COMMISSION MEETING
September 10, 2008
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
A regular meeting of the Cullman County Commission was held Wednesday, September 10, 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 Chairman Kitchens 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
No Comments
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Tax Abatement for North Alabama Fabricating Company, Inc,
Commissioner Williams stated he has read over the tax abatement for North Alabama Fabricating Company, Inc. for a $3,000,000.00 equipment expansion that will add another thirty jobs. Commissioner Williams made the motion to allow the tax abatement excluding the school taxes. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Consider vacating old County Road off Al. Hwy. 91
Chairman Kitchens stated he did not believe the road to be vacated as it has been in use as a public road for at least 40 years. Commissioner Willingham said the road to be vacated is located off Al Hwy 91 on strip pit land. The owner has requested this action in order to remove the county’s name from the deed.
When asked by the Chairman if the meeting today can be considered a public hearing, County Attorney Dan Willingham responded that it can not. The Commission needs to set a date for a public hearing, give the public notice of the hearing, and also get a correct description of the property. Mr. Willingham recommended tabling this until the next meeting at which time the public hearing will take place. The item was tabled.
Resolution No. 2008-42 – Resource Conservation and Development Week
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to recognize the week of September 21st thru 27th, 2008, as Resource Conservation & Development week. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider proposed plat for Cottages at Cold Springs located in District 2 on County Road 78
Engineering Assistant Mr. Keith Creel stated this is a proposed plat the Commission passed a variance on in the last Commission Meeting to install a pipe under the roadway. The Engineering Department has notified all the appropriate people. Mr. Creel recommended that the Commission accept the proposed plat for Cottages at Cold Springs.
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to approve the proposed plat. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider release of $25,000.00 surety for Lake Alaqua Subdivision and acceptance of County Road 479 located in District 4
Mr. Creel stated this is a subdivision the county has a bond on for paving. In the last Commission Meeting the Commission agreed to grant an extension on the bond. Mr. Creel stated that he and the County Engineer inspected the road after the paving was complete. Mr. Creel recommended acceptance of this road and release of the $25,000.00 surety. Commissioner Williams made the motion to accept County Road 479 into the county’s maintenance system and the release of the surety. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider awarding Bid No. 969 – Herbicide
County Engineer Fred Penn said the only one bid received was from Helena Chemical. Helena Chemical has had the bid in the past; the county will still be able to purchase from the state bid. Mr. Penn recommended awarding the bid to Helena Chemical. Commissioner Willingham made the motion to award the bid to Helena Chemical. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider awarding Bid No. 970 – Motor Oil
Mr. Penn informed the Commission that no bids were received due to the fluctuation of oil prices. I recommend checking prices and buying from the lowest supplier.
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to purchase from the lowest supplier at the time of purchase. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider the surplus of 1 2001 Chevy 2500HD SN# 1GCH24121E336133 – Water Department
Mr. Bussman stated this vehicle is not worth giving to another department for use. He recommended removing it from the county fleet completely. Commissioner Williams made the motion to surplus the Water Department Vehicle. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Consider water rate increase
Mr. David Bussman, Manager of the Cullman County Water Department, told the Commission that the county has not had a water rate increase since 2005. We are anticipating the City of Cullman going up 10% which will have given the county a 21% increase from the City of Cullman since the last rate increase. Mr. Bussman stated he is proposing an 8% increase for residential. Wholesale has not increased since 2005; he proposes a 20% increase to match the City of Cullman’s percentage rate. Also, on tapping fees, Mr. Bussman proposed an increase as follows: ¾” meter total $600.00; 1” meter total $800.00; 1½” meter total $1,200.00; 2” meter total $1,600.00. This will just cover the cost to the Water Department. Commissioner Williams asked for clarification of the impact on an average minimum bill. Mr. Bussman replied an average minimum bill will increase to approximately $15.00. Commissioner Williams made the motion to allow the increase. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
No Old Business
NEXT REGULAR COMMISSION MEET TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
Chairman Kitchens announced the next regular Commission Meeting will be Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at 10:00 am in the County Commission Office Conference Room.
ADJOURN
Chairman Kitchens made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Willingham seconded.
________________________ __________________________ __________________________
Wiley Kitchens, Chairman J. Douglas Williams Wayne Willingham
Associate Commissioner Associate Commissioner