Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Good evening. I'm calling to order the Columbia County Board of Commissioners April 21st, 2026 meeting to order. And I'm going to open with invocation. Gracious Father, we just thank you for this day. We thank you for the beautiful spring weather. I do pray that you would bless us with some rain, Lord. But also, I pray for those uh first responders, the firemen, the sheriff's deputies, those folks down range uh fighting in a war. Lord, let's just keep them safe, please. Thank you for all you give us. Amen. Please join me with the pledge 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.

Let record show we have a full quorum of commissioners. Commissioners, you have the minutes from the March 17th, 2026 meeting in your packet as well as the March 17th, 2026 budget work session. So, if you've had a chance to review them, I'll accept a motion to approve them. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to accept both of these as presented. Second. Any questions? All in favor, raise your right hand. That motion carries. Uh any changes to the agenda? Ready for your approval, Mr. Chairman. We have a couple of uh special recognitions. We first one is loyalty day and vice chairman couch. I believe you're going to do both of these. Yes. Thank you.

I'd like to invite Ronald Gilchrist and members of the VFW down front to join me. You can stand right here. So, we are here tonight to uh give you a proclamation for Loyalty Day. And I just want to say how much we appreciate that you uh all that you do on behalf of the VFW for the community. You're very involved with our local community and and doing meals and events and uh we appreciate the effort very much. Whereas the United States of America was founded by patriots who risked their lives to bring freedom to the nation. And whereas on July 18th, 1958, the United States Congress recognized loyalty day as May 1st. And every president, beginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower, has issued a proclamation. And whereas on this day we honor the United States of America and its values as well as those who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. And whereas on Loyalty Day, the nation's founders are remembered and people celebrate their freedom while remembering their responsibilities to continue the legacy of liberty. Now therefore, we, the Board of Commissioners of Columbia County, do hereby proclaim May 1st, 2026 as Loyalty Day, and call on all citizens to observe this day by learning more about the proud history of our nation. Signed this 21st day of April, 2026. Would you like to say a few words? In the CSR area, there are three BFWs. One in Richmond County, two in Columbia County. We have no boundaries. We have a district boundary, but we go all over. We are the Columbia County Memorial. So, we're the oldest of the two that's in Columbia County. We had to be in Harlem,

but it don't matter where our post home is. We're all over. One May is loyalty day. 2nd of May is our day of service. Our post is going to feed the entire Georgia war veterans nursing home barbecue. Shane's rib shack. So 15. All right.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Do you have another one for safe digging? I do. Thank you. I'd like to call Hope Marshall and members of the Augusta Richmond Columbia County Utility Coordination Committee. Hey, how are you? I'm good.

I'm good. Every year uh we like to recognize Safe Digging Month with a proclamation. So, I will read uh the proclamation for 2026. I might be standing too close to a microphone. Whereas thousands of times each year, the underground infrastructure in Georgia is damaged by those who do not have underground lines located prior to digging, resulting in service interruption, environmental damage, and threat to public safety. And whereas in 2005, the Federal Communications Commission designated 811 to provide contractors and homeowners a simple number to contact utility operators to request the location of underground lines at the intended dig site. And whereas the Augusta Richmond Columbia County Utility Coordinating Committee, a stakeholder-driven organization dedicated to the prevention of damage to underground utilities in Georgia, promotes the National 811 Notification System and Georgia 811 in an effort to reduce these damages. And whereas damage prevention is a shared responsibility, by using safe digging practices, the contractors and homeowners of Columbia County can save time, money, and help keep our infrastructure safe and connected. Now, therefore, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim April 2025 as safe digging month and encourage contractors and homeowners throughout Columbia County to always contact 811 before digging. Signed this day, the 21st day of April, 2026. Thank you.

Commissioners, you have the consent agenda in front of you. Every item on this agenda has been through the necessary committee and received the necessary votes to be placed on the consent agenda. So, if they still meet with your approval, I'll accept uh one motion to approve all. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to accept all of these consent agenda consent agenda items as presented. Second.

Any questions? There's a motion and second on the floor. All in favor, raise your right hand. That motion carries. On to the debate. Vice Chairman Couch, I believe you have the first one. I make a motion to approve the second reading of resolution number 26-04 to amend the JBZ S Harden auditorium fee schedule and authorize the general manager to negotiate the facility use agreement and fees. Second.

I can take that. Um this this item is the second and final reading uh of the resolution amending the Harden auditorium fee schedule. When the hot Harden auditorium was realigned in the rental venues and fell under the oversight of Mr. Josh Small, the PAC manager, they recognized at that time that the current fee schedule hadn't been updated since 2016. Uh so there were some tweaks that needed to be done and that schedule needed to be amended. Uh, in doing that, we did recognize the fact that there's a lot of nonprofits and smaller organizations that like to use a harden. So, in an effort to still cover our cost, but make it affordable to those groups, that's why the general manager has the authority uh in this resolution to negotiate the user the hardened user agreement and fee schedule. Subject to your questions? I have nothing. It's a motion and second on the floor. All in favor, raise your right hand. That motion carries.

I believe you're still up. I make a motion to approve the independent contractor agreement with Kana McFaten to serve as the MAT program clerk for the Columbia Judicial Circuit. Second. I'll take these, Mr. Chairman. These are requests from Superior Court uh asking to enter into these independent contract agreements. This is for the accountability court. The one that we have here in front of us is not to exceed $5,000 and the period ends September 30, 2026. These did not come to committee. These came to uh the board at the request of the chief judge after committee. You've had a chance to review it. Do you have any questions?

Motion second on the floor. All in favor, raise your right hand. That motion carries. I make a motion to approve the independent contractor agreement with Serenity Behavioral Health Systems to provide MAT consultation and clinical services for the Colombia Judicial Circuit. Second same situation. This was not to exceed $10,500 from the period of May 1st, 2026 to September 30, 2026. You know, is this a new service of renewal? These are these are renewal. They I'm not sure if they're exactly using the same I believe they're using the same exact service, but these are renewals. They're already doing these programs.

Motion second on the floor. Any questions? All in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. I make a motion to approve the independent contractor agreement with Martinez Urgent Care, Inc. to provide MAT consultation and clinical services for the Columbia Judicial Circuit. Second. Same thing. This was not to exceed $10,500 from the period of April 1st, 2026 to September 30, 2026. I believe this is a a sample collections that go along with accountability court. Right. It is. Any questions? There's a motion and second on the floor. All in favor, raise your right hand. That motion carries. Uh, Commissioner Malier, I believe you're up.

Yes, sir. I make a motion to approve the request for major PUD revision for property located at tax map 081B, parcel 1081 to reduce the rear setback to 5T for a proposed swimming pool. Second. This is a request for the putter revision. Currently, the putt requires a 10-ft rear setback. The applicant is asking to reduce that down to 5t to allow the construction of a pool. You can see on the drawing here that the backyard is not large and he is doing a 10ft by 25 ft pool uh to help his wife's uh some uh some health issues she's having. The doctor's recommended they do this. Any questions?

None. The motion second on the floor. All in favor, raise your right hand. That motion carries. I make a motion to approve the request of the reszoning from M1 to C2 for a portion of property located at tax map 061 parcel 030L subject to the conditions enumerated in the March 19th planning commission report. Second Kurt Warthington, do you want to speak? Yes, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the board. My name is Kurt Worthington and I'm here just forgive me just take your address for the record. Oh, I 421 Richmond Street. Thank you.

Uh I'm here on behalf of my client Brad Sandach. He's an owner of uh two parcels that are below uh the portion of this that's up for the reasonzoning. Um his tax parcel numbers are 061 uh 030H and 061030D along that that southern border there. For many years there was a gas station at that location. Um but currently that location is is completely vacant. Uh the reason for that is there's a basically a lack of access to that uh to that parcel. There was access to that via Lewon Road. Um, but my client lost that access as a result of a condemnation action that that closed those entrances uh several years ago.

Is that the one that the county paid $2.8 million for?

I believe there was compensation paid for that and that could be correct. I don't know the exact numbers on that. Um but he did but he no longer could access that and as a result it's just remained vacant um you know for several years and and really kind of fallen into disrepair. Uh what we're doing uh in response to this application is we're just asking for the board of commissioners to uh place an additional condition on approval of this uh resoning request to allow a curb cut along that southern boundaries to provide access to my client's parcel for for vehicles to access it. I did want to point out that we're fully aware that even if that request is granted uh by this body that we will there will be work we'll have to do to actually um to legally get access all the way but this is would be a very big helpful uh first step. Um so just fully aware that there'd be some additional action on our part. Uh looking at the county ordinance for the C2 zoning that's under consideration. It does allow connection between adjacent commercial properties. Uh the language in that ordinance says where practical. Um we do feel like in this situation it would be practical to allow that access here and also sort of basically in the public interest as well. Uh first would be for access for emergency vehicles in the events there was some sort of an emergency situation and vehicles needed to get back there to that lot. As it currently stands, there's no way for them to access that. Um, this would provide easier access and safer access to that lot. Uh, there's also just generally a public interest in having this property developed uh to its potential. Um, right now, quite frankly, that lot's just a complete eyesore. Uh, and I think when you look at the size, it's when you combine those two, it's about a twoacre

parcel. and just the location right off of I20 right there at that at that Grove Town exit that's a major interchange and a major gateway. Um there's a public interest in in having that not just sit there and sort of rot away to the elements. So uh like I said clients trying to get this developed this would help if he could uh get this access again acknowledging that we would have to do some things on our end as well. Um, so we do make that request and we thank you guys for your time.

Have you spoken to the other property owner about this and asked them to give you this? You're I must understand you're asking us to make them let you do it. No, no. As a matter No, we're not. This would just be for the curb cut. We That's the secondary part of that. We We would have to work something out with them or do some other action. We have reached out and made some negotiations on that. That's ongoing, but just the curb cut would be sort of part of that. Have they indicated that they're amanable to that? Have they are they are they they've indicated agreeable to this?

I don't want to speak for them. I don't I don't know that they I I don't know what happened to the planning commission about if they oppose. I mean, I'm assuming they weren't completely in favor of it because we're not holding hands, but um I I don't know if there was anything expressed there. Commissioner Blair, Mr. Titus represents the owner if you would like to hear from him. Mr. Robert Titus. We have two Tituses. Confused. Different Mr. Titus. Come on down. Yes, sir.

Matt said, "I'm Robert Titus with EMC Engineering, 4424 Columbia Road." Um, I don't know if if y'all received the planning commission's recommendations, but I've got a list here. Um, and I'm I'm sure if he wants to hand that 2.8 million over to the owner of this property, they might give him access. Um, but anyhow, so it's so I'm just going to run through this. Um, so the neighbor was already u paid a cost to cure to close his access as you guys know very well. Um, so now they they they've been made financially whole to close their access. Um, so it'd be double dipping to try to as part of a zoning a request for reasonzoning to make them provide access through that piece of property. Um, it's a self-created hardship. Um, so under OCGA 44940, a way of necessity cannot be granted if the owner voluntarily sold or closed their own access. I think that's self-explanatory. Um, lack of public need intercal connectivity is intended for public good. Um there's no public benefit in providing a private workaround to bypass DOT's um safety closure of a single owner who already traded their access for cash. Um there's no legal nexus. Um so our reasonzoning from M1 to C2 uh did not cause the neighbor's access problem. Um, and per Nolan and Dolan standards, uh, the county can't legally require developer to solve a third party's pre-existing state compensated problem is a condition of approval. Um, he spoke about safety, but you know, having a throughway and and we

haven't finally planned it. We have some ideas about what he might do with that piece of property as you can see up here. But providing another throughway to get to another piece of property, that's a safety concern. You know, if you owned a piece of property, how do you know what's going to drive through there if you guys were to to make them provide access? You don't know. It could be dump trucks 24/7, could be whatever. Um, and then practicality of connectivity. Per section 9134, connectivity is only required where practical. Um, forcing a through road into a private commercial development to bail out a neighbor who already took a settlement. It's neither practical nor equitable. So, I I don't know if there's anything else that I need to say. If if Scott's got any Mr. Sterling's got any comments he wants to make about their opinion as to what

this is. Is not something you would willingly agree to. No, I understand. Thank you. So to be clear, there's a reasonzoning that has made a motion to be approved, but you're asking for not, Forgive me, not you, Robert. You're asking for an additional

add-on to that what's been approved. it it would just be it would just be approval with that additional um condition to provide the curb cut. And I did just want to if I could just address I you know these connections are done all the time and also you know that I I think highlighting the condemnation that's not exactly a an armslength transaction. I think anyone who's been through the condemnation process knows that those can be done. I mean, technically I think they can be they're voluntary, but you know, for a road purpose, I mean, it's it's going to be taken one way or the other. So, the idea that it was just sort of handed over for cash and there's a double dip. I I still think there's an interest. I think the county has an interest in when I get off at the Grovetown exit, there's not a 2acre slab of concrete sitting there with grass up, you know, to my elbows, which is essentially what's there now. So, there is an interest in that. uh certainly understand his concerns and like I said there's work to be done on that end but I did just want to address those points as well.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My motion stands as presented with no additional um conditions. Second. Are there any other questions or concerns? There's a motion and second on the floor. All in favor raise your right hand. That motion carries. I make a motion to approve the major S1 revision located at tax map 052 parcel 001J subject to the condition enumerated in the March 19th planning commission report. Second

this revision is this revision is for a change to their S1 zoning. Uh they have a sign conditional existing sign as you see here and they came in and applied for a new sign and that uh triggered a review that determined this sign was actually built in the rideway partially in the rideway. The new sign you can see on the proposed location they're looking to install their sign does not meet code requires a 20ft sight triangle. Patrice I believe you go we have that. So 20 foot sight triangle that is designed so that the sign does not block uh the vision of the of the driver of the vehicles. But as you can see here there's 35 foot uh from the property line out to Lewisville Road. So that sign being inside that triang that sight triangle will not actually block drivers from seeing down the road. So the request is to allow this sign to be built inside this sight triangle.

That's common sense. Any questions? This motion is second on the floor. All in favor, raise your right hand. That motion carries. Seeing no legal matters, request for review by committee, public comments. Channing von T. Taylor will please state your name and address for the records. And you have five minutes, sir.

Yes, sir. Thank you, chairman. Yes, my name is uh Channing Bont. Taylor is more of aformational purposes. I just wanted to introduce myself. I am uh a state house candidate for district 127 and I will be on the November ballot. Um and I went to uh the state capital, qualified uh been a resident in Columbia County for 11 years, retired veteran, uh 18 years service, uh deployed to Iraq and u I'm running on the ticket. So I just wanted to get a chance to introduce myself. Uh I've been at a lot of the meetings here. I got a chance to meet with a lot of the individuals at the state capital to talk about a lot of the issues that we have in our uh district um representing um my district and running off of affordability, economic growth, and protecting children. So um like I said, I just wanted to give a face to the name uh so people can see who I am. Uh like I said, I live in representing uh Richmond County and Columbia County.

Thank you.

Thank you. Karen Bar for Excuse me. Uh, good evening. Karen Parham, 3421 Hilltop Trail. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. On January 6, 2026, the Columbia County Library System Board of Trustees adopted a collection development policy. That policy directs librarians to use professional review sources and intended age level in placement decisions, to provide written rationale at the time of a reconsideration decision, and to refrain from restricting materials based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval. I'm speaking tonight because the record of the March 31st library board meeting demonstrates that the policy is not being applied as written. I can't cover everything in five minutes, which is why I have provided a written report. I ask that the commission and appropriate staff review it tonight. I want to highlight three issues. First, the rationale requirement. Section 13.2.3 requires a written rationale at the time of each reconsideration decision. On March 31st, the director described what she presented as bullet points developed the night before and acknowledged no fuller rationale existed. That is not the rationale the policy requires. The placement of amazing you illustrates this directly. The director introduced a new definition of middle ground. For the first time at the meeting, the children's librarian offered a different definition, describing middle ground as a compromise between opposing community factions. A placement driven by competing political pressures is not a placement based on intended age level incomprehensibility, which section 11.2 requires. Section 12.2, 2, which incorporates the Library Bill of Rights, explicitly prohibits restricting materials based on partisan

or doctrinal disapproval. The record does not reflect a professional judgment about where a preschool anatomy book belongs. It reflects a political accommodation. This commission's own 2024 guidelines defined middle ground as ages 11 to 14. The materials actually shelved there are consistent with ages 8 to 12 in juvenile fiction. Amazing you is a non-fiction anatomy book classified for ages 3 to 7. It is the only non-fiction title in the section and the only picture book. Second, professional consultation. Section 13.2.2 requires that the director who holds a grade 5B license to consult with appropriate professional librarians, not uncertified staff. across all five reconsideration committees, only one other staff member consulted holds a grade 5B license, which under the state of Georgia is um necessary to be considered a professional librarian. However, that individual was not on either of the two committees whose decisions went against the patrons. One individual consulted on perks of being a wallflower is an administrative marketing coordinator with no library license of any kind and no job duties with any professional connection to collection development. The perks of being a wallflower is a 20-year-old title with consistent professional classification at the high school level. Columbia County is the only library system in the state of Georgia currently shelving it in the adult section. That is not a close professional judgment call. It's an outlier that the record record does not support. Appendix A of the written report shows the committee compositions and certification status of each individual consulted. Third, the September 2024 relocations. More than 40 young adult titles were relocated in September of 2024 using Booklooks, a site that described itself as a parental resource and is not recognized as a professional um source by any definition

applicable to library science. The large majority of these titles are older titles with a consistent professional consensus. Under the current policy, if one of these books were purchased as a new title, they would be placed in the young adult room. Yet, the reconsideration process has been offered as the only remedy because I was told that the director needs to conduct a thorough professional review of each title. However, the March 31st record demonstrates that reconsiderations are not being conducted according to the policy standards. Beyond that, the reconsideration form itself um is highly focused on contentbased challenges rather than requesting the library shelf materials in accordance with their own policy. I'm asking this commission to do three things. First, direct the library to follow the policy it adopted. written rationale at the time of the decisions placement based on professional review sources and intended age level and the collection brought into compliance by the director not through the reconsideration process. Second, enforce the requirement that the director consult with professional librarians as defined by the state of Georgia. Third, direct the board to fulfill its oversight function by examining staff certifications and job title compliance. Two positions that I've seen so far are carrying the title of librarian, but they do not appear to meet the statutory credential requirement and certification credentials are not on file. This has direct implications for state funding. The written report includes a full list of seven specific recommendations. So, um, I know it's long, but I appreciate the commission's time and attention. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you,

Howard Johnson. Good evening. Howard Johnson, 252 Silver Maple Road. Um firstly, I want to commend this commission for um the three contracts passed regarding MAT treatment. um that's widely considered be best practice um in dealing with um addiction treatment and I think it's very important that the county offers that to um those who are struggling with that in their lowest point um folks that are running to the running into trouble at the court um deserve an opportunity out and I'm very pleased to see um the county continuing to support that and continuing to allow professionals um to be involved in treatment of those. Um, next I want to move on to the, um, amendment passed tonight. Um, I'm also a fan of that. Uh, I do appreciate that the Harden auditorium will be able to be made, um, available to nonprofits, um, should that be seen fit. Um, but one thing I want to mention about the process. Um, so we currently have two readings before amending um, municipal code. both of them are on Tuesday nights at 6:00. Um, somebody who, for example, supports the Harlem or Greenbryer soccer teams would not have been able to be at either of the two readings um because they would have been out watching their kid play soccer. Um, I would like for Columbia County to consider offering a third reading at a distinct time from when these meetings are in order to allow people to participate in government meaningfully around their schedules. Um, and so coming up on conflict of interest as far as timing goes, unfortunately I

will not be able to celebrate loyalty day on May 1st. You see, I have a prior commitment to a holiday started in 1891 in Paris, International Workers Day. Loyalty Day traditionally has been used in America to suppress workers movements and take away from the organization going on. Currently, um there are nationwide plans for strike and boycott on May 1st in celebration of Mayday and this long-standing tradition of organized labor, looking out for the small man. Um unfortunately, my loyalty lies with labor and so I'm going to be celebrating May 1st the traditional way by withholding my labor and spending from the capitalist class. In closing, I like to begin and end on praise. Uh this weekend I got to go to the uh Columbia County Ally Y'all cultural festival and that was phenomenal. You've all heard me talk multiple times about the value of diversity. Um it was a really fantastic display of the diversity we have in this county. Um I ate so much. Oh my goodness. Um you could have rolled me out of the park and there were so many people there. It was really fantastic and I do hope to see continued efforts of that sort of thing. Thank you for the time.

Thanks. Thank you, Susan Warren.

Hello. How are you?

All right. How are y'all? Susan Warren, 5129 North Tubman Road, Appling. Uh, financial markets are getting nervous about AI data data center investments. On September 16th last year, I mentioned that Meta had gone to Pacific Investment and Blue Capital for a $29 billion financing for their data center expansion in rural le Louisiana that was projected to be a $26 billion debt and a $3 billion equity investment from Blue Owl in the form of investment grade bonds backed by the data cent's assets. Since then, there have been huge amounts of dollars pouring into the markets to fund AI companies. Hundreds of billions, not millions. Private credit funds like Blue Al's Credit Income Corp. and Technology Income Corp. evolved to provide capital to borrowers in need of solutions that fell outside of what could be financed in the traditional lending markets. But Bloomberg has been posting this month that the private credit industry has been royal in recent months by concerns it is overexposed to the software industry by artificial intelligence. Excuse me. Software represents about 20% of portfolio exposure among business development companies. Headline fears about default risk in the sector have driven a small but wealthy group of institutional investors to seek their exits from many of these funds. Bloomberg's article showed that in the fourth quarter of last year, Blue Owl's requests for redemptions for their OCIC fund were 5% but for the OTIC, which is the technology fund were 17% but they were both fulfilled back in the fourth

quarter. But early 2026 has been a different story. Both experienced high withdrawal requests, 21.9% for OCIC, but a whopping 40.7% for OTIC tech fund from shareholders concerned about AI disruption and software and general private debt risks. In order to manage liquidity, Blue AL cap the quarterly redemptions at 5% for both funds. I suspect there are some nervous and very disgruntled investors. Of course, those these in these investors are getting tender offers from others at deep discounts. But the second thing is a whole different ball game. I did talk about this topic and the global supply chain interruptions at the October 21st meeting when I asked where are they going to get the transformers. The headline from Bloomberg Green on March 25th 5th read, "The device throttling the world's electrified future. A shortage of transformers is causing delays to power projects everywhere, holding trillion dollar industries hostage, and that was before tariffs. As the global AI race heats up, there is a huge rush to build data centers fast. like us. There is no lack of money chasing these projects with the three main tech giants committed to spending more than 650 billion this year alone. Yet neither ambition nor capital is enough to materialize all the necessary components. Almost half of the data centers planned for this year are expected to be delayed or cancelled. One big reason is the shortage of electrical equipment such as transformers, switch gear and batteries. These are needed not just for powering

AI but also for building out the grid that is seeing increased consumption from electric cars and heat pumps. US manufacturing capacity for these devices cannot keep up with demand and the scarcity has caused data center builders to rely on imports. Electrification is a key solution to both tackling climate change and powering AI ambitions. But America's AI prowess on computer chips and cutting edge software is being hamstrung by the c country's inability to manufacture the electrical parts. There is not enough domestic capacity to go around. So people are pretty much forced to go to the export market, says Benjamin Boucher, senior analyst for Wood McKenzie. Could this be one reason credit markets are getting nervous about when their many billions or dollars are tied up in these data centers? I think so.

Thank you, Spartan. Thank you so much. Marlina Berseron, 2545 Willow Creek Court in Evans. Before my time starts, may I ask a question? the aquatic center that was supposed to go across the street from Patriots Park. There's a for sale sign in front of that again. Can you give me a brief update if that fell through or if that's still happening as an aquatic center?

I have no idea. It was private development. I don't know. Do you know? Um, I had a phone call from the developer back in December. We were supposed to get together to talk about it and he had to cancel due to some out of town travel. Said he'd get back with me and I haven't heard from him since.

Okay. I hope that goes through. that's a priority to the to the community. Um, I also want to echo the praise for the Harden uh theater to authorize the negotiation for fees. We really appreciate that as nonprofits and performing groups. Um, I loved your invocation, chair, Mr. Chairman, and I would like to add a prayer for all of our outdoor workers, uh, especially in extreme heat. And I echo the prayer for rain. I'm a Sierra Club member, master gardener, master naturalist, and tomorrow is Earth Day. It's Arbor Day on Friday and this is library week and it's native plant month and it's poetry month. So, I just wanted to make sure that you didn't forget to celebrate.

I know you wouldn't.

In many ways, our forests are like libraries. The trees are a record of rainfall and stress events. Just like our current category 2 drought, much like our libraries archives and references, our trees are also witnesses to history, even to atrocities like the four or more lynchings in Colombia County, which have no other memorials to remember the individuals lost to mob violence and hatred. The trees host a variety of biodiversity. Just like our library has diverse collection of media and services, the trees provide shade, drop temperatures at night and emit water through their leaves, leaving us refreshed under their cool green canopy. Just like when I was growing up, we were too poor to have centralized air conditioning. We would go to the library where it was always nice and cool. Dan Lamb, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, states, "In extreme heat, trees can create cooler and safer communities. The treere's roots are interconnected through a microisal network, much like how our library connects us, even to libraries across the state. Dr. Suzanne Samard's 1997 research states, "Not only do trees help each other, but big, old trees nurture and protect younger trees. Areas would regenerate vegetation faster if some of the older trees, the mother trees, were preserved and incorporated in new landscape development. In other words, the character and strength of a forest community, much like our community, is not just the facade you see, but the character below the surface. Scott, I hear you're leaving us. We'll always remember you for being tough on librarians and buddy buddy with data centers. If I miss you, I'll just listen to the March 12th recording of you berating and barking at our sweet, qualified librarians. Are you happy

working here? I guess you're not happy working here because you're leaving. You punch down hard on our public servants for asking questions. I sure hope you do don't do that with a storm water department. And your world's largest data center plans affect our resources, communities, and future Georgia power bills. I was going through my own archives and I found this gem from 2017. Let me share the words of Andrew Strickland. While the Uchi Creek Greenway will be a valuable recreational amenity and educational resource for the community, I cannot understate its value as a transportation alternative. The greenway will connect neighborhoods with parks, schools, shopping, restaurants, and more. Imagine hopping on your bike to go catch a game at Patriots Park or Blanchard Woods. It may sound odd now to those living along busy corridors, but the time is quickly approaching when a car could be optional. This was 2017 and I wish the general obligation bond made this a priority. Mr. Chair, I'm sorry you discontinued these kind of newsletters. These were helpful to busy parents as well as senior citizens who wouldn't have to go online in five different spots to find out news about events and meetings.

A lot of trees got killed printing that and mailing it out. Now I have a moral dilemma. Thank you. And I will meditate on that. Thank you. So just a quick show of hands. How many of you have used or used previously the greenway that is now clearcut around Patriots Park? Just a quick show of hands if you ever walked it. I'm not sure which I have walked the greenway but I'm not sure. The corner the corner around the Patriot the corner at William F and Columbia. I have walked it before. Yes.

Okay. Just only Mr. Chairman has been the one who experienced that. Okay. Okay. Now I just wanted to look at the consent agenda. Expansion of Washington Road is exactly what candidate Miss Camry Wood was eloquently criticizing you for having one tunnel vision approach instead of a multi-pronged strategy to manage traffic. A year ago, the land was being resone for data centers, but we didn't all know that you had already entered in purchase sale agreements in 2024. Some people knew they called you out for it. I watched your faces and you just sat there. All the gold posts moved and the cart was put behind before the the cart was put before the horse at every turn. They those meetings were a charade and a sham of concern and a fumbled roll out of communication. Trey Allen quoted Edund Burke before he ditched us for DC. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil for good men to do nothing. You didn't tour a data center or talk to residents till after you committed to having them. People poured their hearts out to you to defend their communities and resources. And it just didn't matter. A year ago, you printed out this postcard that you'll get a copy of that said, "Make your voice heard. Help us shape a new vision. Vibrant future focused on recreation, character preservation, local business support, sustainable growth. We love this." But how did that translate to 5600 acres of data centers? and this vision statement that Columbia County will evolve from being one of Georgia's most desirable bedroom communities into a strong and self-sustaining economic hub. First of all, we

you six minutes, so please wrap it up.

Let me let me Thank you. First of all, we were already strong. Second, you need to change evolve to devolve. Those of us chose to live here and invest in the bedroom community. And lastly, I just want to know if you ever read Adam Becker's book, More Everything Forever, but it came out in 2025 after you had signed the deal for data centers. Even Richmond County is protecting its citizens by restricting future data centers to industrial areas. You invite us to collaborate with making the county great and then you ignore everything we say, delay everything we want, and dismiss expert opinions. Commissioners, I wish you had done your research and read a book about data centers before dragging us into this. The library would have been a great place to start.

Thank you. Now, I want to make sure I end with praise and just say there are lots of good people on both sides of this room, but I do not want us to. And I am tired of us hiding behind this collective helplessness. It's Earth Day. It's Labor Day. We have a moral obligation to future generations to do what we can and preserve what we can. Thank you for the extra time. Thank you. Thank you. I feel like we have a couple of property matters. Commissioner Carowway, I believe they're yours,

sir. I make a motion to approve $2,000 to Brighton Landing uh Homeowner Association Incorporation partial 0623428 and accept the donation from Brandt Springs Development LLC partial 062085S to obtain rightway permanent easement and temporary easements for the Horizon South Parkway and Chamlin Road connector project. Second

standard acquisitions. A a very large donation from the branch family for this project. 9.96 acres of land donated to the county for this project to happen. Uh we did receive bids. Just a quick update. We did receive bids well over our budget. Mr. Titus is currently negotiating with that low bid contractor to see if we can find ways to get this in budget and get in front of you for approval. Should happen soon. Any questions? A motion and second on the floor. All in favor raise your right hand. That motion carries.

I make a motion to approve amending the March 18th, 2025 approved temporary easement from 0.05 to 0.2 acres of parcel 062037 for the Chamberlain Road Horizon Connector project. Second. So it's a reduction from 05 acres of temporary to 02. So reduction in in required temporary easement for this parcel. Any questions? There's a motion and second on the floor. All in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries.

I make a motion to approve the purchase and sale agreement with Wellstar Health System Incorporated for the 62 acre parcel and the acceptance of the associated drainage easements. Second. So, we purchased uh some land from AU Medical Center when we built the gateway extension from Walmart out to Riceboro Road. We had some drainage in this area. There reason we bought it. Uh when they built their new driveway, there's no need for that big rightway. So, they're asking us to sell it back to them. Per state law. They were the original owners. Therefore, we're selling it back to them. Uh Chris, you have any nothing to add? You covered it.

Motion and second on the floor. All in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries.

I make a motion to approve $500 to Dorothy Watkins, parcel 073, 0007, and $1,100 to Jung and uh Peter Lee parcel 067008, $1,500 to Gail and US Duffy Jr., and $103,700 to Mary Morris and John Dvet Jr., George Dvet, Joseph Dvet, Holly Dvet, and the state of the William Dvit for partials 072129, 072,129 K, and 072129 W to obtain rightway andor easements for the Herford Farm Road widening project. Second

standard acquisition's 99% complete. We're getting close. Any questions? There's a motion and second on the floor. On raise uh all in favor, raise your right hand. That motion carries. Last uh I make a motion to approve the agreement of purchase and sale of parcel 029 048A and 029048B.

Second. I'll take this one. Uh this is a purchase of property uh for a new county park. This is our Patriot Park style park that's going to be south of I20 uh more in the Harlem Grove Town area. We've been looking for some time for the the perfect piece of property for this. Uh as a result of the commissioner's conditions on Greenpoint. Um part of the conditions were the Greenpoint development was not going to be able to build any residential across the street. They had to build commercial and they had to provide green space. We took that as an opportunity to negotiate with the land owners. We were able to get this property under the appraised value. Um so we did have this purchase agreement here. We do have a concept with that park. I believe we have that available. We can show you real quick just to give you an idea what this park would look like. So obviously you have Appling Harlem Highway here. When you come in, we are looking to do another basketball complex. Patriot Park is currently our only indoor gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, those types of activities. Looking at indoor walking tracks as well. Uh splash pads, nature play area. We have uh several nature areas on this on this piece of property that we want to leave that way. Uh we do have restrooms and then of course you have the baseball softball fields and then the multi-purpose fields that would be more like soccer. Um it it will be a premier park. Um, I think it's in a good location. There is a walking track all the way around uh the facility. It's a multi-use trail that goes all the way around the entire facility. So, that just gives you an idea of what the what the purchase of the land is for. We did the concept in house. Should you approve this purchase, we'll move forward with purchasing the property and then we will um go into a full-blown design. Money is available to construct the park now. It'll just be a matter of getting it designed and getting it bid so we can move forward with the project. This will be a a great asset for the Greenpoint residents, for Pumpkin

Center, um, and really for all of District 4. We I hear a lot of feedback from parents and grandparents with extended drive times to, uh, other parks in the county, and this will provide a park that's a little bit closer to home and should cut down on traffic and be a lot more convenient for folks out that way. So, this is a fantastic design and and I'm looking forward to it very much. Any questions? It's a motion, second on the floor. All in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Do we carry the the money for just Mr. Chairman?

Mr. Chairman, just if we can just to clarify that we want to just state publicly uh who the parties are here. So, we will tell you that this is a agreement between Columbia County and Uchi Creek Development Company as the seller. Um, and I believe the total purchase price. Do we have that in here? I know it's $40,000 an acre, which is less than the appraised price that we did an independent third party appraisal and that appraisal was above the $40,000 an acre. So, we did want to go on the record and give you that information. I don't think there's any additional I don't think there's any additional action on the board's part, but we did want to make it part of the record. Sounds good. Okay. Seeing no other business. Make a motion to adjurnn.

Second. We are adjourned.