[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6306487,"mediaKeyId","2437543-6961ffd53b51c2dd9aa4118aae30441a","parentId",2437543,"title","Church of the Grove presents exterior samples; council told variances will be filed for metal panels and low windows","audioSeconds",760,"startMs",317000,"endMs",1077000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437543-6961ffd53b51c2dd9aa4118aae30441a&start=317&end=1077","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437543-6961ffd53b51c2dd9aa4118aae30441a/thumbnail_317000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6306487/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Church-of-the-Grove-presents-exterior-samples-council-told-variances-will-be-filed-for-metal-panels-and-low-windows","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306487-cf74df9d07e21bf604da5ec5663b1eb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167787&Signature=iFHV8l1bX~DZGvG5RPDngSRNyY0HWwOlU0fKTUlWjs8d7MLRouQZIFmjA3Jzc6ySNdJZYB-WqIwexkL05E~u8jAn2juWDGWyF-4shy5l4~kjcnnbfjSWuMSA0PPcKGnYU3SP0pKdKhWVLHiYIE3pq3XlkSCoabbFmJ8QiDODdITZjI-lJe-A4MvZs5PCMfkukX4SlZ2IUCzK-jnQ2cKlCANMTtHwxhthw8A3tvH8eWGLIOpCZu4qeocim6NlYxNhbSfk110IpdX1Y9XmD2ugLb7KrT1r4nu5mpK9-yE-oMF1wJOsQI6-7HfotS2lU6HhsCYERAXMCM8etsLiQrWq7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-28T02:21:51Z","article","Representatives for the Church of the Grove presented renderings and physical samples of exterior materials at the Walnut Grove work session and said they will file variance requests for exterior metal insulated metal panels (IMPs) and windows that extend to the ground at the front entry.

The most newsworthy detail: the church's presenter said the project team will submit variance paperwork to allow IMPs on substantial portions of the building's exterior and to allow the front-entry windows to reach the ground. The presenter described the IMP product as a long-lived, low-maintenance panel that hides fasteners, improves the building envelope and reduces insulation needs; he said the panels are typical in similar churches in the region.

Why it matters: Walnut Grove's zoning ordinance restricts extensive metal paneling to prevent low-cost metal boxes that can alter downtown character. The project team and staff discussed whether the variance should be routed through the planning commission or heard directly by council; staff said the ordinance language suggests council review is appropriate and noted past practice varies.

Design details presented included: a roughly 400-to-500-seat auditorium, a lobby and classroom layout, three primary exterior color schemes (stone, light stone, dark tone), sample IMP panels with hidden fasteners and color chips, and expanded classroom windows for natural light. The presenter said the rear elevation will use a cost-effective panel/color and that the front and left elevations will match with darker panels. The project's renderings showed stone accents, awnings and black window frames.

On procedure, staff said a variance filing will be submitted that night and that staff will scan and forward the paperwork to the attorney and council for review. Council discussion focused on meeting public-notice and advertisement requirements if a public hearing is needed. Staff and council agreed to provide the ordinance section numbers in the submission; staff cited section \"6 13\" and the downtown overlay district as relevant code sections.

Council and staff also discussed whether planning commission review would be redundant given prior reviews and the extent of community familiarity with the project. One council member said sending a variance to planning commission would add cost and time; staff said the city has followed different pathways on previous variance requests and that staff would review and advise on the correct procedural route.

Staff noted the variance needed to specify the ordinance sections relied on for the request. The presiding officer asked staff to scan and circulate the submittal and to advise on timeline and advertising requirements. The presenter said the team intended to proceed promptly and acknowledged there will be a public hearing if required.

Ending: Staff indicated they will circulate the variance paperwork and a timeline, and the item will appear before council for formal action if procedural requirements direct it there. No final procedural decision was made at the work session; staff will advise on plan and schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/27/2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Church of the Grove representatives presented material samples, renderings and a floor plan and said they will submit variance requests to allow insulated metal panels and front-entry windows to extend to ground level.","taxTitle","Walnut Grove, Walton County, Georgia","taxId",74351,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6306491,"Walnut Grove receives two bids for sewer plant expansion; low bid exceeds current budget by about $600,000",2092,1952000,4044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437543-6961ffd53b51c2dd9aa4118aae30441a&start=1952&end=4044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437543-6961ffd53b51c2dd9aa4118aae30441a/thumbnail_1952000.jpg","/articles/6306491/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Walnut-Grove-receives-two-bids-for-sewer-plant-expansion-low-bid-exceeds-current-budget-by-about-600000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306491-0461ec776d444a3dfba2a7c431cd08c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167787&Signature=NATm2HWCKE9y4DnK3PeJ4oMl9TZUYu9WYogmPOia4wT5lXRW9S2VgC-5dlkl4PjNejctOjNZjST7S1VveIGjOAim6tsK-wJktarlqbSJlixQMTrhFzYmJTX8gINUxFxHtkW61AsOuy7taopbjnuFACcy~qWKSchd-6zL5yYrs~nGstGW5NDPnfkHrGI66selgoGkTMvnSDafkZ8zR9CPF8fdoBk9sbggUWjR2JJRIUfF4eQ5bpvEmzXroIE8TNVWQKo5JOFsUiUVCHWWsr2ukcjG-h5vmqQc1hEQFokUTqzKCA4InJrvo9TeElf09xPuchkwOeSRHWTBzMFGbuhgKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walnut Grove city staff told the council on [work session date] that two bids were opened for Phase 2 of the city's land application system expansion, and the low bid exceeded the project's current budget by roughly $600,000.

The most immediate facts: city staff said the low bidder was IHC Construction Services LLC at about $4,055,005 and the other bidder was Sol Construction at $4,718,000. Staff told the council the current project budget stood at $3,567,250 and that approved appropriated funds, grants and local funds available for construction plus contingency added up to $3,362,250, leaving the city short of the amount needed to award construction.

Why it matters: the Phase 2 expansion is intended to add treatment capacity the city has advertised and that prospective developers are waiting to reserve. A shortfall of this size affects whether the city can immediately award the work and proceed to construction, or must identify additional funding or reduce scope.

City engineer and staff briefed the council on options. Staff and the project engineer said options include: (1) re-scoping the project to reduce production capacity, which staff said the mayor viewed as undesirable; (2) seeking additional funding from the grant/loan program referenced in the meeting (staff said the program can provide a roughly 10% increase under executive director approval, and larger amounts require an underwriting process and more time); (3) drawing on local funds or money-market reserves the city has earmarked for sewer projects; and (4) adjusting sewer connection or capacity fees to raise revenue going forward.

Council members and staff walked through numbers on a spreadsheet staff provided. Staff said combined balances in dedicated accounts plus the 10% contingency the executive director can approve would still leave the city roughly $448,000 short (staff presented a calculation that reduced the gap after a potential loan top-up). Staff also said existing committed funds across project accounts left about $48,721.79 available to add toward the project immediately. The transcript included a staff summary of the city's current accounts and referenced a 02/2019 reserve account and funds expected in 2025.

Contractor and procurement issues were discussed. An IHC Construction representative, present at the meeting, told the council that material-price risk is typically borne by the contractor under a lump-sum contract and that his price reflects that risk: \"Typically, material cost increases are all on me. That is why my price is where my price is,\" the IHC Construction representative said. The contractor and the city's construction counsel discussed contract terms that can grant schedule relief but do not usually change lump-sum price after award.

Staff and the city's engineering representative said the procurement timeline allows the council to place a notice of award and related documents on the next regular council meeting agenda for formal action. Staff committed to provide an information packet ahead of that meeting that will include the engineer's opinion letter, a notice-of-award draft, funding-source detail, and recommended motions so councilors can see where proposed funds would come from before a vote.

Council discussed policy alternatives to reduce risk: several council members and staff mentioned (a) selling or reserving sewer capacity with deposits or time-limited commitments, (b) increasing connection or capacity fees (some councilors noted the current $6,000 connection fee is several years old), and (c) borrowing or reallocating existing reserves with the plan to reimburse those reserves when additional grant or capacity revenues arrive. Staff said other Georgia communities have used capacity-resale and meter-size fee models; examples given included $10,000 residential fees in nearby jurisdictions and substantially higher fees for large commercial meter sizes.

Next steps: staff said it will prepare the engineer's recommendation and award package for the council's regular meeting packet, and the item will be placed on the next council meeting agenda for a formal decision to award or reject bids. If council awards the contract, staff said the city will follow routine preconstruction steps (insurance, bonds, preconstruction schedule) and pursue the additional funding options discussed if necessary.

Councilors and staff repeatedly emphasized the tradeoffs between delaying the project, which could increase contractor prices, and moving forward while arranging supplemental funding. No vote or final contract award was recorded during the work session.

Ending: Staff said the next council packet will include the notice of award and a breakdown of how the city would allocate funds for the contract so councilors can decide at the upcoming regular meeting.","Walnut Grove city staff said two bids were opened for the Phase 2 sewer land-application expansion; the low bid of about $4.055 million exceeds the project's current budget by roughly $600,000, leaving the council to consider scope changes, reserves, or additional borrowing.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6306482,"Council told proposed safety-coordinator resolution would let Public Works pursue grants for equipment",103,1778000,1881000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437543-6961ffd53b51c2dd9aa4118aae30441a&start=1778&end=1881","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437543-6961ffd53b51c2dd9aa4118aae30441a/thumbnail_1778000.jpg","/articles/6306482/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Council-told-proposed-safety-coordinator-resolution-would-let-Public-Works-pursue-grants-for-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306482-d28bc82e864b7b681cba0c40a0bd2fba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167787&Signature=A4Qi~mnFA587oc5DjiOWgMZMtxE5pj8-TYXMr1hXeUF8yfnLMeelT4oLhpVaC-rhmBEePuAZ5gf7O1q8t-LD8f43c~obnzojEN7RQtX57-EMAs6JXKiqlt3EOTuhErhIK3mJmaEU9j8jxE9naAX7lNp50B0TF~IEgo4HheYA8LIsQg~F4ZGYggyNtF-PxS1NSQuX5iwoqnf8Ic7vBtjSOJU3xDBZH7wdgUlJz-MrmGI4jY-9bwcSQ31kNsVo1l~ndKb9~9cM2rENt3d8dFWPx6mt8Flai0vctsY2C6WhO77imVoM3lLJpaaHOes7qJ62npooSfAiwvkWIMt6lPSANA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walnut Grove work session included a briefing on a proposed safety-coordinator resolution that staff said would designate the public-works manager as the town's safety coordinator and enable the department to pursue grant funds for safety equipment.

Staff explained the resolution nominates Brian Pilgrim as safety coordinator; Pilgrim is the public-works manager and has already completed training the city expects will be finished by April. Staff said the program is tied to the municipality's annual insurance payments and that qualifying as a safety program participant would make the Public Works department eligible for grant funds to purchase updated safety equipment. Staff said the department currently uses older equipment and that the designation and subsequent training would support safer operations.

Staff told council the resolution will be on the March council meeting agenda for formal consideration. No vote was taken at the work session; staff encouraged councilors to call with questions and to consult Pilgrim if they wanted further detail on the training or grant program.","Councilors heard staff describe a proposed safety-coordinator resolution naming the public-works manager as coordinator; staff said the designation would allow the department to apply for grant-funded safety equipment tied to the municipality's insurance spending.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Church of the Grove presents exterior samples; council told variances will be filed for metal panels and low windows

Walnut Grove receives two bids for sewer plant expansion; low bid exceeds current budget by about $600,000

Council told proposed safety-coordinator resolution would let Public Works pursue grants for equipment