM HUBBARD

         COMMISSION POST 3                                    KAREN BOSCH

         Discussion re Impact Fees

         Consideration of a resolution supporting proposed Motorcycle Safety          Legislation

         COMMISSION POST 4                                    JASON NELMS

CONSENT AGENDA

(1)         Consider award of boundary survey for 47+/- acre tract referred to as the  Six M’s property to Johnston Surveying, LLC who provided the low bid          totaling $6,250.  The next bid totaled $8,000.

(2)         Consider proposal and amendment to professional services contract in the amount of $4,000 with Nova Environmental for geotechnical exploration and private utility locate for the Lake Arrowhead Fire Station site.  If property is  acceptable, a property deed will be submitted to the BOC for consideration in the near future.

(3)         Request approval of 2nd Amendment to the ARC FY2011 budget contract for additional funds received for a total of $10,004.; and approval of budget  amendment/transfer

COUNTY MANAGER

(4)         Request approval and authorization to remove a damaged, unsafe structure Mobile Home Park) as per the Judge’s order dated January 6, 2011

(5)         Approval of contract for purchase and sale of Coca Cola products in County park concession stands

(6)         Approve submittal of the 2012-13 Department of Human Services Annual  Application for funding for the CATS 5311 (Rural Transportation Program

(7)         Consider renewal of professional services contract with Rindt-McDuff          Associates, Inc. (RMA) for the Blalock Road Landfill closure project for an          amount not to exceed 2011 budget totaling $150,000

(8)         Consider lease of coffee shop space located in the Administration          Building/Conference Center to “The Coffee Pot” for minimum period of 6          months with cost to conference center not to exceed $500/month for supplies and materials, and contingent upon approval of acceptable lease terms

(9)         Consider approval of real estate purchase agreement for 29+/- acre tract  located on Marietta Highway (Haygood property) in the amount of $401,501.82 with the City of Canton contributing $80,300.36 (20%) and closing the property, or the county closing and transferring property to the City of Canton for parks.  Closing is contingent upon completed boundary survey and environmental clearance, as well as acceptable access.

(10)        Consider acceptance of PY 2009 HOME Investment Partnerships Act Grant funds from the Georgia Urban County Consortium (GUCC) in the amount of  $219,833.; and approval to issue a Subrecipient Agreement to Cherokee          County’s Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDO), North          Georgia Community Housing Development Corporation in the amount of          $46,280. for the development of Affordable Housing

COUNTY ATTORNEY

ADJOURN