County hires company to develop drawings for gym

Plans are in the works for the construction of a gymnasium at the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex. The building will be identical in size and similar in layout to the Liberty Park Community Center (pictured) in Grovetown. The project will be financed by SPLOST revenues.

It looks as if the construction of a gymnasium at the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex is fast becoming a reality.

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted to hire the Studio 3 Design Group, an architectural firm headquartered in Bogart, Georgia, to develop drawings for the new gym for a fee of $60,000 or five percent of the anticipated construction cost.

The action was taken at the regular meeting of the commission held Thursday, June 14.

The gymnasium, which is estimated to cost $1.2 million, will be funded by:

(1) Monies generated by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) which went into effect January 1, 2005. It is anticipated that the tax, approved by a county-wide referendum held in September of 2004, will generate about $1.1 million for the project.

Pictured is the gymnasium at the Liberty Park Community Center.

(2) A rollover of $126,640 in funds designated for recreation in the 2000 SPLOST.

The fee charged by the Studio 3 Design Group covers architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering services, as required. Included in these services are design development, the generation of construction documents, bidding/negotiation, and construction administration.

The design and construction drawings should be completed within one month, with the project let out for bids in August. It is hoped that all work on the gymnasium will be finished by late spring or early summer of next year.

According to Walker Norman, commission chairman, "We want something similar to the Liberty Park Community Center in Grovetown, which was designed by the same company. The square footage will be the same (13,800) but we may be changing some things inside."

Plans are for new gym to be constructed on the site of the old tennis courts at the complex. In addition to the actual gym, the building will house a concession stand; restroom and shower facilities; limited office space; storage space; a meeting room, measuring roughly 530 square feet; and a fitness center. At the present time, the county plans to sell memberships to the fitness center.

The gym will be built using preengineered steel.

In other comments, Chairman Norman explained that although the current SPLOST will not expire until December 31, 2010, the board decided to go ahead with the project due to the escalating cost of building supplies. "If we wait until we collect all of the money, it might cost us $200,000 more to build it," he stated. "When we run out of funds down the road, we will borrow what we need and repay it each month with sales tax money."

In closing, the chairman said he appreciates the people of the county voting to undertake the project. "We are looking forward to this new addition to the county's recreation complex. It will be a nice facility for the citizens of Lincoln County."

In a related item of business, Nancy Blount, Lincoln County Family Connection coordinator, informed the commissioners that the county was recently awarded a Rural Health Grant by the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR).

"A portion of the grant was earmarked to combat obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes in youth. In support of this goal, $7,500 of the grant will be used to purchase exercise equipment for the new gym," Blount stated.

In other business, the commission voted to adopt an amendment to the county's alcoholic beverage ordinance that concerns the issuance of temporary permits for non-profit civic organizations.

According to the amendment, "Upon filing an application and paying the requisite fees, a non-profit civic organization may be issued a temporary permit, authorizing the organization to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises for a period not to exceed two days. No more than two temporary permits, covering a total of four days, shall be issued to an organization in any calendar year."

The board of commissioners will issue permits to sell alcoholic beverages at civic functions on "an event by event" basis.

The amendment also prohibits certain types of entertainment, attire, and conduct at these gatherings.

In further business, the commission voted to grant a temporary alcoholic beverage permit to Greg Ruddell, who applied for the permit on behalf of American Legion Post 194. The permit will allow the legion to sell alcoholic beverages outdoors during a special two-day event set for the week of July 4.

Also during the meeting, the commission:

.. Was informed by Family Connection Coordinator Blount that her office will be mailing a needs survey to every household in the county. Those who participate are eligible to win a $200 gas card.

According to Blount, "The purpose of the survey is to gather informa- tion to improve services and programs for children, adults, and seniors in our county. We hope that everyone will let his voice be heard."

In addition to questions regarding various household statistics, the survey asks:

(1) What are Lincoln County's greatest strengths?

(2) What the greatest challenges facing Lincoln County?

(3) Over the next three years, what is the most important issue Lincoln County should work on to improve the lives of senior citizens? The same question is likewise asked as it pertains to both adults and youth.

Blount also asked the commissioners to review the survey to determine if any additions were necessary.

In his comments, Chairman Norman commended the Family Connection staff, saying, "Family Connection does a lot for a lot of people. We appreciate the job this agency does."

+ Heard the Department of Public Safety Report given by Director Ernie Doss, who indicated that the ambulance service responded to 112 calls for emergency assistance during the month of May.

Concerning the E-911 center, operators handled 807 emergency calls last month, monitored 7,050 radio transmissions, and dispatched a total of 588 public safety, law enforcement, and fire calls.

He went on to say that his office has hired a new website manager/GIS coordinator. The previous coordinator resigned to take a job with the CSRA Regional Development Center.

.. Voted to enter into a mutual aid agreement with the Elbert County Fire Department. Both parties will assist the other, with each being responsible for its own expenses and liability.

.. Heard the Public Works Department Report given by Director Roby Seymour, who noted that the county billed 1,571 water customers last month for a total of $44,418.57.

During the meeting, Commissioner Larry Collins requested that Director Seymour look into the possibility of hooking those living on Hephzibah Church Road on to the county's water system.

Concerning roads, the director indicated that his staff has been busy motor grading, bush-hogging, replacing signage, and cutting trees and ditches on various roads. The men also prepared Ebenezer Church Road for resurfacing and paved Lake Drive, off of Guillebeau Road. The Lake Drive project was funded by SPLOST monies.

.. Voted to purchase a section of right of way on Guillebeau Road from John W. Broome for $400 and to accept the right of way into the county road system.

Purchasing the right of way will enable the county to address safety problems at the intersection of Guillebeau Road and Wells Creek Drive.

"There isn't enough site distance at that intersection," stated Director Seymour. "A few people have missed having bad accidents there."

.. Voted to accept a bid of $7,025 submitted by Bob Watts to seal and re-stripe the parking lots on the east and west sides of the courthouse and in front of the E-911 center on School Street.

"This is desperately needed," stated Seymour. "If we don't do something, we will have to repave the lots at greater expense to the county."

.. Voted to extend the bonds for the Eagle Pointe and Long Leaf Pointe subdivisions, which are being developed by Georgia Shoreline, LLC.

The bonds, which were up for review June 8, will be extended until September 1.

"There are a few things left that need to be completed in these subdivisions," said Director Seymour. "Rocks and the winter rains slowed the work down considerably."

.. Voted to accept a bond reduction request made by the Serenity Pointe subdivision, owned by Serenity Pointe, LLC. The bond amount dropped from $3,368,023 to $2,727,023, a difference of $639,004.

During the discussion period, Seymour said, "The developers haven't filed for final plat approval yet and want the board of commissioners to decrease the bond amount because they have already done a good bit of work on the roads, the sewer system, and in the area of erosion control."

The director further explained that his office made a mistake and used the wrong bid tabs to calculate the bond amount for the water lines and service connections.

.. Heard the Recreation Department Report given by Director Kathie Davis, who said the Lincoln County Little League baseball program ended the week of June 4. Moreover, Lincoln County Little League will be hosting the Junior League All-Star Tournament at the recreation complex beginning Friday, July 6, and continuing through Tuesday, July 10.

She likewise reported that:

(1) Thirty children took part in a youth baseball camp held May 29-31 at the complex.

(2) The department had four teams to sign up for adult co-ed softball. Plans are for the season to begin sometime in July.

(3) As of Saturday, June 6, a total of 130 people had used the pool at the complex. "This number has picked up from the last couple of years," Davis said.

(4) A total of 15 children registered for swimming lessons this summer.

.. Agreed to send concerns about Eddie Fletcher Park to the Recreation Committee, chaired by Commissioner Darrell Henderson.

According to Director Davis, "About two weeks ago, two children were almost hit by a boat pulling up on the beach area at Eddie Fletcher Park. People are not paying attention to the signs posted at either end of the beach."

She indicated that the United States Army Corps of Engineers will allow the county to rope off a designated swimming area to keep boats away from the beach. However, the swimming area can only extend so far from the shore in accordance with corps regulations.

If the county does decide to rope off a swimming area, it will not give lake lovers much of a place to swim due to a steep drop-off and low water levels.

.. Heard the Finance Department Report given by Director Traci Bussey, who said her office is working diligently on the FY 2008 Budget so the county can schedule budget hearings in the near future.

.. Heard the Planning and Zoning Department Report given by Director Meg Burg, who said her office issued six business licenses last month for a total of $328.75. Two-hundred and twenty-nine licenses have been issued since July of 2006 for a total of $14,669.50.

Regarding code enforcement, 62 building permits were issued in May for a total of $4,127. In addition, 149 building inspections were conducted and seven code, zoning, and other complaints received. The office presently has 52 complaints on file.

.. Voted to appoint Jason Seagraves as the District 1 representative on the Lincoln County Recreation Advisory Board. He will fill the unexpired term of Tim Quarles.

.. Voted to appoint Ronald Aycock to represent District 3 on the recreation advisory board. He will fill the seat formerly held by Wayne Williford.

In his comments, Commissioner Mike Hawkes said, "I would like to thank Wayne Williford for 14 years of service to the county. He will be greatly missed."

The next regular meeting of the commissioners will be held Thursday, July 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the courtroom on the second floor of the Lincoln County Courthouse.