COMMISSION MEETING – APRIL 26, 2005

A regular meeting of the Cullman County Commission was held on Monday, April 26, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., in the County Commission Office Conference Room. Present were Chairman Wiley Kitchens, Commissioner Doug Williams, and Commissioner Stanley Yarbrough. Chairman Kitchens called the meeting to order and welcomed the visitors. Attorney, Dan Willingham gave the invocation and Chairman Kitchens led the pledge of allegiance.

APPROVE MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2005 MEETING

Commissioner Yarbrough made the motion to approve minutes of the April 11, 2005 meeting as recorded. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

APPROVE APPROPRIATIONS, EXPENDITURES, REQUISITIONS, TRAVEL EXPENSE, ETC.

Commissioner Yarbrough made the motion to approve appropriations, expenditures, requisitions, travel expense, etc. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

APPROVE ALL JOURNAL ENTRIES TO BE POSTED

Commissioner Yarbrough made the motion to approve all journal entries to be posted. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

CONSIDER SIGNING RESOLUTION NO. 2005-31 RECREATION TRAILS PROGRAM GRANT

Ms. Danford with the Economic Development Office stated this is a $100,000.00 grant application thru ADECA and . This is an 80/20 match so we will be receiving $80,000.00 to be use on the Walking Trail Project at Sportsman Lake.

Commissioner Williams made the motion to accept the grant. Commissioner Yarbrough seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

CONSIDER DECLARING TWO VEHICLES SURPLUS FROM THE CULLMAN COUNTY LIBRARY

Commissioner Williams said he had spoken with Mr. Paul with the Library earlier and he would like to declare a 1995 Ford Crown Vic Vin # - 2FALP73W8SX155892 and a 1983 Ford E350 Van Vin # - 1FBHS31G8DHA03914 as surplus.

Commissioner Williams made the motion to declare the two (2) vehicles as surplus. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

PALS SPRING CLEAN UP AWARDS

Mrs. Green with PALS stated she appreciated the Commission for having PALS at the commission meeting and for their support. Mrs. Green stated that PALS stands for “People Against Littered State and without the help of the County Commission furnishing an office for the agency and bags for the annual clean-up and along with the help from the Sanitation Department, the Volunteers and the High Schools PALS would not be as successful. This year during the annual clean-up over 4000 bags of garbage was collected, which is over 26 tons of garbage. All County Schools participated in the annual clean-up and we appreciate all their help. Holly Pond took first place in the clean-up, collecting over 800 bags of garbage. Representing Holly Pond High School and receiving the $1000.00 first place check were Byron Smith and Cody Reid. Cullman High School was second place, Good Hope High School was third place, Hanceville was fourth place and Cold Springs was fifth place.

MONTH OF MAY FREE DUMP AT THE LANDFILL

Chairman Kitchens announced that the County Commission is sponsoring a one time free dump at the landfill during the month of May. Residents should have received a ticket to dump with their light bill.

CONSIDER GRANT APPLICATION FOR JAG

Sheriff Tyler Roden stated this is the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for 2005, being managed by the U.S. Dept of Justice Grant Management Systems. We have been award a little over $16,000.00 for equipment etc. Part of the stipulation for the grant is to discuss in an open meeting and a grace period for discussion. What we would like to spend this money on is 15 Tasers with battery charges, battery pack, the holsters and 95 taser cartridges, this project is estimated at $10,794.00. The Sheriff’s Dept. has used tasers the past three (3) years and this has proved to be effective and safe for the suspect and deputies. Also, we would also like to purchase six (6) digital cameras to replace some of our older cameras. Estimated cost of this project is $2,910.00. The deadline has expired for this grant, but we have been granted an extent ion. There are no matching funds associated with this grant. Also, two dry diving suits estimated cost $2350.00.

Commissioner Williams made the motion to apply for the grant. Commissioner Yarbrough seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

PROCLAMATION – APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

Javon Daniels with Cullman Caring for Kids stated that Child Abuse Prevention Month for the month of April was issued 22 years ago. Cullman Caring for Kids is one of the agencies that try to make the community aware of child abuse. Cullman is currently 7^th is the state per capita in reported cases of child abuse. We want to do everything we can do to promote prevention of child abuse at all cost. We appreciate the Commission for adopting April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Commissioner Yarbrough made the motion to adopt April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-32 REDUCE SPEED LIMIT ON COUNTY ROAD 1490

Philip Widner, County Engineer stated County Road 1490 is in the Goldridge area. Mr. Widner stated he had discussed this road with Commissioner Williams. This road was originally designed for a 25 MPH back in 1993. This signs have been down for sometime and after doing some research and found errors that had been made, it my recommendation to post County Road at 25 MPH.

Commissioner Williams made the motion to adopt Resolution No. 2005-32. Commissioner Yarbrough seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-33 INITIATING FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECT FOR RESURFACING AND TRAFFIC STRIPING ON COUNTY ROAD 509 (PROJECT NO. CCP-22-57-05)

Mr. Widner stated this would be the county’s next Federal Funded Project located on the east side of the county on County Road 509. This is the initial paper work establishing this project for widening, resurfacing and traffic stripe on County Road 509. This resolution and letter of intent will be sent to ALDOT stating we are applying for these funds.

Commissioner Williams made the motion to adopt Resolution 2005-33. Commissioner Yarbrough seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-34 REDUCE SPEED LIMIT ON COUNTY ROAD 1229

Mr. Wider stated County Road 1229 is located on the west side of the county and Commissioner Yarbrough had ask that the Engineering Department to look at this road. I recommend setting the speed limit at 25 MPH.

Commissioner Yarbrough made the motion to adopt Resolution No. 2005-34. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote the motion carried unanimously.

CONSIDER AWARDING BID NO. 804 - PRINTERS

Lori Beckhart with Data Processing stated that every 120 days PC and Printer bids are awarded. This bid is for printers and seven (7) bids were received and only five (5) qualified. I recommend awarding the printer bid to Bryan Business Solutions.

Commissioner Williams made the motion to award Bid No. 804 to Bryan Business Solutions. Commissioner Yarbrough seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

DISCUSS WATER REVENUE WARRANTS

Gary Teichmiller, County Administrator stated the Water Revenue Warrants for the Water Dept. are eligible for refinancing. We have two (2) companies that are interested in doing this, Merchants Capital and Regions Morgan Keegan. Both companies are reputable. The underwriters discount for Regions Morgan Keegan is $60,570.00 and the underwriters discount for Merchants Capital is $39,900.00. Chairman Kitchens made the suggestion to table this item until everyone was able to sit down and discuss, it’s not something that’s pushing.

Commissioner Yarbrough made the motion to table the Water Revenue Warrants. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2005-37 - NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM

EMA Director Phyllis Little, stated at the current time Cullman County is considered a sanction community because we don’t participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. A lot of residents are having problems refinancing homes because they can’t purchase flood insurance. If Cullman County stays a sanction community we will not be eligible for Federal Funding in the future, other than emergency service only. All funding including Federal Funding in the future will be tied to our participation in the NFIP. By participating in the NFIP by resolution and meeting the requirements of the NFIP Cullman County will continue to be eligible for Federal Funding across the board and citizens will be able to purchase flood insurance.

Commissioner Williams made the motion to adopt Resolution No. 2005-37. Commissioner Yarbrough seconded, and upon a voice vote the motion carried unanimously.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING MAY 9, 2005, 10:00 A.M. COMMISSION OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM

Chairman Kitchens announced the next regular commission meeting will be May 9, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commission Office Conference Room.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Kay D. Smith

Kay D. Smith, Revenue Commissioner would like to know when a meeting pertaining to the pay scale is going to be set. We have some need in our office that needs to be met. We have vacancies that need to be filled. We have a lot of work to be done and I need these positions filled.

Chairman Kitchens announced that a work session for the pay plan will be Monday, May 2, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commission Office Conference Room.

Mr. George

Mr. George stated he had been trying to get County Road 1229 paved for several years. The county has patched this road many times and why does the county not use any type of roller to pack the mix down when they patch roads. Tax payer money is just wasted as soon as it’s put down. When cars go over the patches, the tires pick it up because it’s not being packed down. This road is dangerous and needs paving.

Commissioner Yarbrough said that County Road 1229 does not have a signed Right of Way. The county will need to have a Right of Way signed by the property owners before any paving is done.

Mr. Robinson

Mr. Robinson stated he was looking at property on County Road 222 to develop and would like to know if the Commission has plans for road repair on this road. Several areas on this road are dangerous. Does Cullman County have a list on what roads their planning to repair?

ADJOURN

Upon a duly made and carried, the meeting was adjourned.

______________________________ ______________________________ ____________________________

Wiley Kitchens, Chairman Doug Williams, Commissioner Stanley Yarbrough, Commissioner