Clare Avory

The Operations Committee meeting addressed several agenda items, including the approval of previous minutes from February 13th and February 17th. Key discussions involved a resolution to reaffirm the county's authorization to seek cost recovery for impoundment/care of courthouse-held dogs, which was continued pending updates. Another resolution addressed initiating the dissolution of obsolete boards and commissions to consolidate sustainability efforts, which was approved. The committee also addressed multiple change orders and contract modifications for Facility Management, including extending contracts for fire intrusion alarm systems and uninterruptible power supply systems. A resolution to adopt digital accessibility compliance measures was also approved. Furthermore, the committee approved a purchase for a John Deere Dozer for landfill sanitation, a cooperative agreement for emergency tire repair services, and a significant contract fund increase for Oracle cloud services to implement the Oracle permitting and licensing platform. Finally, an extension and funding increase for landscape maintenance services for county public grounds was reviewed and approved.

The committee discussed the implementation plan for establishing and operating a day center for unhoused individuals. Key discussion points involved seeking approval to enter into a lease agreement with Peace Baptist Church for a 6,300 square foot facility and contracting with the Salvation Army to operate the center, selected as the most cost-effective option among several proposals. The purpose of the center is to provide a safe location for the unhoused during the day, offering essential services such as meals, hygiene facilities (including mobile showers), case management, job assistance, and serving as an entree to housing stability. The challenges addressed include the need to provide structure for unhoused individuals who congregate in public spaces, leading to issues like encampments and increased strain on emergency services. The committee also clarified that while Frontline remains a partner for warming centers and sheltering operations, the Salvation Army was selected for the day center operations.

The OPS-County Operations Committee meeting addressed several key matters. Discussions centered on recommendations from the Charter Review Commission, specifically determining which changes could be handled via home rule versus those requiring presentation to the state delegation, with a decision made to continue this discussion at the next OPS meeting. Key agenda items included holding recommendations for the Charter Review Commission's Recommended Changes to the Organizational Act and a Rapid Response for Food Emergencies and Food Resilience Hub Initiative (awarded to Retaaza, LLC for up to $551,000.00) until the Board of Commissioners meeting on 12/9/2025. The committee recommended approval for a Change Order No. 6 to the Statewide Contract for the Maloof Annex Auditorium Renovation project (awarded to F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates, LLC, not to exceed $1,247,221.00). Additionally, contract term extensions were recommended for Snack and Vending Machine Services and an increase in term and funds was recommended for Commercial Janitorial Services contracts. Fleet Management agenda items included deferring action on a fuel delivery contract term extension and recommending approval for the purchase of new dump trucks for Public Works-Roads and Drainage and roll-off trucks for Public Works-Sanitation. Finally, ratification and a three-year agreement for HPE Software, License, and Server Maintenance Support for DoIT were recommended for approval.

The key discussion items for this meeting included the approval of minutes from the February 10, 2026 meeting, and an appointment of Elizabeth M. Roberts, Esq. to Post 1 of the DeKalb Regional Land Bank Authority. Agenda items covered several agreements with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and an annual financial agreement. Other topics included the acceptance of additional Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds for Dislocated Worker, the implementation plan for the "DeKalb County Day Center" for homeless citizens, acceptance of a donation for park improvements, and contract awards for fence installation, repair, and maintenance. Further discussions involved a change order to increase funds for athletic field restoration and maintenance, renewal of contracts for demolition of residential and commercial buildings, a change order for court construction and maintenance, and an invitation for bid award for aquatics maintenance and lifeguard services. Additionally, the committee considered an allocation of General Fund money for the DeKalb Public Health to study the environmental impacts of data centers, and resolutions regarding a required health and environmental impact study before issuing a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) for a data center, and updating substitute text amendments related to data center regulations.

The OPS-County Operations Committee meeting agenda addressed several critical operational and financial matters. Discussions included a status update and operational assessment presentation from Georgia Piedmont Technical College, addressing questions regarding the implementation of recommendations, resource allocation, and budget alignment. Procedural matters reviewed included the resolution to review and amend the Board of Commissioners' Standing Procedural Rules, and the resolution concerning the Charter Review Commission's Report and recommended changes to the Organizational Act. Key agenda items recommended for approval or deferral included allocating up to $1,200,000.00 for Rapid Response for Food Emergencies and a Food Resilience Hub Initiative, recommending approval for a $7,500,000.00 contract change order for Fuel Delivery services, and recommending approval to ratify a Purchase Order not to exceed $124,625.00 for the replacement of the Electronic Message Center at DeKalb Peachtree Airport. Furthermore, the committee addressed contract extensions for State Legislative Lobbying Services, general contractor services for minor construction projects, and maintenance/repair for Card Access systems. They also considered deferring the award for Parts and Service for Vehicles & Off-Road Equipment ($8,465,000.00). Finally, approvals were recommended for change orders related to Voting Equipment, Apparel and Elections-Related Supplies, and Voting Election Supplies for the Department of Voter Registration & Elections.