DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Quinn Design Concepts is out, Bachmann and Associates is in as firm that will design Fire Station 7.

Lumpkin County Commissioners voted 4-1 last month — with Commissioner Rhett Stringer opposed — to award Quinn Design Concepts a contract to design the proposed Frogtown fire station. Before the contract was signed, however, it was discovered the company is not insured in the state of Georgia and therefore, not eligible to do the work.

Commissioners corrected that oversight during a Tuesday Called Meeting by rejecting Quinn and awarding the bid to Gainesville-based Bachmann and Associates. The vote again, was 4-1 with Commissioner Stringer opposed.

Commissioner Bob Pullen made the motion to approve Bachmann and Associates and Commissioner Bobby Mayfield called for the motion to be amended to stipulate that the contracted amount would come from available funds. Pullen amended his motion and the measure passed 4-1 with Stringer still opposed.

The Called Meeting followed the regularly scheduled work session during which commissioners upcoming contracts including the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Dahlonega to provide for municipal elections, a window replacement at the Administration Building and a request by the Enotah Judidial Circuits 2018 budget of $10,700.

Commissioners also heard a recommendation from E-911 Director Mike Stapleton that his deprtment be allowed to promote a Communications Officer to the position of Supervisor which would require a budget increase of $8,000.

Stapleton also asked board approval to purchase a CLQ Module for the Zuercher Cad System that will allow 911 to pinpoint the location of cell phone calls.

Stapledon said data shows that 75 to 80 percent of the calls to 911 originate from cell phones and that often callers are away from home and may not be able to pinpoint their exact locations. The new technology would allow 911 to send the caller a text with a link in it that give permission to locate their phone and obtain their exact coordinates.The setup cost of this software is $398 and the annual cost is $4000.

Work sessions are for commissioners to discuss issues that can be voted on during the next next regular meeting.
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