Special Session
The Holmes County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on the above date with the following members present: Commissioner Kenneth Williams, Commissioner Ron Monk, Commissioner Jim King, Commissioner Phillip Music, Commissioner Monty Merchant, Chairman of the Board.
Mr.
Greg Wood,
Angie Jonas, Deputy Clerk, was present and kept the minutes.
Chairman Merchant opened the meeting with the prayer and pledge.
Pursuant to public notice, the Board held a workshop to discuss the proposal from F & W Construction for $13,500.00 to increase the height of Shoo Fly Bridge. Commissioner Monk stated that he had visited the project site and noted that the new bridge is one foot and nine inches thick, which is an increase from the previous bridge’s one foot thickness. He explained that the goal of the project was to lessen the water accumulation at the east end of the bridge and that the proposed change was to remove the cap and to raise the bridge an additional two feet and three inches. He also stated that there will be a difference in height between Shoo Fly Bridge and the smaller relief bridge. He explained that in his opinion, the water current should be reduced by the proposed height increase. Administrator Wood stated that it was the opinion of Mr. David Skipper, Engineer of Hatch Mott MacDonald, that the cost for an engineer to conduct a study at the site would be just as expensive as raising the height of the bridge itself. Commissioner Monk stated that former County Attorney Brandon Young had asked him to speak on his behalf and that Mr. Young had advised that the County not create any more restriction in the creek than was previously present. Chairman Merchant questioned whether increasing the height of the bridge would prevent a flooding problem. Commissioner Monk stated that the height of the bridge would not make the bridges any more passable to traffic in case of flooding. He also stated that it is difficult to determine whether the changes will be successful. He advised that F & W Construction has to redo work that they had already done, and that a partial tear out would be necessary. He explained that this could be a reason for the considerable cost adjustment. Commissioner Williams asked that it be noted for the record that “we are agreeing that two foot, three inches creates less restriction than the current bridge.” Commissioner Monk made a motion to raise the bridge height two feet three inches. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed; with Chairman Merchant voting no, and all others voting yes. The following citizens spoke regarding this topic:
Mrs. Juanita Lewis
Mr. Tom Pitts
(Proposal)
Commissioner Monk stated that he would like to start the equipment evaluations soon. No action was taken on this item.
Commissioner Williams stated that clarification is needed regarding the dirt hauling policy as he had noticed some inconsistencies among the districts. He explained that the current policy is that loads of dirt can be hauled twenty five feet off of the road and that there is a twenty load cap for churches and non-profits. Commissioner Music stated that he believed that there was not a fuel charge for the non-profits and churches for the twenty loads of dirt. Commissioner Williams referenced minutes from a past meeting and stated that the Board had voted previously to apply a fuel surcharge per load, and a capped maximum of twenty loads of dirt hauled to each group per year.
Commissioner Williams stated that there will be some remaining funds that will be left unspent from the Highway 177A project. He asked if the funds could be spent on expanding aprons to the County roads that intersect the highway. Administrator Wood added that the funds cannot be spent on the bridge repair across Highway Two as had been previously requested. Commissioner Monk asked whether it would be an option to pave the ditches near the elementary school and at the armory. Administrator Wood stated that he was unsure, but would check into this issue.
Commissioner Music stated that Mr. Harold Coomer had asked that his driveways be “tied back into” the 177A roadway. He explained that the contractors had left a gap between the roadway paving and his driveways. The Board agreed.
Commissioner King stated that he
would like for someone to take a look at the Highway Two boat ramp. He
explained that it is collapsing. He advised that it is Water Management
property, but that the County did have an easement. Commissioner Williams asked
if the repair could be made using Boater Improvement Funds. Administrator Wood
stated that he would look into whether there is enough funding for the project.
He also stated that grant funds should be available for request soon, and that he
would be requesting money for paving at the
Commissioner Music stated that the
door at the
Administrator Wood stated that engineers from Hatch Mott MacDonald would be meeting at the Dogwood Lakes dam today and asked Commissioner Monk if he would like to attend. Commissioner Monk agreed.
Administrator Wood stated that
consultants would be coming on Wednesday to evaluate the bridges on
Commissioner Music asked whether any
funds remained from the
Commissioner Music made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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Clerk Chairman