Paulding Officials Attend East Hiram Parkway Groundbreaking

The met in work session this morning and later took part in a groundbreaking ceremony at the new . The new parkway will extend about 3 miles from State Road 92 to Cleburne Parkway in Hiram.

"This project has been a long time in coming, with planning starting about 13 years ago. We had problems in getting approval to widen Highway 92 before going to Plan B, which enabled us to do the West Hiram Parkway, from U.S. 278 to Highway 92. Now we will have this new section  to connect with the West Hiram Parkway," said Scott Greene, .

Greene expressed thanks for "a lot of assistance at the local, state, and federal level in making it possible for the $15.1 million project to happen.

"We are very thankful to the Board of Commissioners for sustaining the project with their support over the years," he added.

Greene said that the state is looking at several ways to connect I-20 west of Atlanta with I-75 north, and this project ties in with those plans.

Prior to groundbreaking ceremonies, the board met in work session to discuss one bid action, a consent agenda item and four other action items to be voted on in the afternoon meeting. The board approved all in the afternoon session by unanimous votes.

Jennifer Alford, Paulding Purchasing Manager, recommended approval of a bid submitted by Family Ford to furnish 22 vehicles to the .

"We had three bids, with one being ruled out as non-responsive. Alan Vigil Ford and Hardy Family Ford submitted the two bids, with Family Ford submitting the lowest, responsible bid of $471,191.00," Alford said.

Commissioner Tommie Graham asked for verification that the funds would be from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds and Alford confirmed they would be.

According to Sheriff Gary Gulledge, his office will receive 17 Ford Crown Victoria sedans, one SUV for the K-9 unit, a van and several trucks in the purchase. "We will put the new vehicles on patrol duty and use the older cars with high miles for detectives and other personnel," Gulledge said.

Under new business before the board, Greene recommended approval of a project contract with the Georgia DOT for resurfacing in the amount of $1,231,804.45.

"This is our annual contract with the state and will be the largest amount we have ever received. We can decide how we want to use this on projects within the county," added Greene.

The county has identified three projects for the funding, and Greene indicated he would be coming back to the board at a later date to recommend approval for the bid process to begin. In response to an inquiry from Graham about any possible shortfall on funding from the state for the three projects being considered Greene replied, "Based on the asphalt costs we have seen recently, we should be in good shape."

Commissioner David Barnett asked Greene if the county has recycled old asphalt that is replaced during new project construction and Greene answered, "We have been recycling the old asphalt, with good results. We have over 20,000 tons so far and it has been a good deal."

In another transportation matter, Greene recommended approval of a construction engineering services agreement with Moreland Altobelli Associates Inc. for construction engineering and inspection services at a rate of $58 per hour.

"The company has provided services for the county in the past, and by using contract services, we can stay away from having to pay fringe benefits and overtime for their services. This is a good price for us," Greene said.

"Because we would be using a contract service, this would mean that we can use SPLOST funds if the federal funds are not enough to cover these costs," Graham said.

The board also approved action to authorize the chairman to execute an Economic Development Services Agreement with Paulding County Economic Development Inc. The purpose of the agreement is to identify, attract and locate new business and industry into the county for increasing trade, industry, commerce and tourism within the county.

"Every day we are contacted by the Georgia Economic Office about many new companies, some international, that are interested in locating in Paulding County. We cannot always talk about them at the time," said Board Chairman David Austin.

The final new business action by the board was to approve a resolution to confirm a closed session for the purpose of litigation.

Chuck Rann, Community Development director, recommended that the board approve a consent agenda item to allow revision of the Planning and Zoning Division fee schedule for 2011 and to add an application fee for submittal of text amendments to the zoning ordinance. "We do not have a fee charge at the present time, and this is a way to cover costs," Rann said.

Rann also introduced the Paulding employee of the month for February, Chris Robinson. Rann praised Robinson as "being a very needed cog in how things operate in the county. I don't know where I would be if I didn't have him on my team."

Robinson, Planning and Zoning Division Manager, spoke to the board and said, "Paulding County is the greatest place to work, from top to bottom, and it is like an extended family."

Michael Carter, Paulding Water System Director, brought the board up to date on water and sewer usage in the county, and gave the latest information on the new Richland Creek reservoir plan.

"We have identified an intake location on the Etowah River and now must go through mitigation with the Corps of Engineers. There is about 50,000 feet of stream length that would be affected, and we have to present a plan to restore a like amount in other locations in the area," Carter said. The habitat would have to be restored in the Etowah River basin.

"Our plans are to get the permit application to the Corps by spring, and we hope to have a permit in hand by early next year or know what else we have to do for the permit," Carter added.

Carter also informed the board that the Pumpkinville residential reuse system was now operational, although there were some issues at start-up last week.

"The next step is to select a street in Seven Hills that has been built out with 50-75 homes and test to see how much demand we will have for the reuse system," Carter said. Homeowners will have the opportunity to use clean, treated wastewater for irrigation purposes.

Graham asked when testing would start and Carter replied, "We will start in March and then in April see how many homes we can turn on."

Assistant Fire Chief Joey Pelfrey updated the board on activities in his department.

Last October, Fire Safety Education was conducted in the county, targeting children in kindergarten and first grade. In addition, about 2,400 adults were beneficiaries of the outreach program.

Twelve new firefighters are now in training. Austin said of the training, "You used to send new firefighters outside the county for their training and now it is done here, saving money for the county." Pelfrey then added, "The state sends instructors here, and we are proud that all of our new hires going through the training passed."

"You have also lowered our insurance rates in the county, going from a rating of 6.9 to 5.9 and hopefully down to a 4.9. That saves us money on premiums," Austin said.