June 4 2021
Board of
Three Henry County Senior Centers to Reopen
Commissioners Regular Meetings (Mon.) June 14th, 6:30 p.m (Wed.) July 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.
The Bear Creek, Locust Grove and Hidden Valley Senior Centers will be reopening on June 7, with some restrictions, after more than a year of being temporarily closed down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Heritage Senior Center is set to reopen at a later date. The centers will be operating on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. No meals will be served at centers. However, drive thru lunches will continue be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Senior Center activities or events will be permitted only to those who preregister for classes because of space limitations and mask wearing is always required while in county facilities, and temperature checks will be taken prior to entering the centers. To ensure the spread of Covid-19 is reduced, all areas where programs are conducted will be cleaned and disinfected immediately after usage and common touch points will be disinfected following CDC guidelines. For more information on Henry County Senior Centers, visit henrycounty-ga. com/senior_services
June Calendars on pages 11-13
1
June 4, 2021
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
Bicentennial Committee Holds Meeting to Discuss Upcoming Events The Henry County Bicentennial Steering Committee met yesterday afternoon to discuss ways to get more community involvement to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Henry County, along with proposing ideas for future events to be planned throughout the year. A tentative event schedule was made for the rest of the year with potential projects to include a “Flat Pat”—a colorable caricature of a young Patrick Henry that parents can print out for their children to take pictures with, a picnic in the park event, a second
henrycounty-ga.org
day of service event, a 5k race and BBQ cookoff, a time capsule reveal on the McDonough Square, a wind down Wednesday event and more. Residents are encouraged to use the hashtag #henrycounty200 when sharing photos from Bicentennial events on social media to showcase efforts in celebrating Henry County. For more information and to stay up to date with all Bicentennial news, visit www.henrycounty200.com.
BOC Approves Several Resolutions The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved several resolutions at the June 2 Commission meeting. Items approved include:
•
•
•
•
•
Police Department resolutions-requested approval to apply to the Bureau of Justice Assistance Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest partnership for body armor for sworn personnel; and requested approval of a lease agreement between HCPD and SITE Center Corporations for the Ellenwood/Fairview Precinct. Facilities Maintenance resolutions-approved the emergency roofing retrofit to Garland/DBS in the amount of $245,750 for the Henry County Sheriff’s Training Center; awarded the bid purchase for HVAC maintenance and repairs for various county buildings on a renewable annual contract to Ga HVAC Experts in the amount of $120,425; and awarded on-call electrical services for various county buildings on a renewable annual contract to Brown Electrical Services, LLC, Atlanta, Ga. Airport resolution-awarded a contract to Life Floor vendor for the purchase of safety flooring materials to cover existing outdoor splash pad in Village Park in the amount of $46,855 and awarded an RFQ to Inside Edge for the purchase of installation of safety surfaces in the amount of $41,024.82 using funds from the Capital Improvement Plan. SPLOST resolution-awarded a bid contract to Southern A&E, LLC in the amount of $300,000 for Architectural Design Services for a new recreation center located at North Mt. Carmel Park in District 2 using SPLOST V funds. Department of Transportation resolution-approved the authorization for Chair Harrell to sign the
Georgia Department of Transportation 2021 State Funded Local Maintenance Improvement Grant Safety Action Plan Application in the amount of $409,418.
•
Stormwater resolution-approved the bid award to Zaveri Enterprises, Inc. for the construction of Iris Lake at King Mill Road storm drainage replacement in the amount of $59,000.
•
Finance resolution-approved to accept the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program 2 (ERAP2) allocation for Henry County in the amount of $5,586,629.
•
County Manager resolution- authorized the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgia Department of Transportation for the I-75 and Bethlehem Road Interchange SPLOST IV Project. GDOT has authorized $1 million to advance the project towards construction and intends to award the project to a Design-Build firm. The county will contribute $5 million, requested by GDOT, for preliminary engineering and right of way. SPLOST IV was approved by the voters in November 2013.
•
Zoning Advisory Board resolution- approved the $50 increase in compensation for the Zoning Advisory Board.
•
Board of Commissioners resolution-approved a grant award agreement with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, Inc.
For more information or to view the meeting in its entirety, visit henrycounty-ga.com/watchTV or log on to the Henry County Facebook page.
3
June 4, 2021 Pandemic Impacts how HCWA Customers Prefer to Conduct Business Additional Drive-Thru Lane & Online Payment Options Relieve Congestion, Stress In an effort to continually improve its customer service experience and to ensure the safety of the public during the pandemic, the HCWA has added an additional Drive-Thru Lane at the Authority Headquarters at 1695 Highway 20 West in McDonough. It has facilitated some interesting changes in consumer behavior when it comes to how HCWA customers prefer to do business with the utility. According to Authority officials, prior to the pandemic the HCWA was averaging around 1,500 drivethru customers per month. When the Authority closed its lobby in March of 2020, those averages jumped to about 1,750 Drive-Thru customers per month for about four months, and then returned to numbers closer to the previous average. The current average of HCWA customers utilizing the HCWA Drive-Thru windows is approximately 1,450 per month. The wait time, however, has been reduced significantly since the self-service Kiosk that previously occupied Lane 2 of the HCWA Drive Thru was removed to make way for a second Drive-Thru Lane. The Authority completed the renovation and put the second Drive-Thru Lane into service in November of last year. “COVID protocol increased our traffic in the Drive-Thru, so we are trying to ease the wait time and congestion with the addition of the second lane,” says Darlene Johnson, HCWA Customer Service Manager. “This should be of great benefit to our customers.” HCWA Division Manager Allen Rape, who oversees the Authority’s Customer Service Department, says providing timely, efficient customer service is paramount and a top priority of the Authority and the HCWA staff. The Authority is continually looking for ways to improve customer service while
protecting the safety and welfare of customers visiting the Headquarters. “Closing the Headquarters Building for an extended period during the pandemic created a traffic jam in our Drive-Thru Lane, prior to our second lane coming open, which caused frustration for our customers and added stress for our customer service employees,” says Rape. “Installing the pneumatic tube system in the second lane was key in reducing our customers’ wait time and relieving the stress on our staff managing the window.” Another trend Authority officials are tracking in the wake of the pandemic is the increase in the number of HCWA customers who are paying their bill online. The Authority has seen an increase of about 6% in online bill payments. That would explain the decrease in the average number of walk-in customers paying their bill at the Customer Service counter of the HCWA Headquarters. That number averaged about 900 per month prior to the pandemic, but it has been reduced to about a third of that since the home office reopened in July of last year. In addition to paying their monthly bill at the HCWA Headquarters or online via the “Pay Your Bill” portal on the Authority’s website (www.hcwa.com), customers can pay by phone by calling 404-341-9689, or toll-free at 1-855-985-1136. Finally, HCWA customers can pay their bill via direct draft, either through their financial institution or by setting up this service through the Authority. This auto bill pay option does not incur a fee, making HCWA direct pay both convenient and cost effective. In conclusion, all electronic commerce saves the Authority time and money, according to HCWA officials. “In retrospect, one of the positive developments Continued on page 5
henrycounty-ga.org
Water Authority - continued from page 4 as a result of the pandemic is our effort to provide additional safe, convenient payment options for our customers, especially those who may be vulnerable or still uncomfortable doing business in public settings,” says Lindy Farmer, HCWA General Manager. “Our staff has been great at adapting to change and following the trends, so we can continue to provide the very best customer service possible.” Media Contact: Chris Wood, Ph.D. P: 770-757-1681 E: chris@jwapr.com or john.wood@gcsu.edu
Penny Taylor of McDonough utilizes the newly added second Drive Thru Lane at the HCWA Headquarters to pay her water bill – a trend that has reflected a change in how customers prefer to do business as a result of the pandemic.
5
June 4, 2021 Senior Services Receives New Meals on Wheels Vehicles The Henry County Senior Services Department has recently upgraded their Meals on Wheels vehicles to new vans that will better assist with the process of delivering meals to Henry County seniors. Each of the seven Ford Connect Transit Vans are equipped with an electric hot box that holds up to 45 meals to ensure that the food is maintained at the proper temperature and delivered ready to eat. The vans are also equipped with cold storage, bluetooth capability and a backup camera. “On average, the Senior Services team delivers
henrycounty-ga.org
270 meals a day and about 5,000 meals a month,” said Henry County Senior Services Director Shawn Norris. “The new vans are truly a benefit to the county as we continue providing a great service to our seniors.” The vehicles and technology add-ons totaled approximately $161,000 and were allocated through Capital Funds. For more information on Henry County Senior Services or if you would like to volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program visit http://henrycounty-ga.com/ senior_services.
The Henry County Cooperative Extension Services Farmers Market Returns Come out every Thursday and enjoy locally sourced vegetables, fruits, jellies and much more at the Henry County Cooperative Extension Services Farmers Market at the Jason T. Harper Event Center, located at Heritage Park in McDonough.
The Farmers Market will run through August and the hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Jason T. Harper Event Center is located at 97 Lake Dow Road in McDonough.
7
June 4, 2021 Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Ken’s Foods Expansion
On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, executives from Ken’s Foods along with State and local officials broke ground on the company’s $103 million expansion of their Henry County campus. This expansion will allow Ken’s Foods, which already serves as one of the largest employers in Henry County, to create 70 new jobs in addition to retaining over 500 existing local jobs. Renowned for its high-quality dressings, sauces, and marinades, Ken’s Foods currently produces and packages over 400 varieties of condiments as well as numerous custom dressings for local businesses and other well-known food companies. Ken’s Foods, which is still family-owned and operated, continues to experience outstanding growth as the future of flavor obsession promises to be delightfully delicious. Since 1997, Ken’s Foods has continually made sizeable investments in its Georgia operations. This expansion, which is one of the company’s largest in recent years, will include new production lines and building upgrades to its manufacturing facility as well as the relocation of its support facility operations to a 343,625-square-foot space in Midland Industrial Park. The relocation will eliminate over 40 truck moves a day on the GA 155 corridor. The 70 new positions include food processing, manufacturing, and distribution, along with careers in management and supervision. Individuals interested in henrycounty-ga.org
opportunities with Ken’s Foods are encouraged to visit www.jobs.kensfoods.com for additional information.
About Ken’s Foods Ken’s is a family-owned and operated business that traces back to the basement of Ken’s Steak House, a restaurant in Framingham, Massachusetts that became known for its delicious salad dressings. Incorporated in 1958, Ken’s Foods currently has plant operations in Marlborough, Massachusetts, McDonough, Georgia, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Lebanon, Indiana, and employs over 1,100 employees Nationally. Today, between its Retail Grocery Products and Food Service divisions, the company produces and packages over 400 varieties of dressings and sauces.
About the Henry County Development Authority The Henry County Development Authority is the lead economic development agency for Henry County, Georgia. The Authority works to help retain local companies and to foster new relationships and opportunities with companies looking to relocate or grow their operations into Henry County. For more information, visit www.ChooseHenry.com.
Henry County Breaks Ground on Atlanta Speedway Airport Terminal Building Henry County District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons, along with county officials and leadership held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new replacement of the Atlanta Speedway Airport Terminal Building last week. The new 4,502 square foot facility will include a covered drive under drop-off, large lobby area with service counter, a conference room, a break room, a pilot’s lounge with 24/7 access, outdoor covered patio and staff offices. During the groundbreaking, Clemmons thanked those involved for their participation and support. “So, we’re looking forward to the day that we get to walk in and cut the ribbon on this new FBO. But today it begins, and the process starts today. Thank you to everybody that participated,” said Clemmons.
“Thank you to our Chair and our Board because none of this would be possible if the Board didn’t agree that this was necessary in Henry County. It is the beginning and I ask everybody to look out for the next phase of having aircraft rental right here in Henry County.” Made possible under the SPLOST IV initiative, the project budget is $2,261,193 and will be constructed by J.R. Bowman Construction Co. of McDonough, GA. The project engineer is Croy Engineering, LLC of Marietta, GA and the architect is Bill Howell with the Howell Group Inc. of Marietta, GA. Construction of phase one of the Atlanta Speedway Airport Terminal Building is expected to be completed by March 2022 and phase two, which includes ramp area improvement is expected to be complete by June 2022.
9
June 4, 2021 Animal Care and Control’s “Operation Cool Down” is Heating Up
With warm temperatures upon us, Henry County Animal Care and Control is once again stepping up patrols to be on the lookout for pets left in hot cars. Too often, beloved pets are left in dangerous situations where owners leave them locked inside of their vehicles during the heat of the day, while they stop by a store or restaurant or run other errands. To combat this distressing trend, Henry County Animal Care and Control is now in its ninth year of implementing “Operation Cool Down,” reminding people not to leave their pets in hot vehicles. Any animal that is in distress in an unattended vehicle, will be removed from that vehicle by Animal Care and Control officers by whatever means necessary, as permitted under Henry County Ordinance. Violators of the ordinance may face fines up to $1,000 or 60 days in jail.
henrycounty-ga.org
The Animal Care and Control Department has already received several calls this year regarding animals being left in cars, with the department issuing four citations thus far. Officials at Henry County Animal Care and Control advise residents to keep their pets at home if their pets cannot be with them at all times. Experts say that a dog naturally has a higher body temperature than a human and that leaving them in a hot car could be deadly. In addition, owners should make sure that their pets have a constant source of clean, drinkable water at all times and have adequate shelter from the heat. For more information about Henry County Animal Care and Control, please visit www.hcacc.org.
Senior Services Re-Opening June Calendar: Hidden Valley
11
June 4, 2021 Senior Services Re-Opening June Calendar: Bear Creek
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/HenryCountyBOC
henrycounty-ga.org
Senior Services Re-Opening June Calendar: Locust Grove
SEE CLICK FIX henrycounty-ga.com/SeeClickFix 13