The Wayne County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, August 24th, 2020 in the commission meeting room at the Wayne County Courthouse, with County Executive Jim Mangubat presiding over the meeting. Commissioners in attendance were Herbert Brewer, Tom Mathis, Phillip Casteel, Vickie Petty, Sherrie Powers, Tim Prater, Mary Lauren Garner, Kathryn Staggs, and Rickey Kelley. Also present were County Clerk Stan Horton and County Attorney Andy Yarbrough. Commissioners John McDonald, Tim Powell, and Joe Hall joined online by virtual meeting. Commissioners Stephen Pevahouse and David Martin were absent.
Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve the commission minutes from the previous meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Prater and was passed unanimously.
Commissioner Kelley then made a motion to approve the various committee minutes as presented. Commissioner Prater seconded the motion, and the committee minutes were approved.
Two notaries were presented for approval, Hannah Haddock and William N. Horton. Commissioner Garner made a motion to approve. Commissioner Staggs seconded the motion, and both notaries were unanimously approved.
IBI Placemaking next made a presentation to the commission concerning plans at the Wayne County Industrial Park site. No action was taken by the commission.
The county-owned Lincoln Brass building and the former Angelica building were next on the agenda. County Executive Mangubat stated that as of this time, no plans have been made for the Lincoln Brass building. A price quote was submitted by Hassell & Hughes Lumber Company for the purchase of the former Angelica building, which was below the appraisal amount. Mangubat said that the building will have to be sold by auction or bid process.
County Executive Mangubat next told the commission that he is currently in discussions regarding actions that need to be taken and a plan to eliminate county liability for water service, and for the water services to be transferred to cities.
Hazard pay for county employees was next on the agenda. Commissioner Casteel made a motion to approve hazard pay for the time period of March 17, 2020 through April 2020. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garner. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Garner made a motion to amend the previous motion and correct the ending date to May 11, 2020. Commissioner Prater seconded the amended motion, and it was passed unanimously.
County Executive Mangubat then informed the commission that the budget as presented to the state has been approved.
Commissioner Mathis next made a motion to approve the refunding of school bonds. Commissioner Garner seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
Following a lengthy discussion concerning various county roads, a decision was made to compile a list of specific roads that should be posted at lower speed limits. The list will be presented at the next commission meeting, along with the estimated cost to the county for the signs.
Mr. Braden Hinson, the engineer appointed by the county to assess the flooding problem at the Franklin Cole property, presented a plan to the commission for repair of the situation. The estimated cost for the plan was approximately $72,000.00. A decision was made to further discuss the issue with the drainage tile on Highway 13 adjacent to the Cole property that needs to be cleaned by TDOT, which should relieve some of the flooding issues. Following this discussion, the commission will then have an opportunity to look at the plans for repair and see if any changes need to be made. The plan would be put on the agenda for the next commission meeting. Commissioner Brewer had previously made a motion to move forward with the repairs, and Commissioner Garner had seconded the motion. The motion was rescinded following the discussion.
Commissioner Casteel then made a motion to approve the insurance requirements for both the county and the Highway Department. Commissioner Prater seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
Next, Commissioner Casteel nominated Brian Brison to serve as a member on the Assisted Living Board, and Commissioner Prater seconded the motion. Commissioner Powers made the motion for nominations to cease and Brian Brison to be elected by acclamation. Commissioner Garner seconded the motion.
Commissioner Garner made a motion to appoint John Allen Berry, Sue Morris, and Barbara Moore to serve on the Library Board. Commissioner Prater seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Surplus property was next on the agenda. Commissioner Garner made a motion to approve the maintenance truck previously used by Casey Jones to be sold as surplus property. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kelley, and carried unanimously.
County IT Director Clayton Cross next spoke to the commission regarding Wi-Fi internet connection at the fire hall. He explained that the county would pay an initial cost of approximately $8,000 for firewall installation, and the fire hall will pay a monthly fee. A discussion followed regarding how the Wi-Fi could benefit students for distance learning, and how many people could access and benefit from it. A further explanation and discussion will be held at the next commission meeting.
Wayne County JECDB Director Rena Purdy addressed the commission next, asking about the possibility of using the remaining $32,000 from the Three Star Grant to purchase items for the Carvle Bevis Learning Center in Collinwood, including tables and chairs. No action was taken by the commission.
Commissioner Kelley made a motion to establish a late fee for construction and demolition materials at the solid waste facility to be the same as the late fee for tires. The late fee will be added after 30 days past due, with a 30% fee of the original invoice amount added to the total. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Petty, and carried unanimously.
Road Superintendent Chuck Moser then gave a report from the Highway Department regarding repairs that are currently being made. He also informed the commission that the Weatherford Creek bridge is now open.
HVAC repairs and installation at the Wayne County Welcome Center in Collinwood were next on the agenda. Commissioner Powers made a motion to approve the bid for repairs submitted by Morris Refrigeration. Commissioner Mathis seconded the motion, and the bid was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Brewer then made a motion to purchase the Trane HVAC equipment for the Welcome Center as presented. Commissioner Powers seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
LED lighting at the Criminal Justice Center was next. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve the $7,500.00 bid for repairs to the lighting at the CJC. Commissioner Staggs seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
Commissioner Brewer next made a motion for the division of $1.2 million in the county budget. His motion was to place $300,000.00 for the proposed Agriculture Center, $300,000.00 to the Highway Department, and $600,000.00 in the county general fund for repairs needed in different areas of the county. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mathis, and passed on roll call vote with Commissioners Brewer, Mathis, Prater, McDonald, Casteel, Petty, Powers, and Hall voting yes, and Commissioners Garner, Powell, Kelley, and Staggs voting no.
Commissioner Kelley then made a motion to amend the previous motion by removing 10% from each appropriation and placing it in a rainy day fund. Commissioner Garner seconded the motion, but the amended motion failed on roll call vote with Commissioners Kelley, Garner, Brewer, and Prater voting yes, and Commissioners Mathis, McDonald, Casteel, Powell, Petty, Powers, Hall, and Staggs voting no.
At this time, County Attorney Yarbrough recommended that before the commission makes a decision concerning the flooding issue at the Franklin Cole property, County Executive Mangubat, Attorney Yarbrough, Highway Superintendent Moser, and members of the commission should meet to review the plans.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner Kelley made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Powers seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.
