COMMISSION MEETING
July 9, 2008
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
A regular meeting of the Cullman County Commission was held Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., in the Cullman County Commission Office Conference Room. Chairman Kitchens called the meeting to order and welcomed all visitors.
CALL OF ROLL TO ESTABLISH QUORUM, INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present were Chairman Wiley Kitchens, Commissioner Wayne Willingham, Commissioner Doug Williams and County Attorney Dan Willingham. Attorney Dan Willingham gave the invocation and Commissioner Williams lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVE MINUTES, APPROPRIATIONS, EXPENDITURES, REQUISITIONS, TRAVEL EXPENSE AND ALL JOURNAL ENTRIES TO BE POSTED
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to approve. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nancy Schaffers thanked Commissioner Williams for getting the problem solved with Cullman Jefferson Gas on County Road 715.
Chris Van Dyke thanked Commissioner Williams for the road repairs on County Road 1406.
Phyllis Little, EMA Director, updated the Commission on the Pandemic Influenza Planning for continuity of Government and Mass Fatalities.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution No. 2008- 31 Set speeds on County Road 15 at 35 mph
Fred Penn, County Engineer, informed the Commission this road is located in the southwest part of Cullman County by the Beat 8 community center, continuing to the Walker County line. Mr. Penn recommended posting County Road 15 at 35 mph. Commissioner Willingham made the motion to post County Road 15 at 35 mph. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider plat for Catoma Ridge Subdivision in District 3 on Catoma Lane N.E.
Keith Creel, Engineering Assistant, stated this subdivision meets the requirements for a minor subdivision. There are only two lots that front Catoma Lane which is maintained by the City of Cullman. This property is surrounded by City of Cullman property; this particular piece is located in the county. The plat has been approved by the City of Cullman Planning. Mr. Creel recommended approval of this minor subdivision. Commissioner Williams made the motion to approve the plat for Catoma Ridge Subdivision. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider County Road 482 in Southwood Estates located in District 4 off County Road 490
Mr. Creel stated this subdivision is located off Golf Course Road. The county has approved the plat with a surety. The developer has the binder layer down and is waiting until construction is complete. At this time the wearing layer is down; Mr. Creel recommended accepting the road into the county maintenance system.
Commissioner Williams made the motion to accept County Road 482 in Southwood Estates into the county maintenance system. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider awarding Bid No. 963 Cold Laid Plant Mix
Mr. Penn stated Shelby Contracting was the only bidder. The price is up considerably from $55.00 to $85.00 per ton. Mr. Penn recommended awarding the bid to Shelby Contracting. Commissioner Williams made the motion to accept the bid. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider the surplus of various items from Commission on Aging
Commissioner Williams made the motion to surplus the items from Commission on Aging. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Authorize payment to Cullman Electric Cooperative – Smith Lake Park
Gary Teichmiller, County Administrator, stated this is for utility service to the new camp sites at Smith Lake Park. Chairman Kitchens said the county has added 20-25 new camp sites for motor homes. Mr. Teichmiller said the Co-op estimated the maximum cost to be $17,000.00. Commissioner Williams made the motion to authorize payment to Cullman Electric Cooperative for the Smith Lake Project. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
310 Board Appointment (Mental Healthcare) – Chairman Kitchens
Chairman Kitchens stated this board appointment is for the Mental Health Board and recommended appointing Mr. Tim Culpepper to the Mental Health Board the term to expire April 1, 2013. Commissioner Willingham made the motion for the Chairman to appoint Tim Culpepper to the board. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Resolution No. 2008-32 Agreement for Cullman County to maintain all signs, markings and legends in accordance with the requirements of the State on Project STPRH-2200 ( )
Commissioner Williams requested tabling this item until more information on this project is received on maintenance requirements.
Resolution No. 2008-33 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – Economic Development
Ms. Sammie Danford, Economic Development Director, stated this is authorizing the Chairman to sign to file a grant for equestrian trails to be added to the OHV Park. The grant is for $100,000.00 at a 50/50 match which will be due in September. The county will be able to do in-kind work for the match. Commissioner Williams made the motion to allow the Chairman to sign to file for the grant. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Resolution No. 2008-34 Recreational Trails Program Fund
Ms. Danford stated that this is authorization to file with ADECA for the fourth grant for the OHV Park. The understanding now is the grant will be $575,000.00, an 80/20 match. The 20 percent can be in-kind. The grant is due in June and this is the authorization to file the grant. Ms. Danford said the county has already received approximately $1.8 million in grants for this project and believes this grant will also be funded which will bring the total received to $2-3 million. The county only has to pay the 20 percent match; a large portion of the matching funds can be in-kind work.
OHV Park Director, John Sellers, stated that some of the labor in the park is being performed by detainees at the boot camp program. Attorney Dan Willingham made a statement to clarify for the public that the grant money received from the State is earmarked for one purpose. The money cannot be diverted to any other program or be used to pave roads, etc. The State of Alabama has been gracious to Cullman County in the funding of this park.
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the application. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider Engineering Services for Stony Lonesome OHV Park and authorize Chairman to sign
Mr. John Sellers, OHV Park Director stated existing money, specifically marked for engineering services, is available to be spent on training some of the park staff in trail development. St. John and Associates propose to begin a training program for the county employees to work along side professional workers in the development of both double and single track trails within the park. This would give the county four to six employees trained in the development and marking of trails. The program is a one month training period to deliver the first trails in the park. This is a combined package for $30,400.00; the money is earmarked to be spent from the grants for this purpose. The target is to open the park in the fall with some 4-wheeler, motorcycle, equestrian, bike, and hiking trails.
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to authorize the Chairman to sign. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Resolution No. 2008-35 Support for KC-45 in Mobile
Commissioner Doug Williams stated a letter was received from the Mobile County Commission in Mobile requesting the Cullman County Commission pass a resolution in support of Northrop-Grumman being awarded a contract to build KC-45 refueling tankers in Mobile. Each county is Alabama has been asked to support this effort by sending resolutions of support to all our Senators and Representatives in Washington, D.C.
This could effect the economic development in the State for years to come. Commissioner Williams made the motion to sign the resolution and mail it to Alabama’s Senators and Representatives. Commissioners Willingham made a second to the motion. Upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Red Cross – Kenneth Kilgo
Mr. Kenneth Kilgo, Director of the Cullman Chapter of the American Red Cross, addressed the Commission regarding a letter of request for annual funding support of the Red Cross. Mr. Kilgo briefed the Commission on Red Cross Disaster Services which included response to fifty-seven (57) emergencies and provided immediate assistance to 176 citizens. Also, 1,691 units of blood were donated and 893 people were certified in life saving skills. The American Red Cross is the only non-profit organization to be part of Homeland Security response teams. The American Red Cross is completely funded by donations.
EMPG Grant – EMA
Mrs. Phyllis Little, EMA Director, stated this is the EMA’s operating funds on the Federal Level. EMA received a raise this fiscal year of $9,114.00; on the State Level EMA received a raise of $1,098.00. Over all, EMA received a little over $10,000.00 in funding increases. This grant is the everyday operating expenses. Ms. Little asked the Commission to authorize her and the Chairman to sign this cooperative agreement with the State EMA so money can be sent to EMA. Commissioner Williams made the motion to allow both parties to sign off on the agreement. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Mitigation/Siren Grant – EMA
Ms. Little stated that two years ago, May 6, 2006, the Commission authorized EMA to submit a grant for eleven sirens to be installed in different areas of the county. It has taken this long to get the grant through. This grant is Katrina Hazard Mitigation Funding that was set aside after Hurricane Katrina. We did receive the full grant which with the administration expenses is $271,960.00. This is a 75/25 grant. The matching portion of this grant is $67,990.00. Eleven communities expressed interest before this grant went through; the cost per community is $6,180.90. This can be an in-kind match, cash match or a mix of both. Ms. Little proposed to go out and meet with these communities and see if they are willing raise the monies so it will not come out of the county’s money. Ms. Little also requested approval to contact the siren vendor for extension of the bid.
Commissioner Williams made the motion to authorize Mrs. Little and the Chairman to sign the grant and to authorize Mrs. Little to contact the vendor for the sirens to extend the bid. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider $1,000.00 donation to Hanceville Senior Center
Commissioner Williams made the motion to donate $1,000.00 to the Hanceville Senior Center. Commissioner Willingham seconded and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider $200.00 donation to Master Gardeners
Chairman Kitchens recommended a donation of $200.00 to the Master Gardeners for projects.
Commissioner Williams made the motion to donate $200.00 to the Master Gardeners. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote the motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Alcohol and Drug Policy
County Attorney Dan Willingham stated he has revised the alcohol and drug policy and would like to give the Commission time to look over the revised policy.
Chairman Kitchens tabled this item until the Commission could look over the revised policy.
NEXT REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2008
Chairman Kitchens announced the next regular Commission Meeting will be Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 10:00 am in the Commission Office Conference Room.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Williams seconded.
_____________________________ _____________________________ __________________________
Wiley Kitchens, Chairman J. Douglas Williams Wayne Willingham