The Feb. 2 Putnam County Board of Commissioners meeting was an unusually bright gathering, as the room was filled by neon-shirted Putnam County pickleball players.
Certainly, the most supported item on the Feb. 2 agenda was number seven – a special presentation by Putnam County Recreation Director Scott Haley.
After providing an update on improvements made to Jimmy Davis Park, including paving the parking lot, Haley introduced Tweedy Victor Parham as its new grounds maintenance supervisor. He then proposed to the board that Putnam County invest in constructing pickleball courts.
Currently, the local pickleball community primarily plays on tennis courts using portable pickleball nets. The proposed dedicated courts would be located at the county athletic complex (140 Recreation Rd., Eatonton), and would be equipped with pickleball-specific equipment, a sidewalk, fencing, and a small parking allocation.
Based on Haley’s current projections made with Talbot Tennis, six courts would cost about $163,000 to construct and eight courts would cost $210,000; however, these proposals do not include lights, shade, or restrooms, he added.
“This is something that I think the county needs,” Haley said. “I think it’s something that the community’s asking for – dedicated pickleball courts.”
Several of Eatonton’s pickleball players also spoke to the board to support Haley and advocate for the health benefits, camaraderie, and joy that playing pickleball has brought them.
Additionally, Haley said the recreation department will be at a community meeting on Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. at the county commission building (117 Putnam Ave., Eatonton), presenting three playground equipment options for Jimmy Davis Park for input from the public on which to choose.
A brief, unplanned presentation from Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills followed, regarding the installation of FLOCK cameras discussed at the previous board meeting. Sills explained these cameras read passing license plates wherever they are placed; however, they are not speed detection cameras and cannot be used to issue tickets. They exist only to check plates for stolen vehicles or owners’ warrants and are useful in tracking missing cars to discourage auto theft, he said.
Any data recorded by the cameras is kept only for 30 days before being erased, per Georgia law, the sheriff added. He said Baldwin County “probably has 50” of the cameras currently in use, while Morgan County has about 30 installed.
Later, Rick McAllister, an agent for builder Shaifer Oconee LLC, came seeking permission to drill a test well, per Georgia Department of Natural Resources requirements. McAllister said he needs written certification from the board stating that they concur with the development of the public water supply system and that the site is not, nor ever has been, to the local government’s knowledge, used as a landfill or for waste disposal.
“This is a part of the Oconee Overlook Project, which includes a Marriott-branded hotel and related rental units and hotel units within the property,” McAllister said of the proposed development alongside Scott Road near the eastern edge of the county.
County Attorney Adam Nelson reaffirmed that developing a public water system does outline certain prerequisite requirements, specifically with the involvement of local government, meaning the board’s approval is essential for the continuation of this project.
The amount of water available directly impacts what can be built in the area, specifically due to fire hazards. A hotel can construct only the number of rooms that they have enough water to extinguish in the event of a fire.
However, companies cannot precisely project the exact size of a potential building until water sources and capabilities are identified.
Approximately 110 rooms have been estimated for the proposed hotel; however, McAllister reiterated that this number cannot be made certain until fire protection is ensured.
The board voted to authorize Chairman Bill Sharp to sign a letter allowing Oconee Overlook to drill the well. District Three Commissioner Stephen Hersey voted in opposition, but the motion carried and the letter will be signed and sent.
Other topics discussed included SPLOST, nominations to the MGRC Aging Advisory Council, a Chamber of Commerce 2023 report, as well as routine approvals of minutes. The next board meeting will be at 6 p.m., Feb. 20 at the county commission building.