The Jones County Board of Commissioners took the next steps in the approval process for package liquor store sales at their first meeting in March.
Board Chairman Chris Weidner called the March 4 meeting to order with the opening prayer and pledge led by Brennan Jackson.
The meeting was preceded by a two-hour work session, during which the commissioners listened to an update of water and sewer projects presented by consulting engineer Tim Ingram and discussed amending the county’s alcohol sales ordinance to include the package sales stores.
Commissioners considered a zoning request from Robert and Holly Abney to allow cows to be kept on their Morton Road property for the benefit of Jones County FFA and 4H programs. Holly Abney explained that there is not a facility for the program at the high school.
Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski said the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the request as a conditional use.
Weidner told the Abneys he appreciated them helping the students. He also recognized the 4H and FFA students who filled the back of the room.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn made the motion to approve the conditional use, and the motion passed unanimously.
The commissioner approved two board appointments. Commissioner John Wood made the motion to appoint Steve Johnson to the Middle Georgia Regional Commission Board for a one-year term, and Commissioner Sam Kitchens made the motion to appoint Stanley Bennett to the Historic Preservation Committee for a three-year term.
Both appointments were approved unanimously.
New business
County Administrator Jason Rizner brought revisions for the county’s service delivery strategy map required to meet a condition for OneGeorgia Equity funding for sewer services at Griswoldville Industrial Park.
He recommended approval of the maps showing the sewer area and new water line.
Commissioner Daylon Martin made the motion for the revisions, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Ingram brought two options for the logo for the water storage tank on the corner of Lite-N-Tie and Overland Way. The logo is consisted of JC, one with a stripe and one without. The letters are purple with gold highlights and the stripe also purple.
Vaughn made the motion for the logo with the stripe, and it was approved unanimously.
Martin talked to board members about water and sewer projects in his district. He said he would like Ruby Drive, Bethune Avenue and Alton Drive to be added to the project when funds were available.
Rizner presented board members with the Safety Coordinator Resolution naming Charles Cook the county’s safety coordinator. Martin made the motion to approve the resolution, and the vote was unanimous.
Old Business
Kitchens talked about the county’s inclement weather policy. He asked for a revision of the policy to cover incidents when inclement weather happens during a week with a holiday. His suggestion was to allow employees to be paid overtime if they are called in to work during a week containing a holiday.
The commissioner made a motion for the revision to be drafted and brought back to the board, and the motion was unanimously approved.
The next item concerned a request from Coroner Matt Jarrett for consideration of paid mileage or a vehicle. The request was previously brought to the board. Rizner said he had called surrounding counties about their practice but only got one response.
Jarrett said he was not looking for a vehicle for himself. His request was for one that would be left at the office to be used to respond to calls by him and his deputy coroner.
After a brief discussion, Vaughn made the motion for the county to come up with a surplus vehicle for the coroner. The motion was approved unanimously.
The final two items concerned package sales for the county. Pitrowski recommended the package sales to be allowed as a conditional use in both C-1 and C-2 zones. He said the text amendment takes two months and suggested the commissioners begin the process.
Vaughn made the motion to begin the process, and approval was unanimous.
The first reading of the package sale ordinance was postponed.
Department heads
Interim EMA Director Karen McMichael said they had been working to make sure the county sirens were working properly. She said the sirens in Juliette and Round Oak needed battery replacement.
McMichael said the process to update the county’s hazard mitigation plan was starting next week.
Jackson said the extension office had been without an agent since May. He said he had interviews three weeks ago, and he hoped to be able to offer the position soon.
Jackson said the shotgun team was having qualifications, and a cattle show had been scheduled.
Assistant Public Works Director Jerry Arnold said work had started for construction of walking paths at Liberty Park, and new pickle ball courts were complete.
