GCHRL Called Meeting 02.26.2026
(Conversations are not transcribed. Many parts are paraphrased.)
Call to Order: 11:02AM
Attendees: Missing: Hillary Millar (Columbia County), Pat Goodwin (Columbia County), Barry Paschal (Columbia County)
Bill Tinley (Chairman - Burke County)
Windy Beddingfield (Treasurer, Columbia County)
David Davis (Columbia County)
Richard Flake (Burke County)
Kim Coraley (I might be misspelling or have this name wrong, new board member from Warren County)
Nicky Smith (New board member, Lincoln County)
Approve Angela Stirley and Ben Carter as Interim Directors: Yay 6, No 0
Discussion: David Davis asked how long the interim appointment would be. Mr. Tinley stated it was until they hired a new director. Mr. Tinley stated that the interim directors handle the money and making sure the State/Federal money is coming in. Mr. Davis asked if they were both from Atlanta. Ms. Stirley replied that she lives in Athens and Mr. Carter lives in outside of Atlanta.
Hiring a lawyer on retainer
Potential litigation - Mr. Tinley stated that he knows that you need to “hire a lawyer to talk to another lawyer.”
Discussion:
One lawyer is charging $200/hour and the other charges $265/hour.
Ms. Stirley: One works for Columbia County, and came recommended by the Chris Driver - Columbia County’s attorney. Columbia County will pay the legal fees in proportion to the number of seats on the board. (Karin’s Note: So, 5/9). Difference between attorneys that works for Columbia County vs an independent attorney. The other attorney (Steven Sanders) represents the Augusta Regional Library system, and came highly recommended by that system’s director.
Mr. Tinley: One lawyer is $200/hour and one is $265/hour. I tend to want the cheaper one.
Mr. Beddingfield: Does anyone on the board know either of the attorneys?
Mr. Davis: Hull Barret is better than Hagler. They’re charging every 6 minutes.
Ms. Stirley: Both attorneys are offering services at a discount. Their typical fees are actually twice that. Steven Sanders included the price for the paralegal.
Mr. Davis: How much does a paralegal usually cost?
Ms. Stirley: I would expect similar they are similar but it’s not included.
Mr. Flake: If we hire [Hull Barret], we might have to hire a 2nd attorney.
Mr. Davis: Is Fulcher Hagler experiences?
Ms. Stirley: He represents the Augusta Regional Board and served on the library board previously.
Motion to accept Steven Sanders from Fulcher Hagler firm. Yay 6, No 0
Securing a policy for Director and Officers Insurance
Ms. Stirley: Back and forth with Chris Driver to determine local [county] coverage would also cover board members on the Regional Board and it wasn’t clear. She research 4 insurance companies for rate quotes - up to $1 million. 1 quote was $1300 annually and suspect similar. She suggested a similar cost share by board seats. Could use grant money for it. She didn’t get firm quotes though and is requesting to proceed on getting more firm quotes for this separate coverage.
Mr. Davis: I need more information.
Mr. Tinley: I give permission to keep looking.
Ms. Stirley: Coverage starts the date the policy is signed. Would prefer to get protected as soon as possible.
Mr. Davis: Can we have it ready by the next board meeting?
Ms. Stirley: We need to respond to this letter by 3/7.
Mr. Beddingfield: If we’re covered as of inception. Is there a look back? Board isn’t sued yet.
Mr. Davis: The threat says 3/7
Mr. Beddingfield: But our next meeting is 3/11?
Ms. Stirley: It’s 4 days. 3/7 is just a request. Litigation might not hit on 3/8.
Vote to have Ms. Stirley to collect more information for the next meeting regarding insurance: Yay 6, No 0
Mr. Tinley: We can ask our lawyer to write that lawyer for an extension. Steven Sanders can come to our meeting on 3/11 but have him respond to the letter.
Hiring of New Director:
Committee for hiring
Windy Beddingfield, Richard Flake, Kim (last name), Nicky Smith, Julie Walker (as advisor)
in-person or Zoom interviews
share folder of resumes by email with the whole board even if not on committee
Next Meeting
Columbia County moved to 3/12 because the tax people are using Classrooms B&C
Decided to keep the meeting on 3/11 at 11am as there were concerns that the next meeting might take much longer and run into the County’s meeting time.
Adjourned