Attendees: Chairman Duncan, Trey Allen (District 2), Alison Couch (District 4)
Missing: Connie Melear (District 1), Michael Carraway (District 3)
Call To Order: 6:02PM
Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meetings: Yay 3, No 0
2/18/2025 Commission
2/18/2025 Public Hearing on HB581
2/27/2025 Special Called Meeting
Consent Agenda: Yay 3, No 0
Community and Emergency Services
(H1a) Resolution Number 25-05 Authorizing the Hull Barrett Law Firm to Represent the County in PFAS Litigation
(H1b) Renewal Number 5 with Ceres Environmental Services, Inc. for Disaster Debris Management
(H1c) Renewal Number 5 with Debristech, LLC. for Disaster Debris Monitoring Services
(H1d) Animal Services Donations
Public Works and Engineering Services Committee
(H2a) Independent Contractor Agreement with Ardurra Group, Inc. for the 2025 Biolsolids Report
(H2b) Change #4 with Cayenta for Billing Software
(H2c) Purchase of a John Deere Track Loader for the Roads & Bridges Department
(H2d) Purchase of a Hamm HD14iVV Tandem Roller for the Roads and Bridges Department
(H2e) Resolution 25-07 to Decrease the Speed Limit on North Fairview Drive
(H2f) Change Order #2 with Keck and Wood for the Washington Rd at William Few Intersection Improvement Project
(H2g) Independent Contractor Agreement with Goodwyn Mills Cawood for the Design of all remaining phases of the Euchee Creek Greenway Project
(H2h) Independent Contractor Agreement with Cranston Engineering for Engineering Services related to the Blue Ridge Drive Sidewalk & Drainage Improvement Project
(H2i) Acceptance of Drainage & Utility Easements from parcels 071G348 and 071G349 for the Barnsley Drive Drainage Improvement Project
(H2k) Acceptance of Easements for Parker’s Kitchen (Store #107)
Debate Agenda
New Business
Development and Planning Services Committee
(I1a1) VA25-02-03, Variance to Section 90-98 List of lot & structure requirements, 531 Rountree Way, Tax Map 077A Parcel 060C, 3.0 +/- acres, and currently zoned C-2 (General Commercial) Approve: Yay 3, No 0
Surrounded by Rountree, River watch PKWY
(I1a2) VA25-02-04, Variance to Section 90-135 Signs, 208 Bobby Jones Expressway, Tax Map 078D Parcel 028, 1.55 +/- acres, and currently zoned C-2 (General Commercial
Relocated County Billboard. Petitioner chose to withdrawal
Items Added at the Meeting
I’m not sure I understood this clearly: 201 & 203 Kempanell (sp?) Court. Owner owns both properties and wants to remove the property line but there’s a drainage. Approve: Yay 3, No 0
Public Comments
Marlena Bergeron: Library Guidelines
Executive Session
Property
(M1a) Property A: Widening Business Park Investment. Approve: Yay 3, No 0
(M1b) Property B: 4 parcels purchased for the Herford Farm Rd Widening Project: 63% acquired. Approve Yay, No 0
(M1c) Property C: Little Kioke Creek Sewer Project. Approve Yay, No 0
Vice Chair Alison Couch announced her intent to run for the Chair position in May 2026.
On the subject of water quality, did anybody else in Columbia County get a letter notifiying them that, during the thrid quarter of 2024, TTHM levels exceeded federal safety levels in Columbia County water? Here's a scan of the letter from someone who received it https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vl0-pK_KdmS35XySQK4Ua46n7hPGjxFO/view?usp=drive_link
from the meeting's packet:
"Although the County's water system has maintained PFAs and similar "forever" chemicals at levels substantially below the required federal limit, it may nevertheless be entitled to damages/settlement fees in lawsuits against Dupont, 3M, Tyco, and BASF. Hull Barrett ordinarily performs its services for the County at an hourly rate, the County, however, desires to engage the Law Firm to represent the County in the PFAS Litigation and submit its PFAS Claims on a 25% contingency fee bases rather than paying its hourly fees for such work."
I'm listening to "Silent Spring" by Rachel Corrie through our public library's Hoopla Digital service. This particular item from the meeting's agenda caught my attention.
If you listen to/read the book, the phrase "substantially below the required federal limit" won't give you much comfort. Also, the Environmental Protection Agency's limits for PFAS are under attack. https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/06/21/nx-s1-5013957/pfas-forever-chemicals-drinking-water-rule-lawsuits
here's info on what PFAS is https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained