CULLMAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
October 13, 2009
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
Chairman James Graves called the Commission Meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. and welcomed the visitors.
CALL OF ROLL TO ESTABLISH QUORUM, INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Charlotte Slatton, County Clerk, called the roll; present were Chairman James Graves, Commissioner Doug Williams, Commissioner Wayne Willingham, and County Attorney Dan Willingham. The invocation was given by Attorney Willingham and Commissioner Willingham led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 24, 2009 MINUTES, APPROVE APPROPRIATIONS, EXPENDITURES, REQUISITIONS, TRAVEL EXPENSES; AND APPROVE ALL JOURNAL ENTRIES TO BE POSTED.
Commissioner Wayne Willingham made the motion to approve the September 24, 2009 minutes, approve appropriations, expenditures, requisitions, travel expenses and approve all journal entries to be posted. Commissioner Doug Williams made a second to the motion and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
APPROVE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 RECESSED MEETING
Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the September 28, 2009 minutes of the recessed meeting. Commissioner Willingham seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Phyllis Little, EMA Director, stated there are no swine flu shots available in Cullman County; however County employees will receive seasonal flu vaccine on October 15. The cases of flu have not dropped and are expected to rise as cold weather approaches. To date, seventeen (17) Alabamians have died from the flu.
NEW BUSINESS
Proclamation – October 25-31, 2009 to be Pro Bono Week
Chairman Graves read the proclamation concerning October 25-31, 2009 to be Pro Bono Week in Cullman County. Commissioner Williams made a motion to accept the proclamation. Commissioner Willingham seconded. On a unanimous voice vote, the motion passed.
Consider approval of funding rates for employee health insurance recommended by Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Gary Teichmiller, County Administrator, stated Blue Cross has recommended the following be accrued monthly to cover anticipated claims.
Single $471.45 Family $1,087.29
Cobra payment : Single $480.87 Family $1,109.03
The County is absorbing the increase so there will be no additional cost to the employee. Upon Mr. Teichmiller’s recommendation, Commissioner Williams made a motion to accept the rates. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Authorize the Chairman to sign contracts with outside agencies
Gary Teichmiller, County Administrator, stated state law requires an annual contract with outside agencies that provide beneficial services to the general public, such as the Red Cross, Mental Health, and Good Samaritan Clinic. There are approximately twenty (20) agencies to which the Commission provides funding. Commissioner Williams made a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the contracts with outside agencies. Commissioner Willingham seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Consider a donation of $1,000.00 to the Walter Community Center
Commissioner Williams made a motion to donate $1,000.00 to the Walter Community Center, a polling place. Commissioner Willingham seconded. Upon a unanimous voice vote, the motion carried.
Authorize the Chairman to sign the rental agreement with Pitney Bowes for postage machine
Mr. Teichmiller stated this is a renewal of the rental agreement with Pitney Bowes. A new postage machine will be installed and there is a slight reduction in price. He recommended the agreement with Pitney Bowes, who is on the state contract list. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the rental agreement with Pitney Bowes for the postage machine. Commissioner Williams seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote.
Authorize the Chairman to sign a renewal contract with Premise, Inc. for computer network support
Ken Walling from the IT Department stated the annual renewal is for the AS400, network support, firewall, and upgrade to software. The cost is $760 per month. He recommended acceptance of the contract. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the renewal contract with Premise, Inc. for computer network support.
Chairman Graves to re-appoint Gordon Dunagan to the E-911 Board for a four (4) year term
Chairman Graves stated the E-911 Board has requested the re-appointment of Gordon Dunagan to serve a four (4) year term to expire September 1, 2013. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to re-appoint Mr. Dunagan to the E-911 Board. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Williams to re-appoint Jack Hopper to the E-911 Board for a four (4) year term
Commissioner Williams made a motion to re-appoint Jack Hopper to the E-911 Board for a four (4) years term to expire September 1, 2013. Commissioner Willingham seconded the motion which carried on a unanimous voice vote.
Authorize the Chairman to sign any and all paper work for the Department of Energy Grant
Sammie Danford from Economic Development stated the grant from the Department of Energy is a 100% grant under the stimulus program. The grant, totaling $335,600.00, will be used to upgrade lighting and the HVAC in the courthouse. An additional $18,600.00 may be needed to complete the work once final bids are obtained. Commissioner Williams made a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign any and all paper work for the Department of Energy Grant. Commissioner Willingham seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Authorize the Chairman to sign the annual renewal for Water Supply Permit Application
David Bussman, Water Department Manager, stated this is the permit with ADEM to operate the County’s water system which is renewed every six (6) years. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the renewal application for the Water System Permit. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Graves informed the public the County has received $9,364.00 from E-911 for the purchase of street sign materials. These will be used by the road department for signs marking county road which will help facilitate locating properties in case of emergencies.
Commissioner Willingham addressed the issue of the difference of red and blue county road signs. The blue signs designate roads that are in the County’s maintenance system; red sign are placed on roads to identify them for mail and emergencies services only.
Resolution 2010-01 – Authorize the Chairman to sign an agreement with ALDOT for use of County Road 1223 as a detour route
Chairman Graves stated paperwork from ALDOT has been received requesting County Road 1223 be used as a detour route during the repair of Highway 31. Earlier this year one of the north bound lanes was closed when excessive rainfall caused major damage. All four lanes of Highway 31 will need to be excavated for the repairs. Attorney Willingham stated concerns about verbiage in the contract with regard to maintenance and repair of County Road 1223 during and at completion of the project. Concerns were also expressed that due to a lack of funding the project may take longer than expected resulting in unforeseen damage to County Road 1223. The Commission asked Fred Penn, County Engineer, to contact ALDOT for clarification of the project. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to table approval of the resolution until ALDOT could be contacted. Commissioner Williams seconded. The approval was tabled.
Resolution 2010-02 – Set speed limit on County Road 111 at 25 MPH
Fred Penn, County Engineer, stated County Road 111 is a dead-end, paved road located in the Brushy Pond area. He recommended setting the speed limit at 25 MPH. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to set the speed limit on County Road 111 at 25 MPH. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion which carried on a unanimous voice vote.
Resolution 2010-03 – Set speed limit on County Road 998 at 30 MPH
Mr. Penn recommended the speed limit on County Road 998, located between Jones Chapel and Crane Hill, be set at 30 MPH. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to set the speed limit on County Road 998 at 30 MPH. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 2010-04 – Authorize the Chairman to sign application to ADECA for Recreational Trails Program Funds grant
John Sellers, Director of Parks, stated in addition to the OHV Park grant, the second grant would be for recreational trails to be built in Sportsman Lake Park. The $125,000.00 grant is an 80/20 match. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the application to ADECA for the Recreational Trails Program Funds grant. Commissioner Williams. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Consider request to surplus various equipment from the Revenue Department
Barry Willingham, Revenue Commissioner, requested the following various unused and outdated equipment be declared surplus.
Commissioner Williams made a motion to surplus the equipment from the Revenue Department. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Consider approval of plat for Smith Lake RV Resort Subdivision located District 2 off County Road 202
Keith Creel, Assistant Engineer, stated the preliminary plat was approved in the July 16, 2009 Commission Meeting. There are twenty-five (25) lots for parking RV’s and travel trailers. The roads will remain private and gated, but will be built to the County’s standards. The builder will provide a surety bond since the roads have not been completed due to weather. Mr. Creel recommended acceptance of the plat with the contingency of receipt of all signatures and the surety bond. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to approve the plat for Smith Lake RV Resort Subdivision. Commissioner Williams seconded. Upon a unanimous voice vote, the motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Commissioner Willingham stated he has spoken with Johnny Harris at ALTDOT concerning the speed limit on County Road 222. The construction work is completed but the sides of the roadway are too wet to allow equipment to install new speed limit signs. 50 MPH signs will be installed when weather permits.
Chairman Graves asked David Bussman, Water Department Manager, to address the issue of muddy water due to fire hydrant testing. Mr. Bussman stated ISO, a private company, is conducting annual flow test for the fire departments. The ISO ratings factor into home owners insurance rates. Problems are arising because the hydrates are not being shut off properly, resulting in a backwash that causes the muddy water. Mr. Bussman is proposing to the fire departments that the water department take over the annual inspections including all necessary paperwork and reporting. This would elevate the water department being called out to flush the lines.
Chairman Graves announced the next NARCOG meeting will be November 18, 2009 at the Decatur office
NEXT REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2009
Chairman Graves announced the next regular Commission Meeting will be Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commission Office Conference Room.
ADJOURN THE MEETING
Chairman Graves asked if there was further business to consider and there was none. Chairman Graves adjourned the meeting at 10:37 a.m.
__________________________ ____________ ________ ______ __________________________
James D. Graves, Chairman J. Douglas Williams Wayne Willingham
Associate Commissioner Associate Commissioner