By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

The City of Madison submitted its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) plan to the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) two weeks ago.
The point of the plan, as explained by City Planner Bryce Jaeck, is “to ensure everyone has access to services.”
He noted that some city buildings, such as the Municipal Building and the Madison Fire Station, already are 100 percent ADA compliant.
Others, he said, such as City Hall, are close to 100 percent ADA compliant and only need minor adjustments.
Prior to submission it was approved by the Madison City Council as presented by Jaeck and following public hearings dating back to last October.
During the time Jaeck worked on the plan he had one member of the public to contact him with comments and questions, he said.
Jaeck added that the ADA plan must be updated every three years.
Those interested in seeing an approved copy of the plan may contact Jaeck at (706) 342-1251, extension 226 or via e-mail at bjaeck@madisonga.com.

Printed in the April 11, 2013 edition.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

During the recent meeting of the Morgan County Hospital Authority, Megan Morris, Director of Development and Community Relations with Morgan Memorial Hospital (MMH), shared a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHA).
“It’s really interesting data,” she said.
The 75-page presentation, titled “Community Health Assessment: Prioritization of Issues,” was prepared by Georgia Southern University (GSU).

As noted in the CHA, GSU provided technical assistance to MMH and 17 other non-profit hospitals, which are required to complete the assessment mandated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
She later explained via e-mail that: “The IRS requires as a part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that all 501c3 non-profit hospitals must conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years in order to maintain their tax-exempt status.”
The CHA identified Morgan County as the service/target area of this particular report and stated the purpose of the assessment: to identify problems and assets in the community.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer
photo by s. johns

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Morgan County Elections Supervisor Bobby Howington presented possible precinct sites to members of the Morgan County Board of Elections & Registration in March.

Board members have discussed possible precinct consolidation since their December meeting.
Howington has told the board that such a consolidation from 11 to five precincts could save the county more than $18,000 during a presidential election year and more than $13,000 during mid-term election years.

Potential sites include: Morgan County Recreation Department for District One, Centennial Baptist Church for District Two, Flat Rock Church for District Three, City of Madison Municipal Complex for District Four, and Buckhead Baptist Church for District Five.
These sites were chosen based on their locations as well as their ability to accommodate people, which includes parking and rest room considerations.

“These are very usable venues,” Howington said. “I don’t think we’d get any opposition to using any of them.”
Madison Councilman Michael Naples shard his concerns about precinct consolidation: “I would hate to see people greatly inconvenienced to vote.”

He noted that some of his constituents from the Canaan neighborhood must walk wherever they go and that changing their polling place would increase the distance they have to walk on voting day.

“I have concerns about this,” he said. “I really do.”

Chairman George Holt said he didn’t think they would disenfranchise anybody: “About half your constituents voted early last year and with Saturday voting.”

Board member Helen Butler said that they are looking at the population and the precincts as well as considering the addition of another Saturday of voting.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

The Morgan County Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval for a conditional use permit for Lifeline Bible Church to construct a neighborhood church located at 5680 Eatonton Highway near the Putnam County Line.
Following a request from church Pastor Ozie Hanson that the church not have to pave right away because of the cost, commissioners added the condition that the church put in curbing, crusher run, and a binder coat as part of the initial build and add final top coat paving within one year.
County Planning Director Chuck Jarrell told commissioners that the property is zoned agricultural right now and that the use sought is consistent with the future land use map.
The 75-foot-by-50-foot building will have an occupancy of 203, so no sprinklers will be required, and it will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. He added that it has adequate exits.
Commissioners recommended that the church consider visually breaking up the front of the building; the current plan included a single window and pair of entry doors on the front.
Based on the commission’s recommendation, the church’s request went before the Morgan County Commission for a vote and was approved Tuesday morning.
In other news:
• Commissioners unanimously voted to recommend approval of text amendments proposed by Madison City Planner Bryce Jaeck on behalf of the City of Madison so that its regulations regarding manufactured homes reflect state law.
Based on the commission’s recommendation, the amendments will go before the Madison City Council.
• Commissioners unanimously approved a text amendment to the county’s animal processing ordinance so that those wanting to process animals may do so, so long as they meet all appropriate state and federal requirements.

By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

The Morgan County Commission unanimously voted to settle an easement dispute with Keith and Lisa Howell for $12,000.
According to County Attorney Christian Henry, the $12,000 includes the original amount of $3,400 the county already paid to the court for the easement.
He added that the settlement will facilitate the completion of a bridge project on Davis Academy Road.
Chair Ellen Warren said they have been struggling with this for a while.
Commissioner Andy Ainslie said it’s been going on about a year.
“We still have a long way to go,” he said of the bridge project.
In other news:
• Commissioners renewed the county’s catastrophic inmate insurance with Hunt Insurance Group LLC for $250,000 of coverage per inmate. Deductibles per inmate will be $25,000 with a total estimated annual premium of $12,390.

Printed in the April 4, 2013 edition.