March 6, 2020
Board of
Commissioners
Henry County Forms Corona Virus Committee to Inform and Educate
Regular Meetings March 17th, 6:30 p.m. April 7th, 9:00 a.m.
Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 Regular Commission meetings air daily on Henry TV Charter Channel 180 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Henry County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews addresses stakeholders at the meeting to discuss the Corona virus. EMA Director Don Ash is to the right.
Henry County Emergency Management Agency, along with Henry County leadership, and the District 4 Department of Health, held a meeting this week with community partners including the BOE, city officials, area schools and other stakeholders to discuss the latest news regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and announced the formation of a committee in order to educate and inform the public. Although there are currently no cases of the Coronavirus in Henry County, officials took the opportunity in a proactive move to join with community partners to discuss best practices and protocols for helping people stay healthy during the worldwide outbreak. EMA Director Don Ash urged those in attendance to keep to one unified message and refer to the Centers for Disease Control for the latest updates and best practices. He also advised citizens to visit Ready.gov for information on what supplies to have on hand in the event that there is a public emergency. Ash said that for any incident, whether it is health-related or even weather-related, preparedness is key to navigating an emergency situation. Continued on page 5
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March 6, 2020 Published by Henry County Communications & Public Information Department Henry County Government
Editor Melissa Robinson
Graphic Designer Meredith Butler
Layout Designer Melissa Robinson Meredith Butler
Contributors Melissa Robinson Erika Richards
Henry County Stormwater to hold Make & Take Rain Barrel Workshop Henry County Stormwater will be hosting a Rain Barrel Make-and-Take Workshop on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, from 6 PM until ~7 PM. Rainwater harvesting is a type of sustainable stormwater management. Manage stormwater at its source and use it for car/ pressure washing and other outdoor chores and for watering flower gardens, lawns, shrubs, trees, and other landscaping! Participation is limited to the first ten (10) people who sign up. There will be a nominal fee for this workshop. This workshop is one (1) barrel per participant and one (1) barrel per household. Driver’s Licenses/State ID will be used to verify residency. This workshop will be held at the Stormwater Management Office at 347 Phillips Drive in McDonough. Please call (770) 288-7244 or email ateachout@co.henry.ga.us for questions and to sign up! When signing up, please provide your address and contact information.
Lester Mill Rd. and Bill Gardner Parkway to see Major Intersection Improvements In an effort to further improve safety and reduce accidents, plans are underway for major intersection improvements to Lester Mill Road and Bill Gardner Parkway. Automobile accidents have plagued the intersection for the past several years and in October 2017, Lester Mill Rd. was realigned. To further improve safety, flashing stop signs were installed last year on both approaches of Lester Mill, however there have been 38 reported accidents at the intersection since 2017. With little change in the number of accidents, including a fatality last year, District I Commissioner Johnny Wilson worked with DOT officials to find a henrycounty-ga.org
temporary solution to improving safety. Recently, a traffic study was conducted, and the intersection met the criteria for a four-way stop. A four-way stop was implemented last week. “It is all about reducing the risk of accidents and injuries on the roadways and saving the lives of our citizens,” said Wilson. Design for a permanent intersection improvement has been allocated in SPLOST V. Design will take approximately six to eight months to complete. Construction will commence after the design is complete. For more information on SPLOST V, please visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/splost.
County Hires Planning and Economic Development Director Henry County Government recently hired Toussaint Kirk as its new Planning and Economic Development Director. In his leadership role, Kirk is responsible for the operations of the Henry County’s Planning and Zoning Department, Building and Plan Review Department, GIS, Transportation/Transit Departments and Economic Development. Kirk brings a wealth of experience to the position, and most recently served as Director of Planning and Development Services for the city of Griffin, GA. He began in Griffin as an Associate Planner and worked for the city of Fairburn as the City Planner. Kirk started his career in Austin, Texas working for national homebuilder Ryland Homes, and participated in its management program which included purchasing and estimating, land development/acquisition, homes sales and construction management. He relocated to
Georgia in 2008 and worked for Abatech Services Inc., a light commercial and asbestos abatement contractor, as their project manager, prior to beginning his career in government. He is a graduate of Auburn University and earned his Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Alabama A&M University. Kirk also serves as a board member with Georgia Association of Zoning Administrators (GAZA) and is a former District 4 Representative for the local Georgia Planning Association Chapter. Kirk’s extensive experience with both the public and private sector has afforded him unique insight and a depth of knowledge to successfully navigate the complexities of planning, zoning and economic development, and he looks forward to the opportunities that await in Henry County.
Toussaint Kirk, Henry County’s Planning and Economic Development Director
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March 6, 2020 BOC Approves Capital Improvement Plan
$50 million to be allocated for local road projects and improvements Some much-needed capital improvements and new projects will soon be coming to Henry County after the Board of Commissioners approved a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) at the February 18 commission meeting. Deputy County Manager Brad Johnson, along with Courtney Rogers, Senior Vice President with Davenport & Company, LLC, presented the resolution for the Capital Improvement Plan which includes a project list and options for funding. The $365 million five-year CIP is a first for Henry County and an important step in addressing capital and infrastructure needs and projects. “Henry County has never had a capital improvement plan. It has always been hit and miss, and we need to have a planning mechanism to move forward,” said Johnson. The 3 -2 resolution approval came on the heels of a lively discussion in which commissioners weighedin on the importance of specific capital improvements and projects on the list, as well as the various mechanisms to fund them. A central topic of discussion was the request from several commissioners to include funding to address road improvements for Henry County roads, which resulted in the addition of $50 million for roads. The resolution also called for $18.5 million to be financed this year. The $50 million will be divided between the five commission districts to be used for signalizations, road widenings, sidewalks, lighting and other road infrastructure improvements and projects. Substantial projects to be funded over the next five years through the CIP include a state-of-the-art convention center/arena, a vehicle replacement plan,
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a jail pod, additional courthouse space, a morgue and upgraded technology. Commission Chair June Wood and District I Commissioner Johnny Wilson voted in opposition to the plan, with Wood citing the convention center as a “want not a need for Henry County.” Johnson explained that each year, the plan can be adjusted based on projects completed and needs in the county. Discussion among commissioners, county leadership and Davenport also centered on the fact that due to Henry County’s Triple A Bond rating, excellent credit, and debt ratio, money can be borrowed at very low interest rates in order to complete needed projects. It was a year ago, on February 19, 2019, that the Henry County Board of Commissioners approved the capital project list and authorized Davenport & Company, LLC to issue an RFP for finance options to fund the capital needs presented. During that meeting, Johnson presented a list of project categories to the Commissioners stating that the listed assets were in need of immediate attention. The categories included maintenance and repairs, vehicles, sidewalks, technology, the courthouse, buildings, jail pods, a convention center, a aquatic center and an amphitheater. The CIP is funded by several sources, including from SPLOST V revenue, the General Fund, impact fees and general obligation bonds. According to Henry County Financial Services Director, next steps include working with Davenport for Requests for Proposals (RFP) that will obtain the most favorable terms for financing on behalf of the county.
Committee Formed - continued from page 1 “I want people to be prepared and informed, but not to panic,” said Ash. Officials from the health department were in attendance and offered advice on hand washing, and other protocols to stay healthy. Those protocols include avoiding physical contact, and staying home from work or school if you are sick. Dr. Olugbenga O. Obasanjo, District Health Director, gave an update of the most current information available and said that the majority of diagnosed cases have been mild. He also reiterated that the most up to
date information can be found on the CDC website. Luther Phillips, Henry County’s Fire Chief, gave an overview of the protocols that are already in use with Henry County Public Safety and medical responders, and County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews stressed the importance of preparedness not panic. Ash said the committee will continue to meet on a regular basis in order to provide the most updated information to citizens. For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov.
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March 6, 2020 ARC Awards More Than $13 Million in Funding to Support Aging and Independence in Metro Atlanta The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) today announced that it has awarded more than $13 million in federal and state grant funds to organizations in metro Atlanta that provide services to older people, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers. The services will help people remain independent and lead healthier lives in their homes and communities, avoiding costly institutional settings— adhering to the goals set forth by the state for all Area Agencies on Aging. These funding awards are part of ARC’s submission process of the FY21-24 Area Plan on Aging to the state. The awards were distributed for the fiscal year 2021 to 10 local governments and four regional specialty agencies. All recipients received these funds after submitting plans that demonstrated both innovative and proven approaches to meeting residents’ needs. The specialty agencies, along with ARC as the federally designated Area Agency on Aging, bring value by providing services across county borders in areas marked by acute need. This year’s grants fund the following: Case management, Home-delivered and congregate meals, Personal care, Senior recreation, Homemaking, Transportation, Caregiver respite, Legal assistance, Information and referral translated and adapted for different cultures, Support for older persons caring for younger generations (known as “kinship care”) “We know people want to stay in their homes and communities as they age, but that can be a challenge for many without the critical support that these funds provide,” said Becky Kurtz, managing director of ARC’s Aging and Independence Services. “The funding also serves as a foundation for our local
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communities to build on and channel appropriately to help people to thrive and live more independently.” ARC information and service referral for older individuals and those living with disabilities takes place via empowerline, which links people with trusted community services and healthcare providers to help them live their best lives. Last year, empowerline responded to 78,653 requests for assistance. ARC Allocated the Following Awards Cherokee County Board of Commissioners - $802,406 Clayton County Board of Commissioners - $715,850 Cobb County Board of Commissioners - $1,799,886 DeKalb County Board of Commissioners - $2,234,097 Douglas County Board of Commissioners - $518,975 Fayette Senior Services - $492,864 Fulton County Board of Commissioners - $3,002,314 Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners - $1,986,323 Henry County Board of Commissioners - $681,163 Rockdale County Board of Commissioners - $375,540 Atlanta Legal Aid Society - $295,000 Center for the Visually Impaired - $50,000 Center for Pan Asian Community Services - $314,000 Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage & Disability $70,000 TOTAL $13,338,418 These amounts are based on the planning allocation provided to ARC by the state of Georgia. The final allocation to ARC (and amount of each award) is subject to change. For information and referrals about services and supports for older adults and persons with disabilities in the 10-county Atlanta region, visit empowerline.org or call 404-463-3333.
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March 6, 2020 County Partnered with GDOL to Host Successful Job Fair The Georgia Department of Labor and Henry County Government along with the Henry County Development Authority, Henry County Chamber of Commerce, Henry County Schools and WorkSource Atlanta held a job fair last week at Dutchtown High School in Hampton. The fair hosted approximately 300 job seekers and 26 registered vendors. The hundreds of candidates
who were looking to expand their career opportunities were able to interact with and share their resumes with potential employers. Interview rooms were also set up for employers to hire applicants instantly. Some of the employers who were in attendance included FedEx, Piedmont Healthcare, Summit Racing and Henry County Government.
Henry County FY 2021 Budget Survey Henry County Government Financial Services Division is working on the FY 2021 budget and officials want the public’s input on how the budget is developed. Let your voice be heard by taking a brief survey to help the county know what is important to you as we work to
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develop next year’s budget. Deadline to take the brief survey is Monday, March 9, 2020 at 12 noon. Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ BD3WTHJ
Henry County to Receive 2020 County of Excellence Award for Public Safety Roll Out of New Rescue Task Force Program When Fire Emergency Medical Services personnel arrive on a scene, the first thought for them is how to quickly save lives, often having no concern for their own safety—however times are changing and first responders often face more frequently, dangerous circumstances where their very lives are often at stake. Public safety agencies are now faced with a hostility many of them could not conceive years ago. But as times change and circumstances change, so do procedures to learn and training is now utilizing best practices and updated procedures. Henry County is at the forefront of these best practices. Henry County Government, in preparation for a worst-case scenario, has implemented a Rescue Task Force (RTF) program that provides fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel with the skills and knowledge to respond in the case of an active shooter or hostile event in order to save lives and protect those responding. In other words, making sure that those who are working to save lives in an emergency are safe to do so with life-saving gear and extensive training, to avoid becoming victims while treating victims. In April of 2018, the National Fire Protection Association released a new standard for active shooter incident preparedness that included guidelines for training and purchasing gear. The NFPA 3000: Standard for an Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response Program provided a viable community-based option for a standard approach. Two months later, a group of Henry County Fire Department personnel attended a conference detailing the new NFPA Standard, which covers the Rescue Task Force and Active Shooter/ Hostile Event Response. In August of the same year, Henry County took a team of public safety personnel, leadership and
elected officials from the county and its four cities to the FEMA headquarters in Emmitsburg Maryland for a week of intense training coordinated by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. What resulted was a team approach in best practices, coordinating training, equipment and communication. “We had an opportunity to participate in a competitive grant program and from that class we brought back the lessons learned. Most importantly, we wanted to apply what we learned and not just put it on a shelf,” said, Emergency Management Director Don Ash. The FEMA training was innovative in that it brought together all facets of local government to coordinate a response. “The thing that made it so successful was that we had all the government players there, from elected officials, to county management, to department heads and we had a complete buy in from all levels of government,” said Police Chief Mark Amerman. “Once we got that buy in, we were able to come back to the county and share what we learned with the trainers from our fire and police departments and even city entities who were all trained the exact same way.” The training also identified some deficiencies in county apparatus and equipment. Henry County Deputy Manager Brad Johnson said during the FEMA training in Maryland, weak points were noticed in several emergency response aspects, one being the police department’s tactical response and its lacking communication systems in some SWAT equipment. The NFPA 3000 along with the FEMA Department of Homeland Security training has resulted in the Rescue Task Force initiative that is now being
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March 6, 2020 Award - continued from page 9 used by Henry County Government and its partner agencies. “The goal of this training is to bring everyone together to act as one unit during any critical situation that we may have,” said Sherriff’s Chief Deputy David Foster. “While an incident is taking place, law enforcement is addressing the threat. We will have law enforcement along with fire department personnel and paramedics enter as the Rescue Task Force to give medical assistance to anyone that’s injured. This allows us and paramedics get in at a lot quicker rate than in the past and the ultimate goal of this is to save lives.” In May of 2019, the Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution for the purchase of ballistic vest, helmets and mass casualty trauma kits that support the implementation of the Rescue Task Force program. With the alarming rate of active shooter incidents taking place in our country, Henry County Public Safety will stay prepared in cases of emergencies with the help of the new RTF program, equipment and training. “From leadership, to our emergency responders, everyone has to play a part in the solution to these threats. It also takes the cooperation of elected officials, county management and county administration to make this program a success,” said Fire Chief Luther Phillips. The program calls for training and a collaborative effort between fire and law enforcement agencies. Once law enforcement enters and clears an area of a threat, fire personnel can then enter and provide swift critical care to those affected by the incident. The assertion is that more lives will be saved by having fire and EMS providers enter the warm zone. They bring with them
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life-saving supplies like tourniquets and chest seals to stop victims from bleeding out before they can be treated. “Initial RTF training consist of a four-hour, sixweek long exercise that has already prepared nearly 1,000 public safety personnel. Now trained personnel can protect themselves and provide triage and rapid medical intervention for victims of an active shooter or hostile event,” said HCPD Captain Randy Lee. Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Burnette said that the county is one of the first organizations in the nation to have a Rescue Task Force program of this magnitude comprising both the training and equipment. Burnette described the RTF program as a process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work, beyond any initial training. With this certified equipment and with complete and ongoing training, Henry County’s public safety agencies and personnel will be able to safely address all hazards they encounter during an active shooter event and in return, save lives in the community. Henry County Government has recently been selected as a recipient of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s 2020 County of Excellence award in recognition of the Rescue Task Force Program. County leadership and staff whose efforts made the initiative possible will be recognized during the ACCG Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia next month. For more information on Henry County Public Safety, please visit henrycounty-ga.com.
County Recognizes Retiring Employees The Henry County Board of Commissioners recognized two employees at the March 3 Commission meeting on their recent retirements. Community Services Department employee George Thornton is retiring with 15 years of service and Transit Department employee, Marcus Johnson, who was not in attendance, is retiring with 11 years of
service. Deputy County Manager Brad Johnson made the presentation and thanked each of the employees for their dedication to the citizens of Henry County. To view the entire presentation, visit henrycounty-ga. com/watchTV.
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