RECESSED COMMISSION MEETING

AUGUST 12, 2005

CALLED TO ORDER

Chairman Kitchens called the meeting to order.

PARK AND RECREATION

Chairman Kitchens stated this item on the agenda was tabled until further questions were answered. In the last meeting I read a letter requesting the County take back over the park system. This is the only issue we have for discussion this morning and I still make this recommendation.

Commissioner Yarbrough stated before a vote is made I would recommend the County not take over the Park and Rec. System and leave it as a board. In my opinion it would be a slap in the face to the people we put on this board to serve these parks. I believe all three of us are in agreement the parks belong to the people of the county. The Park Board members are good people and have good ideals. I feel like their exercising those ideals and this Commission needs to back the board and work with the board more than it has in the past. I believe less government in our people is better.

Commissioner Williams said since the meeting on Monday I have had the opportunity to talk with some of the Park Board, some of the employees of the park system and countless citizens of Cullman County and I value all their opinions and would like to thank them for their opinions. There are a lot of things at stake here with the parks and park system. I realize the parks belong to the people of this county. The parks don’t belong to the Commission or the Park Board. The consensus I get from the citizens, not from the employee’s of the park or the Park Board is that a lot of things have happen in the past few months and the last few years with the board that are not consistent, not saying anything bad about the board. The last Park Board meeting I attended I was disappointed. There’s one thing about being passionate about something you care or have a love for and another thing about being angry. I believe a lot of decisions have been made in anger. I think we owe it to the citizens of this county to have a fantastic park system. I make the motion to take the Park System back over.

Chairman Kitchens stated the tie breaker comes to me and I am going to stick with my recommendation that the Cullman County Commission take the Park System back over under the direction of the Chairman with all decisions made concerning employment and operation of the park be with the approval of the Commission. I would like to thank both Commissioners for their input in this matter. As of today the Commission will assume the responsibility of the Park and Rec. System. As far as the park employees they are still Park Board employees. The Commission will be taking applications for all positions that are presently in the park system. I recommend that employees that come from the Park System into the County System are accepted with their benefits. We will establish a Park and Rec. Department like all other departments within the county.

Perry Knight Attorney for the Park Board ask the Commission if their assuming the liabilities of the Park Board.

Mr. Willingham asks to clarify if this is contracts.

Mr. Knight stated contracts, obligations, financial debts, monthly debts, assets, funding and current balance in the accounts, these are things the Park Board needs to know.

Mr. Willingham stated he didn’t believe they could take them over, if the Park Board wants to make suggestions, resolutions in that regard and I am not sure they may have other functions they have obligations to do. On the county’s behalf I certainly would get with you as the attorney for the Park Board and go over what contracts and etc. they have pending.

Randy Britt asks will the county’s policies pertaining to hiring, purchasing, contracts and etc. apply this day forward.

Mr. Willingham stated all policies the county has in place will apply.

COUNTY ENGINEER

Chairman Kitchens stated this issue has been resolved. There will be no discussion on this item.

COMMISSION ON AGING AND CARTS

Chairman Kitchens stated this issue has been resolved. There will be no discussion on this item.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Phyllis Little, EMA Director announced Bruce Bowman, State EMA Director has granted Cullman County $12,000.00 for emergency center operations up-grades.

Mary Henry wanted to thank the Commission for their decision with Commission on Aging and Carts.

Philip Widner, County Engineer stated in regard to Oil Bid No. 817 after research law states if no bids are received negotiations on purchase to purchase are allowed for a 12 month period.

Commissioner Williams made the motion to negotiate oil purchases for a 12 month period. Commissioner Yarbrough seconded and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURN

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

______________________________ ______________________________ ____________________________

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