The Fayette County Board of Commissioners will once again consider the county’s ethics ordinance at the board’s Feb. 25 regular meeting.
A lengthy discussion took place Jan. 28 regarding issues with the proposed ordinance. Commissioners instructed the county attorney to present the ordinance at this week’s meeting with two opposing paragraphs, representing two options for the board to consider when deciding who will hear complaints against county officials alleged to have violated the ethics ordinance.
The first option contemplates that all violations will be heard by a panel of two county attorneys. The second option has the BOC hearing complaints for all except BOC members.
Other old business includes consideration of the adoption of the generic liability agreement to be used for the Public Arts Committee’s Human Resource Photo Wall project.
Last August, the PAC released a call for professional and amateur photographers “to participate in a unique photo mural project at the Fayette County Administration Building.” A total of 19 photographers answered the call.
The project, entitled “County Government Works,” will be a photographic representation of county efforts from all departments. Photographers will be assigned a department of the county government and asked to photograph employees at work.
After a lengthy discussion, a measure was passed at the Nov. 12 board meeting to bring a generic liability agreement back for consideration for this project. The agreement would be between Fayette County and the volunteer photographer for this project.
In new business, the board will consider the recommended appointment of Lisa Mahaffey to the Fayette County Recreation Commission to fulfill an unexpired term beginning immediately and expiring May 31, 2018. This appointment is to replace Briana MacDowell, who was removed by Recreation Commission Chairman Charles McCollum for lack of attendance in accordance with the commission’s bylaws.
The board will consider an ordinance to enact health board regulations promulgated by the state for tourist accommodations, food service and portable sanitation contractors.
A staff request to host the “Balloons Over Fayette” hot air balloon festival and authorization to utilize $64,500 from the General Fund balance to offset expenses will be considered.
The consent agenda includes a number of recommended mid-year budget amendments. According to county staff, these adjustments are necessary to account for variances in grant funds awarded and received, increase expenditure budget due to overages in several operating line items (lawn care services, software, repairs), increase budget for Water System legal expenditures, waterline replacement for Public Defender/Fire/EMS, additional funding needed to complete current project or to cover project overages, replacement of Building & Grounds vehicle due to operational issues, increased expenditures related to Fire Department part-time employees and vehicle repairs, funding the Comprehensive Transportation Plan study, close out various projects and move residual funds to contingency, approval to close completed projects, and a decrease to various revenue budgets.
The administrator’s report is to include notification of the awarding of a professional services contract for Lake McIntosh wetland mitigation monitoring to Eco-Tech Consultants, Inc., in an amount not-to-exceed $62,500.
A public hearing is scheduled to consider approval of an on-premise alcohol license of malt beverages and wine to Anna Karina Alvarez, doing business as Los Comales, Inc., at 1988 Highway 54 West in Fayetteville. Owner of the existing grocery store is George Harrington and is being leased to Anna Karina Alvarez, sole owner, doing business as Los Comales Inc. The applicant has met all requirements as required in the County Code, and the applicant has been approved by the Code Enforcement Section, according to county staff. There are no outstanding violations.
The board will recognize Heather Hager with a Citizen Life Saving Award while also awarding some EMS members a unit citation for their actions during an incident last November at the McCurry Park soccer fields.
County Clerk Floyd Jones will also be recognized for earning Master Clerk certification from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
