COMMISSION MEETING
August 12, 2008
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
A regular meeting of the Cullman County Commission was held Tuesday, August 12, 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
Mr. David Bussman, Manger of the Cullman County Water Department, announced that at the end of September of this year the Water Department may have to consider a rate increase due to the increase in wholesale water from the City of Cullman. A rate increase has not yet been decided; this is just an advance notice. Since the last rate increase from the Cullman County Water Department the wholesale water from the city of Cullman has increased 21%. The last increase in water that was passed on to the residents of Cullman County was in 2006.
Mr. John Culver addressed Mr. Willingham concerning County Road 202 and County Road 206 and work that needs to be done on these roads.
NEW BUSINESS
Memorandum of Understanding between the Cullman County Commission and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
County Administrator Gary Teichmiller stated this is an annual appropriation from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for the promotion of Agriculture in Cullman County. Commissioner Williams made the motion to authorize Chairman Kitchens to sign the Memorandum of Understanding. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 2008-38 - Consider lump sum payment to the retired members and beneficiaries of the Retirement Systems of Alabama
Mr. Teichmiller, County Administrator, stated this is a one time lump sum payment to retires, which amounts to $1.00 for every month of service. The approximate cost to the county is $22,768.00. Commissioner Williams made the motion to do the lump sum increase instead of the annual increase. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider proposed plat for Arrowhead Park Subdivision located in District 1 on County Road 941
Mr. Keith Creel, Engineering Assistant, stated this is the subdivision the county did a variance on in the last Commission Meeting concerning the right of way. The county did not approve the proposed plat at that time because of the letter required to be mailed to property owners. At this time Mr. Creel recommended approval of the proposed plat.
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to approve the proposed plat. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider variance for Cottages at Cold Springs located in District 2 on County Road 78
Mr. Creel stated this is two variances that are going to involve five lots, lots five thru nine. These lots are located very close to the water, and will not perk for installation of a sewer system. The developers are proposing to have five smaller additions to these lots back up off the water; none of them will come in contact with the road. There will be a utility easement on these lots for sewage. Also, there are private sewer lines running up to the lines that are going to run on a utility easement outside the county right of way. It will need to cross under one of the short cul-de-sac roads; the pipe will be placed in an encasement and if the pipe gives them any problem, the road should not have to be dug up. The developer will install this as the road is built. It will be a sufficient depth and the road will be built over it. The way county regulations are worded, the county will need to do a variance on this and also on the lots (5A) thru (9A) of the plat. The additional lots are to be labeled five B thru nine B and will be a part of lots five A (5A) thru nine A (9A) and will never be split up. Mr. Creel requested a variance for the work at this time. Commissioner Willingham made the motion to allow the variance. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Corr-Wireless
County Attorney Dan Willingham stated he has spoken with a representative from Corr-Wirless, and a copy of the contract has been sent to him. There are a few points Mr. Willingham wanted to make some changes to and Corr-Wireless is willing to look at those. This contract is to put a cell tower in the Bremen area on the county’s property where the OHV Park is located. This will be a great advantage to the park and also to the citizens who do not have cell phone coverage. The two changes in the contract are for the county to be able to put repeaters on the tower for county purposes and another small matter. Mr. Willingham recommended passing a resolution to allow the Commission Chairman to sign the contract after these changes are made. Commissioner Willingham made the motion to allow the Chairman to sign the contract with Corr-Wireless after the changes in the contract are made. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider awarding Bid No. 967 – one or more Sheriff’s Patrol car(s)
Mr. Teichmiller stated only one bid was received and that was from Eckenrod Ford with a bid price of $21,395.32 per vehicle. He recommended awarding the bid to Eckenrod Ford. Chief Deputy Tony Quick with the Sheriff’s Department concurred with Mr. Teichmiller on the award. Commissioner Williams made the motion to award the bid to Eckenrod. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Old Business
DHR Board Appointment – Commissioner Willingham
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to re-appoint Mr. Brett Adams to the DHR Board with his term ending 5-15-2014.
DHR Board Appointment – Commissioner Williams
Commissioner Williams made the motion to appoint Mr. Jim Walker to the DHR Board to replace Mr. Ronald Brannon. Mr. Walker’s term will end 5-15-2014.
DHR Board Appointment – Commissioner Williams
Commissioner Williams made the motion to appoint Mr. James Rollo to the DHR Board to fulfill the term of Ms. Shirley Kenna whose term will end 5-10-2010.
Next Regular Commission Meeting Friday, August 29, 2008
Chairman Kitchens announced the next regular Commission Meeting will Friday, August 29, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the County Commission Office Conference Room.
Adjourn
Commissioner Williams made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Willingham seconded.
_____________________________ _____________________________ __________________________
Wiley Kitchens, Chairman J. Douglas Williams Wayne Willingham
Associate Commissioner Associate Commissioner