Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

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Heat. Heat. All right. Thanks everybody for being here. Where is Tuesday, April 21st, 2026. We're going to convene a work session to discuss uh an ordinance to amend the Camni County Unified Development Code to establish regulations, governing data centers to provide for definitions, permitted uses, development standards, performance criteria, and application requirements to provide for severability to repeal conflicting ordinances and for other purposes. So, we'll convene the work session. Joey clicker don't work.

Sorry.

Good evening.

Good evening, commissioners. Uh, as Robbie stated, this is a proposal to amend the Camden County UDC to establish regulations governing data centers, provide definitions, permitted uses, development standards, performance criteria, and application requirements. What are data centers and why are they in such high demand? So, a data center is a building or facility housing infrastructure for data storage, processing, and other related digital services. Why are they in demand? Due to the increase in data generation and consumption from artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud computing, etc. So, I would I would like to start off by saying that we wrote this with the cor collaboration of several county ordinances including Jones, Kawetta, Coloulton, and Kingsland. uh we lean we tried to lean more towards uh Kingsland ordinance since we are neighbors. We also received additional information free of charge from a consultant who provided us with a few ordinances they had written as well on data centers. So the first proposed change we would like to make is an amendment to article two the summary table. Currently it reads section 228 table 2.2 allowed land uses by zoning district. We would like to amend data processing, hosting and related services as follows. Current use NEICS code 518 use data processing hosting and related services are currently allowed by right in CG commercial general industrial restricted and industrial general. We would like to amend this for NICS code 518. use data processing, hosting and related services excluding data centers allowed by right

in commercial general, industrial restricted and industrial general and NIC NICS code 518 use data processing, hosting and related services including data centers allowed with a special use approval in industrial restricted and industrial general. Um, so that would become that means it would come before us as a board for the special use approval versus just a planning commission.

Yes, sir. That's correct. We would also like to create a new division in article 3, restrictions on particular uses. Um, article three, we would like to create division five, data centers. This would be a new section, section 332, data centers. The provisions of this SH section shall apply to all data centers and data center campuses, including expansions of existing facilities within the unincorporated area of Camden County. Purpose. The purpose of this division would be to establish guidelines and regulate the use of all data centers and data center campuses. The goals of this division are establish clear definitions and classifications for data center uses. Limit data center development to appropriate zoning districts. Protect groundwater and surface water resources through conservationoriented standards. Ensure adequate utility capacity. Minimize adverse noise, visual and environmental impacts, promote sustainable design, energy efficiency, and responsible long-term operation, and ensure that data center development occurs in a manner consistent with the public interest and the long-term goals of Camden County. Section 333 would be definitions related to data centers. I did not have the space to put them up there. Uh, but the definitions are listed in the draft ordinance that you all received.

Hypers scale data center. I'm just going to leave this on. What is a hypers scale data center as opposed to a regular data center? So, a hypers scale data center would be one that is I apologize. Yeah, it's the size. So, anything 100,000 or I'm sorry, anything 500,000 square feet and larger um with an electrical demand exceeding 50 megawws would be considered hypers scale. Okay.

Section 334, general provisions. Um section 334A permitted zoning districts. Data centers shall be permitted only upon special use approval in the industrial restricted and industrial general zoning districts. Data centers shall not be permitted as a use by right. Section 334 general provisions B. Prohibited locations. Data centers shall be prohibited in residential, agricultural, and commercial zoning districts within FEMA designated floodways within coastal high hazard areas, vzones, and coastal aim on barrier islands or environmentally sensitive coastal lands.

Pretty much rules out county, the sensitive areas at least. Um section 334 general provision C development standards one minimum lot size A. The minimum lot size for data centers with less than 100,000 square ft of gross floor area shall be 50 acres. The minimum lot size for data centers with more than 100,000 square ft of gross floor area shall be 200 acres. We did want to keep this consistent with other uh ordinances and this seems to be about what other jurisdictions are doing. It is excuse me.

What's Kingsland doing as far as lot sizes? So, Kingsland has a smaller lot size requirement than we do. Give me just a moment. I will So, basically, we'd be more restrictive than the cities. Yes, we would be more restrictive than the city. Um because usually it's the other way around. So, the way that I was thinking or the way that I interpreted this was that the city of Kingsland has a much smaller density um and we have the larger parcels of land out where there's more sensitive areas um wetlands and conservation areas. We want to protect those.

I think that's a little little aggressive. You Okay. Are you in favor of being less restrictive on data centers? I would go to the same lot sizes or whatever that Kingsland has, but I haven't found their lot sizes yet. I apologize. I do have those. But um you know, a 100,000 square foot on building on 50 acres, that's a lot of wasted land as well. My understanding is data centers can be quite loud and and noisy. So I feel like that setback might actually be appropriate.

What's what's louder a factory or a data center? Um arguably a data center. I would a factory would be louder. After being in factories all my adult life, a factory is is probably louder. And that is one of the requirements of this ordinance for them to um not exceed 60 dB. Yeah. You'll you'll get into that a little bit later, won't you? Yes, sir. I will.

Or your your buffer later on. Your buffers would basically limit where you could put it on on your lot. So, you know, a a 50 acre lot size for a 100,000 square foot building doesn't necessarily jive with the amount of setbacks that you have. Cassie, could I ask you what was your your thought process in developing the setback? Um, so I just wanted to be a little bit more stringent since we do have so many wetlands and flood plane areas. Yes, ma'am.

But also, this is why I wanted to present it to you all first. get your thoughts on this. Um, just the larger parcels with the larger buffers protect the surrounding areas, protect our environmental areas. And I know, um, you know, we're talking about unincorporated Camden County, not the municipalities. A lot of people kind of move into those rural areas to to escape some of that industry and and and hustle and bustle. So, I believe that setback sounds quite appropriate. Okay. Let's move forward. Yes, sir. And then when you get to buffers and separation, I got a couple questions about that.

Section 334, general provisions, development C, development standards, buffers, and separations. Data centers shall maintain a 500t buffer from residentially zoned property lines. Data centers shall not be located within a,000 ft of any existing residential structure. Required buffers shall be measured from the data center property line to the adjacent property line and shall remain undisturbed except for approved landscaping screening or storm water features. Required buffers shall include landscaped areas and solid walls or BMS designed to provide visual screening and sound attenuation. Okay, let's talk about the setbacks just a little bit. You've got a minimum, let's use front yard just for an example. You've got 150 foot front yard set back and you've got a 500 foot buffer. So I'm assuming the setbacks are for office buildings, not strictly related to the data center itself.

Yeah, it would include all buildings, but we've got a 500 foot buffer as part of the buffer. So, I think I think we just got to make real I'm not I'm not saying I'm against any of this. I just want to make sure we're real clear on what setbacks versus buffers are and where the buffers are um utilized. If you've got 150 foot setback for a administrative building on the front, you can't do a 500t buffer. Yes, sir. that area. Now, the 500 foot buffer, I think, is more of the we'll call it the

the functioning part of the data center, not the administrative, not part of the any ancillary buildings. I think the intents here, let's just make sure we're real clear on what's what's a setback and what's a buffer. Yes, sir. Okay. Actually, Robbie, yeah, you brought up a really good point that I now have a question on. Um, is the setback from the property line or from a specific building? It's going to be from the property line. Okay.

Traditionally, when you're doing the development 150 foot setback, you can still park inside the setback, things like that. But I just want to make sure we're clear on what what these two sections are going to entail.

Yes, sir. Absolutely. There we go. Section 334, general provisions D, operational standards. uh noise measurement standards maximum levels at residential property line 60 dB daytime from 7 am to 6 pm 50 dB at nighttime 6:00 p.m. to 7 a.m. Noise levels shall be measured using the ANSI or ISO recognized sound measurement standards by a qualified acoustical professional or licensed engineer and during normal facility operations excluding force majour events or emergency conditions. uh generator testing. Emergency generators shall comply with all applicable EMA, EPA emission standards and shall be used only for emergency operations, utility utility outages, or routine testing. Routine testing shall occur only between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Shall not exceed eight total hours per calendar month per site and shall be conducted in a manner that minimizes noise impacts to adjacent properties. The planning director or design may require advanced notification of routine testing schedules for facilities located within 500 ft of residential zoning districts. Section 334, general provisions D, operational standards, lighting maximum levels at residential property line. A uh full cutoff fixtures shall be required and a maximum of 0.05 foot candles shall be allowed at the residential property lines.

Section 334 general provisions D operational standards water and cooling systems. Openloop cooling systems shall be prohibited. All cooling and ventilation systems shall utilize closed loop systems. Prior to construction or occupancy, any applicant proposing groundwater or surface water withdrawals in excess of a 100,000 gallons per day shall provide proof of a valid Georgia Environmental Protection Division water use permit, including an approved water conservation plan where required, proof of application, and a copy of all permit conditions must be submitted to the county before any grading, building permit, or certificate of occupancy is issued. Facilities proposing groundwater or surface water withdrawals in excess of 100,000 gallons per day must demonstrate that water use is minimized and that any consumption use is mitigated. Uh if the project site is within the coastal permitting plan area, applicants shall document compliance with applicable coastal water conservation conditions adopted under the Georgia EPD plan. The county may deny an application if adequate water resources are not available or if the proposed use is determined to adversely impact existing users. On um C I would um put occupancy of an existing building where you got prior to construction or occupancy the existing building then they need a you know this um

approval or whatever before they can occupy an existing building. Okay. Yes sir. smart. Section 335, environmental and emergency requirements. Coordination with Camden County Fire Rescue and EMA shall be required. An environmental impact analysis analysis shall be conducted. A water withdrawal permit application shall be submitted to EPD if the thresholds are met.

Did you um skip power generation? I think so.

Did I Uh section 334 general provisions D operations operational standards power generation. A primary on-site generation prohibited unless otherwise authorized through special use approval. Such approval shall require a finding that the proposed generation will not adversely impact surrounding properties, air quality, or infrastructure. Uh backup generators shall only be permitted for emergency use. Uh must comply with all applicable EPA emission standards.

Who determines what an emergency is?

I would say uh EMA would make that determination. Well, you know, if they lose power, that's an emergency to them and they need to fire up their backup generators. But I would reward this to where primary on-site generation of power is permitted through a special use permit. I don't have a problem with somebody coming in and building a power plant. Maybe they'll build a power plant big enough to to help supply Georgia power or REA. What is uh the decibel level on a power generation facility? Is it similar to the 60 dB on a data center?

I don't know, but I would think it'd be more than that. Again, I don't know. I'm not an expert on it's only going to be in an industrial type area. So, you know, do you want industry in this county or not? you know, that's the that's the question, you know, and there's many ways that you can generate power. Okay. Um, I do not know how much that would be. Um, but I can tell you that most jurisdictions have a threshold of 60 to 70 dB allowed for data centers,

right? I just think that's something we should look at before jumping to, you know, just allowing them to do it. But that 60 to 70 is outside of power generation. Power generation is a separate discussion other than the generator itself. Uh yes sir. Okay. Do we have any power generation facilities in Camden County currently? Not in an un unincorporated area that I'm aware of. You got nuclear power out on the base.

Uh she said unincorporated Camden County. used to have it at the paper mill. Andheiser Bush has their own generating generator. Okay. The paper mills in Fernadina generate their own power. No. Yeah. Certainly the statute could be addressed if we already have a 60 or you know uh ambient decibel uh ordinance that that could include the power if we needed to address it that way. I mean that might be one way to consider your interpretation here.

Yeah, I definitely think keeping the special use approval is important though. Well, that's that's what I said. permitted with a special use permit. Isn't that the same thing, just different? Prohibited unless otherwise authorized through special use approval. Word salad. Yeah. Yeah, we can chop it up a little bit. Make it shorter.

Section 336, public hearings. In addition to section 1211 public notice, all adjacent property owners within 1500 feet of the subject property shall be notified via first class mail no less than 15 days prior to the hearing date. Um, I can say that there is only one other county that did this. It's Kowetta County. Uh, but I liked the idea of widening the threshold on who to contact. That way, everyone in the area is aware. Uh, but I'll also leave that up to you all if you think that's important to keep or if you would like me to remove it.

Well, you also need to put in there that the hearings would be located in Camden County. And, you know, if you going to broaden the um the notice out for this, it should be broadened on all notices. I brought that up um before the board many years ago and it was shut down and it was kept at 300 ft. Yeah, I don't have a problem letting a broader area know. But you believe that it should be a a rounded thing, not just specifically for data centers. I believe it ought to be for everything. Okay. But you'll have to agree. I think I think 300 board to decide.

Yeah. 3 400 feet is what we've been using for forever. But I'm not I think maybe brought in that would be okay, too. That's a separate ordinance issue, but yes, it would be. I think get it more than 300 ft. Um more people get notified. That's all it amounts to. Yes sir. We can uh we can in the rural areas where you got a you know large lots you may not have any participation because people don't get notices that are part of that neighborhood if you follow what I'm saying is 300 feet is not enough sometimes I think. And I will say it's only 200 feet that we use right now.

Is it 200? Yes sir. Okay. Section 337 application requirements. In addition to section 1214, conditional approval of zoning changes, the following shall be submitted. Utility letter of availability, electrical infrastructure plan, noise impact analysis. I also had water use and conservation plan on here, but I realized it was redundant. I had it in there twice, so I crossed that out. uh detailed water demand analysis showing daily peak and annual water use projections, a copy of the water withdrawal permit uh applications submitted to EPD if the thresholds are met, and a timeline for permit approval, a water conservation plan demonstrating compliance with state groundwater use rules and any applicable coastal water conservation conditions, an energy use and sustainability plan, a stom storm water management plan, environmental impact analysis, decommissioning and site reuse plan. Uh the county may require a development agreement for any data center, particularly hypers scale facilities to address infrastructure, public services, and long-term operational conditions. Section 338, architectural and design standards. Buildings visible from public rideways shall incorporate architectural articulation, fenistration, murals, or glazing on at least 30% of the front facade. Prohibited exterior materials including corrugated metal, vinyl siding, unfinished concrete block, and simil similar low durability materials. Mechanical and rooftop equipment shall

be fully screened from public view using architecturally integrated elements. Section 339, decommissioning. Uh, facilities inactive for 12 months shall be considered abandoned. So, if it's abandoned, how is it decommissioned? Well, you know, there's they got to have some type of plan to do something with it. Yes. Can't just say it's decommissioned and let it sit. Is that uh is that verbiage you pulled from somewhere else as an example?

Uh that that is verbiage that I had pulled um from a couple of the other jurisdictions do require that. Uh but yes, I need to broaden on this. There's got to be a plan that I've looked at several of them. Um, yeah. I think the discussion is if it's abandoned for 12 months and there needs to be a decommissioning plan to make sure that's done. Yes, sir. And that's part of the pro that's part of the approval process in the beginning. Yes, sir.

Yeah. If you look at um the city of Kingsland, they have a decommissioning and site reuse plan that's required. Yes sir. We'll um there a time frame attached to that. No decommissioning time frame. Yeah. I I think if it's if it's abandoned for 12 months and the decommissioning should be time sensitive. Whatever the time frame is, we need to make sure we have a time frame on that. So they have to decommission it within 24 months or whatever the whatever the time period is.

Yeah. 12 months might might not be long enough, but Um section 340 enforcement and severability. Any violation of this ordinance shall be subject to enforcement as provided in the Camden County Unified Development Code. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions which shall remain in full force and effect. Uh and con to conclude, we did um include Kawetta County, Kingsland, Jones County, Monroe, and Coloulton County. We believe this ordinance reflects best practices from each. It is designed to ensure that if data centers come to Camden County, they do so in a manner that is compatible with the community and protective environmentally sensitive areas.

And that's that's all I have. All right. Going back to the lighting section. I think um that needs needs a little work. Okay. Can't find it here. Uh, one thing, all exterior lighting should be shielded. Um, so it doesn't put any light up. It all it all goes down. I think the Kawita um, ordinance had something decent about the lighting. It's like a dark sky design. Yes. Yeah.

Yes. Kingsland also adopted the dark sky. So, all light fixtures, hoods, and or pole shall have a permanent black finish. That's I'm using I have some things I'd like to add from the 100 miles example ordinance, but it speaks to that same when you when you say what did you say about the light fixtures? It's essentially the same thing that they're installed in a way that prevents the light from escaping. Okay. I thought you were talking about the color of the fixtures and I was thinking what's what's that got to do with anything? But yeah, it's um it's basically zero up light is is what you're trying to to maintain the existing night sky darkness.

Yes, sir. So, we can put the dark sky in here um to kind of model what Kingsland has. Yeah. And Kawo also um limits how close the light fixtures can be to the adjacent property as well. And they also go into, you know, the height of the fixtures.

Um, so I I wanted to go back to section 335, the environmental and emergency requirements. Um, you don't necessarily have to move it, but um, the coordination with Camden County Fire Rescue and EMA shall be required. Yes, sir. I think that's really important. I do think we should be a little bit more specific. Okay. I think they should be required to get some sort of approval on an emergency plan or being really specific on what that coordination looks like and okay and in the very least EMA and and fire rescue should have to sign off on approval that way because I mean if they're the ones that have to respond I want them to be well aware of what they're responding to and and how to fight it.

Let's go back to lighting for a second. There's one other aspect of the lighting. It's a reference to spillover of the lighting that it be hooded and shielded in such an effect that looking at it from outside of the perimeter of the U fence line, if you will, you're not looking directly at a glaring light bulb, the lighting is is restrained to the property itself. Yes, sir. And rather than having harsh light, you have the property that's in in the subject of the lighting experiencing the light. It's sort of like as you look at these fixtures above us here, when you get a certain distance away from them, you're not looking at a harsh light. And yet, if you're right under one, you look straight up at it, you see harsh light.

Yes. Which would mean we're the data center. That's the public out there. They're not looking at our lights. We're not looking at theirs. Yes, sir. Well, if you look at the Kawita ordinance, uh it says at any property line abuing a residential use, the lighting shall not exceed 0.05. 05 foot candles measured at ground level. That's not very much. That's something you can work on though, right, Cassie? Yes. Yes, absolutely. Um something from the 100 miles. Um and I don't know if you've gotten a copy of this uh sample ordinance. I was just provided a copy.

Well, um so it mentioned something about a natural disaster resilience plan. Being that we are in coastal Georgia along the on the the east coast, I know data centers originally were a prolific issue more in like the Midwest and as they've kind of moved east, southeast um we just have a different environment that I think demands um different situations to be aware of like a hurricane um high wind, high storm event. Um, so a natural dis disaster resilience plan. Also a transmission line impact assessment to identify the need for new or upgraded transmission lines. Um, a tree preservation or reforestation plan. I'd like to see that included in the ordinance.

A what? A tree preservation and reforestation plan. If they're clear cutting hundreds of acres for a data center and then the campus is only going to use 50% of it, I believe we should have them replace some of those trees. Well, the buffer is not disturbed. So, Cassie, you may want to check our tree conservation plan because it may cover some of that that Cody is referring to. Yes, in our ordinance.

I will check that. Uh, and then something that wasn't included in ours that's on the 100 miles one that I like is a a community benefit report that includes the quantifiable data on the post construction staffing plan and job opportunities, tax revenue, and any community improvement plans the applicant will implement to mitigate and/or counterbalance the negative impacts from the data center. Um, I'd just like to see some sort of requirement for a community benefit report on their end along with annual compliance reports from them. I asked Miss Cat from 100 Miles if she'd be if she would be open to maybe assisting um your department on on working together for something that might work for coastal South Georgia specifically. So, if that's something you're open to, I know that she said she's welcome to the idea as well.

Yeah, we're open for any any data that you want to provide us. Other than that, I think you brought us a really strong start. Yep. Thank you. So, just for reference, what how loud is 60 dB? So, 60 dB would be just a normal conversation like between you and I, just about three feet apart. And so the ordinance is 60 dB beyond the property line, right? I imagine the building's much louder property line. At the property line at the property line. Yeah. At property line.

It's probably much louder. You get right next to the building, it's much louder than 60. I'm sure. Yes. Okay. You step outside here with our air conditioner. Sometimes it's a racket. So yeah, we've got a lot of industry that's well above 60 dB already. So, I don't see the decibel issue being that's manageable, I think. Okay. Um, and I know Commissioner Casey, you mentioned that you thought the acreage was too large. Is there would you like me to do something more towards what Kingsland is doing currently? Well, I think for, you know, a 100,000 square foot building, 25 acres would probably work.

Okay. Now data centers larger than 100,000 and you want 200 acres, you know, you got to look at how much larger, you know, is that's why I said that your setbacks and all would would kind of dictate the size of the lot. Yes, sir. I'm not an expert on data centers. Is there an example of what a normal or typical data center how much acreage they sit on currently?

Um, so just it's really just based on what I've seen from other ordinances really. I'm sorry. Give me just a second. I'mma pull one up. You're the star of the show. I would think it's kind of sight specific. Yeah. You got a building, you got wetlands, you got it's jurisdiction deal with. So I think it's more sight specific than that. Um like if you look at Monroe County, they require 900 acres. So it's really just jurisdictional specific. That's Glenn County. That's Monroe County. Monroe County.

You also got to look at how big that data center up there might be. You know, it might be, you know, a massive one. It might be 500,000 square feet. You don't know. Exact. Yes, sir.

I think with without knowing, that's why we put ordinances in place before we get to that point so that we can protect ourselves from a massive data center on 50 acres. Well, there again that that goes back to the setbacks and the other regulations that you got in here, you know, as far as noise being 50 dBim or or 60 decimals at the property line. That's going to control a lot of the size and where you put a data center. I wouldn't take the acreage out, but I would definitely look at the 50 and the 200 acre size.

Yes, sir. You said 15 to 200. Well, A is 50 acres, then B is 200 acres. I would just make sure that we we need to keep an acreage in there, but let's just don't overstate it. Um, I guess my thing is if Monroe has a 900 acre requirement, I don't want to be the county that has a 250 acre requirement. Well, and then it also it varies like Jones County is a 400 acre requirement. Um, and those ordinances, we don't know what the buildable space is. Yes. There's terrain issues, there's environmental issues. So, it could be paired down to less than that, but we don't know that number. Yes, sir. Does that make sense?

Yes, sir. So 900 acres might be in Monroe County 50% of that might not might not be buildable space. So you're you're using up more space for Camden County. It seems pretty excessive.

Our big restrictions are environmental wetlands. That's our big restriction on space use. Yes. For space management. Then you get the buffers and the setbacks and you get a building footprint. Then you pair that back down into how many acres you really need. And again, I'm not saying don't have acorage in there. Let's just be careful how much we put in because if I'm looking at B right now and I come in with 125,000 square foot building and I've got the proper buffers and I've got the setbacks, I'm not going to need 200 acres. So, I'm going to come to the county and say I want a variance for less than 200 acres. That starts a whole can of worms we don't want to deal with, particularly with data centers as as controversially as they are.

Why don't we do this? Why don't we require that the data center can be no more than a certain percentage of whatever lot size? That's a good point. I mean, there's ordinances out there that say you have a 35% buildable space restriction. That's probably a way to go. uh it takes the acreage out but it still puts a restriction on the we'll call it um impervious area meaning the building area is 35% of the total and that's already part of our um UDC anyway.

Uh yes sir we're but we're trying to be a little bit more specific just with data centers but I mean it's really however you would like to do it. So, Ben, wouldn't that force them to go vertical if they had a smaller footprint? Well, we're limited them to um to 60 foot or 65 or 70 foot. So, we have a restriction in place for that. Well, I'd like to make a note. I'd like to make a note on that height there. We in this that this ordinance that Cassie has typed up for us, it shall not exceed 70 foot. I'd like to note that we do not have a ladder truck that will reach that high. So, we need to be very mindful of our ISO. That came out of Keesland, so we probably ought to lower that.

Yeah, it needs to be lower for us. No doubt. Unless they buy us a ladder truck, you know, I'm for putting that in the ordinance. It's been done in the past, but still 70 ft is a little So, if we put you Joey, if we put you at the top of our existing ladder truck, how much how can we go? 7 foot.

So, I think what we're saying is look at it uh sections A and B and just kind of work it back into do we really need an acreage maximum or do we need to go back to a percentage of development maximum? And it doesn't need it could be less than 35%. Whatever the percentage is. So, just think about it both ways.

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, what are the next steps in this? How close are we to being at a decision point on this? I think Cassie needs to go back, take our comments, update what she's presented, and bring it back to us, and we'll go over it again.

Point of my question is, I' I'd really like for there to be an opportunity for a good bit of public input on this because we're going to impose this if we eventually have it on on our citizens. Sure. And we have a very, in my opinion, and I may be wrong about this, but there are not a lot of places in Camden County that meet all of the requirements for this to minimize exposure to the coastal effects, storms and flooding and that sort of thing. I pretty much was under the impression that everything to the east of I95 was considered an evacuation zone. I think I read somewhere is supposed to be 80

80 miles inland is what basically they want for data centers. Who said that 80? We we're not we don't have 80 miles if it's 80 miles and reality. I'm I'm unsure of that. I I haven't read anything to that extent, but I can look into that for sure. I do know they're sensitive to hurricane events. I'm not sure how that relates to 80 miles, though. So,

well, the whole county can be an evacuation zone. There's just different zones in the county. So, you know, there there's rumor of a a data center in Nassau County that's coming. So, you know, if data centers are coming to the coast, Glenn County just adopted a data center ordinance. So, if it's coming here,

they're not worried about too much about a hurricane. Um, now, as far as the stuff that's in the building, you know, as far as anything that's dangerous or whatever, that's why you coordinate with the emergency management and the fire department so that they know how to fight those fires or whatever that may happen in a data center if if it ever does. That's the coordination of it. So, and I'd like them to know exactly what they're getting into. So, agreements in place or approvals from those two entities. For sure. Yes. Yes. I I did make note of that. Thank you, ma'am.

Um and then Commissioner Commissioner Goodman, back to your um your question. This will once you all give me the go-ahad that you like the way the ordinance is written, it does have to be advertised and it does have to go through the planning commission and then be seen finally before you all as well. Thank you. Yep. There's built-in public hearings already. So, perfect. Well, the challenge with that, if I may, Mr. Chairman. Sure. The challenge with the built-in public hearings, are we able to amend it throughout that process or because the public hearings are on what's published, correct? They are. Uh, yes, sir. you you and the planning commission have the opportunity you can put you can make changes

or request a change then do you have to readvertise it and uh no sir no okay I just to Mr. Goodman's point. If if let's say we we agree on something and we start putting this forward and then the public comes to their first public hearing and they have some really good points that we didn't consider before we pushed it out there as an official. Well, if that came to the planning commission is the first public hearing, any changes could be made before it gets to us. So, I think the process is already there. Okay. So the planning the planning commission could recommend those changes before it gets to us

and then bring it to us and then we still have a public hearing after that. So we can still make further changes if we see fit. Jim, are you happy with that, sir? Yes, we do.

Yeah, because normally it's it's like an ongoing process. So when someone wants a copy of it, they're going to ask me for the latest version and that's going to include any changes that you've made throughout the process. Just forgive me. I'm going to go through my notes here to make sure I'm not missing anything. I don't have anything else. board have any other questions? Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you.

I guess at this point we're going to uh end the work session. We'll be back at 6 o'clock for the regular meeting. Heat. Heat. everybody.

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey.

Heat. Hey.

Hey, N hey. All right. I want to thank everybody for being here tonight, the April 21st, uh, 2026 Camden County Board of Commissioners meeting. We're going to uh begin with the opening ceremonies with the invocation by Commissioner Goodman followed by the pledge of allegiance.

Let us stand and pray, please.

Our Father and our God in heaven, we humble ourselves and come before you. We're thankful for all your many blessings. We are thankful for the things that you allow us to do and some of some of the times you allow us to represent the people and we pray for guidance as we do that tonight. We pray for wisdom. Father, we humbly and respectfully pray for rain. There are those who are suffering, those who are in immediate danger, and we pray that you will give us relief even if we don't deserve it and we know we don't. Father, protect those who are out fighting those woodlands fires and protect those who are who are out directing traffic. Please give us safety for our officers and our ladies and gentlemen who are first responders. Father, protect our soldiers here and abroad. Father, give relief to those who are suffering and in need of healing. And all of these things we ask in thy name. Amen. allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Roll call. Katie, all commissioners are present. Okay. And we move on to the are the any amendments to the agenda? Um, I have an amendment, Mr. chair. Um, we were approached today by the, uh, lead Woodbine Partners. They run the Woodbine Library, and I move that we offer a letter of support for their grant application in, um, continuing their efforts on the Little Free Libraries. I'll second that. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor to add the item to the agenda? Motion carries.

As a postcript, Mr. chairman, we need to do that jointly and individually to add strength to their request, please. Thank you. Okay, moving on. We uh have a motion to adopt the agenda with the amendment. So move second. Have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Now we'll move on to the approval of the minutes from the uh April 2nd, 2026 special call meeting and the April 7th, 2026 regular meeting and public hearings. Do we need two two motions for that separately or can we do it as one?

Okay. So the the first motion will be the approval of the minutes from the April 2nd, 2026 special call meeting. Make a motion to approve the minutes from the special called meeting April 2nd, 2026. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Okay. Moving on to the approval of the minutes for the April 7th, 2026 regular meeting and the public hearings. Do we have a motion? Make a motion to approve the April 7th, 2026 regular meeting and public hearing.

I'll second. We have a motion in a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Moving on to the presentations. The first one is a proclamation recognizing the week of May 6th through the 12th, 2026 as National Correction Officers and Employees Week. Me again, chairman, as usual. Um, tonight I got the honor of announcing this proclamation of the Camden County Board of Commissioners recognizing the week of May 3rd through 9th, 2026 as National Correctional Officers Week. Whereas the week of May 3rd through the 9th is designated as National Corrections Officers Week, honoring the service and sacrifice of correctional officers across the country. And whereas the 43 individuals within the corrections division of the Camden County Sheriff's Office play a critical role in the local criminal justice system by ensuring the safety and security of the Camden County Jail and the people in their charge. Whereas these officers perform their duties with professionalism, integrity, and dedication, often under challenging and dangerous conditions, and are vital to maintaining order and upholding justice in our community. And whereas correctional officers exhibit strength and resolve in managing individuals in custody while also contributing to the efforts that support rehabilitation and re-entry into society. Whereas the Camden County Board of Commissioners recognizes and deeply appreciates the commitment of correctional officers that they make each day to protect our county and uphold the law. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the Camden County Board of Commissioners that May the 3rd through the 9th, 2026 be recognized as National Correctional Officers Week in Camden County and encourages all citizens to show appreciation for the dedicated service of the men and women of the Camden County Sheriff's Office who serve in these demanding and vital roles. Proclaim this 21st day of April, 2026. Robbie Cheek, chairman, Camden County Board of Commissioners. And we've got some folks from uh the jail here. We've got the uh jail administrator, Mr. Eric Watson, and some of his staff here.

Would like you to come up and receive this proclamation from the board of commissioners with our sincere thanks. on the front row. He spends a lot of time in front of us. Good job. Okay, now we have a presentation from Jared Wells concerning the uh proposed amendments to the Camdy County Code of Ordinances Chapter 14 for animals. Jared.

All right. Good evening, commissioners. Um I am here today to propose um an updated on update on the ordinance for um animals chapter 14 uh for the county. Um so to get started um I just want to give us give us a little overview of what we intend to do as an animal control department within the county. Um and this that is to promote public safety while also strengthening animal welfare and enforcement by an ordinance amendment. And it should be noted that while we keep our public safety our top priority, we do so without risking the integrity of our animal welfare responsibility as well. Um so that that being said um you know public safety is our top priority. Um animal welfare you know becomes a close second to that. But, you know, we do what's in the best interest of the the public um in terms of public safety. Um the highlights of our changes um is right now we currently um have an ordinance for animal control that was adopted and improved on August 2nd, 2016. Um animal control ordinances ordinances should ideally be updated every 3 years to better align with community needs and state law if applicable. Um that's from Michigan State University for public policy. Uh while some current ordinances will remain the same, there are several additions. Um and some of those proposed amendments are um to provide much more extensive uh definitions um which which can allow us to have stronger enforcement powers and also includes a repeat offenders clause which uh we have you know needed for a while now. Um it has a dangerous and vicious dog ordinance is outlined to be held in much in much a stricter manner. Um allowing animal control to classify an animal as potentially dangerous,

dangerous or vicious. The addition to this ordinance is potentially dangerous. Um, state law has it very um clear-cut and dry, but it does take it to extreme measures um to where there are that gives us the state law also gives us the ability to make that a little bit more strict if we deem necessary. U the proposed the proposed definition is much more precise allowing for stricter enforcement. Um and our enforcement is is going to be stronger and more effective than our current enforcement right now. Um the current ordinance allows for very basic or enforcement and empoundment. Uh proposed ordinance outlines citation and court procedures and escalating penalties for repeat offenders. And our new proposed ordinance gives us much stronger enforcement authority. Um and going on to the animal care standards. Um we want to make sure that these are not just basic standards um for a uh for a blanket you know um ordinances kind of these are what what our general expectations are for animal welfare. Um the current ordinance gives a general over overview and requirement. Um the new one was going to strengthen animal welfare. Uh, an opposed ordinance defines requirements and some of those examples are going to be bedding required when below 50° Fahrenheit, seasonal requirements, prohibited shelters. Um, current ordinance gives it what? Oh, all right. Um this is also this new proposed ordinance is going to give us a definition for a community cat which we do not currently have. Um this new definition is regulated by the proposed ordinance. It is defined as any outdoor unorn unowned free roaming cat that is altered ear tipped and lives as part of a colony with a designated caregiver.

These cats are going to be the ones that go through our TNVR project. Um and these are these are going to be the cats that are we are going to be targeting to be processed through that TNVR project. Um the proposed ordinance restricts the feeding and feral cast if it creates a nuisance um which we do which we deal with quite often. Um the this is yeah it's really shorter than I thought it was. Um conclusion of proposed ordinances um benefits of of the amendments they're going to be stronger enforcement education of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. Um it's going to allow us to be more proactive instead of reactive um to better um better care for the animals here in Kimon County. Um and preventative regulation rather than waiting for an incident to occur and address it and educate before it actually occurs. Um that's going to kind of hopefully get us out in front of the problem before it becomes a problem. Um and the reason why I wanted to touch on this this last part and it says uh be it known that this proposal is not to create more government red tape is proposed to is proposed because in regards to animal welfare and public safety is just the right thing to do. Um, animals are considered property in the state of Georgia and it is very um difficult sometimes to tell people what they're allowed and allowed not to do with their property. Um, but at the end of the day, um, just because your animal is not is is considered property, it does not mean it's not a responsibility. Um, with those responsibilities comes real rules, regulations, and consequences. if those rules and regulations are broken. Um so at the end of the day um I did not want to go through the entire ordinance overview or the overhaul of the ordinance um just because there's just so many. Um it is much more definitionally aligned. Um and you know I worked with before Joey became administrator I

worked with Joey under planning development for a little bit and I know how much uh Joey is a a definition of person. Um, so you know, it it this proposed ordinance is going to allow us to have definitions for a lot of the things that we did not have before. Um, so we can really dig dig down deep into um the enforcement of what of what we're trying to enforce. Uh that way we get better results in court, more effective results in court um and things are just much more more put together. But with that, I'd be glad to answer any questions you guys may have. Thanks, Jared. Jared, are you going to need any additional staff to do this? Uh, well, you always use more staff.

Um, question was, are do you need uh Yeah, we need more staff, but to to do this, you know, we can we'll make it happen still. Also, Jared, um, what how how many dogs do you pick up, you know, monthly? Just a guess. Uh monthly it it obviously just varies depending on the situation. I can tell you last year we picked up 180 dogs. 180 um 180. Um cats cats uh were around 800 for the team VR project.

Are any of these guys getting adopted? Those things are they still going on? I know when uh our last guy was here, he he adopted them out almost as soon as he got them. Yeah. So, um I'm not sure who you're referring to. Um cuz we didn't do adoptions when um but um I've been here for talking about Seth when Seth Oh, Seth. Seth. Um

I mean, again, it just varies. I mean, it depends on what we're getting in. It depends on, you know, health, depends on a v variety of factors, but um we still get adoptions. Um, for example, I've seen where we don't have anybody come into our office for, you know, weeks at a time and then one week out of a certain month, we have four or five people come in and one to adopt. The reason I said that is because you still operate in a makeshift kennel. Yes, sir. You don't have a lot of room in there. That's correct. I'm sure. Unless unless somebody's expanded it. I don't know.

That's correct. Um, I can tell you that, you know, we while we do have the seven brick and mortar kennels is what we operate off of. Um, we do utilize other kennels that we've, you know, purchased throughout the throughout the years, uh, to help house. Um, but, you know, as our license currently stands, we're only able to house up to 20 for the to. Okay. And I will say I appreciate your proactive approach to getting them adopted. In addition to them coming to Woodbine, you actually have, you know, free adoption events throughout the community. That's right. Uh, the most recent one, I think, was partnered with Alien Treats. That's right. Yeah. We right now we're we go we do two times a week with Alien Treats. We do two times a week with Pet Supplies Plus.

Uh you said the proposed ordinance gives a much stronger enforcement authority. Can you explain how they compare to the existing one? So what's changed as far as your enforcement authority?

So the new proposed ordinance, it gives us a lot more um it it's just a little bit more strict um to where if I I'll give the the bedding for example. Right now we don't have a bedding/deree um requirement in our current ordinance. um for winter seasons or for early spring, late fall, winter seasons. This proposed ordinance, we have a an article in or a um a line in here for uh the bedding to be required if the temperature drops below a certain level. Um the other one is is shelter. Right now, we require three doors um and you know, some sort of airway for air to get for ventilation. Um, and that one is going to be a little bit more um specific to have to be off the ground, all that. There's a lot more um items to take in consideration whenever they're um caring for an animal.

Where where is the degree measured? Is it in indoor temperature, outdoor? Outdoor out. So, when you have temperatures below 50 50° in in the outdoors, you then have to put bedding down in your Yes, sir. Yes sir. And bedding can range from an actual bed. It can go from hay. It can go from straw. There's a variety of different different Do you have a source for that? When a source for the bedding tractor supply I mean donations.

Yeah. I mean we can get we take donations all the time. Okay. Um, and I mean if it's a if it's a resident, you know, to I'm glad you asked that because we want to help out as much as we can, you know, to in the best interest of the animal. Sometimes we get people that say, you know, well, I had to I got to get my my animal vaccine for their ABS. I can't afford it right now. That's why we have a 10-day guideline. Yep.

Right. Um to better allow us to help these help the residents out if they're, you know, if they're in need of help. Um, have you considered approaching the motel that when they replace their duvys and bed coverings um rather than throwing them in the the dumpster that you can have those for the animal? We haven't. That's something definitely something we can explore. Yep. We did that in Semino County, Florida. I was with the health department down there and we got a lot of stuff because you know that's loaded with motel down there and so once we established that pipeline from those motel and we made it easy for them we said you call us we'll come get them sure

and take them to our animal control people and and that solved the big problem because it can get cold down there. Right. Right. Thank you Jared. Yes sir. Uh so vi violating one of these ordinances is that a is that a misdemeanor? decided stitches are mismanagers. Yes, depending on the severity. For example, cruelty, neglect, um those are all those can be classified as felonies. If it's uh depending if it's goes aggravated um depending on the certain certain depending depending on the circumstance, yes, it can it could turn into a felony. Um but the majority of what we do are all misdemeanors,

right? And uh so I guess my question is but we can't necessarily have someone's repeatedly having their their nuisance animal getting out and terrorizing the neighborhood. We can't necessarily have them arrested because there's no bond associated with these. Correct. Correct. I mean we don't have us as an animal patrol unit do not have arresting powers. Right. Right. But but if you were to recommend them to the sheriff's office, they probably wouldn't do it simply because there's no bond and they could be sitting there to infinity until they get a court date. Bonds are determined by the magistrate court judge who assess who abuses it at that time. Bond there's not a set schedule there. There is bonds are determined by a judge reviewing the case at that moment.

Right. So for set bonds for some of these repeat issues that would require a conversation with magistrate court. Is that what you're saying? That is correct. If they were to be arrested the arrestable offenses is completely different. And most of these offenses are not arrestable because as as Jared said animal control does not have arresting powers, right? But if they were referred to the sheriff's office for enforcement, if the sheriff's office chose to do that, then that would be an issue for the magistrate court to set an appropriate bond or determine if certain preset bonds should exist. But that's that is a court determination that we have no power over.

And the only the only reason I'm bringing up is because when we talk about having more enforcement ability than than previously, I think that's something we should entertain. You know, if if you have a real threat of going to jail versus just getting a ticket and then,

you know, how it goes. I don't necessarily think it's something that we don't entertain already. Um but and when I when I talk about, you know, stronger enforcement, I what I mean is, you know, simply um the ordinances being more strict and being more um clear-cut and dry rather than well, this can be taken this way or us just not simply having an ordinance for it. I believe the challenge when this conversation first started though was, you know, they'll get to magistrate court and ask for a jury trial and then it gets kicked over to superior where the backlog is kind of long, right?

Yeah. I mean, that's that's happened before. I mean, where we have jury trials. Um I mean, it happens, you know, often. Um but, you know, um that's we're on our side as far as animal control department or we want to get them in court to to answer for that. um for that charge or for that infraction. Um and that's why, you know, this with these with these new ordinances being as detailed as they are as they are, we can bring them to court for um for for I guess for for more than what we used to be able to.

Okay. I'd like to see that explored in the future though, just because I I do believe that there's more that we can do to give you, even if it's in partnership with the sheriff's office, some more teeth to your enforceability. Any more questions? So, you've already got the draft ordinance ready to present? Yes, sir. Guess work with Joey and decide when you want to bring it forward.

Yes, sir. Thank you. So, we move on to the first public comment section. These comments will be on agenda items only and you're limited to three minutes. And Katie, do you have anybody signed up? Nobody has signed up. Anybody wish to speak to the board?

Good evening, um, commissioners. Uh my name is Timothy Besset. I just want to uh just speak on the uh proclamation that was given for the correction officer. As a uh as a sworn chaplain for the uh sheriff department, um I really want to uh show appreciation for the correction officer in the jail. throughout the years past um when when certain situation was going on in the jail when it came down to correction officers that was not doing it the right way. Um I would probably be one of the first ones to to expose that. But um after being in the uh conference on on last week, the chaplency conference in U Sean um learned a lot there and um gave me a greater appreciation for what the corre correctional officer actually do inside the jail. Um it's it's a it's a dangerous job. Um it's a job that um it take a a a heart to be able to do because you're dealing with so many different type of people and to um show recognition for them on tonight um I appreciate that from from a community perspective. Uh we had a situation um couple of week about a month ago where um the 25 year old female died inside the jail and uh we was called upon to go and um give support to uh the staff over there and some of the um correctional officers I thought of some of them was out of their out of their 20s and they was very disturbed. Um that was um some of my first time ever seeing a dead body and to um go in to have to going into work and not knowing what you're going to experience and certainly not was expecting to have to deal with a death. Um, so I I just wanted to uh commend the commissioners for um um this

uh proclamation for the correctional officer because they do have a um a challenging job and I think that um um Sheriff Cheney is doing a great job when it comes down to giving the correction officer the tools that they need and the training that they need. So I just want to uh say that thank you for um the proclamation given to the correctional officer on this week. They do have a challenging job. Thank you.

Thank you, pastor. Anybody else wishes to speak to the board? Janie. My name is Janie Everett and I live at 11:06 South Court Avenue here in Woodbmine and I got here late, but it's my understanding that we had someone here from animal control. This is a problem here in this county. If you go to the city of Woodbmine, the animal control, they refuse to take animals. Um, you know, some jurisdictions tell you they don't have um vets or they tell you, you know, to just don't help the animals out. Then some of them tell you they don't take certain animals, like they only take dogs. And then when you then they they direct you to the humane society. Humane society says post them on uh social media for 3 months and then if nobody responds bring the animal to them and give proof of ownership. I don't have any way to prove these animals. I hate to see people kick animals and um and throw stuff on animals and you're trying to to to fix them up and get them shots and all that stuff. So, it can become expensive and but you're just not getting any help from animal control. So, I'm glad tonight to know that uh we have animal control people that want enforcement, but you know, somebody needs to tell me how to get help for these animals um here in Woodbine because it's been a

uphill battle for the past two and a half years. Thank you. Thanks, Jenny. Anybody else? Seeing none, we'll move on to uh uh entertain a motion to adjourn the regular meeting and convene the a public hearing. Mr. Chairman, I move to adjourn the regular meeting and convene a public hearing.

I'll second. We have a motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? Motion carries. Okay, we moving to the public hearing to receive comments from the public regarding amendments to the Camden County Code of Ordinance, Chapter 27, Fire Rescue, Fire Prevention, and Services. Do we have anybody? Yes, Captain Goel couldn't be here tonight. Captain Goble couldn't be here tonight. He's in Brantley County assisting with mutual aid. But I believe um Cap Boyette, you can come on up. Come on up. Yeah, Chief Boy, I'm sorry. I asked him if there was anything I need to say.

So, you got left behind, huh? I did. I did. Um, I'm not sure at this point what I'm sorry I wasn't prepared. It's okay. I will say that this has been advertised properly in the paper and I do have the affidavit for that and we haven't um received any comments from the public regarding anything um proposed in the ordinance. Mr. Chairman, I believe you need to open it up to the public for any comments before and after. So,

um I guess it's um like she said, this is just for the uh second reading in the adoption of the amendments for the Kim County Code of Ordinance um chapter 27. Um so, this is just to open it up for public comments. I don't know if uh if you all have any questions for me. Um any questions from the board? See none. Any uh body in the audience have any comments for the um for the amendment? In favor? Anybody opposed to the amendment? Thank you, ma'am.

A motion to adjourn the public hearing and reconvene your Mr. Mr. Chairman, I move to adjourn the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. Second. We have a motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? Motion carries. Move on to the regular meeting. Item number one is uh Kenny County Fire Rescue. Since come on back up since Captain Gobel's not here, you you got left behind once again, right? I did. But you're doing a great job.

I apologize. I really I really do apologize for it. Um, chairman, commissioners, we're asking for this to be the second reading and adoption of the amendments to the Camden County Code of Ordinance, Chapter 27 for the Fire Rescue, Fire Prevention, and Services. And uh, B, we ask that you approve this as the second reading. Thank you. Discussion for the board. Now, we need to we're going to move to approve this based on second reading. Correct. Yes. You'll just make a motion to wave the second reading and adopt the amendments to the ordinance. Okay. Mr. Chairman, I move to wave the second reading of the ordinance and adopt the uh adopt the ordinance. Second.

We have a motion in a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Thank you. Sit down. Number two. I was talking to her. So item number two is approval of the uh six remnant defendant settlement from the new opioid national opioid settlement.

Good evening commissioners. I would like to request you to consider the approval of entering into the six remnant defendants settlement agreement from the new national opioid settlement. I'd like for you to authorize the docky sign of the six remnant defendants and that's a tongue twister. uh combined subdivision participation and release form. Camden County is currently a participant in the national opioid cases in the US multi-dist litigation based in Ohio. Camden County is represented by third party council Lassen Game Burch Ashley and Gerard of Athens, Georgia. Council recommends participating in the settlement. Participating in the six remnant defendant settlement is the only way to ensure our subdivision receives a payment from these defendants. Deadline to opt in is May the 4th, 2026. U motion. We'd ask for you to uh approve this motion to enter into this agreement. Motion to deny or motion to table. And staff recommends approval. Thank you, Janice.

Mr. Chairman, I move we approve the entering in the settlement agreement. Second, Mr. Chairman, we have a motion in a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Thank you. Now I adding number item number three is the uh from Leadwood Partners. Um, I think the motion would be to u support a grant application for the partners. May I'll make a motion. Absolutely. Uh, Mr. Chairman, I move that we uh as the board sign a letter of support uh in favor of Leadwood Partners grant application. Do we have a motion? Have a second. I'll second.

Have a motion and a second. Any discussion? I think Mr. Goodman suggested we do it individually rather than one. We do it individually as well as a body. Well, I think the body needs a motion individually. I need a motion. Yes, it's up to us. Okay. Have a motion and a second. All in favor? Motion carries. Okay, moving on. Uh have a motion to adjourn the regular meeting and convene the solid waste authority meeting. Mr. Chairman, I move that we adjourn the regular meeting and convene the solid waste authority meeting. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. So, do we have any amendments to the solid waste authority agenda? Seeing none, do we have a motion to approve the solid waste authority agenda? So move, Mr. Chairman. Second. Motion in a second. All in favor?

Now we'll move on to the solid waste authority minutes from March 17th, 2026. Assuming everybody's read those, do we have a motion to approve? Mr. Chairman, I'm so moved. Second. Have a motion and a second. Discussion. All in favor? Then we move on to the public comment section for the solid waste authority comments regarding the items on the solid waste authority agenda. Um limited to three minutes. Anybody signed up? Katie? Yes.

Have nobody signed up. Anybody want to speak to the board regarding the solid waste authority uh agenda items? Seeing none, we'll move on to the solid waste agenda. Mr. Pitman. Item number one.

Good evening, Mr. Chairman, board members. Uh, I bring before you task order number 2026-01. It's an agreement uh for consulting services for FY27 environmental monitoring. The purpose of the task is to authorize and direct Atlantic Coast Consulting to proceed with assisting and providing environmental monitoring at Camden County landfields. We have three landfields of course uh uh CND landfield, the MSW landfield and of course Vicuna Road. Uh the scope of service uh three different tasks that they perform uh annually uh groundwater and surface water monitoring and reporting uh methane monitoring reporting and Vakuna road landfill annual corrective action progress reporting. Uh the annual cost for that is $139,760. Staff is recommending approval for this task order. Thanks, John.

Do we take action on that, Katie? This is this is public conversation. We don't take This is a This is an action item. This This is still This is an action item. Yes. Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve the task order. I'll second. Any discussion? Uh, more so a question from Mr. Pitman. Uh, this is the same company or organization consultant that does it annually for us already. Correct. Yes. Yes, sir. ACC consultant. How does 139,000 compared to the last agreement we had with them?

Uh, it's about a 3 to 5% increase from from last year's uh task order. All right. And they're pretty much the only organization that does this in around around us. Correct. We don't have much of a choice as far as

they are the ones that that that Camden County has an agreement with. Uh I've they they're excellent at what they do in all areas. uh they are highly recommended and I work we work well together uh performing these tasks. Uh I don't think there's anybody else out there better but yeah not better I just didn't know I saw it was sole source I didn't know if we had entertained possibly other providers of this service uh as far as you know sampling and and reporting I didn't know. All right. Well that's all I have. I just wanted to know if this is 3 to 5% I mean is that pretty standard on these types of things?

I mean these folks are really the engineer record for the landfill. So it just kind of makes sense for them to do this work. We've had a long-term commitment how many years? 30 years probably or more. Yeah. They've been here a while. Yeah. So absolutely. Any more discussion? We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Motion carries. Move on to there any additional solid waste authority public comments. Anybody wish to address the board? Seeing none, have a motion to adjust the solid adjourn the solid waste authority meeting and reconvene the regular meeting.

Make a motion to adjourn the solid waste meeting and reconvene the regular meeting. We have a motion. Have a second. Yes, sir. A motion and a second. All in favor? Motion carries. Moving on to the regular agenda, Mr. Pitman. Task order that this is the task order again that authorized and directs Atlantic Coast Consulting to proceed and with assisting providing environmental monitoring uh to our three landfields in Camden County. Uh staff recommends approval. Mr. Chairman, I move we approve this task order.

I'll second. We have a motion and second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries. Thank you, sir. Move on to reports to calendar. Katie, any There's no changes. No changes to the calendar. County administrator comments. You're limited to three minutes.

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I'll make sure. I do apologize sometimes. Um, I just want to bring to everyone's attention that we do have a burn ban in effect for the countywide and uh to let everybody know to say a prayer for the ones on the north end as well as everyone that is that affected by all the fires around us because we've we've got many going on. So, if you will just say a little prayer for everyone that's affected in those and the workers that are involved. We we have several of our people on the north end of 110 that's involved in this as well. Highway 110 of Waverly. Um, also to to bring to everyone's attention, April 28th, I want to remind everyone, I should say, April 28th, the sheriff has graciously invited me to attend with him a town hall meeting at the resiliency center at uh 6 p.m. So, I do invite everyone to attend that and ask as many questions as you may. So, thank you.

Thanks, Joy. Okay, we move into the additional public comments section. Is anybody signed up, Katie? We have nobody signed up. Anybody wish to speak to the board?

I'm Ben Goff, live here at Spluff. I've yet to see anything come before this board that wasn't extremely important and I commend you on your actions tonight. I would like to say that by now I would have expected to see something about the jail on the agenda, about the roof, about plumbing and some sort of rectification of those issues. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else?

Good evening, commissioners. Rick Manning from Bullhead. Well, first I'd like to thank Mr. Pitman. I've talked with him a couple of times. You made a great choice. He's dealt with a few of my questions and answered them. And that's what I like to see. And here brings me to my main problem. Every time we change leadership, team leaders, board members, we all get the same song and dance. We're going to be more transparent. We're going to hold people more accountable. And it's always words. I'm glad to see we're going to have a town hall cuz I'll bring it up in in this file. And I've got four or five more just like it. The things I bring up before this board the last eight ten years. The board doesn't even research and look at them. There's a project going on right now with this county that I know for a fact is going to cost over a half a million dollar for one mistake. If I had the rest of them, it's going to cost these taxpayers more than two or three million dollars because you wouldn't listen to people that question it. I don't have all the answers. You don't have all the answers. But we're never going to get them if we don't work together. I had never come before this board. I don't have a good presentation that make makes it sound like I'm always mattering hell. I know that. My wife tells me it all the time. So does John Wick. He tells me the same thing. Uh but the thing is I come before this board to solve problems to save taxpayers money. Yet that ain't the way 90% of the time it's looked at. This project I speak of, I'm not going to speak in the public right now about it. I'll I'll speak with Joey and Robbie. Y'all already know which one I'm talking about. We wasted a pile of money, piles, because you wouldn't even look at it. This is not the way to operate.

Those millions of dollars can be used on a lot of stuff in this county, for instance, the jail. But we're not going to get there if you think everything is just out pointed straight at you because you're a board member. It's not. It's because I care about this county just as much as you do. I have family here. I've got kids, grandkids, my poor old mom staying around there. You know, it affects me in more ways than one. And I'm just begging y'all for about the meth time to start listening to these people. There's there's a lot of knowledge out here in this in this county and together we could solve all kind of problems if you just listen and think. No, we're not going to agree on everything. No, I don't have the answers. They don't always have all the answers and neither do you. And if you think you do, you don't need to be where you at. Thank you.

Thanks, Ricky. Anybody else? Seeing none, entertain a motion to adjourn the regular meeting and convene an executive session. Motion we adjourn the regular meeting and convene in executive session. Wasted no bones about it. Second. Have a motion to second. All in favor. We'll be back. Mr. Bessant, just a moment, please, sir. Oh,

Mr. Chairman, I move to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the regular meeting. Second. Have a motion. Second. All in favor. All in favor? Motion carries. Do we have a motion? Oh. Uh, I don't need to make Yeah. I have a motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. Second. Motion in a second. All in favor? No. No action was taken. There was no action. I guess I should have said that, huh? I'll figure it out before it's over with. What you