Board of Commissioners Work Session July 17th, 2023

Announcements, Business, Community

This week’s Board of Commissioners Work Session will begin at 4 p.m. and a Voting Session will immediately follow on Thursday, July 20.

Dawson County Middle Students of the Weeks

Community

Congratulations to our PBIS students of the week for March 13-17. For 6th grade, our top earner was Sophia Bennett. For seventh grade, Annabelle Perdue was our top earner. Keep up the excellent work, Tigers.

Additional staff request for SWMP tabled to explore other options

News
Additional staff request by Public Works tabled until later session.

Originally presented at an earlier work session, the additional staff request for the Public Works Department’s Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) will require further examination.

The Board of Commissioners voted to table the request until Public Works can evaluate other options, such as contracting work out to third parties.

While no timeframe has been given, the Public Works staff will have the opportunity to present the alternative of contracting the services to the Board at a later session.

Dawson County Board of Commissioners voting session.

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners decided it needed more time to evaluate before approving the request to add a full-time employee.

SWMP’s requirements and responsibilities

Back in March 2014, Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division approved the SWMP in Dawson County. It also issued the General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to the county.

The EPD issued the permit for Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) to the state’s waters.

The permit acts in accordance with the Federal Clean Water Act and the Georgia Water Control Act. It requires each MS4 permittee to submit a SWMP to the EPD.

With each permit lasting five years, Dawson County will need to submit its third permit application in March 2024.

The MS4’s stormwater program requires that all inspection and administrative staff become certified through the NPDES.

After recent certification classes, the county learned of the EPD’s increased focus in certain areas: funding, staffing and response time.

Denise Farr, the director of the Public Works Department, presented the additional staff request because of concerns that the program may not adequately cover these areas.

She also shared the EPD could increase the MS4 areas for counties without a county-wide MS4, which includes Dawson County.

SWMP’s minimum control measures

As a part of its SWMP, the county must address six minimum control measures.

Public education includes school presentations and activity books as well as social media and website updates. Similarly, public involvement focuses on programs that utilize the community, such as river cleanup.

Additional staff request for SWMP tabled.

Public Works highlighted efforts to increase public involvement, such as storm drain stenciling, with its stormwater program presentation.

The county must also detect and eliminate illicit discharge, which the Environmental Protection Agency defines as any discharge into a storm drain system not composed entirely of stormwater.

To further execute the program, staff members oversee construction site discharge controls and post-construction controls for new developments.

Responsibilities range from weekly inspections to continuing awareness programs with commercial management companies.

The minimum control measures conclude with good housekeeping and pollution prevention. The county provides a public reporting system for illicit discharge to aid these efforts.

Although the Board tabled the additional staff request, readers can view Farr’s presentation at https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/daga-pubu/MEET-Packet-580e84d8ea0a4c2a9806e8fb90677fcc.pdf.

Warrants and charges incurred in January’s auto theft case

Police & Government, Press Release
Warrants and charges incurred in January's auto theft case.

PRESS RELEASE — Since the investigation’s start in January, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office has now announced its progress with warrants and charges on social media.
January Entering Autos Update:

During the investigation of the recent Entering Autos and Auto Thefts, there were 27 Entering Autos and four vehicles stolen. So far, three of the four vehicles have been located and returned to their owners. Also four, possibly five, of the five suspects have been identified that were involved in these incidents. Warrants have been taken for the adult suspects. Charges for one of the juveniles has been complete and charges for the other juvenile are pending.

We’re proud of our investigators and their hard work on this case.

 

To follow the course of the investigation, visit FYN’s previous coverage at the links below.

https://dawson.fetchyournews.com/2022/01/17/vehicles-burglarized-in-dawson-county/

https://dawson.fetchyournews.com/2022/01/18/investigation-leads-to-suspect-taken-into-custody/

Officers able to become certified in phlebotomy practices

Press Release
Officers able to become certified in phlebotomy through new program.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office shared the background of the program offering officers new opportunities on social media:
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has implemented a new program enabling law enforcement officers to become certified in phlebotomy practices. Officers participating in the phlebotomy program will each undergo online training and classroom training. West Georgia Technical College initially provided the training under the supervision of the Phlebotomy Program Director. Upon successful completion, officers possess the same qualifications as phlebotomists who work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and other licensed medical facilities in the state of Georgia.

Implementation of law enforcement phlebotomy program in Georgia

Arizona is credited with starting the nation’s first law enforcement phlebotomy program in 1995 with other states, including Texas, Minnesota, Colorado, Maine, Idaho, Washington, and Utah also having successfully established similar programs. Georgia is the 13th state to implement this program.
Under Georgia law, law enforcement can only obtain a blood draw of a suspected DUI driver if an individual consents, or a search warrant is obtained. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that police can draw blood evidence when a suspected drunken or drugged driver is unconscious as well.
The need, authorities say, is because blood tests are more accurate than breathalyzers. Advocates have also said that the latest Covid-19 surge has EMS and hospitals overwhelmed, oftentimes leading to a delay in a blood draw. With alcohol, the content in the blood decreases by 0.0125-0.015 grams per hour. Plus, breathalyzers do not measure the presence of drugs.
DCSO HEAT Deputy Provost graduated from Georgia’s very first LEO phlebotomy class with 15 others from around the state. This step allows him to perform blood draws at the Dawson County Detention Center rather than transporting suspects to other medical care facilities, saving both time and money.
On February 17, Deputy Provost performed DCSO’s very first blood draw on an individual suspected of DUI Drugs. We appreciate the dedication and continued learning of our deputies who work hard for Dawson County citizens.
If interested in viewing the original post, readers can visit https://www.facebook.com/Dawson.Co.Sheriff.

Public Works budget increase for de-icing products approved

Community
Public Works de-icing budget increase approved.

During the Dawson County Board of Commissioners work session, the director of the Public Works Department, Denise Farr, requested to increase the salt budget.

Following the movement of the request to the voting session, the Board voted unanimously to approve the additional funds.

The 2022 budget allocates $3,500 for salt product costs. The department staff sought to increase the budget to $20,530.

Public Works presented budget increase to Board of Commissioners.

Denise Farr presented the department’s budget increase proposal and addressed the Board’s questions at the Feb. 17 meeting.

JPCS, LLC currently holds the county’s contract for salt/de-icing product purchases. The contract did not specify the salt’s density.

The county received a low density product, which proved unsuitable for its use.

Current product’s performance in recent storm

During January’s storm event, crews used the most recently delivered product for de-icing the roads.

Crews distributed 175 tons of salt. Pre-treatment of the area included eight concrete deck bridges and four highly traveled county roads.

Following pre-treatment, the de-icing process implemented three spreader trucks and 14 crew members.

Over the course of 14 hours, they salted 113.35 miles of county roads, which covered 51 roads.

While working, crews noticed large amounts of salt blew off the roads. The product remaining on the roads quickly melted.

Upon noticing the effects of the lower density brown salt, crew members combined it with the existing supply of higher density white and blue salts.

Public Works utilized existing supply of salts.

Crew members utilized existing supplies of higher density white and blue salts during de-icing.

Crews used approximately 125 tons of brown salt and 50 tons of mixed salts. 20 tons of mixed salts remain at Public Works.

In past storm events, the de-icing treatment with white and blue salts completed road coverage using 75 tons of product.

According to the current contract, the low density salt product costs $148.98 per ton. For a storm event lasting two days, the estimated quantity would be 250 tons, which equates to $35,745.

For the high density salt product, the department estimates a cost of $267 per ton. To respond to a two-day storm event, the estimated quantity needed would be 75 tons, equaling $20,025.

With the approved budget increase, the department will restock the salt supply with higher performing salt product.

Along with the complete agenda, readers can view Farr’s presentation at https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/daga-pubu/MEET-Packet-d8e634ff71b64c099e2fee96955a4fbe.pdf.

Telecommunications tower request pushed to later session

Community
Aerial view of land selected for telecommunications tower request.

After tabling the matter at the voting session on Dec. 16, 2021, the Dawson County Board of Commissioners further delayed the telecommunications tower request until the March 3 meeting.

On behalf of Verizon Wireless, Greg Spence first presented the request to the Dawson County Planning Commission on Nov. 16, 2021.

The Board of Commissioners tabled the telecommunications tower request.

The Board of Commissioners further considered Verizon Wireless’s proposal at its Feb. 3 meeting.

Spence proposed special use of land at Wesley Chapel Road and Highway 52 to construct a communications tower. Joyce Hutcheson has owned the selected parcel, which is currently vacant land, since 2004.

The area primarily consists of undeveloped woodlands and large estate lots.

Telecommunications tower discussion tabled.

Hutcheson’s property, currently a wooded lot, will house the tower upon approval.

Although the tower would likely not be visible from the roadway, it would likely affect neighboring lots’ views. The list of adjacent property owners includes five affected addresses.

All properties, including the parcel selected for the tower, are zoned Residential Agricultural.

Considering the proposed land use’s effect, the tower could decrease property values by a small percentage but should not diminish the area’s general character.

Even with possible negatives, the public benefits through the opportunity to improve general and emergency cellular communications.

Specifications of the proposed telecommunications tower

The overall tower height of 195 feet, which includes the monopole and attached lightning rod, satisfies the minimum height needed to properly provide improved rural coverage.

Also, the height accommodates anticipated future growth for wireless demand in the area.

According to the company, Verizon Wireless made attempts to utilize any existing structures to meet the network design goals. It did not find any registered antenna structures within two miles of the search area radius.

Upon the structure’s completion, the facility will be unmanned. Workers will visit once per month on average for routine maintenance purposes.

Along with other discussed items, the Board made supporting documents for the telecommunications tower available at https://www.dawsoncounty.org/meetings.

The Board of Commissioners tabled telecommunications tower request.

The Board of Commissioners requires more documentation before voting on the request.

Fetch Your News previously announced Verizon Wireless’s balloon test, which readers can find at https://dawson.fetchyournews.com/2022/01/10/verizon-wireless-to-conduct-balloon-test-for-proposed-cell-tower-on-1-12/.

While waiting on additional documents, the Board will continue to deliberate until its next discussion of the tower on March 3.

Riverview Elementary School highlighted at work session

Board of Education
Riverview Elementary School highlighted at Board of Education work session.

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Education welcomed teachers from Riverview Elementary School to present their teaching and learning efforts using technology at its February work session.

Angela Buytendorp, Christy Millholland and Beth Murray represented the school in discussing the challenges of virtual learning and transitioning back to classrooms.

Especially for early grades, relying heavily on technology tested both students and teachers.

Riverview Elementary School teachers’ response to COVID

After talking with the teachers, Brian DeRose, the coordinator of instructional technology, submitted the presentation to the Georgia Educational Technology Conference.

According to DeRose, the conference in 2021 only accepted half of the submitted presentations, which included theirs.

Buytendorp, Millholland and Murray not only had to engage the students, but also the parents.

Board of Education listens to Riverview Elementary School teachers.

At the work session on Feb. 1, the Board of Education listened to efforts to enhance learning with technology.

When outlining the teaching process, DeRose explained, “It wasn’t just pushing out homework assignments and assessments online, but it was the training the parents in doing these projects.”

For example, parents created digital valentines with their kindergartners and first graders. The teachers compiled these valentines into the students’ personal folders to read at the end of Valentine’s Day.

To keep students ready for in-person learning, the teachers wanted to make virtual learning feel like a classroom.

Buytendorp, Millholland and Murray felt routine was the key. They attempted to mirror daily classroom structure as closely as possible.

Teachers worried about children missing out on social activities as well as academics.

Board of Education listens to Riverview Elementary School teachers.

In their presentation, Buytendorp, Millholland and Murray gave examples of both challenges and solutions with virtual learning.

One approach to address these concerns was a talent show. Another figured out a way to still celebrate birthdays by everyone eating a favorite cookie together.

Even though the setting changed, Buytendorp, Millholland and Murray proved younger students could adapt and be a normal class.

“I think COVID really did a lot for our teachers as far as transforming everyone,” DeRose said. “But these ladies with the little K-2 have really come a long way in the classroom.”

Outdoor burning not recommended this weekend

Press Release, Weather
Weather hazards make outdoor burning risky this weekend.

After viewing the latest weather conditions for the weekend, the Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services issued a statement:

Multiple weather hazards this weekend. We recommend no outdoor burning tomorrow. Also, please use caution when using alternative heating methods.

Weather hazards make outdoor burning risky.

The Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services does not recommend outdoor burning due to dry and windy conditions.

Recycling budget increase proposed to Board of Commissioners

Community
Additional staff request by Public Works tabled until later session.

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – At the Dawson County Board of Commissioners meeting held on Jan. 20, the Public Works Department requested a recycling budget increase as well as direction in repairing the transfer station.

The Board of Commissioners listened to a presentation on the recycling budget.

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners discussed the grant and budget proposals presented at the Jan. 20 meeting.

Denise Farr, the director of the Public Works Department, explains the county currently uses the single-stream recycling process. This process handles cardboard, paper products, plastics, glass, aluminum and metal cans.

The county budgets $13,000 for recycling but spent $18,090.70 in 2021. With waste management significantly increasing its costs, Public Works estimates a yearly recycling cost of $57,222.

In her presentation, Farr outlines the current recycling process’s positives and negatives for the Board to consider an increased budget or economical alternative.

The single-stream system encourages recycling since people do not have to separate materials. It also gives municipalities lower upfront costs.

However, the quality and number of useable recyclables are lower because of contamination and issues separating materials. And although the system offers lower upfront costs, the sorting and processing rates lead to higher costs.

Farr elaborated on issues with the current system saying, “Sometimes in the compaction, especially with the metals, they can’t get everything apart so some of that is ending up in the landfill that really shouldn’t be.”

After listening to her presentation, the Board asks Farr to return with alternative recycling processes which could be more beneficial and financially effective.

In addition to recycling budget, transfer station requires examination

The Public Works director also presented to the Board the structural issues of the county’s transfer station. The station can no longer accept construction or commercial debris.

Recycling budget and transfer station damage presented at meeting.

Farr included examples of the damage in her presentation to the Board.

Farr explained how the impact force and positioning of construction, commercial dumping and packing equipment have caused damage to parts of the building, including the loading area’s steel plates and beams.

Example of damage at transfer station.

Excessive loads and continued force of debris and clearing equipment have damaged the transfer station’s loading area.

Replacing and installing additional steel beams, along with the steel plate flooring, is estimated to cost $120,000. To replace siding and siding supports, the estimated cost is $25,000.

When considering the facility’s future with construction and commercial dumping, Farr states, “If we’re going to continue with that, then we’re going to have to have a whole different design in mind.”

The Board agrees with Farr’s analysis that the station requires repairs for safety and efficiency. During the voting session, the commissioners decide to send out a bid for an engineer to inspect the site.

To access the agenda and voting session packets, visit https://www.dawsoncounty.org/meetings?date_filter%5Bvalue%5D%5Bmonth%5D=1&date_filter%5Bvalue%5D%5Bday%5D=1&date_filter%5Bvalue%5D%5Byear%5D=2015&date_filter_1%5Bvalue%5D%5Bmonth%5D=3&date_filter_1%5Bvalue%5D%5Bday%5D=20&date_filter_1%5Bvalue%5D%5Byear%5D=2022&field_microsite_tid=All&field_microsite_tid_1=All

To view the sessions, visit https://www.facebook.com/DawsonCountyGovernment

Rezoning application heard at Planning Commission meeting

Community
The Dawson County Planning Commission addressed a rezoning application at its Jan. 18 meeting.

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Reconvening for the first time since December, the Dawson County Planning Commission addressed a new application for rezoning.

Michelle Lipham voiced her intentions regarding her request after the approval of minutes from the previous meeting held on Dec. 21, 2021. She wants to rezone the land from RSRMM (Residential Sub Rural Manufactured Moved) to R-A (Residential Agricultural).

Concerning the agricultural purposes, Lipham wishes to sell flowers, shrubs and perennials to landscapers and florists as well as other interested parties.

As part of the application process, the applicant must include a list of adjacent property owners who have property touching the applicant’s or directly across the street. Lipham’s application affects six properties.

The surrounding properties to the North, South, East and West are classified R-A, RSRMM, RSRMM and RSRMM, respectively.

Dawson County Planning Commission reviewed new rezoning application at meeting.

The aerial view provided in the agenda packet shows Michelle Lipham’s land and the neighboring properties.

Staff analysis and impacts of rezoning application

When considering the possible effects on property values, the staff analysis concluded the land use classification should not negatively impact the area.

The nearby area and the size of Lipham’s land allow for the pursuit of agricultural activities, which the Planning Commission sees as a relative gain rather than a hardship to the public.

While the Planning Commission encourages the conservation of agricultural land, Lipham must consider soil and erosion control and natural buffer maintenance along property lines.

Lipham will also need to observe Best Management Practices, which the Environmental Protection Agency defines as effective techniques to control nonpoint source pollutants, when clearing and grading the site.

The observation of these practices concerns the containment of stormwater run-off and soil erosion in this case.

If any work on the land will impact the existing water main, then Lipham will need to contact the Etowah Water & Sewer Authority.

Lipham may need to contact more public facilities regarding her rezoning efforts. Any additional structures with restrooms require a septic system permit and all proposed structures require a building permit.

The Planning Commission will hold its next meeting on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m.

https://www.dawsoncounty.org/meetings

 

Investigation leads to suspect taken into custody

Police & Government, Press Release
Vehicles broken into in Dawson County.

PRESS RELEASE – As an update to the Entering Autos and stolen vehicles from earlier in the week – this is an ongoing investigation and we will update as we are able. Currently we have one suspect in custody and 2 of the 4 stolen vehicles have been recovered. Please continue to forward any footage or report information you have regarding this investigation.

Previously, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office advised residents to ensure they locked vehicles and removed valuables from cars.

https://dawson.fetchyournews.com/2022/01/17/vehicles-burglarized-in-dawson-county/

Vehicles burglarized in Dawson County

Police & Government, Press Release
Vehicles broken into in Dawson County.
PRESS RELEASE – The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a rash of Entering Autos and stolen vehicles which took place across Dawson County last night.
If you had any items stolen from your vehicles, please give us a call at 706-344-3636.
We ask that everyone please ensure your vehicles are locked and valuables are not left in your car overnight.
If you have any information or footage that would help in this investigation, please reach out to us today.

Dawson County Sheriff’s Office advises staying home

Press Release, Weather
Community urged to stay home with winter weather approaching.
This is your friendly reminder to plan on being home this weekend. With snow and ice extremely likely, DCSO kindly requests that you stay off the roads and not make cause for emergency response.
If it’s difficult for you to drive, it’s also difficult for us. Slower response times, reports via phone, power outages and road closures are all distinct possibilities. Be smart! Plan ahead! Do not wait to get firewood!
Please share this post with your Dawson County neighbors.

Verizon Wireless to Conduct Balloon Test for Proposed Cell Tower on 1/12

Community, News
Verizon Wireless will complete a balloon test on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This balloon test is a requirement for a zoning application for a proposed wireless telecommunications facility on parcel 049 001 located at Wesley Chapel Road. They will have an alternate weather day on January 14, 2022, if required.
The proposed telecommunications facility will be a one hundred ninety-foot (190′) monopole tower. According to a letter sent to surrounding parcel owners on January 5, 2022, Verizon Wireless states that in order to improve coverage and capacity issues as a result of increased wireless congestion, it requires a new cell site in this portion of Dawson County. Upon concluding there are no available suitable structures in the area upon which to co-locate, the only option is to build a new telecommunications tower.
This zoning application was heard by the Board of Commissioners on December 16, 2021 and was tabled to its February 3, 2022 Voting Session. This application was tabled to allow Verizon Wireless to facilitate a balloon test for at least 4 hours with adequate notification to the Board of Commissioners to attend as well as surrounding land owners so they may gain a better understanding of the proposed location in which the cell tower will be physically located.
~ Laura Fulcher, Public Affairs Officer

Search Warrant Leads to Six Arrest & the Discovery of Over 100 Animals

Press Release
In late December, the DCSO Crime Suppression Unit conducted a search warrant at a home off Goldmine Rd in Dawson County. Investigators with CSU had previously become aware of drug sales at this location and after multiple investigative steps, applied for a search warrant of the home.
Upon execution of a search warrant, deputies made arrests on a total of six individuals with charges ranging from Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Disorderly House.
While at the home, deputies observed over 100 different animals living in deplorable conditions. Deputies contacted the Dawson County Animal Control who advised they would take custody of the animals and with the help of the Dawson County Humane Society, nurse them back to health.
We are extremely proud of the Crime Suppression Unit along with the Dawson County Marshall’s Office and Dawson County Humane Society for working to make our county a better place.

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