Commission votes to spend $300K for Kenwood Park upgrades

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Planned improvements costing about $300,000 for Kenwood Park got the go-ahead last week from the Fayette County Board of Commissioners.

Revisions to the park’s master plan that were discussed at last month’s retreat were approved at the May 14 meeting by a 3-0 vote, as commissioners David Barlow and Pota Coston were absent. Also given via that vote was approval to move forward with Phase II improvements.

The master plan was first adopted in 2004 and Phase I was opened in 2007. It was decided initially to allow development of the park property in phases as the commissioners approved capital improvement budgets.

The revision proposed by county staff at the retreat included development of a pavilion/gazebo, a restroom, a parking lot, a tot lot/playground, fitness stations, walking trails, and an open multipurpose field. The board directed staff at the retreat to put the revision before the Recreation Commission, which voted unanimously to recommend its adoption.

Randy Ognio moved to approve the new plan, and Steve Brown seconded. Brown suggested a future workshop meeting with the Recreation Commission and staff to look at all of the parks and get a handle on future maintenance needs.

In other business, the board approved a resolution revising qualifications for Recreation Commission members by allowing at-large appointments for each member. The four-year terms of office were not changed. There was no board discussion or citizen comment on the issue.

Gale Anderson was appointed to the Region Six Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases Regional Planning Board for a three-year term expiring Feb. 28, 2018.

The Regional Six Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases Regional Planning Board (Regional Planning Board) is a volunteer body composed of three members appointed by the Fayette County Board of Commissioners and by the governing authorities of 30 other counties located in central-western Georgia.

The duties of the Regional Planning Board include but are not limited to assisting the Region Six Regional Office in preparing an annual plan for the provision of all disabilities serves in the Region Six area. This assistance may include consulting with families, customers, providers, and advocacy groups in order to identify local needs, gaps in services, and recommended priorities.

The county advertised for one available position after Jackie Beggs’ term expired. Five citizens applied and four appeared for interviews, after which Anderson was selected.

The board adopted a resolution in support of the Whitewater Creek Water Trail. Southern Conservation Trust proposed that the trail begin at the Ridge Nature Area south of Hwy. 54 and finishing at Starr’s Mill north of Hwy. 85. The proposed water trail will be sponsored, maintained and promoted through a partnership between the city of Fayetteville, Fayette County, and the Southern Conservation Trust which collectively own 34 percent of the property along Whitewater Creek.

County officials said the water trail will provide publicly accessible areas that paddlers can legally access to safely unload boats and park vehicles. Southern Conservation Trust will work toward property owner education and obtaining easements from landowners along Whitewater Creek.

This project aligns with the Fayette County Visioning goals and it affords the county an opportunity “to be good environmental stewards through collaboration with other county jurisdictions and environmental entities,” according to county officials.

There were no questions from the board and there was no comment from the audience.

The board also approved a change in the county employees’ defined contribution plan deferral and to reduce the match for elected and constitutional officials as discussed last month at the retreat.

Brown’s motion was to reduce employee deferral from 8 to 5 percent and the match for elected and constitutional officers from 4 to 2.5 percent effective in the 2016 fiscal year. Oddo commented that this was not his first option “but financial constraints dictate otherwise.” The motion passed unanimously.

The consent agenda included changes to the Old Courthouse renovation project, reassigning funds to an information technology project, a staff recommendation to add River Park Phase 1A subdivision to the county’s street light program, a contract for services to recover occupational and business license revenue, and acceptance of a grant for two Animal Control state members to attend a national conference in Cobb County. Those items were approved.

The board presented a proclamation in recognition of Hopeful Church’s 190th anniversary.

There were no public hearings at the meeting.