Good morning, everybody.

I am presiding officer Shikara Johnson, your District 4 commissioner.

Welcome to the March 10th 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting.

We have a pretty packed agenda today, so we will get going.

If we are running low on printed agendas, there is a QR code outside the door posted on the wall that you can scan and get the agenda.

So at this time, we will start with our inspirational, which is Chaplain Sarah Hooker, Reverend Sarah Hooker is the Julia Thompson Smith chaplain and director of religious and spiritual life at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia.

She is an ordained, is ordained as a minister of word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church and has worked in campus ministry, congressional ministry, and hospital chapter chaplaincy, the daughter of two ordained pastors.

Life and work in the church has been an integral part of her way in this world.

She finds some of her greatest joy in ministry walking beside young people as they figure out who they are and what they want to be and why that's so important and valued.

Sarah enjoys nature and spending time in the garden is a voracious reader, lover of music, singing and listening, and traveling the world with her husband and son.

Good morning, Reverend Hooker.

Thank you.

Thank you to all of the commissioners, and particularly Officer Johnson for the invitation to be with you all today.

I am Sarah Hooker.

I am the Julia Thompson Smith Chaplain, Director of Religious Life at Agnes Scott College, which is an institution of the Decatur community for the last 137 years.

Agnes Scott is a historic women's college, which welcomes undergraduate women students from all over the country and even the world to its halls and classrooms.

And I have had the great privilege of working there as the chaplain for the last four years.

As we start this meeting today in this long, very full agenda, I will invite you all to do and participate in a practice that I encourage our students to do whenever we are in a gathering together.

So I'd like for everyone to uh put their feet flat on the floor.

Find a comfortable position of your body.

Place your hands on your lap, on your chest.

You can close your eyes or you can look into the distance.

And I invite all of us to take a deep breath.

And then to take another to center ourselves to center this moment, to center the time that we are spending together in this space.

To invite in the presence of those who are unable to be in this space today.

For the people that are our neighbors that are our friends, that we recognize and honor in this space, to the spirit or to the other, to the God that we welcome in.

To be with us and to calm us and to guide us.

Yes.

More than 20 years ago, as I do the math.

Young people have to figure out a way when they go into the world.

And how we approach the world and how we live into that world.

How we honor who we are and figure out who we are as a person and how that works and how that will best serve the world that we are going into.

At this time of year in the call it in the academic year, we are reaching the end.

At this time of year in the call it in the academic year we are reaching the end and that might seem silly to say as we are only 10 days into March but in our mindset and in the mindset of everyone at a college institution the semester is done the academic year is done and we're all just grinding towards that May graduation date to those finals.

And something that I encounter with a lot of students around this time of year particularly with our senior students who are graduating is that they figure and they're just questioning who am I going to be outside of this space Agnes Scott is a wonderful place where it provides four years of community of home of understanding of identity building of friendship of support of mentorship of learning.

And then that senior year comes and panic arises what is to come what happens next and for these young students that question is very prescient at this time it is something that holds deep in them because who are they in this world that is so uncertain and sometimes very scary particularly as young women what I've reflected on a lot with students over the last couple of months and weeks in particular is what helps you to make a home what helps you to make a home in a the place that you are this is something that I have maybe not struggled with but experienced quite a bit in my life as Officer Johnson read in my biography I am the child of two Presbyterian pastors and so my life has been filled with moving all across the country like a military brat we Presbyterian pastors and families are all around the world I was born in California have lived in Colorado Minnesota Minnesota twice Nebraska New Jersey New York Georgia and Georgia again and in my 43 years of existence on this planet I have now reached the longest I have ever lived in one state and any given time in my entire life and that is nine years and three months and so when students ask me this question how do I find a home I feel I'm uniquely qualified to answer that question because I have had to find a home in many many places around this world and I've never been in one place for very long until now and so what does it mean to build something around you what does it mean to foster a space of hospitality of welcome what does it mean to foster a space of safety of security of permanence but impermanence what are the things that allow us to build that community around us where do we find our neighbors where do we find our friends where do we find our sense of belonging one thing that I love about Agnes Scott College is our motto and are there any Agnes Scott alum in the room are there any that's such a surprise how anyone related to an Agnes Scott alum or a friend to an Agnes Scott alum okay there's the hands yes and so I don't know if you have heard alum say the motto but it is repeated often and with vigor on our campus that Agnes Scott students are called to think deeply live honorably and engage the social challenges of our times and so these are the building blocks and foundations of who Agnes Scott alum find themselves as students but it's also something that they carry on with them into the world and I often encourage our students to think about how do we live these values out in building their own community in finding their own home because it involves us thinking deeply about who we are and what it is that we want and what we want to see in the world it requires living honorably knowing what your values are and sticking with those not being afraid to proclaim what those values are and to find your friends and your community partners who share those values to do the work together and it means using your thinking skills and your values to engage the social challenges of our time and I think that is key too and all of you in this space are doing that that we are here in this room you all are doing

It requires living honorably, knowing what your values are and sticking with those, not being afraid to proclaim what those values are and to find your friends and your community partners who share those values to do the work together.

And it means using your thinking skills and your values to engage the social challenges of our time.

And I think that is key too.

And all of you in this space are doing that.

That we are here in this room, you all are doing this work, you all are here as community members for this meeting to think deeply, to live honorably in your values, and you are engaging in the things that make DeCab County your home, your home place, the place that you love, you are engaging in the social challenges that are before all of you.

These are the things that we take with us, that we gather together, that we hold on to as we create spaces, spaces of welcome, spaces of companionship, and spaces that we are able to call home.

And so I invite all of us as we enter this meeting to think about who we are and how we make a home, how we make a home in a space, in the spaces of our neighborhoods, in the space of our county, in the spaces of our state and of our nation.

Who are we to live honorably, to respect and honor one another, to find shared values and commitment to neighbors and friends, so that we can build something together that is engaging the challenges that we find before us, that we do so with welcome, and we do it with love and compassion.

I'd like to conclude this time with you all this morning with a poem by the Reverend Jan Richardson, who is a pastor and a poet.

And this is from her most recent book, How the Stars Get in Your Bones, a book of blessings.

And if you ever see me in different spaces or encountered me in other instances, you'll know that I read a lot of her poetry.

It speaks to me and it speaks a lot to our students because of her emphasis on blessing.

What does it mean to be a blessing to people and to yourself?

And so as we think about and as we reflect on what it means to make a home, I invite you to hear her words, Jan's words, in this poem that she wrote, the year as a house.

Think of the year as a house, door flung wide in welcome, threshold swept and waiting, a graced spaciousness opening and offering itself to you.

Let it be blessed in every room, let it be hallowed in every corner.

Let every nook be a refuge and every object set to holy use.

Let it be here that safety will rest.

Let it be here that health will make its home.

Let it be here that peace will show its face.

Let it be here that love will find its way.

Here let the weary come.

Let the aching come.

Let the lost come, let the sorrowing come.

Here, let them find their rest and let them find their soothing.

And let them find their place and let them find their delight.

And may it be in this house of a year that the seasons will spin in beauty, and may it be in these turning days that time will spiral with joy.

And may it be that its rooms will fill with ordinary grace and light spill from every window to welcome the stranger home.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Reverend Hooker.

If you can stay for a little while after our presentations, we'd love to take a picture with you and give you a pen.

At this time, we have Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Robert Patrick.

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

And at this time we do have two presentations.

First one, Greg Street, 30 years of service and community impact.

And then second, we have 40th anniversary of EGM Services Incorporated.

So if you you are comfortable, commissioners, please meet me down on the floor.

Thank you for being here.

Hello.

All right, there we are.

Good morning.

Great morning, everyone.

It is my esteemed honor to highlight and to share this celebratory moment as we recognize the 40th anniversary of EGM Services Inc.

We are truly grateful for their lasting impact on the late Mr.

Arthur Queen and Miss Sandra Queen, their daughter Khelsey Queen Robinson, and the entire EGM service team.

Their dedication for vision and leadership have helped shape a legacy that continues to uplift and inspire our community.

Your commitment to excellence has created a model for businesses everywhere, demonstrating how strong leadership, community engagement, and a dedication of quality can build not only a successful company but also a last a lasting legacy.

We look forward to moving beyond today's celebration as we've been working through the county's process to rename the street in honor of Mr.

We hope to finalize this effort when it becomes before the board on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

I was just crying up here.

She's gonna get me with the waterworks.

That just means you guys have to come back and join us uh at another BOC meeting at nine o'clock in the morning, all right.

You won't mind, right?

Thank you again for all that you have done to continue.

Thank you again for all and everything that you do and continue to do so.

Today we honor you and celebrate 40 years of unwavering dedication and service to our community and to our beloved DeCab County.

And Commissioner David Johnson wants to say a couple of words as well.

Yeah, I would be remiss if I did not come and talk about my dear friend, the Queen and his family.

Um met them when I came in as commissioner, and uh went to their business to talk about an apprenticeship with um with young kids in South Decap and Mr.

Queen and his wife and his daughter and his family opened their arms, and they gave eleven apprenticeships, and I'm just gonna talk about one because I knew this one boy that um graduated from high school was sitting at home, smoking, doing nothing every day, and I talked to them about the opportunity that they would have, and of course, I told them they had to get their life together, they had to take a drug test, they had to do this and that, and they did.

And I talked to them about the opportunity that they would have.

And of course, I told them they had to get their life together, they had to take a drug test, they had to do this and that, and they did.

And this young man started an apprenticeship with their company.

Never had a house.

He got them a got a macondo, got a macaw, and went on to be a very productive citizen of uh the Camp County in Georgia.

So that tells you what opportunities can bring about.

And I tell you, the Queens have provided these opportunities, and I just love them both.

And we appreciate you all.

And I know that Mr.

Queen is looking down because you all are doing a great job.

And so I appreciated them, and I just wanted to say that.

Thank you so much.

We just, on behalf of the entire EGM services team, my mother, my brother, husband, sister, our GM, who's like our family, and then my baby sister over there, who's my admin and my everything.

We can't thank you enough for recognizing our service to this county.

Uh, when my parents decided to start this company, they wanted it in DeCab, and that's where it's been since inception.

We're committed to it.

I went to school in DeCab.

I was a teacher in DeCab.

I live in DeCab.

We bleed DeCab County, and we are about creating productive citizens.

Now we do have employees that drive in from Douglas, from Fulton, from Henry, from Clayton, but guess where they're coming to South DeCab.

And I want you to know, as officers, as elected officials, as residents of DeCab, when you walk through Hartsville Jackson Airport, those windows are from a company right here in DeCab County.

When you go to Mercedes Benz Stadium, those windows are from a company right here in DeCab County.

So be proud of what you have right here in South DeCab.

Amen.

And I like to say thank you so much.

Today is such a special day, not only for us to be recognized, but today is the third anniversary of Arthur receiving his wings.

So it's such a special day.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Well, actually, my sleeping panel is going to have to do it.

Okay.

Mrs.

Atwaters.

So she can read the proclamation.

Yes.

Can you read the proclamation, please?

Into the record.

Whereas the CAP County Commissioners, Marita Davis Johnson, Nicole Messiah, and the governing authority pause to honor and celebrate the transformational work of EGM Services Incorporated on their 40th anniversary.

And whereas EGM Services was founded on March 3rd, 1986 by Arthur and Sandra Queen, whose vision, hard work, and commitment to excellence established a company built on craftsmanship, integrity, and entrepreneurship that has endured for four decades.

Today, under the leadership of the second generation of the Queen family, EGM services remains proudly rooted in DeCab County, Georgia, contributing to the local economy and serving as a source of pride for the community.

And whereas EGM Services Incorporated has demonstrated that it is more than just the glass company, actively investing in the community through initiatives that support feeding the homeless, breast cancer awareness programs, holiday toy drives, youth apprenticeship, and support for the DeCab County School District.

And whereas Kelsey Queen Robinson, CEO of EGM Services Incorporated, has continued this legacy of service by launching the Arthur J.

Queen Institute, a paid workforce training program designed to create opportunity and empower the next generation of skilled professionals.

Whereas the Arthur J.

Queen Institute is helping to strengthen self-de-cav by serving as a vital workforce development pipeline, providing residents with specialized glacier training and access to high-demand career opportunities.

Now, therefore, we be resolved that Commissioners Marita Davis Johnson and Nicole Messiah does hereby set aside this day to acknowledge and commend EGM Services Incorporated on the occasion of 40 years of excellence, dedication to the community, and his vision for the future of the workforce in DeCab County and beyond, and recognize today as EGM Services Incorporated Day in DeCab County, proclaimed this 10th day of March 2026.

And then we have one more presentation proclamation, and wouldn't you know it?

So, in spite of the fact that uh radio personnel have to be up in the wee hours of the morning and usually be on air at six o'clock in the morning.

Ours that um Greg Street got stuck in traffic, so he is not here yet, in spite having to be at a radio station in the wee hours in the morning, beyond time every morning.

He late to this one, but it happens.

Again, great morning, DeCab.

My name is Nicole Massai.

I have the honor and pleasure to serve as your DeCap County Commissioner District 3.

And I'm gonna recognize someone who has a voice and a present and who has been consistent in our community for over 30 decades.

Many of us know what time it is when the clock strikes 6 p.m.

Because we hear those familiar words echo across Atlanta airwaves.

It's six o'clock, it's six o'clock.

It's time for Greg Streak the Rock.

Great!

Don't it sound like him just a little bit?

That phrase has done more than introduce a radio show for again for over 30 years.

It has brought listeners together, connected communities, and created a daily moment of energy and of culture throughout Atlanta, DeCab and beyond.

Greg Street represents something bigger than just radio.

He represents consistency and he also represents service.

He is ultra big on service and being a real individual, being genuine.

As I think about the secret behind more than 30 years of success, I found it is consistency and service.

Greg Street says that says what he means and means what he says.

Again, that genuineness.

His word carries weight, his actions match his commitment to the community, to our community.

It has never been again just about the music he plays, it is about the unmatched love for our youth, his dedication to giving back, and anyone who comes to look at him to break a record or to build a career will quickly hear the same message.

Give back to the community.

Over the third last 30 years, Greg Street has helped broker opportunities to bring together and sit at tables where ideas are formed and futures are shaped.

Many of those contributions he never takes credit for, but he gives lots of wisdom, guidance, and influence that have helped move our culture forward.

His timelessness and so his giving, we are honored to collaborate and partner with Mr.

Greg Street on District 3's inaugural annual youth turkey bowl that we had last year and had a ball.

Today we recognize Greg Street not just as a radio legend, but as a community pillar, a voice that has represented, uplifted, and connected us all.

Greg Street's voice is a voice for the people.

And Madam Clerk, would you mind reading the proclamation, please?

Whereas, beyond his contributions to music and broadcasting, DJ Greg Street has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to community service through his organization, We Need to Read, which promotes literacy and educational advancement by providing scholarships, resources, and opportunities for students across Metro Atlanta and beyond.

Not only to entertain but to uplift young people, support educators, and advocate for opportunities that empower future generations.

His support for youth education and his contributions to music and culture have made him a respected leader, mentor, and ambassador for the city and the broader DeCab community.

Now therefore, be it resolved that Commissioner Nicole Masaya, on behalf of DeCab County and its more than 780,000 citizens, do hereby recognize and proclaim March 10th, 2026 as DJ Greg Street Day in DeCab County, Georgia, and encourage all residents to celebrate his outstanding contributions to music, culture, youth empowerment, and community service.

Thank you so much.

I appreciate it.

And if Reverend Hooker, if you would like to come back up, we'd love to take a picture with you and Penny.

All right, thank you, everybody.

At this time, we will begin our comments from the public.

Miss Madam Clerk, if you'll read in the instructions.

The purpose of public comment is to allow the public to voice county-related requests, concerns, or opinions during the commission meeting.

Speakers will only have the opportunity for one public comment per meeting.

Each speaker must please complete a speaker card and present it to the clerk before the beginning of the public comment portion of the meeting.

Cards turned into the clerk from the time the general meeting is convened, generally 9 a.m., and by the beginning of public comment portion, generally following presentations on the agenda.

The clerk will accept cards on a first come first served basis.

Prior to the clerk's call for public comment, speakers who are residents of DeCav County shall be allowed to speak before residents of other counties are allowed to speak.

Speakers will be allowed to speak for three minutes each, and public comment should not exceed 30 minutes in length.

When the buzzer sounds to indicate that time has run out, the speaker will be expected to immediately cease speaking and to yield the podium.

Those who submitted speaker cards but did not speak because of the time allotment will be allowed to speak first at the next regularly scheduled commission meeting without regard to residents.

Speakers should always talk directly into the microphone and begin by stating their name, full address, and the name of any organization they represent.

Abusive, profane or derogatory language, holding up signs, clapping, yelling, standing or laying in the aisles to show support for or opposition to a speaker will not be permitted.

But a show of hands or quietly standing in place will be permitted to show support for or opposition to a speaker's position.

Okay.

And um, we are having a little bit of issue with our buzzer, but we have a backup here so that everyone can hear it go off at the end of their time.

If we can have our first speaker, please, ma'am.

Oh uh, yes, we have some speakers that did not have the time to speak last week, so I need to call those off first.

Gerald Hayes, Garyl, uh Carol Hayes.

If you're present, please come to the mic.

Okay, seeing no one.

Beth Stevens.

Miss Stevens.

Okay.

Donna Davis.

Miss Davis.

Okay.

Sharon Steele.

Miss Steele.

And Victoria Hahn.

Victoria.

All right, not seeing them.

And now we'll begin with today's speaker.

Yes, ma'am.

Andrea Saddell.

Good morning.

Good morning, Commissioners.

Umrea Seidel, advocates for DeCab animals, and I'm from Brookhaven, Georgia.

Thank you to the Board of Commissioners, our County Administration, Director Fulham, and everyone involved in public safety for the progress that has been made in DeCab and Animal Welfare, especially with the proposed increase in spay and neuter and other services to families who need them.

DeCab is becoming an example of how to do it right in animal welfare, and I'm happy to be a part of it.

So we look forward to more.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Rosalind McIntyre.

Miss McIntyre.

I am not seeing them next speaker.

Okay.

Joel Edwards.

Mr.

Edwards.

Good morning.

Good morning.

My name is Joel.

That was the level 2129, two of the Castleway, Decatur Georgia, been a member or been a citizen to Cab County for 45 years.

I have two complaints.

One complaint involved public transportation.

Martyr.

Notice that they want to extend the sale tax again to 2067.

This county is under served when it comes to martyrdom.

We've been trying to get a light rail, the Stone Crest for the longest.

Initially, that was supposed to happen.

It never did.

I am requesting that the Board of Commissioners have an order done on the finances that the Cab County contributed tomorrow.

This situation is under serving our citizen in the Caleb County.

And I hope you all would do this in the interest of the citizen to Caleb County.

The second thing I want to talk about is I woke up one morning at about two o'clock in the morning, abruptly, stunned about what I heard the commissioners did.

And what I heard was that they went into executive session and came out and voted for a person that was investigated by the FBI, borrowed money from the county, never paid it back, had workers at his house doing some work, county workers, was involved in corruption in 2015, was interim CEO of the Cab County, and you all voted for this man to be the chief of staff of the commissioners.

I'm trying to figure out what did you all smoke, or what did you all snort?

It's disrespectful for the citizen of the Cab County to have a person of that nature as being the chief of staff of the Caleb County.

And you all have to look at yourselves because you are a representative of we the people.

Okay?

And we're gonna hold you all accountable.

Thank you.

Thank you, next speaker.

Gina Mangum.

Ms.

Mangum, good morning, Gina Mangum, um, resident of East Cab, Southeast DeCab for over 30 years.

As you know, residents have attended BOC meetings and hearings and droves, opposing data centers with expressing valid concerns about their negative impact.

As advocates, though, we focus mainly on points on which we can agree.

A data center text amendment is needed.

However, data centers require massive amounts of land, water, electricity.

Water cooling systems require chemical pollutants, which must be periodically and safely disposed of.

A health and environmental study is needed.

You all voted to do it, but then you did not vote to fund it.

Every data center should require a special land use permit.

As a practical matter, some data centers are needed for everyday general business operations, as opposed to data campuses whose primary purpose is the development of AI.

That's why we have in good faith worked so hard to find some middle ground.

But while we appreciate the leadership of Commissioner Terry and the work of the PECS committee, we need assurances that we are all acting in good faith.

After review of the final language in the proposed substitute ordinance that will be on the agenda on the 24th, the amendments do not accomplish what they were supposed to do.

The original stated purpose of the resolution was to quote strike the data center campus definition to effectively cap every development at 500,000 square feet to prevent unchecked industrial sprawl, thereby banning data campuses altogether.

Yet, as drafted, the amendment does not prevent individual data centers from being being clustered together to effectively create a data center campus.

This loophole must be closed to preserve the spirit, integrity, and intent of this provision.

Eliminating the term campus alone will not suffice.

And so we are asking you to go back to PECS, look at the language, and make sure we're getting what was promised.

As commissioners, your job is to represent our best interests.

All we ask is that you listen, mean what you say, advocate that for us, and then keep your word.

Thank you, ma'am.

With your vote.

Thank you, next speaker.

Stephen Benny.

Mr.

Benny, good morning.

Good morning, Commissioners.

This morning's stat of the day, percentage of Americans who given the choice of living some time in the past, present or future.

The past, 45%.

The present, 40%.

The future, only 15%.

When three times as many people want to live in the past as they want to live in the future, it does not paint a pretty picture of where people believe our society is headed.

Congratulations to Lee May, our new commissioner, our new commission chief of staff.

Mr.

Cherry, I suggest you reintroduce your ICE agenda item to the Commission.

Perhaps with Pastor May's help, the Commission can be persuaded by Christian compassion in the tale of the Good Samaritan.

Jesus was an immigrant, right?

Mr.

May was the youngest person to serve on the DeCab County Commission when he took office in 2006.

During this time, DeCab County misplaced over $7 million of parkbunds.

In 2013, he was appointed CEO by Governor Nathan Deal.

He served as CEO until 2016.

During this time on the board and as CEO, DeCab County had to sign a sewer and water consent agreement in 2011 with the federal government.

This order was basically ignored for four years and contributed to the 10 by 10 rate raise that we are currently under.

In 2015, May asked former attorney Michael Bowers to conduct an investigation into the county government.

After the investigation, Mr.

Bauer stated that DeCab government was rotten to the core.

We have found what we have found is stunning, Bower said in the letter.

The amount of money this has and will cost is minimal compared to what widespread government corruption has cost DeCab County in terms of standing reputation and image.

Bauer said the corruption started at the top and affected nearly every county department.

Lee May was under fire for a number of alleged malfeasance, including taking out a loan from a subordinate.

He was also under an investigation by the FBI for having DeCab taxpayers pay for a severe palming problem at his home.

Eventually, Mr.

May repaid the county for the raw sewage overflow that destroyed part of his home.

Two people connected to the county pled guilty to charges related to the a forged $4,000 check and alleged conspiracy to steal money from the county.

Mr.

May was never charged in this case and said he never received money, but there was speculation that the check was a kickback, according to the AJC.

As a result of these investigations, Mr.

May was asked to resign amid corruption allegations, but refused to do so.

We have been fighting to restore the image of DeCab County since Mr.

May left.

He is the epitome of what DeCab County was.

I pray that he comes that he becomes the epitome of what DeCab County can be.

But please excuse me if I have my doubts.

The Commission may think they have caught the big one, but are you sure that the big one hasn't caught you?

Be wary, my friends.

Thank you.

Thank you, next.

Scott McLean.

Scott McLean.

Good morning, Mr.

McLean.

Good morning.

First, I want to thank the commissioners for your willingness to take on the burden of making the hard decisions needed to run a county of 750,000 citizens.

It can be a thankless job.

I'm a retired contractor, a 60-year resident of District 3.

My sons and daughter-in-law also reside in District 3 and run a business in DeCab County.

In my retirement, I have been volunteering at the DeCab County Animal Shelter for about 20 hours a week for four years.

I come to you today to encourage you to approve the budget item for animal services, which would run from next month, April 26th, through December 2027.

Included in that budget for the first time are significant funds to expand access to spay and neuter service along with other basic veterinary care and targeted programs for areas where the highest intake and calls for service originate.

In short, this program strengthens the cab communities, supports public health and safety, and reduces the factors that lead families to surrender their pets.

Because these services are managed by the Department of Public Safety.

I want to thank Director Fulham for taking an active role in understanding the issues around animal welfare and how best to manage them.

We are specifically interested in the successful implementation of the litter registry.

It is my understanding that the Georgia pet coalition is working with District 2 to get our 16 cities to adopt the appropriate language in the county legislation on the litter registry.

And I will close with an update on the pet neighborhood.

In my recent conversations with shelter management, I've been told that they are reaching out to Director Fulham regarding some maintenance issues and safety concerns regarding the pet neighborhood, in addition to the large shelter.

That is all.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Next speaker.

Good morning, sir.

Good morning, Commissioners.

Ronnie Mayor, living in Brookhaven.

I've got two signs with me, but they're not protesting signs.

I went to the big meeting in Brookhaven last week with the CEO and a young lady who works in her office, brought her son.

And Andrew Young was there for uh his birthday for 94 years.

And my grand, I'm first generation American, grew up uh uh first generation in Hawkinsville, Georgia.

So our family understands the uh, you know, my grandfather, he walked with Andrew with John Lewis and all those guys years ago.

And when you're raised that way, you understand what it is to be a minority.

My father died in 65, and we moved up here to DeCal County when Buford Highway was two lanes.

They called it the Jewford Highway, because all the Jewish people who are now retiring as doctors and lawyers all went to Emory and lived right there in all those uh apartments here.

I've got a poster that I took a picture of right here, and I want everybody to see it.

It's beautiful, and it brought me to tears that I had this made for our CEO to hang on her wall because I thought it was a great thing.

Now, let's get down to business.

18 years ago, exploit's funds for our library.

18 years ago, the Cab County Library Board's been sitting on my money, our money.

Commissioner Spears yesterday came all the way out to Wesley Chapel Road.

We had a great productive meeting.

We need the Brookhaven Library at the dog park.

It doesn't need to be in that hell hole where the old library is now.

We have unhoused a lot of unhoused people come off the road tracks, and a lot of the moms feel uncomfortable with their children there.

It would be a beautiful thing to be in the park, have uh uh a place uh in the basement for uh elderly people to have meetings, girl scouts, and so on.

Now let's go on to the next business.

The school board.

School board is out of control.

They just dropped our property value by 15 percent in Brookhaven.

I'm gonna give this to Commissioner Spears.

This is from Asher Park Elementary School.

Team Green showing up and showing out.

They all came, all the moms, all the dads, and just the school board knew it was gonna be pouring down rain.

They knew there was no place to park at Cross Keys.

Instead of calling for the meeting at the city center, which the next meeting I want to be at the Brookhaven City Center, all the moms and dads got sopping wet, and that just proves the school board does not know how to plan anything, and we're tired of it.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Jocelyn O'Neill, next speaker.

Mr.

Zach, I'm gonna leave this over here for you.

Good morning, Miss O'Neill.

Good morning, good morning.

I left my glasses this morning, so I'm gonna be struggling a little bit.

But I just want to say one thing about DeCab County, we continue to repeat some of our bad habits.

And I'm gonna say to you, Commissioner Lee May, love you.

Kind of like Mr.

Um Pringle, he'll say you love you and then he's cut you.

So I'm gonna say this follow the rules.

Stay within the policy.

We got a legal department.

Please don't let us hear anything else.

We've seen and heard enough in previous years.

I have asked for an update on Glenwood Road Hill from our super commissioner and our third district commissioner.

I did receive all the road pavings and where the patches are going to be.

That's not what I'm looking for.

I want to timeline.

I want to know what is going to happen with that Glenwood Hill Road because we still have people walking in the road from La Mesa from the top of the hill down to Glenmar.

Very, very dangerous and deadly situation.

And I'm thankful for the uh no vote for the one penny.

I'm trying to figure out if we gonna already have one penny for Martha to 57.

What do we need?

One more penny to 67, because hell, most of us ain't gonna even be here.

I'm doing good, whatever, to get the 30 or 35, 2035.

So we don't need that, we don't need that extra penny.

Sounds like a lot of corruption going on with that.

3569 Loxbury Terrace is my small neighborhood park.

We're having people coming in that park after 10 o'clock at night with children.

We need more policing.

Uh, our new director, I need to get with you.

We need to talk about that.

Children in the park after 10 o'clock.

What's up with that?

And the parents or so-called parents.

The metal plates that we've been putting down in DeCab County.

I want to thank Mr.

Zach Williams for the help that he gave me on Glenwood Road because it was interfering with our romantic nights with that rumbling and popping of the big trucks.

So now we're just getting a bump.

But um, you know, come on, let's that we gotta do better.

And once the plates are being moved, then the product that's left where they fill it in, they're not much better.

They're better, but they still are sinking.

So we need to see what the what the process is or what the material, whatever it is that needs to stop all that.

Um I want someone who ever deals with PSC.

They blocked the road on Rock Bridge, 7 o'clock in the morning.

People trying to get to work, putting up those big nice metal poles is gonna give us all a little bit of cancer too.

It's about as bad as some of that data center stuff.

Yeah, you know, but they don't need to be out there at 7 o'clock in the morning when people are trying to go to work.

No data campuses, just follow the law.

And I want to thank community development for the help with my neighborhood, uh, family, the old man, he finally got a roof, but it was a process that community development started, and it and we have ended that process.

I want to thank you all.

Thank you.

Gary Jenkins, Mr.

Jenkins.

Good morning, sir.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, good afternoon, uh morning, commissioners and others.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak.

My name is Gary Jenkins.

I'm a taxpayer and unincorporated to Cab County.

I want to share what I have learned from the City of Atlanta's own documents regarding the proposed annexation of the Sergeant Avenue, Sergeant Avenue area.

After reserving the annexation service plan, the CDP amendment, the zoning orders, and the annexation ordinance, a very clear picture emerged.

Atlanta takes the revenue, but the cab keeps the most expensive responsibilities.

The Sergeant Avenue area generates nearly a half a million dollars in annual tax revenue for the DeCab County taxpayers.

If annex, that revenue leaves immediately.

But the service plan states very plainly that the Cab County will continue to own, operate, and maintain the drinking water system, the sewer systems, and all stormwater responsibilities for this area.

It also states that capital improvements for water, sewer, and storm water will remain.

Atlanta plan confirms this is not a full service annexation.

Atlanta takes over the police bars, sanitation, zoning, forestry, service, maintenance, surface only.

And the APS schools jurisdiction.

But the CAP will still pay for water infrastructure, sewer infrastructure, stormwater infrastructure.

All capital improvements for these systems.

This is not a balanced transfer.

It is a partial annexation where the county loses revenue but keeps the costliest responsibilities.

Georgia law requires compensation when annexation harms the county under Georgia Code 3636-11 through 3636-119 when an annexation ships costs onto the county.

The county is entitled to compensation.

The law requires identification of county funded infrastructure, valuation of that infrastructure, negotiation of compensation, arbitration if parties cannot agree.

Under the service delivery agreement, annexation all requires a review of service responsibilities, tax impact impacts to ensure the county is not left subsidizing city growth.

Why this annexation is written is not a good idea for the CAP because it creates a structure and imbalance.

This is not as sustainable and it's not fair to the CAB County taxpayers.

How to make this annexation better for the CAP?

I respect we ask the commission to formally request a physical impact review from the county attorney and finance department invoke the compensation provisions require allowing to negotiate adjustments before any exception is recognized to ensure the cab is compensated for water sewer.

This is not about opposing annexations.

It is about ensuring the Cab County is not financially harmed.

Thank you for your time and for protecting the interests of the Cab County taxpayers.

Thank you, sir.

Jan Dunaway.

I appreciate that there have been significant changes to the text amendment, but gaps remain that must be addressed.

I hope you will approve the slump requirement for all types of data centers, cap the data center size not to exceed 500,000 square feet, eliminate the data center campuses, and approve funding for the health study to help protect the citizens of DeCab County from data center impacts.

Distance requirements between data centers to prevent clustering of small data centers is needed to decrease the possible pollution in just one area.

That being said, I want to get to the gaps.

The most recent articles have identified that discharge of chemically infused water is an important is as important as water intake.

These chemicals will cause fish kills and remove oxygen needed from our waterways.

Potentially contaminated drinking water of our downstream neighbors.

Clear pretreatment requirements are needed before the chemically treated water is discharged into our sewer system and should never be allowed in the stormwater system.

Specific parameters for quarterly monitoring and reporting should be determined before approval of the tax amendment.

These reports should be available to for public review, and there should be consequences if the parameters are not met.

DeCab County continues under the EPA EPD consent decree related to water and sewer overflows, water, which have cost the citizens of DeCab millions of dollars in fines.

Citizens are facing the water and sewer rate increases of 10% year over year for 10 years to pay for these needed upgrades.

Even though the phase two project of Snapfinger Creek water treatment plant is completed, increasing capacity from 38 million gallons per day to 54 million gallons per day, will the sewer lines from the data centers to the treatment plant be overwhelmed by the data center discharge volume?

No one data center but multiple data centers who will discharge water at least weekly.

How much this increase in capacity will the data center use rather than the much needed housing for DeCab County or business expansion that brings jobs.

Will the director of watershed take time to explain the plan included in the tax amendment?

We deserve transparency.

Making money for the few or supporting life for the many.

That's the choice you have to make.

Thank you.

Miss Malcolm.

Good morning.

Good morning, Commissioners.

How y'all doing?

I'm Jackie Malcolm, and I live in District 3 off of Bodicast.

And I'm just going to speak a little bit on the data campus.

I know we have that the tax amendment is eventually going to come up.

And I'm speaking in case, just in case data campuses come in any district.

Okay.

Um I do agree with Super District 6 revision of the copy of the tax amendment version, but it needs a closer look at the buffers between the homes and the center, the center itself.

I do not see any distance between the data center from one data center to the next data center.

We have to consider the schools, the day care centers, the nurseries, parks, and work worship facilities.

We appreciate the fact that the name data campus was eliminated.

We do not want to wind up with several data centers, all in the same, all on the same property or near to the same area.

The City Grove community where I live is surrounded by several neighboring counties.

Citigrove area of the Cab County is right in the midst of a Clayton County and their data campus approval.

Being so close to being so close to Clayton County, City Girl community will most likely be affected from Clayton County having their data centers because we don't know what their provisions are.

If we do not put some restrictions on the number of data centers that then it will have likely have data campuses everywhere.

This will actually defeat the purpose.

We would like to accomplish this by having a cap on the number of data centers along with the distance restriction.

Remember, we still have not addressed a full conversation with the water issues that we have over the entire county, especially where I live in District Three.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Madam Presiding Officer, we have one speaker left.

I didn't know if you wanted to hear that today or time frame.

We can do that.

And that's the last one that has signed up.

Yes, ma'am.

We'll do the last one.

Okay.

Faye Colefield.

Ms.

Faye.

Good morning, ma'am.

Good morning, you guys.

Thank you.

There is Jesus' presence in the room.

Because I thought I was going to have to leave today without telling you about the situation over in Chaparral and in Southeast De Cab County.

Now I have got these for you guys, and this is a copy of what I'm talking about.

We have a serious problem in Southeast De Cab in the far, far section.

We have wild pigs running loose.

Now they started off.

Oh, it's not a joke.

It's not funny.

They started off over in Panola Road near where the Lou Walker Center is.

But they also were breeding in Panola State Park.

So now they have met up in uh Arabian Mountain, which is the Cab County property.

And they are coming off, they have torn up the back of Arabian Mountain.

If you think of where Arabian Mountain meets Chaparral, they are back there, they are digging up the ground.

They are coming into the chaparral subdivision.

Now I knew when I moved into Chaparral, I deliberately moved to the back.

There were cows back there, there were deer back there, rabbits, everything running loose, couple of little snakes.

And I knew we all had to exist together.

But these crazy pigs have now come into the community.

They are dangerous.

They have horns.

My neighbors' cats went missing.

We can only assume that they were killed by them.

We also have children who have to wait at the bus stop for the school bus and get off there.

At night they come out, they roam through the community.

I was in my bed the other day.

All of a sudden I heard gunshots.

And I knew that it was not somebody shooting at another human being because there was no conversation before.

There was no speeding cars.

These are these pigs.

Now they're coming from Panola State Park.

They've come into Chaparral.

After they leave Chaparral, the next place is going to be the mall and the city of Lythonia.

Now you need to.

I have talked to members from the congressional staff.

I've talked to members from the CEO staff.

I've talked to state representatives.

I've given you the names of the people I've talked to.

You guys need to get together and get these pigs gone before something serious happens.

They have 10, 12 babies at a time.

And we're entitled to a safe community.

I should not have to go to my mailbox at night or take out my trash with my twins to make sure I can make it back down my driveway.

So I'm encouraging you to get with the state to get with the federal government and begin a program to eradicate them before they take over the entire southeastern section of this city.

And I don't know who gets these, but you know, that's my problem.

She will grab them from you behind you.

Okay, thank you very much.

And y'all get better than the pig.

Who talk about the pig?

Oh, it's not funny.

So at this time, Commissioner Volunteers has something to share with us.

Thank you very much for this point of privilege on a much more somber note on behalf of the DeCab Governing Authority, Troy Vincent, the president of a hundred black men of DeCab County and their entire brotherhood.

We extend our deepest sincerest condolences to the family of Captain Richard Phillips of the Decatur Police Department.

He has passed away, and our hearts are aching for him.

He was a member of the 100 Black Men of DeCab County, a member of the leadership de CAP class of 2024.

And if we could please now take a moment of silence.

Thank you.

He will be missed.

Thank you, Commissioner Long Spears, for that.

We have no public hearings today, so we will end no appeal.

So we are on the top of page three.

Um appointments not requiring board action for information only.

Um we have one appointment from Chief Executive Office, item 2026-0442.

All commission districts appoint Mr.

Sheldon Fleming to post eight of the recreation parks and cultural affairs board.

Wait, I'm sorry, there's none that need to be read into the record.

That appointment was going to PECS, I believe.

Okay.

Madam Peck Chair, do you have a yes?

Thank you.

Uh Madam PO.

Um there is a we're gonna defer that to the April 14th BOC with a stop and pack's pending scheduling with Mr.

Sheldon um filming to make sure he can actually come before PACs.

Thank you.

If you can hit your motion button, is there a second?

We have to seven there's a motion to defer this appointment.

Um seeing a request to speak, please open the machine for the vote.

Thank you.

We are now on the consent agenda.

Madam Deputy Presiding Officer.

Okay.

I'm ready, ma'am.

Let's do it.

Under airport item 2026-0389, Commission Districts 1 and 6.

Standardized Office Space Agreement with L Caitlin Henry.

There is no cost of the county.

Move for action.

Item 2026-0392, Commission Districts 1 and 6, consent to sub lease under contract number 16-1710 with 2005 flightway drive LLC.

There is no cost to the county.

Move for action.

Under Board of Commissioners, item 2026-0463, approval of minutes for the March 3rd, 2026 committee of the whole meeting.

Move for action.

Top of page four.

Item 2026-0403, Commission District 2, District 2 to allocate $18,800 from 2001 Park Bond for improvements at Briar Lake Park.

Move for action.

Item 2026-0404.

Also District 2 to allocate 21,500 from 2001 park bond for the development of a master plan at 1634 Briarcliff Road, parcel ID 1805702012.

Move for action.

Continue with commission commission district two.

Appropriation of 20,000 from the District 2 reserve for appropriation to stride ahead for equal and therapy.

Move for action.

Item 2026-0435 district two allocation of $15,000 from the District to Reserve for Appropriation to Bella's blessings to support pet owners in need.

Move for action.

From the District 5 Reserve for Appropriations Funds for the Summer Youth Academy of the Arts.

Move for action.

District 6 items.

Item 2026-0424 to appropriate 43,800 dollars of District 6 reserved for appropriations to Nicole Sage, Sage PR Consulting for Event Development Production, Logistics and Community Outreach FY 2026, Shakespeare on the Green Community Arts and Education Series.

Move for action.

Top of page 5, item 2026-0425 super district six to appropriate $32,978 of District 6 reserved for appropriations to the City of Avandella States to support and expand the 2026 Shakespeare on the Green Community Arts and Education Series.

Move for action.

Madam Deputy Presiding Officer.

The next item we need to have it deferred.

Yes, we will defer that one.

Thank you, Mr.

Yes, ma'am.

And with that, I move to approve items 2026, 0389, 0392, 0463, 0403, 0404, 0427, 0435, 0479, 0424, and 0425.

Thank you.

Is there a second?

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Please open the machines for the vote.

That motion to approve the consent agenda.

It passes.

We will go back to the item that we did not include in the consent agenda item 2026-0441.

All commission districts approval of the minutes of the Board of Commissioners meeting of February 26, 2026.

I move to defer item 0441 for two weeks.

Second.

Please open the machines for the vote.

Motion to defer passes.

Thank you.

Now we are in the middle of page five.

Preliminary items under airport.

Item 2026-0388.

Commission districts one and six.

Resolution to accept GDOT tentative allocation of state funding.

Assistance associated with the project for airfield crack seal and remarking enthusiasm peach tree airport.

There is a matching cost to the county.

Yeah, I'm saying.

Yeah, I move to um defer this item to the next uh BOC meeting, which would be on March the 24.

24.

Yeah.

March to 24 with the stop in Ox.

Thank you.

If you hit your button, ma'am.

And is there a second?

Second.

Inter button again, Commissioner David Johnson.

There we go.

Please open the machines for the vote.

Motion to defer passes.

Bottom of page five.

Item 2026-0458.

All commission districts authorizing 9,67,525 dollars of SPLOS 2 funding for facilities improvements to include roofing and HVAC system repairs and replacements for the Cab County physical and mental health facilities.

And this is a PECS item.

Thank you, Madam PO.

Motion to defer to the March 24th BOC with the stop impEX and COO.

Can we have the itemized costs for each of those facilities?

So what we are expecting to spend on each of those facilities to equate to the total of just a little over 9 million for PECS when we're here today.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Second.

We have a motion and a second to defer.

Please open the machines.

Motion defer passes.

Top of page six.

All commission districts to appropriate SPLOS 2 funding to purchase, install, and repair Lew Walker kitchen equipment.

Thank you so much, Madam P.O.

Motion to defer to the March 24th BOC with the stop impacts today.

Again, um, can we get a total on that?

It'd be great to be able to have a thank you so much.

I yield back to you.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you.

Commissioner Terry's requested to speak.

You have the floor.

Yes, thank you, madam.

Um presiding officer.

Um I did want to ask Zach, what was the total cost for this agenda item?

We'll have it on that.

I want to say rough numbers about 250,000.

We're talking about 0461.

Okay.

And then how long how long has the kitchen been closed?

Three years.

Three years.

Three years.

Pretty sure.

Oh Lord.

I mean we've been providing uh food, of course, but yeah.

I see that's not been fully operating.

I think today's matter of fact, uh, Commissioner uh Marina Davis Johnson had allocated some funding about that 80,000 rough numbers last year, but it just the need is significantly more.

Okay.

And we'll have more in-depth conversation in PECS today on it.

Well, uh, the reason why I asked Madam Presiding Officer is um, I mean, honestly, I don't I mean, I I think sometimes some of these items do deserve a lot of discussion.

Um, this one seems pretty straightforward, and the fact that the seniors came and asked for this, and it looked like the administration moved pretty quickly to get the agenda item together.

So my hope was what we could approve it today.

Um, unless there was any major concerns with the item.

It seemed like it was something that's long overdue, and I didn't think it was controversial.

Uh, of course, that's up to the PEC chair, but just wanted to offer that um if the board would consider it again.

My emotion stands to hear to end PECS.

It's gonna be heard in PEX today as the PECS chair mustn't be heard in PECS today.

Commissioner Davis Johnson has requested to speak.

Yeah, I've spoken with Lou Walker.

I've spoken with the administration, so it hasn't been anything that has fallen under the uh bridge.

Uh we have been discussing this item.

I have allocated personal money to it.

Uh, and I've talked with uh PECs, they're going to hear it today.

We will vote on it next week if it's been closed for three years.

Uh two more weeks won't hurt.

So thank you.

Thank you.

See no further requests to speak.

Please open the machine for the vote.

Motion to defer passes.

We are now in the middle of page six, item 2026-0460.

All commission districts to approve the usage of SPLOSS 1 and SPLOS 2 funding to make needed repairs to East Precinct and the police training facility by $3,019,530.

This is an ERPS item.

Move for action.

Yes, ma'am.

Item 2026-0459, all commissioned districts to approve the usage of SLOS 1 funds under category 2H for public safety training facility in the amount of $500,000 to evaluate and propose the most appropriate location for a public safety training facility.

Move for action.

Yes, ma'am.

Top of page seven, item 2026-0311, all commission district statewide contract.

Very long number, guns, ammunition and accessories for use by the Department of Police Services, consists of purchasing from the competitively let statewide contract for the purchase and trade in of weapons awarded to Smyrna Police Distributors Incorporated amount not to exceed 150,000 seven four dollars and fifty cents.

Move for action, and with that I move to approve items 2026 0460459 and 0311 as it was recommended for approval in the ERPS committee.

Thank you, ma'am.

Is there a second?

Second.

I see no request to speak.

Please open the machines for the vote.

That motion passes.

Middle of page seven.

This is a fab item.

Item 2026-0316, all commissioned districts.

Change order number one to contract number two zero zero zero three one six of a statewide contract into user computing for use by the marshal's office.

This contract consists of the purchase of laptops, surface package bundles, and related accessories.

This request seeks to increase contract funds awarded to Panasonic Connect North America, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America and Care of Prologic.

It's LLC amount not to exceed 107,286 and 30 cents.

Mr.

Fab Chair.

Sorry about that.

Um we'll defer this for two weeks in stop and fab.

Second.

To March 24th.

March 24th with a prior stop and fab.

Thank you.

Please open the machines for a vote.

That motion defer passes.

Bottom of page seven.

Um this is an ops item.

Item 2026-0176.

Change order number three to contract 1351620, mailing equipment supplies and maintenance services from a statewide contract for use by the Department of Voters Registration and Elections.

This contract consists of utilizing the competitive led statewide contract for annual mailing and maintenance services for voter registration and elections.

This request seeks to ratify previously provided contract term increase.

This request also seeks approval to increase contract funds and terms through June 30th, 2026, awarded to quadrant incorporated amount not to exceed 10,000 dollars.

Move for action.

Yes, ma'am.

Item 2026-0199.

Change order number four to contract number 1309871.

Commercial printing services voting signs for use by the Department of Voter Registration and Elections.

This contract consists of the purchase of voter relocation signs.

This request seeks approval to ratify a previously provided contract term increase.

This request also seeks approval to increase the contract term through June 30th, 2026 to continue services.

Awarded to Mr.

Nice Print, a contract term extension only.

Move for action.

Item 2026-0255.

Change order number five to contract number one three two five-127 and change order number four to contract number one three two five one two four and change order number three to one three two five one two six landscape maintenance services for public grounds annual contract with two options to renew for use by the Department of Facilities Management Public Works Sanitation and Recreation Parks and Cultural Affairs.

These contracts consists of providing landscape maintenance services for the county's public grounds.

This request seeks to ratify the increases to contracts to pay for outstanding invoices.

This request also seeks to extend the contract term through June 30th, 2026, awarded to Artscape Inc., the Simons Group, and Lit Us Love Your Lawn, total amount not to exceed $644,854.

Move for action.

To approve 260176.

Thank you, ma'am.

If you will hit your button for me, and is there a second?

Second.

And that was to approve, correct?

Yes.

See no request to speak.

Please open machines for the vote.

Thank you.

That motion to approve carries.

We are now at the top of page nine.

Item 2026-0260.

Change order number five to contract number one two five eight three three two.

Change order number two to contract number one two five eight three three four.

And change order number one to contract numbers one two five eight three three three and one two five eight three three five.

Soil and testing, soil and materials testing, surveying services, and structural analysis, multi-year contract for use by the Department of Facilities Management, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs, Public Works Transportation, Public Wars, Road and Drainage, Watershed Management and Planning and Sustainability.

These contracts consists of providing geotechnical and geo-environmental evaluations for the engineering constructibility and or potential environmental risk of multiple sites throughout the county.

This request seeks to ratify previously issued purchase orders in the amount of $56,148.82 cents for contract 1258333.

This request further seeks to increase contract funds for Department Water Department Watershed Management NPNS awarded to Matrix Engineering Group Incorporated Corporate Environmental Risk Management LLC Accurate Engineering and Consulting Services Inc.

and United Consulting Group LTD, total amount not to exceed 436,148 dollars and eighty-two cents.

Move for action.

That was a mouthful.

Item 2026-0327.

All commission districts.

Change order number one to contract number one three five eight six nine zero cloud solutions and services for use by finance offer Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Innovation and Technology.

This contract consists of purchasing off the competitive led statewide contract to purchase open gov software for budget development management reporting and transparency.

This request seeks to increase contract funds for continued use of OpenGov software awarded to CARASOF Technology Corp.

Amount not to exceed 413,451 dollars.

Move for action.

All commission districts change order number three to contract number two zero zero zero two zero seven, network professional services and monitoring, annual contract with four options to renew for use by the Department of Innovation and Technology.

This contract consists of providing managed network services and maintenance support for the countywide voice and data network.

This request seeks to increase the contract's terms through to September 30th, 2026 and funds awarded to MGT impact solutions LLC amount not to exceed 491,450 and 13 cents.

Move fraction.

Item 2026-0391.

All commission districts change order number one to contract number 1323437 pest control services for use by the Department of Facilities Management.

This contract seeks to ratify a previously provided contract term increase.

Awarded to powerhouse termite and pest control incorporated amount not to exceed 65,000 dollars.

Move function uh let them sign an officer.

I move uh to defer item 260260 2603 to 7 260328 260391 as uh the was recommended and opts uh to the March the 24th BLC meeting with the stop and ops on the 17th second.

Thank you.

If y'all can hit your madam Ms.

Davis Johnson, if you do it again, it's not liking you today.

There we go.

We have a substitute.

Thank you.

We have a motion and a second, please open the machine for the vote.

All right, that motion to defer passes bottom of page 10.

Substitute this is not item 2026-0393.

Um all commission districts, and there is a substitute for this one.

Change order number 10 to contract numbers 1213 631, 1213, 634, and 1213635 commercial janitorial services for use by the department of facilities management and recreation parks and cultural affairs.

These contracts consist of the development, management, and monitoring of high quality commercial janitorial cleaning, custodial services, and day porters.

This request seeks to increase the contract term and funds through June 30th, 2026, awarded to building maintenance services, Clean Star National Inc.

and A Action Janitorial, total amount not to exceed 984,786.

I make a motion to uh approve the substitute, but could someone tell me what's the difference in these two?

Good morning.

Good morning, commissioners.

So the total amount has not changed, but the estimated amounts per vendor has.

Um it is actually being corrected to align with the request from the user department.

Um so if you dig down into the details, um the building maintenance services estimated amount was supposed to be 144,494.

Clean stars estimated amount was supposed to be 675,292 dollars, and a action was supposed to be 165,000.

Those amounts align with the user department's recommendation form that you have in your packet.

Thank you.

For the motion and a second, Commissioner Bolton, you have requested to speak.

Uh I have, and I do recall um bringing up a question regarding those amounts because the amount for building maintenance of East Decap Senior Center, Sugar Creek, and Mystery Valley was exceptionally high as compared to A Action Janitorial Services.

So was that the adjustment that was made based on the question that was asked the last time?

Uh yes and no.

So the work that was originally planned did not change.

The error was an actual error in developing the agenda item.

So it really didn't result from your question, but it was something that was reviewed by the user department in trying to answer your question about the line items, and they noticed that that conflict.

So okay.

Thank you for making that adjustment.

I yield back.

Thank you.

Commissioner Kerry's requested to speak.

Thank you.

Um thank you, Commissioner Bolton, for asking for the breakdown.

Um, the helps.

So it looks like the clean star uh portion, which is the largest portion, is for 438 Memorial Drive and new animal shelter.

Is that for the the expansion section or is it for the whole shelter cleaning in general?

I'm going to have to defer to the user department on that one.

I don't have the answer to that one.

Okay.

Is the contract for cleaning for the entirety of the animal shelter?

Yes.

Okay.

That's going to be the existing or the previously existing and the expansion.

Gotcha.

Okay.

So that explains why some of them are lower, but this one is higher because the animal shelter has expanded.

It's expanded, but it's like 24-7.

They clean like all the time, right?

I think that was part of the issue we had a few years ago where there wasn't enough.

It's an ongoing challenge, but yes.

Okay, thank you.

You have another question.

Commissioner Bolton, I think, is requesting to speak.

I I am.

I I do appreciate the adjustment, but can we have can you come and just extrapolate a little bit more on the changes because they are very significant from the substitute?

For example, with the building maintenance services in, it went from 737,000 to 144,000.

That's extreme.

I I need a a little bit more explanation for that.

And then with the Clean Star National, it went from 82,000 to almost 700,000.

Sorry, Commissioner, so I'm not sure if this will answer your question, but um these main pages that you see, they are a summarization of the information we received from the user department when they have a request.

This the error was on the drafting of the main page, which was internal to my group in error an error in looking at what the user department requested and what was conveyed on that document.

Uh so the user department's document always said that A Action was supposed to get 165,000 in this change order request, and that Clean Star was to get 165 and building maintenance 144.

Also, this request is from two departments, so it's facilities and parks and rec.

So one of the department one of the vendors is a culmination of two requests from two different departments.

So if we look at the packet in its entirety, the user department recommendation forms have their requests.

This main page is the summary.

The original document submitted was wrong.

And so now we're cleaning up that error that was made when we develop the main page to align with what the user department originally requested.

Now, as far as the details as to uh what specifically is being assigned to each vendor and like the increase in in work or decrease in work, I wouldn't have an answer for that, but the main page that was an error in drafting.

Okay.

And you may have just said this, but can you reiterate or maybe the user department will have to do um how much is going toward 4380 Memorial Drive versus the shelter?

I would not have that detailed information.

That would need to be from the user department.

Okay.

Do you would you like to make a substitute motion to defer so you can get more answers?

Or you it sounds like Zach may have a response.

No, that's what I would prefer.

We can just provide a written layout, a chart that shows each facility and the anticipated car cost for each.

Does that make sense?

Yeah, I would appreciate it.

Can you make a substitute motion then?

Well, I just changed my motion.

You'll change your motion.

Okay.

Change my motion to defer this item to the 24th.

Let the stop back and ops.

The defer the subject.

The substitute.

Yes, ma'am.

Second.

We have a motion and a second for a deferral substitute.

Yeah, and I do have a comment.

If you hit your button, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Okay.

Yeah, if we could excuse me.

If we can talk with um when you present that, if you present it before the ops meeting.

Yes, ma'am.

And uh discuss it with the members of ops so that any questions can be answered by two ops.

Absolutely.

And okay, and we can move on with this item.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Seeing no other request to speak, please open the machines for the vote on the deferral.

Motion to defer passes.

We are now at the top of page 11.

Item 2026-0394.

Um contract number 1367 915, light bulbs, fixtures, lamps, and ballasts for use by the Department of Facilities Management.

This contract consists of the purchase of light bulbs, fixtures, lamps, and ballasts.

This request seeks to ratify a previously provided contract term increase.

This request also seeks to exercise a second renewal option through February 28, 2027, awarded to summit lighting solutions amount not to exceed 125,000.

Motion to defer this item to the um 324 uh Board of Commission meetings with the slap and ops on 317.

Hit your button one more time, ma'am.

Second.

And if you hit your button.

See no request to speak speak.

Please open the machine for a vote.

Motion to defer passes.

We are now middle of page 11, and these are PECS items.

Item 2026-0307.

Um contract number, renewal for contract number 2000, pressure washing services for county parks for use by the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs.

This contract consists of providing pressure washing services for count the county parks.

This request seeks to exercise the first renewal option through May 31st, 2027, awarded to facility maintenance and services group LLC, amount not to exceed 63,000.

Move for action.

Item 2026-0395, renewal contract number 1360830, tree cutting and removal services for RPCA for use by RPCA.

This contract consists of providing tree cutting and removal services for county owned facilities.

This request seeks to ratify a previously provided contract term increase.

This request also seeks to exercise the second renewal option through January 31st, 2027, awarded to Sesmus Tree Services LLC, total amount not to exceed 250,000 dollars.

More for action.

Yes, ma'am.

We're on top of page 12.

Item 2026-0426.

All commission districts change order number three to contract number 1269307 and change order.

Change order number two to contract numbers 126-9304-126-9305, asbestos abatement demolition and debris removal for use by the Department of Community Development.

This contract consists of providing asbestos abatement demolition and debris removal services.

This request seeks approval to ratify a previously issued contract term increase and provided services.

This request also seeks approval to increase contract funds and terms through December 31st, 2026, awarded to Southern Demolition LLC, KISPR Construction Incorporated and Diversified Environmental Management Inc.

Total amount not to exceed 480,525 dollars.

Move for action, Madam P.O.

I have a motion to defer agenda items ending in 0307, 0395, and 0426 with a um to the March 24th BLC with a stop in PECS today so that they can be heard by committee.

Thank you.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you.

Seeing no request to speak, please open the machine.

Motion to defer passes.

We are in the middle of page 12.

These are PWI items.

Item 2026-0182.

Change order number one, the contract number 9888, 95, print and mail services, electronic building presentment, and data processing for the Department of Finance to be used by the Department of Watershed Management, Public Work Sanitation, and the Peach Tree DeCab Airport.

This contract consists of providing customized bill formatting print and mail services, hosting the county's water and sewer portal and other miscellaneous statements to citizens and businesses.

This request also seeks to increase the contract term through December 31st, 2026, awarded to level one LLC, doing business as docs and company contract term extension only.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer.

Based on the recommendation of PWI, motion to approve.

Is there a second?

Motion and a second by Commissioner Terry saying no request to speak.

Please open the machine for a vote.

And that was a motion to approve.

Correct.

Do we need to do it again?

Say that again.

I'm sorry.

Strike the machine again.

We can't, it's still on the voting for us.

Okay.

Okay.

If you can do that again, Commissioner Patrick.

Yep.

Again, that's a motion to approve.

Yes.

Commissioner Terry, if you'll hit your second again.

Perfect.

That motion to approve passes.

Thank you.

Top of page 13.

Item 2026-0241.

RFP number two 2025-023 RFP Shoal Creek Trunk Sewer Section 1.

Construction management services for use by the Department Watershed Management.

Consists of providing pre-construction services, construction inspection, and other field services, as well as scheduling and attending meetings and preparing progress reports during the construction phase of the Shoal Creek Trunk Sewer Relief Section One project.

Recommended award to the highest scoring proposer, benchmark management LLC, total amount not to exceed 5 million 648,923.50.

Move for action.

Item 2026-0277.

Umitation number 2025-069 ITB consent decree.

Consists primarily to address urgent sanitary sewer maintenance and rehabilitation needs identified through the assessment in the ongoing sewer assessment and rehabilitation program and the maintenance management system.

Secondly, the this contract will also be used to perform sewer rehabilitation to reduce infiltration and inflow or INI and provide additional capacity for potential development.

Recommend award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Southeast Pipe Survey Inc.

Amount not to exceed 21,42,416 and 45 cents.

Move fraction.

Bottom of page 13, item 2026-0288.

Invitation number 2025-087 ITB water valve and air valve replacement and repairs for use by the Department Watershed Management.

Consists of installation and maintenance of valves within its portable water system that had been previously identified as failing.

Recommend award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder to GS construction incorporated amount not to exceed 19 million eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand one hundred and sixty dollars.

Move for action.

And based on the recommendation of PWI motion to defer to the March 24th BOC with a prior stop at PWI.

Agenda item 2026-0241 2026-0277 and 2026-0288.

Thank you.

Commissioner Terry has seconded.

See no request to speak.

Please open the machines.

Motion to defer carries.

We are now at the top of page 14.

Item 2026-0305 cooperative agreement.

This request seeks to purchase from the competitively led source well contract for the provision of commercial containers as well as steel bottoms and top lists for roll off and commercial services at various locations within the county.

Awarded to Waste Equip Manufacturing Company LLC, amount not to exceed 425,518 and 20 cents.

Move for action.

Item 2026-0329 contract number 2000 223 landfill professional engineering and surveying services annual contract first renewal of four options to renew for use by the department of public work sanitation this contract consists of providing engineering and surveying services related to municipal solid waste landfills including construction operating permitting and compliance at the county solid waste management facilities this request seeks to exercise the first renewal option through april 30th 2027 awarded to Stearns Conrad and Schmidt Consulting Incorporated doing business as SCS engineers amount not to exceed 2 million move fraction top of page 15 item 2026 dash zero three three six change order number one to contract number one three one eight nine three seven tires recycling for use by the department of public work sanitation this contract consists of picking up and removing tires from the seminal landfill that were collected from illegal dump sites residential homes and tire cleanup projects this request seeks to ratify a previously provided contract term increase this request also seeks to increase the contract's term through January 31st 2027 and funds awarded to Latham Home Sanitation Company Inc.

Amount not to exceed 27500 move fraction middle of page 15 item 2026 dash 0162 commission districts two and six agreement for the construction and financing of sewer upgrades with NEX development partners LLC with a contribution of eight hundred thirty two thousand dollars move fraction item 2026 dash 0361 all commission districts agreement for river lake information management services move for action um madam presiding officer based on the recommendation of PWI and make a motion to approve the following items 2026-0305 0329 0336 0162 and 0361 did you say 0336 0336 yes okay we have a motion and a second to approve request to speak by commissioner masayu at the floor thank you so much madam ph just a quick question because I know that we usually um with our majority our pw I items there um specific to all can all districts this is two and six and just looking at the item it is um related to a multifamily unit project so just wanting to understand that just um a little bit more in terms of it being specific to um two and six and understanding the nature just a little bit um I'm not sure if staff is here but as I recall uh this contract had about two hundred thousand dollars that the county would ultimately be paying for uh and the rest of the money is going for are coming from that developer to actually build out the sewer system as well as um you need the sewer system to build the houses and so that's what they're gonna do is is use that for building housing um mr welch thank you commissioners yes so uh this item to address your question is one of the cost sharing agreements uh that you've been seeing come through where a developer agrees to pay a certain percentage of the cost of expansion of the system in order to allow their project to come online and we have historically simply noted the district in which that project is located though I agree with you commissioner it does provide potentially relief and and and some benefit countywide but that has been the tradition just to put the district and super district where the project is actually located well thank you so much that's what happens when you are on another committee and you're of PWA she just misses us I I do I I really do I was thinking about that earlier but with that I yield back to you thank you so much and back to you manfio thank you seeing no further requests to speak please open machines for the vote that motion carries thank you we are now under items for decision by the board um district two items top of page 16 item 2025 1189 all commission districts a resolution adopting digital accessibility compliance measures to meet the requirements of title two of the Americans with disability act and this is an ops item okay top of page 16 yes yeah okay um yeah I make a motion to approve this item it was approved and not committee motion to approve and if we hit your button commissioner Davis Johnson and second it by Commissioner Patrick Commissioner Longspeace requested to speak thank you very much madam presiding officer just wanted to extend my appreciation to our IT team under director Shelton thank you guys so much we're just exploring this I know that this um federal requirement does continue to evolve and I know it's taken considerable time out of

Motion to approve.

And if we hit your button, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

And seconded by Commissioner Patrick.

Commissioner Long Spears requested to speak.

Thank you very much, Madam Presiding Officer.

Just wanted to extend my appreciation to our IT team under Director Shelton.

Thank you guys so much.

We're just exploring this.

I know that this federal requirement does continue to evolve, and I know it's taken considerable time out of your work life to make sure that DeCab County is compliant, and I feel very confident that we will be.

Thank you also to the ops committee for recommending approval on this item.

As a side note, just as a reminder, all of our commission websites, we are required to be compliant by April next month of this year.

So it's coming up fast and furious.

But again, thank you all so much for the hard work.

I yield back.

Thank you.

Seeing no further requests to speak, please open the machine for the vote.

Someone hasn't voted.

You thought I hit it though.

There we go.

The motion carries.

Thank you.

Whenever we get back to Maloof.

That's still April, right, Zach.

We're moving back to Maloof in April.

I'm putting him on the spot.

I'm putting him on the spot.

Yeah, that's why I'm not holding my breath.

Okay.

Bottom of page 16, item 2026-0286.

All commission districts.

Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Cab County, Georgia, reaffirming the county's prior authorization to seek recovery of costs of empowerment and care for court held dogs pursuant to OCGA 4-11-9.8, urging the DeCap County Law Department to resume filing cost of care petitions and to create a court held dog coordinator position.

This is an ops.

I make a motion that this item be deferred.

Can't your mic, please?

Make a motion that this item be deferred to the March the 24th meeting with the stop back in OPS on the 17th.

Thank you.

Is there a second?

Okay, come on.

We have a second by Commissioner Bolton.

Commissioner Long Spears is requested to speak.

Thank you very much, Madam Presiding Officer.

Um, so I am so happy to announce that our interim county attorney, Mr.

Phillips, has heard us, has heard the animal advocates, and has heard the community that it was time to resume cost of care.

So thank you so much for doing that.

Yes, applaud him.

Thank you.

It was a lot of work for the law team to do it.

They are still a little short staff, but they made this a priority, so that means a lot, and it sends a very strong message that a law department in DeCab County.

We do care about our furry friends, and we are doing the best that we can.

Here's an update that Attorney Phillips provided to us this morning.

Uh Cindy Dukes, demand letter sent February 2nd, 2026.

So got that ball rolling.

Um Dukes did not come to reclaim the animal, and it was released from the court held status.

There you go.

That's good.

Now that animal can be foster or adopted out as well.

Shane Martinez, demand letter sent February 2nd, 2026.

He signed a surrender on January 26th at arraignment.

Surrender form was sent to the shelter on March 5th.

So we have another win.

And this is hot off the presses, by the way.

Rebecca Hooker, motion to dispose hearing, March 10th.

That is today.

Was it 9 a.m.?

And a little bit of a drum roll.

The judge has already ruled, and we won, releasing four more animals.

Yay.

And thank you to attorneys McDonald and Martin for being present and fighting for our furry sm friends this morning.

The last is Terry Rosier.

Motion to dispose, prepared for filing.

And the team is in the process of analyzing some details around that case.

But we look forward to continuing to provide these updates.

So that's the first piece of my comments.

Would you like to add to it, Attorney Phillips?

I just want to share so that we're all clear.

The preliminary work necessary to file a cost of care petition is what the public safety team in the law department achieved.

And as a result of that preliminary work, you see that animals were released before we actually had to file the cost of care petition.

But we continue that work, and we started that work over a month ago, as you can tell from what's there, and we'll continue to do that moving forward.

Thank you, sir.

You just threw me the softball.

I was also going to thank Director Fulham for him really taking a deep dive into animal services and being present, listening to the advocates' concerns, and just really being open to innovative solutions.

And one of those solutions is a position within the police department for a um court dog coordinator, I believe we're calling it in the police department.

So thank you, sir.

That was included in the budget this year.

In addition, the law department has included in their budget a court dog paralegal.

Lastly, and we're hoping to introduce this as a budget amendment this year.

We are exploring, as Ms.

Seidel discussed during public comment, an animal cruelty investigator to be in the police department.

And I think with those three new positions, we really can um aggressively attack this ongoing issue.

My third comment relates to the deferral.

Um I understand there's been still some work to be done with this.

Would you mind sharing Commissioner Davis Johnson the reason for that deferral recommendation out of committee?

Yeah, because you wasn't there to speak on it.

Oh, well, all righty.

If you come to speak on it, we will move forward.

Okay, thank you very much.

So I will be present at the next ops committee to speak on that item and hopefully we can move it forward.

But to wrap up and summarize uh animal advocates, all of our red shirts, thank you so much for continuing to show up.

You always see I'm taking your photo.

Someday I'm gonna just send you all the photos so that it can remind you how often you do come and sit through our sometimes explosive, sometimes boring meetings.

But you are here because you care and you're passionate, and you know that we can do better, we are doing better, and we are realizing change, and that has taken many years to take effect, but I'm proud of it.

Um, I also do certainly want to thank the administration, our CEO, Mr.

Williams, and everyone else that has been involved with, and certainly our animal enforcement folks were just trying to get to the root of the problem as was stated earlier in the budget, the increase for the budget.

A lot of that increase did um was surrounded around the need to increase our spay neuter services, and it was a very aggressive um amendment, a very aggressive contract expansion.

And like I said two weeks ago, I believe that DeCab County, our county here in Georgia, is doing more for animal well-being and has in the last three years than any county in the United States of America, and I challenge anyone out there who doesn't agree with me to please send me who is doing it better.

So thank you to everyone.

I yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Bolton.

Thank you, Madam PO.

And my comments were gonna align with Commissioner Long Spears, so I'm not gonna belabor the point.

I'm just gonna give uh a few additionals as well as thank our legal department, our director of public safety, um, and everyone involved who did such an amazing job with helping to make sure we did have those four dogs released.

Um I did want to speak to the deferral also.

The last one was specifically because uh Commissioner Long Spears wasn't available to speak on it.

Um, but one of the reasons I supported uh deferral previously was because our county attorney did indicate to us that they were already working on the cost of care and then just demonstrated how the preliminary work has helped.

So giving them an opportunity to show that they are doing the work before putting forth the resolution, and now that we've seen the result and rather quickly, I I might say I didn't expect to see results so quickly, I would actually recommend rather than a res being a resolution, maybe a reaffirmation of what we're currently doing to support the work and the results that we've seen thus far.

So um if you would be amenable to that, Commissioner, I would make that recommendation.

Um certainly I'm open to a friendly amendment.

Um I did want to point out, Commissioner Bolton, it's a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of DeCab County reaffirming the county's prior authorization.

And so if the county attorney if you have any suggestions at how to word submit that, and certainly um I would support that friendly amendment.

Yeah, because I was speaking more of what you're doing currently, and I see what you're saying is the reaffirmation of what was previously stated.

So maybe if we can marry the two of those.

I I will offer that offline.

I have offered some slight tweaks to the resolution as crafted.

I think it is appropriate to reaffirm in terms of the board's authorization for the affirmative litigation.

That empowers the law department and the reaffirmation says we may continue to file the appropriate motions.

In addition to that, I have offered some slightly tweaked language, just saying we'll continue as opposed to restart.

Um and a few other minor tweaks for Commissioner Spears' consideration.

To be fair, I just got those to her, so I would ask that you give her an opportunity to digest that and see what she thinks is appropriate for her legislation.

But I did offer language for her consideration, and we're open for discussions about that.

But it was just to acknowledge what we've been doing to go forward, and just to be clear, the four animals that have been referenced were from today's proceeding.

There are much more than four animals.

Those other cases involved additional animals.

Forgive me for not having the total number.

But we'll continue to push.

Thank you, sir, and thank you, Commissioner Long Spears.

Um, also to our red shirts, one thing I wanted to share with you guys if you did not see the last ERPS meeting, employee relations and public safety, we did initiate the conversation with Chief Pedrick about uh an additional investigator to help with the cases through your advocacy sharing that with us, and also the solicitor also brought it to our attention, which is great because all of those that are involved, whether it's public safety, the solicitor, the legal department, everybody has to work together to get it done.

And so when folks see the gaps and make suggestions, that allows us as a board to help fill those gaps.

So we have had the conversation and things are moving forward.

So thank you guys so much for being such great advocates.

And with that, I yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Terry.

Thank you.

Um, I agree with all my uh colleagues' statements and uh thank you, uh County Attorney Phillips for working on this.

So basically, you're just you're recommending some tweaks to the resolution.

Okay, yes, and out of respect, we shared them with Commissioner Spears because it was hers so that she could take a look and that's fine.

Yeah, I don't mind forward from that.

But in essence, what the resolution is saying is being done.

Correct.

Okay, all right, correct you.

I don't think it's a a huge substantive change.

It's it's minor tweaks to acknowledge we're already working, and I did touch the timing of some things in there.

Okay.

You guys can deep dive into that at the committee.

Um, Commissioner Messiah.

Thank you so much, Madam PO.

And so the other thing that was discussed was an advocate.

And so we were talking about um bridging the actual um authority of it and an officer, and versus the court, and there's just that missing middle, and at this point, there are volunteers that are stepping in to try to bridge that gap.

So, similarly to how we have a victim advocate when it comes to court cases that works with the solicitor that works with law enforcement, actually having an advocate on behalf of the animals that can help bridge that gap as well.

So that's something that was mentioned, and you know, I think would be helpful to actually explore.

I think we mentioned it um the last meeting we talked about it.

So um just another consideration for law, um public safety for us all to consider with that.

I yield back to you, Madam PL.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Long Spears, for your second opportunity.

Yes, ma'am, thank you much.

Um, so to echo attorney Phillips, um, he did send thank you, sir, for doing that, over some minor tweaks to this current resolution.

So we'll review it.

Uh you know, certainly sit with him briefly, send out the sub to you guys prior to the ops meeting so that you have the most recent version of that.

And then as a follow-up to Commissioner Masaya, she is correct.

Um, one of the ideas that has been bounced around for quite some time, and I think Ms.

Nugent might have brought this to my attention several years ago, is something along the lines of like a guardian at lightum, like we do for children and the child welfare system is a guardian at lightem for animals.

And so the purpose of that role is like for the child welfare system.

That guardian up lightem is representing the child, not the mom or the dad or the state or another institution, but specifically representing the child.

If we I do think this is a good idea to explore it, um, but a guardian at lightem would represent the best interest of the animal, regardless of what the owner wants or the county wants or lifeline, et cetera.

So thank you for resurfacing that it is it is a very good idea, and I would would be in support of it.

And I did have a question from the chair of op.

So that would be a separate item that might be coming up.

Oh, yeah, yes, yeah, don't worry about it now.

It's not a part of this one.

All right, thank you.

We'll get this one.

We are still at a motion to defer this item.

Doesn't it?

Yeah, and um I I if I might finish, I just still have the floor.

Okay.

Um it looks like the clock.

Oh, there you go, the clops running.

So again, um, thank you guys, red shirts so much.

Um, I know there's still a lot more to be done, but as you heard attorney Phillips, you know, he has provided several updates.

He has really gotten the ball rolling again, and I I feel confident that we will bring those court dog numbers down, but please keep advocating.

It's just so helpful to us.

As you know, we have a lot of balls in the air, water sewer, transportation.

Uh the list goes on and on and on, and animal services is one of our core responsibilities.

But your presence, um, your voices really do make a difference.

So thank you so much.

And I yield back.

Thank you.

Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Uh-huh.

And I'm gonna be brief on my on mine.

It would be real good if you could come and advocate in ops, because that would be the meeting that um we will be discussing these issues in so that we don't have to prolong the uh Board of Commission meeting.

I appreciate uh what the commissioners have said, but if you could say it in ops, that would be the appropriate place to say it so that we could fill fully discuss it.

And I yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

See no further requests to speak, please open the machine for the vote to defer.

Motion to defer passes.

We are now at the top of page on top middle of page 17.

These are district six items.

Item in 2025-1855, all commission districts, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of DeCap County, Georgia, directing the law department to initiate the dissolution of obsolete boards, commissions, and authorities, and to consolidate sustainability efforts.

This is an ops item.

Motion to approve as approved and not committee.

Second, we have a motion to approve and a second by Commissioner Bolton.

Give her time to fix the screen.

There we go.

Commissioner Masaya has requested to speak.

Thank you so much, uh, Madam Chair.

Uh Madam PO.

Same same thing.

Um, I'm just I'm glad we're moving uh this ahead.

Um, this has been one of the things that I've pushed um since coming in the door as a new commissioner.

Um, you know, particularly not wanting to add to some of the challenges in terms of um the tracking of um you know different boards, commissions having obsolete boards, including a taxi board.

So I am glad that this is something that has um moved forward.

Um again, not wanting to add when I came in to that particular challenge that had existed for some time and realizing that we didn't have um a complete process in terms of you know keeping track of and knowing when we needed to move things along, and then there was constant boards being created without seemingly taking in consideration the ones that existed and maybe modifying those, and so there's just so many um difficulties related to um this process.

So I am glad that this is something that moved forward um since it was something I had been pushing for some time.

And so um kudos for us taking this next step with that.

I yield back to you, Madam PO.

Thank you, Commissioner Terry.

Thank you, um presenting officer.

So for county attorney Phillips.

Um, so could you just help us understand if we approve this resolution, what the next actions that you'll take from the law department?

The law department has been looking at these items to help put a list before you and working closely with the clerk staff to do so.

And then the business decisions would be yours in terms of which organizations and we could help you identify the process for removing them.

But as I understand it, you have some that you identify as stale based on inactivity and the like, and by having the whole list in front of you and talking about what we can do to deal with that, I think you'll be able to narrow that down and remove some of them.

But the first step is giving you the list.

Okay.

The list of which ones are are no longer relevant.

Well, the whether they're relevant or not is your decision.

We're going to give you a list of them and let you decide which ones you feel are not relevant.

That is a business decision that the commission will make.

Okay.

Well, the um the intent of the resolution really was for us to acknowledge what you just said, the business decision of these are the boards that we would like to dissolve.

Um I don't think anyone, I mean, as far as I know, no one complained about the ones that were being recommended to dissolve or consolidate.

So what I was hoping you were gonna say was if we pass this resolution, then the next available meeting you will bring us this, this, this, this board are now dissolved, and as opposed to just looking at a list.

Because I I think the the goal was that we should just like there's some ones that are obvious, I think.

Um I know we still have to make that decision, I guess, officially, but the goal was to just start to move this process along.

Because I what I don't want to happen is for us to look at another list that we've already been looking at.

So is it possible that the ones that have been identified can move forward with dissolution?

We we will work to identify exactly what has to happen for those to be removed, yes.

Okay, so those are I think I understand your direction.

So these would be the property.

Some have been identified as we identify others move, but as quickly as possible for those that have been identified, let's take action, identify the appropriate action, and move to do that.

I hear you loudly.

So this will be the steps.

So these will be the first ones, but there'll be more to come.

Right.

Okay, thank you.

Commissioner Long Spears.

Thank you very much.

Um, Madam Presiding Officer.

So this issue with our boards, our commissions, our advisories, our councils, has been going on for quite some time.

Um I was trying to pull up a the list that was distributed last December to the commissioners, which actually listed out here.

It is all of our different uh boards, commissions, advisory advisories, et cetera.

And I'd be happy to recirculate that just to bring it to the top of your email.

That y'all might find that helpful.

But there are quite a few.

I I mean there's a whole bunch of them on here, and I would at least half of them are or more are not even active.

Like there's a Coliseum authority, for example, it's listed as an inactive board, civic center authority, but then you go up to the boards and commissions list, um, certificate review board, CATV, citizens advisory board.

I I do think it would be helpful for the attorneys, and I do absolutely 100% believe that the clerks need to be engaged on this as well, as they do keep the list of the members and minutes and keep track of some of these would be helpful.

Um question I have for you, Attorney Phillips.

Now you've been with the county a long time, but at one point, um, I believe that former county attorney Ernstus hired in a consultant to try to kind of clean up the board's commission's advisories issue.

Do you remember when that was I do not?

I know that this has been an ongoing project for some time.

Yes.

Oh, Mr.

Williams knows this.

Would you come to the podium?

And I'm going to uh madam uh commissioner.

This is going to be from recollection, but I want to say this goes back about six years.

It was before me, and it's a year four for me.

Right, right.

I think it was pre-COVID.

Oh, okay.

Yeah, or it may have been you know that first year, so five years or so.

Um, and and I remember some a lot of work was done.

Do you remember?

It was after COVID.

It was after COVID.

I was well, I said it was from memory.

So it is a few years ago.

It was a few years ago.

Um, I understand there were challenges with that consultant engagement.

Do you think there's value for I guess the administration or the board of commissioners or the clerks or somebody or all of us to explore hiring in outside council or an outside consultant to help us organize this?

And then because a lot of work was done.

I heard like through the consultant, but as well as uh clerks.

Miss Barbara and her team, uh, Terry, uh, Mr.

Welch, um, Nicole.

There was a lot of meetings, and I think they made a lot of progress.

I would have to, you know, kind of go back, see where we left off to see what is the best course of action.

Um, I think that the challenge, quite frankly, commissioner, is you had a group trying to clean up 30 years of lack of information.

So in many instances, it was kind of rebuilding or trying to reach people who didn't exist on boards who don't exist.

Um I just have to think that um while the relationship didn't work out and it was unsuccessful.

There certainly had to have been some nuggets of gold in there.

I think there were.

Where that we could maybe pick the ball up and then start from there.

And maybe it wasn't where you terminated that engagement.

Maybe it's five steps back, but if there's any way to kind of expedite this and build on what was learned then, I certainly encourage us to do that.

And you know, if we pull do any kind of working group or anything like that, I would be happy to be a part of it.

Understood, understood.

And maybe we'll just get back together with your new chief of staff and Miss Barbara, myself, and chief of staff may I'm eyeing you.

Sure, you you might have our first project to dig into.

And you've been around a minute, so you'll probably recognize a lot of these inactive boards.

Um, all right.

Well, thank you so much for that consideration, and I yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

I I would just like to reiterate again that most of this can be discussed in committee.

I have been trying to get through the charter review because everybody's telling me how important it is.

I have put special calls on the agenda for several several weeks now.

A lot of these discussions can be made with the administration and are in committee.

I don't know why we're reserving them for Board of Commission meetings.

I understand it's an election year, but I'm trying to get through charter review.

I can't get any special call meetings because these meetings are going past lunch, and many of the other meetings that we have committee meetings that are planned.

This is where we need to discuss these items in our committee meetings, not the board of commission meetings.

So I would just please request that we have these discussions prior to the Board of Commission meetings, so that we can get through, and I can get to Charter Review as been requested by many members on this board to get to legislation before the General Assembly adjourns.

So thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Seeing no further requests to speak, please open the machines for the vote.

Motion to approve carries.

We are on the bottom of page 17, and there is a substitute for this item.

Item 2026-0244, all commission districts a resolution requiring a baseline assessment of DeCab County's health, social economic, and environmental status, and a third-party analysis of the CAV's proposed data center regulations before issuance of a land disturbance permit for data centers.

Is there a motion?

This is PECS.

Motion to defer to the March 24th BLC with the stop to be heard in committee in PECS today.

This up defer the substitute.

Understood.

Is there a second?

Second.

Motion to defer for the substitute.

See no request to speak.

These open the machines for the vote.

Motion to defer carries now at the top of page 18.

There's an also a substitute for this item.

All commission districts and allocation not to exceed $15,000 of the DeCab County General Fund to be considered for the 2026 budget to science for Georgia to conduct a baseline assessment of the CAB county's current health, social economic, and environmental status, and provide a third-party analysis of DeCab County's proposed data center regulations context contextualized by the county's current health, socioeconomic, and environmental status.

Motion to uh approve, and I see um Reverend in in the back, um, motion to approve agenda item ending in 0396.

No, I'm sorry, Ron 0245.

I'm sorry, motion to defer to the March 24th BOC with a stop in PECS today.

My apologies this up.

Is there a second?

Is this not going to PWI?

You want it to vote?

PWA?

Oh, I'm sorry, it's the it's going to both.

My apologies.

Sure.

Then um, if that's the case, I mean we had a discussion with it in PECS, and there were some um questions in terms of comparison of service.

So I'm happy as PECS chair to transfer it to PWI so it can be heard in PWI.

You know, I think uh the idea was was that it PECS is fine.

I'll go ahead and second your your motion.

Sure.

Oh, yeah.

I'm happy to in good PWI.

Who could hear it quicker?

Yeah, it's gonna be heard today.

Um it's on the schedule to be heard today.

Okay, all right.

We have a motion to defer the substitute, Commissioner Long Spears has requested to speak.

Thank you very much, madam presiding officer.

Um, just a quick question on the fiscal impact.

It says to be considered for the 2026 budget.

Um it was included in the budget we just passed.

Okay, so it have to be a future budget amendment.

Yes, okay, understood.

All right, thank you much.

Yield back.

Thank you.

See no further requests to speak, please open the machines for a vote.

Motion to defer the substitute passes middle of page 18 under CEO item 2026-0396, all commission districts to CAB County Day Center Implementation Plan for the CAB citizens experiencing homelessness.

This is a PECS item.

There we go.

Well, the other one was too, but this was the one I was referencing.

Yes.

So um, we're again seeing um Reven in the in the back and um Director Mitchell coming.

Uh my motion is to approve this agenda item.

Really excited about the substitute, really excited about the work that we're gonna do.

Um, just to note for my colleagues, um, the substitute which is being passed out now.

Um, originally we had discussed uh this uh salvation army, and we needed some um there was some capacity questions and challenges, and so now we have new life um that's gonna provide um the service, or um and then we had also discussed in terms of behavioral health services, um, either uh Clara Tell and also had discussions about Grady and Emory as well.

So it was either Clara Tell or um a suitable equivalent.

Um, you know, particularly off the heels of uh NACO and what had been discussed in terms of diversifying our uh behavioral health services and the recommendations that had been made um actually really strongly um considering and to be quite frank uh preference for either Grady or um or Emory with that I yield and you it was a motion to approve, correct?

Correct okay, the substitute, yes ma'am.

I need a second thank you, Commissioner Terry.

Uh Commissioner Long Spears has requested a speak.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer, and I see Director Mitchell at the podium, but before he speaks, I do I just want to state that we received a very significant change to this item yesterday afternoon, and um I do appreciate you reaching out.

I was at a library board meeting, was stated earlier, and then I had some things after that.

So you and I have not had a chance to speak and discuss it, but I do think it's important for the public to understand how this item has evolved.

Um, but before I go into that, I want to state clearly that I am in support of a day center in DeCab County.

However, this is starting to feel rushed to me and clunky because of the massive changes that have occurred.

So just a little bit uh chronology and background and context.

The file was create created on this item on Feb February, February 12th, 2026.

It's placed on the agenda for today, March 10, 2026.

We heard it in committee, uh, the PECS committee, it was approved.

The substitute at that point was approved out of committee, and that was what date was the PECS committee?

We uh two weeks ago.

Okay, so two weeks ago.

Oh, it was actually not quite two weeks ago, it was on a Thursday because we came back from February 26th.

February 26, so not our normal meeting date.

The original allocation was for 930,000 dollars, and it was with Frontline, International Incorporated.

Frontline for those that are following along, is the entity that manages our warming centers and transportation to and from as well.

So then there was a substitute presented at the PECS meeting, which brought forward a new vendor.

And what I found interesting and immediately flagged is that the actual agenda item that you distributed to us at the PECS meeting still listed frontline.

So I thought, how could how could that have slipped through the cracks?

I mean, you're you shifted the vendor, brought forward a new vendor, which was Salvation Army.

And so we discussed Salvation Army again.

Salvation Army has a great reputation.

Um we've worked with Salvation Army for probably decades in DeCab County, and so has around the whole country.

It's a wonderful institution.

And then yesterday we received a and again, thank you for reaching out.

If had a little bit more time, it really would have been helpful.

But a phone call, and I do I did sense your concern over this with the board meeting being the next day.

So the original was for $930,000.

This new substitute item is for $1,746,187 to cover lease payments for a year with Peace Baptist Church contract amount to allow New Life Community Alliance to operate the facility, provide staffing, food security, and wraparound services, behavioral health provider to render services, which is Claritel, I understand, and then County IT equipment support furniture and fixtures.

The biggest concern for me is that this item has been act um active for less than one month, and we are on our third vendor.

And in your email or text or voicemail to me, I don't recall where you stated it, is that it was a capacity issue.

Well, what does that mean?

Is it a capacity for the Salvation Army's their staff, or is that capacity issue at the church itself where we're going to be providing this day center?

Because I had heard that there was some concern that the facility itself did not have the capacity for a hundred folks there during the daytime.

So in respect of um of my concerns and how quickly this has evolved with a whole lot of moving parts, I will abstain from this vote today, but I did um certainly request, and you have received that request and agreed is to meet with you to discuss this further.

But to summarize, um I firmly believe that this item has shifted in terms of who will be the vendor providing the services.

This is not selling widgets, this is people, human beings that need to be taken care of day in, day out at this institution.

We had our first frontline.

I was never given a reason of why they backed out or y'all decided not to engage with them.

I don't know the answer to that.

The second one, the reasoning that I was told related to capacity.

I don't know what that means either.

And then the third is what you brought forward today is this new vendor.

So I recognize how challenging this must be for you, Director Mitchell.

I recognize that it is an absolute need in this county, and I visited a day center in uh Texas.

It was fantastic.

Provided all of the services that we need to provide in Dickab County, it would help.

It really would just be so helpful to this community in terms of helping them have the behavioral health, the substance abuse, the physical health, um, being able to find a job, you know, seeking a permanent housing solution, legal support for those that might have been dealing with an eviction.

I see all of the advantages and the value of a day center.

It just feels extremely rushed to me.

And I do have four, three three minutes, fifty-six seconds left of my time.

If you'd like to use that to just talk a little bit about the changes that you have introduced today.

Yes, Commissioner.

Uh I thank you for posing those questions.

Uh let me start with um Salvation Army.

Um, the substitute agenda item reflects uh change in the service provider uh from Salvation Army.

Salvation Army uh gave a proposal, but their senior management last week on Thursday and Friday of last week uh withdrew from the proposal because of capacity.

They made a major investment in the City of Atlanta, almost $10 million investment, and the senior management felt that their capacity within their corporation was not adequate to take on another million dollar project.

So even though I negotiated with them aggressively, trying to get them to think otherwise and had some flexibility with various terms, uh they were reluctant about moving forward.

So at that juncture, we had a BLC meeting scheduled for today, so we had to really scramble with getting uh to the next vendor that had submitted a previous proposal.

When we came forward initially, we had got proposals from New Life as well as Salvation Army to take on the task of being the service provider.

So we elected to pursue New Life.

New Life is not a stranger to us.

They're in uh district three and seven.

I could go through a litany of things that they've done to express, and then the PowerPoint I sent you last night.

I'll lay it out specifically.

They've been in business for 24 years, they have a host of wraparound services they provide.

Uh they serve over 7,000 individuals last year, so services.

They currently are managed by Michael Bryant, who's in the back of the room, he's the CEO.

We've done recently with them $3.3 million in uh ICC funding.

We also did home ARP, about $600,000.

So I could go through a litany of things they've done.

So we felt after negotiating with them that they were committed and they wanted to take on the tasks.

They also have a strong relationship with Peace Baptist Church because they uh work very closely with uh Peace Baptists as well as New Life.

They're both faith-based organizations that are reputable.

Uh so in order to make today's objective to get this proposal approved, we had to look at the budget.

The budget is up, and I can go through, as explained in the PowerPoint, the rationale for the increase in costs.

However, we feel that New Life will be able to accomplish the task that we had requested from them.

So the budget is up about 490,000, primarily driven by 75,000 to add in behavior health.

Uh after that, there's about a 400,000 dollar increase because of the approach that New Life is using to take on the tasks of the center.

They've added more staffing to accommodate 100 people, which would be the max.

Oh, by the way, the facility can handle 100 people per the fire codes that are there.

There's not a capacity issue with regard to peace Baptists.

That's a facility with 6,000 uh and 318 square foot square feet.

So there's not a problem with the facility.

The capacity reference was going back to Salvation Army.

Sir, if I could just um very quickly before my time expires, and Madam PO might allow you to continue talking.

Um, but I just wanted to point out from the initial again, file created February 12th, from the initial budget allocation, it was 930,000.

Then we had a stair step increase with Salvation Army.

We have now had another increase.

So it went from 930,000 in the original to 1,746,187.

That is an $816, $816,187 difference.

So in effect, this doubled.

And I just wanted to make sure people were clear on that.

But it's up to her if she'll let you continue or not.

I will speak to that.

In the PECS committee meetings where the board Director Allen, please continue the explanation, and then I'll go to Commissioner Terry.

Thank you.

Please continue.

Okay.

Uh in the PENC Committee where you voted for and agreed to, the budget was 1.2 million dollars.

So that that reflects the Salvation Army model.

Salvation Army had included in their budget a series of donations of food.

Most of the increase for New Life has to do with food.

They have cooks, they've hired, they plant the prepare food on site.

Salvation Army had a different model.

They're getting donated food for the most part.

New Life has to transport food from uh Flat Shells Road over to Covington Highway extensively.

They also added staff.

We also looked at security and felt that we needed not one armed security guard, but two.

We also added a metal detector to ensure that we don't have problems.

So the series of things we've done differently to make this a room more robust, safe uh environment for individuals.

So the budget increase goes from 1.2 as approved in PECS, which was last week, up to today.

And we feel confident that the 1.7 reflects the required resources to take on this task.

And again, the don't just have to do with additional security, additional food, additional staffing, things of that nature.

And also we added the $75,000 at FedPEX as recommended by Commissioner Terry.

But we're going to use the term behavioral health.

There are providers that we can get.

Claritel is one of three we can look at, but that's been discussed.

Those are the increments to get us to a posture where the budget is at the increase of 492,000.

So I'll entertain other questions.

There's a PowerPoint, which I shared with you last night.

I have copies here.

If you like to look at them to answer questions, there is a budget analysis comparing Salvation Army to this proposal on page uh 18 within the PowerPoint.

And I'll take on other questions, but uh thank you, Director Mitchell.

If you can get the copies of the paper to one of our central staff and they can distribute to the commissioners, the PowerPoint.

Yeah, the PowerPoint, please.

Um, Commissioner Terry, you have the floor now.

Thank you.

Um I think I think technically in the PECS committee, when we did approve this, um, we didn't keep behavioral health provider as a to-be-determined it was supposed to be Claritel.

Um, but could you just share are Grady and Emory interested in providing the service?

Uh we have not been able to approach those two entities.

We plan to and hopefully compare Claritel to Grady and Emery to provide the best services.

So that that's an option, but the cost to do that, the budget is 75,000.

We plan to uh look at those entities as well.

Are they enough PowerPoints?

I think I gave you enough.

Okay.

Um I think that's important because if Grady or Emory haven't even been engaged on this, I mean, we're trying to get this thing open pretty soon.

So I would just caution us not to delay having a behavioral health specialist on site, number one, when the doors open.

Number two, and you know, this is to Commissioner Messiah, who I think and maybe just for all the commissioners, um, just edification.

Um wait till everyone's stopped talking because this is important information for them.

It is important information, and I was conferring with the chair on the item.

Please continue, Commissioner.

So the important information I want the commissioners to understand is one, and this is actually for Commissioner Messiah because she brought it up, so I'll wait until she stops talking.

So to be very clear, the and this is important for Commissioner Masaya to understand, because if you have not taken the time to tour Claritel or meet with them or to understand how the system works, then you might think, oh, there's all these other providers out there.

We'll just get someone else to do it.

Why does Claritel always have to be the behavioral health provider?

What you need to understand, Commissioners, is that Claritel is under the state system.

So when Claritel gets involved, we're talking about accessing state funds.

If Grady gets involved, who pays for Grady?

We do.

If Emory gets involved, who pays for Emory?

I don't know.

Emory doesn't serve people without insurance.

They send them to Grady.

They'll take them in the ER, but if there's a mental health issue, homeless as mental health crisis, they'll stabilize them, but then they're out the door the next day.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities is the state system.

They are designed to provide these cutly services for people who don't have health insurance who are indigent.

So we have to be very clear about when we open up a day center.

There are some individuals that are gonna come through that door, Director Mitchell that probably shouldn't be there.

They need to go to the crisis center, they need to go to a state hospital, they need to go to some other system that will provide the care they need because we're not gonna be able to address complex mental health challenges at the state center.

Is that right?

That's correct.

Okay.

You know, and I think what you're hoping, the majority of the folks that walk to that door, I just lost a job, I'm living in my car, you know, I was told to come here.

I mean, it's it's a it's a place for us to have one service delivery.

So it's an efficient way, even though it's costing a little more money, it is an efficient way to support individuals that are experiencing homelessness.

But we have to recognize that some individuals are going to need more help.

And the day center is not the place to get that help.

But if Claritel is involved, they can refer.

That's a key thing that we have to understand.

They can refer to their programs because they are funded by the state.

And those programs legislature always ask, are those programs?

I mean, what's the demand?

So, you know, to a certain extent, if Claritel has more demand and they're showing that there's a lot of work to be done in DeCav County, it tells the legislators, you know, these are important programs to fund.

Um the one thing that I think we should be encouraged by is that uh DBHDD, Commissioner Kevin Tanner is very interested in pursuing from a state level support for a diversion center.

Uh, because ultimately what this day center is representing is sort of a baby set to a future diversion center, which would hopefully allow the police department and you know, decap police, and I think actually Tucker are discussing this right now, amending their loitering ordinance to allow an individual who's experiencing homelessness on private property outside of business hours to be arrested.

So if DeCab police operating in Tucker get the call that someone experiencing homelessness is on a private property, their ordinance basically tells the police you have to arrest them.

And if we arrest them, where do we take them?

Do we take them to the jail?

Do we take them to the day center?

The day center isn't quite equipped to be an emergency receiving facility that would fall into the 1013 statutes.

But it could one day, and maybe on this site or a future site.

And the issue that we're studying in the FAB committee was relates directly to this because we have 700 individuals last year that were arrested for criminal trespass, who are awaiting a s a state bed or a competency um evaluation.

Some of them, Judge Jacobs testified at the committee, they were charged, um, or they were, you know, uh, you know, brought in for their pretrial.

Judge Jacobs gave them a dollar bail, one dollar, and they could bail out.

And guess what?

They're not being bailed out.

One, because there's arguably not any place for them to go.

Um, but two, if they're not getting bailed out, we are paying the full cost to provide housing, food, medical services.

Jail funds cannot use Medicaid, Medicare funds.

Claritel can use Medicare, Medicaid funds.

This is how we take a 29 million dollar annual cost to the jail and shrink it down to an $8 million cost for that same population.

So those are these are millions of dollars we're talking about.

So I'm okay with the um the change.

Um I support new life.

I know they do a lot of work.

They already are in this space that because they provide some uh shelter services, I think, to I think families uh on their site off Candler Road.

Um so this is I think a good first step, but I I want to encourage us to work with the behavioral health provider that is gonna provide the best um use of our resources and getting individuals that need help into the right pathways to get additional support, particularly from the state, which does have their own budget and does have access to Medicaid and Medicare.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Okay.

Thank you.

And I'm gonna let uh Alan, if you could speak on that behavior is it that uh the commissioner was talking about briefly, and then I'll complete what I have to say.

Okay, Commissioner, uh, thanks for the question.

Um Behavior Health and being able to uh assist people, uh, behavior on mental health and substance abuse is extremely important.

The model we had is expressed in the PowerPoint says that we need an individual physically there to accommodate that.

We find that as we encounter people in the public domain, streets, bridges, et cetera, that uh a double digit percentage of them have uh issues, uh mental issues uh uh of all sorts, and we need clinicians.

Our staff typically is not prepared to deal with individuals like that, even with our outreach as yesterday, you would ask me to go to look at two individuals.

But you find that those individuals need a clinician we need uh entities like Clark etc to accommodate us or work with us in that regard to be able to help so they can get them in and get treatment.

We're limited in terms of what we can do actually.

So having a day center without having a commission there is not a good idea because again a double digit percentage of people coming to the door will need this help.

So it's very important.

Right.

I hope that helps okay that that definitely does because I know that you've been doing this for many years.

Yes and that you've looked into all aspects of what is needed um and and I just like to say and you mentioned uh my call to you just in my district commissioner Lone Spears and I'm gonna say the urgency of this in my district over the weekend to um individuals was in a motor bus stop where they had set up housing they had their furniture they had their um household items they had their mattresses they had about four or five bags and I had to look at that all weekend because when I saw it may have been there sooner when I saw it it was Friday and I couldn't get any assistance they had a bucket that they would take in the middle of the street to urinate and poop in public.

They had a grill and this is two locations this in the fifth they had a grill that they were boiling hot water on cooking which is not safe for people that are passing by they can't walk on the sidewalk because all of their stuff is there they have mental issues that you don't you can't take them to a clinic wherever you take them they got to be there to be assessed and deal with in that moment now applaud um Pastor Burnett and Pastor Harris because I know what both of them do at both churches I can only talk about South because I'm usually out this way but without the Cabs have they reach out to the community the community benefits for what they do so whether it's the salvation army or whether it's peace they're going to take care of the job.

So I'm in support of that I think it was needed yesterday but I do know it's needed today it's not something that I can abstain on is not something that I should could say let's look at this and let's look at that because I've seen when you get in the middle of the street with a bucket to urinate I'm not even talking about showers that this day center and dignity that this day center will provide but I know that it's a need for it right now and whatever else we need to do in the future I'm open to that but you got to have something to not only dignify the individual but dignify your neighborhoods and you as people we talk about dogs and of course I always say I'm a supporter of dogs but I also support the dignity of human life and so I think that this is something that is needed I applaud you of all of the work that you've done in the past since I've been here you have been a workaholic when it comes to the community and I appreciate that and I appreciate your judgment because I know that you have the experience to know how the connections to know what is needed.

So I appreciate that and I appreciate your immediate action uh this weekend in both of those uh mod uh locations.

So thank you.

And with that, uh I yield back and I just want to say once more.

I know what's happening in the fifth and self-de-care because I live there, I drive there, and I see it every day.

So thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Thank you, Commissioner David Johnson.

Commissioner Messiah.

Thank you so much.

Uh Madam P.O.

Um, you know, I I always say I address the issue, I don't address people.

And you know, person that thinks they know everything usually knows nothing.

With that being said, I wanted to make sure that there was an option from what I learned from NACO and the discussions that were had that was provided in terms of diversifying our behavioral health.

We do have Emory, we have Claritel, and that was something in addition to Grady, was mentioned not by myself, but you had mentioned it in terms of behavioral health providers.

Thank you so much for helping me to explore options.

Albeit folks think they know what I do when and how, and I'm not sitting on boards.

And the $75,000 that was suggested in PECs was suggested by a colleague.

So it's not something that was provided free in terms of behavioral health, but that was something that uh additionally adjusted the budget from the initial ask.

That was actually the first change that had taken place.

It was 1.2, and then it was requested by a colleague to add Claritel at the price point of $75,000.

So it wasn't gonna be free, and likely something that we're gonna have to pay no matter who provides that service.

Grady is very equipped, so is Emory.

They have Medicaid, Medicare as well.

So diversifying doesn't hurt, and to be quite frank, gives our constituents an option in terms of getting the service that they need.

And to uh Commissioner um David Johnson's point, yes, we see it every day.

Um and it is getting worse to be quite frank.

Um is something that I shared recently.

Can't go down Candler, which I do every day several times a day without seeing it.

And so, you know, there is an urgency.

I support the need, and also I understand that New Life provides a lot of different services in addition to GED.

That's one of the things that um we mentioned during the call as well.

And I proudly received my GED and now I'm sworn into the U.S.

Supreme Court.

So to provide that service to folks that may not have the option and the opportunity initially, I think is fantastic.

Thank you for the work that you're doing.

And again, I would like to look at different providers that we have utilized that we know that we are partners with the CAB County that can also provide the services to our constituents.

Thank you for your work.

I yield back to you, Madam Chair.

Thank you.

Commissioner Bolton.

Thank you, Madam P.O.

And I I just have a few questions about um operationally how the program would work, but also a more holistic view.

So this might be for you, Zach.

But will this be ultimately rolled into the 155 million dollar bond project that we were discussing with the budget, or will this remain its own initiative?

So this will be funded out of the funds generated um that will also support the bond initiative.

That makes sense.

So the bond initiative, once fully implemented, which will probably be over a couple of years for 150, 155 uh million dollars, may cost 10 million dollars or so a year, but I mean we have the funds now, and so there will always be some ongoing operating costs, and this would be one of them.

Okay, thank you.

Um and then also just with some of the things operationally, um, probably uh director Mitchell will be able to answer the remainder of my questions.

Will this space also include uh storage for those who will be using the day center so they can be more mobile to go to and fro with the other um wraparound resources they'll be provided with?

Uh yes, uh there'll be storage there, there'll be security there, uh, would accommodate uh things to come in.

I want to make sure that there will limit the number of bags.

It's a low barrier uh facility, which means that uh uh being inebriated, you can't get in, but a step above that you can't get in.

But uh there'll be address board and that the staffing level that New Life is bringing to the table.

And the staffing level that New Life is bringing to the table, we added a couple of people, that's one of the reasons why the budget went up because they felt strongly that we needed to have a room or bus uh entity to be able to manage those people.

The bandwidth is 80 to 100.

We can't go over 100 because the landlord would not let us put more than 100 people at that site.

So the the butt the bandwidth is going to be between eighty and one hundred to be able to accommodate that.

So we've got adequate staff with the very skilled individuals that they will hire to take on the task.

Okay.

And will we also be supporting the working homeless and for example if someone is working at night, will there be cots or some sort of lodging during the day for them so they can work in the in the evenings or overnight?

Uh the facility is again a requirement that we can't uh have uh anyone stay there uh after five.

Okay.

And so uh we talked about transportation after that event, they can go to the shelter.

As you know, you approve a 400-bed shelter at frontline, which we can actually put people in.

The capacity is there, and we only got about 80 people in that shelter currently, so there's more room there.

We can also take them back to some other facility that they might want to go to.

Uh and some of them might elect to unfortunately go back to uh where they tend to hang out late at night.

So the idea would be that there are three different options.

We hope that they go to the shelter uh and then come back the next day, but that that's a facility we have with transportation.

We plan to use the funding that uh Commissioner Patrick put in place is called Fast Track, and there's 200,000 appropriated by the county to be able to help frontline with its uh transportation vehicle.

So we've offered the contract.

I work with Tara, who's chief of staff for district one to ensure that the contract for frontline for fast track includes language that that references this particular day center and that individuals will be taken up in route to be transported.

I don't know.

The transportation number you see in the budget has to do with transportation for food delivery, not transportation for individuals.

So we plan to use an existing uh uh program, again, fast track uh that uh currently provides transportation to individuals around the county.

So I hope that helps you.

Okay, thank you for that.

I yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Long Spears, for your second opportunity.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer.

So I just want to be clear to the members of this commission, the public, the staff, providers, and everyone else who is concerned, is that I am strongly in support of a day center.

I agree with my colleague, a day center was needed yesterday.

But as I stated earlier, I will abstain from this vote for three primary reasons.

The absence of information, there are still loose ends that we've not addressed.

Second is that without the opportunity to discuss some of my concerns with you, Director Mitchell.

I just don't feel it's in my best interest at this point to vote on an item that feels again, as I stated earlier, rushed.

And then lastly, is that since the inception of this item on February 12th, the cost has almost doubled.

And I I don't feel comfortable supporting it until I have the opportunity to do a real deep dive with you to understand why those costs have doubled.

Now for a question for you.

Um the original provider that was brought forward was frontline.

Why did you make the decision or the county or Mr.

Williams, whomever, not to work with frontline and shift over to Salvation Army?

Uh that decision was made based on an analysis of front frontline's capacity.

I I currently manage uh three contracts.

Well, two contracts, they have three with frontline.

As you know, we have the warming center, and we've gotten over 11 to 12,000 uh visitation for the warming center.

We have 53 activations.

I give you updates constantly on what we're doing.

We average 300, 240 people per night.

So there they really have the cooling center to do as well.

So that's a warming and cooling center.

So that's one contract.

The other contract in all candor is uh a very massive contract.

It's uh $570,000 to be able to run the shelter.

And the shelter requires an intense capacity uh investment of resources, it requires showers, it requires a lot of activity.

And we felt that frontline had enough contract and capacity constraints to be able to keep them focused on the shelter, the warming cooling center.

In addition, I mentioned Fast Track, which is another proposal that they have to provide transportation.

So with three separate contracts with one vendor, we felt that that would be a stretch to give them uh a six-day commitment to run a day center.

So our judgment was that they had three contracts, giving up a fourth contract would put the county at risk uh with the with the vendor.

We love them, they do great work, but we didn't feel that adding a fourth contract to frontline would be in our best judgment.

There lies our answer.

Thank you.

All right.

Um so again the vendor selection one frontline, vendor selection two, Salvation Army, both of them had challenges with capacity.

So again, in the absence of information, why the third vendor you've proposed, you feel has a capacity, and we certainly don't have the time, nor does everybody want to do it, is to sit around and talk about why you feel that the third vendor that you proposed provose does indeed have the capacity to provide the services.

So that is part of why I just I don't personally, I I don't know about my colleagues, but feel comfortable um voting, yay.

I will abstain.

So it does mean I I support it.

I'm just fully in the absence of information, a lot of questions, and there are some budgetary concerns that I have.

Moving on, um, Commissioner Terry did mention exploring a diversion center.

When we were in Texas, we visited the Harris County Center for Mental Health and IDD.

In one year alone, they served 89,000 individuals.

I had the good fortune when I was at the NACO legislative conference to um have a meal with a former sheriff of Harris County, who was part of the group that constituted this new center.

He is now his new capacity is as a commissioner, but he was I mean, the numbers, I wish I had written them down, were outstanding.

Just how much money it saved the jail to divert them from um from the jail over to this diversion center.

So that's just something I wanted to mention to my colleagues.

I'd be happy to forward um their annual report, their website, et cetera, if you wanted to take a look at that.

And maybe that is something that we could explore a little bit further.

Another point you brought up at the PECS meeting was when people arrived intoxicated.

And today you said being inebriated and they can't get in, quote unquote.

I believe that that is the reason why having Claritel on site is very important.

Um I I think they do a tremendous job for us, as Commissioner Terry pointed out.

They are a state entity, and so there is not additional funding that we would have to allocate because they are funded by the state.

Um I do encourage you to talk to certainly Emory and any other MercyCare, for example, any other institutions that you think would be an asset to be present at this campus.

So again, thank you very much.

I applaud your efforts.

I am in support of a day center, agree that it should have been yesterday.

There are just too many, too many loops that are still open for me to feel comfortable um supporting this right now today.

Thank you.

Yield back.

Thank you.

Commissioner Terry, second time.

Thank you.

Um Director Mitchell, it does look like you provided the the budget breakdown and the difference between Salvation Army and Delta.

Which you know just could be a nature of their organization.

It looks like you're they're almost um almost doubling security.

So it looks like we're gonna have to have two.

So that I guess that also was part of the reason why the budget increased, because you just want to have at least two security guards.

Yes.

Is that correct?

Okay.

So I'm cool with that.

Um it looks like you've doubled the budget for food, um, which you know that can I guess just depend on the census every week, right?

It could be lower, it could be higher, but it looks like you're planning to have more food instead of two cooks.

So I presuming there would be some sort of preparation going on.

Yes, the the food component is uh in essence two meals as opposed to one meal because Salvation Lobby was getting donated food in one mill.

Uh it was very strongly uh felt by the pastor that uh individuals that spent the night some other place needed to have uh a breakfast.

So in essence, you can get a morning meal and a lunch meal.

They wouldn't get dinner, but there'll be two.

There's an addition of one additional meal.

Okay.

In addition, there are cooks that are cooking on site.

The reason why I say cooks is because New Life has a fairly large campus and they have a kitchen.

They have a kitchen, and they produce food and they're gonna hire cooks to be able to produce the food, which is fresh, and they're gonna be transported uh via trucks right over.

So everything you're getting is hot, fresh.

Okay, so basically it's it's more food, uh, two meals set of one meal, and then there is more cost for transporting the food.

So look, so they're gonna be cooking it at New Life Campus School.

That's more kitchen.

Yes.

Transporting over Okay.

I mean, all that makes sense, and I think that's is a justifiable reason for the budget to be increased.

Um insurance is more probably because Salvation Army had their own insurance.

Um the janitorial did go up uh by double.

Um is it at all possible, Zach, that our existing janitorial contracts could handle this, or do we have to have it be completely separate?

Or just contain with all in one contract?

Well, we we like the idea of having it contained in one contract, and even if we did um Commissioner, we would still have to add cost.

You know what I mean?

Okay.

Well, yeah, I was just curious why Salvia Solvation Army thought 51,000 would be enough and New Life has it at 115,000.

Are you just having it says 1.5 janitors, so you're just having additional capacity in in general?

Yeah, their their logic is based on running uh uh a warming center.

Uh you probably aren't aware of it, but uh whereas we have a warming center with uh frontline new life is elected since uh we started also they have the own warming center, and I've been there many times, but they actually have great experiences to how dirty and how uh how use terms uh a place can be with individuals that are uh that are unsheltered that come in.

So they felt that having that experience they need to increase the intensity of clear cleaning because the restroom facilities where they're adequate, they aren't um uh they aren't tremendous.

They don't have several stalls and all that, they have a few.

So they felt that they needed to constantly clean and take care of the facility, having experienced a warming center transaction at their own facility.

So just require more regular cleaning throughout the day.

Okay.

Yes, very that makes sense.

Okay, and then the other budget items just I mean there's sort of just uh additional contingency staff wellness, which I mean I think seems totally fine.

Um I I do understand the budget increase, and I think you've laid it out here.

Um so I don't have any issues with the budget increase.

I think you've justified that.

Um but I mean I think like all contracts, you know, we will monitor it.

So if you could just kind of like report back on, you know, do we have a hundred people in there a day?

Is it fifty?

Just give us kind of that, and maybe every month could be part of the reporting.

The last page of the PowerPoint shows you the proposed metrics that we will bake into their contract if you get toward the last page right before the recommendation.

Okay, those are things that other day centers have used to uh for metrics-wise, so at a minimum, those things you see on the last almost the last page of the linear what we're gonna use.

Okay, we also looked at Savannah as I currently cover the packs to other centers that currently exist.

I have the CEO here of uh Savannah uh State Center, and he spent hours with us uh helping us with some things.

So those were reflect reporting once a quarter to come back for from the body to give an update at the cow that you know how we're doing.

Okay, great.

And I'll send reports like I do with the warming center, I send reports in terms of what we're doing.

So you get uh uh regular reports from me addressing uh how well we're doing at the day center.

Okay.

Yeah, and so maybe like in the PECS committee every quarter, just an update on how things are going.

Um, you know, uh Director Bryant can come and talk about challenges they're having.

I think it'd just be good to keep us posted on what y'all are seeing, sort of the disposition of the referrals.

Because I think to me, the day center works best when there's a a very strong referral system.

Because in essence, we don't want people just to live here and they can't, it's only during the day.

So the goal is to get people voluntarily to come and then to work with them to figure out what other services might be out there that they can apply for.

That is true.

We're gonna have coordinated entry, something we talked about earlier.

That's part of my our staff.

We've got 11 individuals that answer phones today.

They will also make referrals to other shelters because we've got a the shelter with frontline, but the other thing we forget is in the city of Atlanta, we have six shelters that we use to place people.

So we we have uh a number of shelters.

Uh so you can get referred to various in places.

Okay.

Uh so what is um and Zach, you maybe can answer this as well.

Um if we and Commissioner Davis Johnson brought up a situation um that you know we've seen in other districts.

Um if someone is, you know, on the side of the road, they've got a shopping cart, they've got a tent, they've got buckets with excrement in it.

What is how do y'all how do the outreach team, how do they handle that right now?

You you I know y'all go and talk to them and say, you know, we'd like to offer you services.

What happens if someone says no?

Uh we get in those uh about the hour.

Uh and you know in your neighborhood, there's someone that we've dealt with for 10 years.

Yep.

Uh we're able to place Michael once uh uh in housing.

And she was there for probably a week and left.

But uh some people, because of the uh mental issues refuse to come in.

But uh we try to ensure that they don't have uh uh issues, try to chat with them, uh socialize with them so they can get comfortable with us being able to refer to them.

One day we'll get our place.

But most people that refuse services, our team goes back constantly to check on them, uh provide uh trivial things to help them.

We do many things to encourage them to come in.

We always offer housing, uh but a lot of them views no, and as the weather gets better, most of them tend to say more no.

Okay.

And go yeah, go ahead.

I just want to like to offer something.

What will be a tremendous benefit of the day center is there are those um who for whatever reason historically have chosen not to receive help.

And some of that may be trust, you know, besides other challenges that they they may have.

So with this, you know, maybe they start coming to the facility, um, maybe you know, go in, um, maybe start to participate.

And once they see, you know, some other opportunities, and we have folks there who can assist with mental health counseling, can provide meals who can help them get their ID and things like that, maybe other benefits.

So, you know, for some there may be you know kind of a step-by-step process.

Right.

But now that we have a once we have a facility, there's a place where they can take that first step.

Okay.

So and this is important because we've been talking about it um at the board in terms of not criminalizing homelessness.

But as we reported in Fab, the real the reality is that there are on annual 700 people at the DeCab County jail that are there for a criminal trespass who also have a substance abuse or mental health issue.

And so that is a population that right now the police, whether they're city police or county police, or in some cases sheriffs, um officers are arresting them and taking to jail.

Right.

So will DeCab County police during the hours of the day center, if they receive a criminal trespass complaint during these hours, will they will they pick up the individuals or will the outreach team say suggest that the individual who is criminal trespassing go to the day center voluntarily?

Right.

So we we will have you know there's certain capacity currently, and we contract one of the contracts that that Mr.

Mitchell meant director Mitchell mentioned with frontline is to provide transportation.

Um but I'm talking about involuntary.

If someone does not want to go to the day center and they're like, I'm gonna stay right here on the street with my buckets.

What what is the disposition of the page?

Let us come back to you on that.

Let's let us come back to you on that because back to your issue or your statement of criminalizing being homeless.

I don't know that you know.

Well, it's already happening because it has to happen in certain situations.

With the KPD or other agencies, with I mean what will the the results show all agencies are arresting.

Um last question, Director Mitchell.

When you encounter someone on the street experiencing a mental health or substance issue that's homeless, who do you call to support with that?

Uh currently we try to get in the hull of cartel to try to get help.

Yeah.

Thank you, Commissioner Terry.

Commissioner Patrick.

Uh thank you, Madam Presiding Officer.

Um just want to speak to the overall I think need and urgency for this.

Uh Director Mitchell and I, when I first got elected, um, started talking about the ideas of perhaps purchasing a hotel for having resources available, and and uh there were some challenges with that idea.

Uh but at some point I do believe DeCap County does need to have the infrastructure to handle the homelessness within our own county, regardless of whether it's a municipality or an unincorporated area.

Um and so uh I will be supporting this.

I know it's not a perfect first step, but it is a first step.

Um I do want to acknowledge that your years of experience have helped get us to this point.

I'd like to think I helped a little bit as well, getting us to the this conversation happening.

Um and then also just note that you know, up in District One, um, particularly along Interstate 85, uh, there is a homeless encampment um through interactions with the UPS organization.

Uh we found out that there were three very large homeless encampments on their property, uh, and we were able to um go through and help clean up those camps so that there's not the environmental waste and all the other concerns that are there.

Uh but we've had people, uh I don't know about the buckets, but I do know that we've had some folks that have set up some blue tarps on the side of the interstate and taken showers there in public um and sort of things that I don't think people really want to see happening in their neighborhoods, and so uh I'm very comfortable uh moving forward with this to my colleagues.

Uh as uh Director Mitchell had noted I had put in 200,000 for transportation.

I'm sort of challenging you all to step up and help me.

I think the original ask was uh six hundred thousand dollars if I recall correctly.

Um but whatever shortfall there is, um you know, this is one of the things that I'm not saying specifically for district one.

This is if there is a need in the county to transport someone from place to place that this is intended to help that.

I know this is separate from the um day show or day uh center conversation, but I think it is a component that we want to be able to get these folks who are in need to that location.

So um, and uh I guess my final comment uh wanna acknowledge Commissioner Masai, you've said it three times uh to go from a GED to a attorney at the United States Supreme Court is a phenomenal life achievement, and so um uh thank you all for your time.

Thank you, Commissioner Patrick.

Commissioner Bolton.

All right.

I'm a bringing home.

This is gonna be the last comment on this issue.

Um, but just really quickly, uh well, first let me say I do look forward to how we will include other partners and municipalities on this project long term, but in the interim in the short term, are we working with a home for everyone to make this the new place for Marta Cart distribution considering what happened at City Um, I was about to say City of Decatur, Decatur Library.

It was the recenter or was it the library?

The library.

Okay.

Yeah, and I know we all got emails that they were looking for a new location for that uh distribution of Marta Card.

So will this be that base site?

Have we had that discussion?

Uh we have worked with them.

We had um sessions, uh Zach and I shared a meeting with the Decatur community and all those nonprofits to get the ideas about a day center.

We've had two meetings with them.

Uh Greg White, uh I can name a number of people that participated.

They're all in support of uh what we're doing.

Uh the MarCards were relocated to a different location in the cater as opposed to the library.

Uh Greg agreed to do that.

Um there's a great relationship between us and those those entities.

So we met and we would continue to meet, and they support what we're doing.

We didn't want to come before you unless we knew the community was aware of what we're doing.

So we've had great meetings with them.

Okay.

So to answer the question, there's already been an identified location for transportation for distribution of mar cards.

And this the day center won't be included in that.

Is that what you're saying?

Yeah, we we didn't look at MarCards being uh distributed at the day center.

Um there's a marter stopper in front of a day center, only about maybe 10 feet away.

Is that close?

But uh we have to chat with Greg about his distribution of Marts because it's uh when he was distributing those, it was more of a deterrent to the library, and we let down the problem.

So we're working with Greg to make sure that as he gets access to cards they can be distributed in a more uh uh better a better location.

We can pass over to Target again about the distribution of Marta cards because we haven't chatted with him recently about that.

And I I commit to get with Greg and chat with him about his distribution of MarCards.

But we've not uh he's aware of the day center, but we have not discussed with him uh whether there will be an item that he could pass out at the day center or not.

We do know we we're gonna bring people to the day center via transportation, and if they choose to take Marta by themselves, they can actually get to the day center by coming.

It's in essence right in front of the building.

You can you can walk 10 feet and be at the facility from the matter stop.

The bus stops there.

That okay, that's good.

And one of the reasons that I ask is because since we're offering wraparound service support, including for jobs or housing transition, all those sort of things.

So once folks leave there, I know we want them to be able to walk 10 feet to the bus stop and go to that interview or wherever else that they do need to go.

So we'll stay in communication with Mr.

White and you guys if District 7 needs to help support um Marta cards or Marta Cart distribution to help folks get to where you're sending them to get those additional resources.

Okay.

I I commit to doing that.

We got with Greg.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

I yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Bolton.

Seeing no further requests to speak, please open the floor for the vote.

And to be clear, this was to approve the substitute.

Our screens are saying defer.

It should be approved.

Commissioners y'all have changed my mind.

Was a very good conversation.

Like we have closed the loop on some of my concerns.

That motion passes unanimously.

Thank you.

At this time, Madam DPO, if you could get a give me a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss litigation and make it a working line.

Thank you, Commissioners.

Thank you.

Absolutely so moved.

Excuse me, if I may.

We have a motion to recess for executive session.

Sorry, thank you.

Not adjourned, please.

Thank you, attorney.

For the purpose for the purposes of the litigation.

And just really briefly, if I could take a point.

So happy birthday.

Happy birthday.

I don't know if I want to go back to third.

I'm a strong forty-eight, and I'm good with that.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, everybody.

If I can get a motion to reconvene.

So reconvene.

Second.

If you'll hit the button, Commissioner in the second.

Oh, you know what?

We don't even have our clerks here.

Hold on.

I was moving so fast.

There you go.

He's always on it.

Thank you.

So we just made a motion to reconvene.

Here comes Clerk right here.

That's okay.

We I was moving fast.

Right.

So Commissioner Bolton made a motion to reconvene.

Commissioner Messiah seconded.

If you guys can vote to reconvene the meeting.

All right.

Motion to reconvene carries.

There was no action to be taken out of the discussion during executive session, so we will continue with our agenda.

We are at the bottom of page 18.

This is an ops item.

Item 2025-1577.

All commission districts.

And um with a comment.

Second.

Yeah, uh we had it down for the special call meeting, didn't make it today, so we will hear uh this item at our three fourteen meeting.

Thank you.

Thank you.

See no further request to speak, please open the machines for the vote.

Oh, didn't I say?

Oh, it probably should be the twenty-fourth.

No, the twenty-fourth.

That's what I'm in.

Three seventeen.

Now we are in the middle of page nineteen.

Thank you.

All commission districts.

Memorandum of understanding between the board of regents of the university system of George uh system of Georgia by and on behalf of the University of Georgia cooperative extension and the Cab County.

Seeing no request to speak, please open machines for the vote.

Top of page 20.

Item twenty twenty-five dash one seven seven four.

Buy-in and on behalf of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and DeCap County.

Motion to approve.

Is there a second?

We have a motion.

Thank you, Commissioner Long Spears.

Motion to approve.

Please open the machines for a vote.

Motion to approve carries.

Now we're in the middle of page 20 on purchasing and contracting.

First up is ERPS.

Item 2026-0272.

All commission districts statewide contract.

Very long number.

Move for action.

Thank you, ma'am.

Top of page 21.

Item 2026-0284.

Excuse me.

Change order number six to contract number 1132039.

This request seeks to ratify a previously provided contract term and rate increase.

This request also seeks to increase contract funds scope and term through December 31st, 2027.

Awarded to Lifeline Animal Project Incorporated.

Amount not to exceed 22,244,500.

Move for action.

And with that, Madam Presiding Officer, I move to approve item 2026 0272 and 020260284 as it was recommended for approval in ERPS committee.

And seconded by Commissioner Davis Johnson.

I see no request to speak.

Please open the machine for a vote.

Thank you.

Middle of page 21.

These are ops purchasing and contracting items.

Item 2026-0188.

Change order number six to contract number one three zero seven eight one two.

Repair, maintenance, and installation of fire intrusion alarm systems for use by the Department of Facilities Management and Watershed Management.

This contract consists of providing maintenance, repair, and installation of fire intrusion alarm systems.

This request seeks to ratify a previously provided contract term increase.

This request also seeks to increase the contract term through June 30th, 2026, awarded to all-star fire LLC.

Amount not to exceed 275,000 dollars.

Move for action.

Yes, ma'am.

Top of page 22.

Item 2026-0189.

Change order number three to contract number one two five one two seven one.

Uninterruptible power supply systems for use by the Department of Facilities Management.

This contract consists of providing preventative maintenance services for UPS systems.

This request seeks to ratify a previously provided contract term increase.

This request also seeks to increase the contract term through June 30th, 2026.

Awarded to AC and DC Power Technologies LLC contract term increase only.

Move for access.

Cooperative agreement, heavy construction equipment with the related attachments and technology.

Source well contract number 011723 JDC for use by public works fleet management to be used by public work sanitation.

This request seeks to purchase from the competitively let source well contract for the provision of one John Deere LGP waste handler dozer for the purpose of transporting collected refuse at the Seminole Landfill awarded to John Deere Construction Retail Sales, a division of John Deere Shared Services, LLC, doing business as John Deere Construction Retail Sales Care of Dobbs Equipment SE LLC Amount Not to Exceed $739,227.

Move for action.

Yes, ma'am.

Top of page 23.

Item 2026-0242 cooperative cooperative agreement class 4-8.

Chassis chassis and cabs with related equipment accessories and services.

Excuse me.

Source well contract number 032824 KTC for use by public works fleet management.

This request seeks to purchase from the competitive let source well contract for the provision of one 2027 flatbed tire truck for the purposes of performing emergency tire repairs and replacements, as well as routine tire maintenance for various departments throughout the county awarded to Kenworth Truck Company doing business as MHC Kenworth Atlanta.

Amount not to exceed 160,875 dollars.

Move for action.

Um let them set an officer.

I move the 2601 88 260189 2602 16 and 2602 42 be approved as approved in the ops committee.

Thank you.

Second.

All right, we have a motion and a second.

I see no request to speak.

Please open the machines for a vote.

Okay, thank you.

You guys good over there?

With your y'all good.

Okay.

It's a lot of action happening on that side.

All right, that motion carries.

Middle bottom of page 23.

Item 2026-0243.

Renewal of contract numbers 2000 291 2000 292 293 and 294 for tire services for use by public works fleet management.

These contracts consist of outside tire repair services for county vehicles for emergency road incidents.

This request seeks to exercise the first renewal option through May 31st, 2027, awarded to Southern Tire Mart LLC, SETCO Incorporated, doing business as SECCO Solid Tire, Allanna Commercial Tire and Action Tire, total amount not to exceed $510,000.

Motion to defer this item to the uh March 24th BLC with the stop and opposite 317.

Thank you.

On 317.

If you will hit your button, and is there a second second?

Thank you.

Motion and a second, no request to speak.

The motion carries.

We're now at the top of page 24.

Item 2026-0292.

Change order number eight to contract number one zero zero zero eight four six.

Public sector agreement for Oracle Cloud Services for use by the Department of Invitation Innovation and Technology.

This contract consists of all products and services for the county's Oracle Cloud Services Platform.

This request seeks to increase the contract funds term through December 31, 2028, and scope of work to implement the Oracle permitting and licensing platform awarded to Oracle America Inc.

Amount not to exceed $6,799,710.

Um fraction.

Yes, ma'am.

Item 2026-0301.

Change order number four to contract number one three three four one eight for the Cab County Courthouse Parking Deck Renovation Project for use by the Department of Facilities Management.

This contract consists of repairs to concrete and steel beams, columns, connections, still plates, expansion joints, waterproofing, new electrical LED lighting, etc.

This request seeks to ratify previously provided contract term increase.

This request also seeks to increase the contract term through April 30th, 2026, awarded to RestoCon Corporation, contract term increase only.

Move for action.

Um Madam President Officer, I move that uh 260292 and 260301 be of the ops committee.

Alrighty, if you'll hit your button again, ma'am.

Thank you.

We have a motion and a second.

Please open the machines.

Motion carries.

We are now at the top of page 25, and these are PEX items.

Item 2025-1718.

Invitation number 2025-025, fence installation repair and maintenance for use by the Department of Recreation Parks and Cultural Affairs and Facilities Management.

Consists of the purchase repair and installation of fencing for county facilities.

Recommend award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidders, Hawk Fences LLC and ASAP Management Group LLC.

Total amount not to exceed $750,000.

Move for action.

Yes, ma'am.

Item 2026-0156, Commission District 356 and 7.

Change order number one to contract number 137363.

Restoration and maintenance of athletic fields for use by the Department of Recreation Parks and Cultural Affairs.

This contract consists of site restoration and maintenance of athletic fields.

This request seeks to increase contract funds awarded to J and B landscape incorporated amount not to exceed $55,595 and 76 cents.

Will for action and PO I move to approve the um agenda item ending in 1718 and the agenda item ending in 0156.

Second.

Second motion and a second.

See no request to speak, please open the machine.

Motion carries.

We're now top of page 26.

Item 2026-0230.

Contract numbers 1359 729 and 1367273.

Demolition of residential and commercial buildings.

Fees by the Department of Recreation Parks and Cultural Affairs.

These contracts consist of providing demolition services for county owned facilities.

Total amount not to exceed 250,000 dollars.

Madam P have a motion to withdraw that item.

Second.

I mean I still had to read it all out.

It was a motion to withdraw.

Motion to withdraw carries.

Middle of page 26.

Item 2026-0306, Commission District 3456, and 7.

Change order number one to contract number 2000464.

Cooperative agreement for court construction and maintenance for use by the Department of Recreation Parks and Cultural Affairs.

This contract consists of purchasing through the competitive let Cobb County contract for as needed for as needed court construction and maintenance.

This request seeks to increase contract funds for embark and Dotty Bridges tennis courts awarded to signature tennis courts.

Top of page 27, item 2026-0313.

Aquatics maintenance and lifeguard services for use by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, and Human Services.

Consists of providing maintenance of on-site chlorinators, clinical, chemical maintenance, seasonal preparation, and lifeguard services for swimming pools and splash pads for county-owned facilities.

Recommend award to the sole responsive and responsible bidders, Stan Guard Aquatics Incorporated, amount not to exceed 1,234,140.80 cents.

Move for action, Madam P.O.

I have a motion to approve agenda item ending in 0306, and that ending in 0313.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

No request to speak.

Please open the machines.

Thank you.

Change order number two to contract numbers 128-4296 in 128-4297 for stormwater system cleaning, video inspection services and repairs for use by public works roads and drainage.

These contracts consist of stormwater system cleaning video inspection services and repair.

This request seeks to increase the contract funds and term through December 31st, 2027, inclusive of price increases.

Awarded to Kimmy Construction Company Incorporated and A and S Pavy Incorporated.

Total amount not to exceed $2,540,686.

Two cents.

There you go.

Can't can't go without it.

Uh just so everybody knows this is a substitute.

Uh the original ask was for um uh almost three million dollars even.

Uh Mr.

Lavois Campbell's team came back and said that there was a savings of almost four hundred thousand dollars.

And so that is the the essence of the substitute that's before you guys.

Uh, and that is what we approved out of PWI.

So with that said, I'll make a motion to approve zero three three seven.

Thank you.

Is this substitute?

The substitute.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you.

Seeing no requests to speak, please open the machines for a vote.

Motion to approve carries the substitute.

All right, we did it.

Last one.

Top of page 28.

Item twenty twenty-six dash zero three one eight.

All commission districts, acceptance of federal workforce innovation and opportunity act, additional funds request for dislocated worker fiscal year twenty twenty six from the technical college system of Georgia for a hundred thousand dollars.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Second.

We have a motion and a second to approve.

No requests to speak.

Please open the machine for a vote.

And that is our last item.

Are we having fab, Mr.

Fab Chair?

Okay.

So we should be back on with time.

All right.

So we will reconvene at 230 for fab.

Can I get a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

Second.

Everybody fight over it.

All in favor.

Aye.

Thank you, everybody.

So two thirty till three thirty, three thirty to five.

Okay.