CULLMAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
December 8, 2009
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
Chairman James Graves called the Commission Meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed the visitors.
CALL OF ROLL TO ESTABLISH QUORUM, INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Phyllis Thiot 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 November 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 November 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.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kenneth Kilgo, Mayor of West Point, informed the Commission the speed limit on Highway 157 at the intersection where Jack’s Restaurant is located will be lowered to 55 MPH in the near future due to the increase in traffic in the area since the restaurant has opened.
Chairman Graves made mention of the dedication of the George E. Mann Veterans Memorial Park which took place on December 7, 2009. He thanked those involved with the development of the park and dedication ceremony.
NEW BUSINESS
Designate bank depositories for County deposits
Gary Teichmiller, County Administrator, stated annual approval is required designating the banks where the County can deposit funds. Commissioner Williams made a motion to authorize deposits be made in any financial institution which follows state guidelines. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Authorize the Chairman to sign agreements between CARTS and outside agencies for transportation services.
Chairman Graves stated these are annual agreements required by ALDOT for transportation services provided by CARTS.
Commissioner Williams made a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the agreements between CARTS and outside agencies for transportation services. Commissioner Willingham seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Approve Resolutions 2010-07 through 2010-12 for CARTS to provide third party transportation services to contracting agencies
Resolutions 2010-07 through 2010-12 are the supporting documentation for the agreements for CARTS to provide outside agencies with transportation services. Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the resolutions with Commissioner Willingham seconding. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Authorize the Chairman to sign agreements with Morgan County for a waterline replacement in Morgan County
David Bussman, Water Department Manager, stated there are two agreements. Morgan County is replacing two bridges, one on Wilhite Road and the other in Gandy Cove Road. The agreement is for Morgan County to reimburse the Cullman County Water Department for expenses involved in replacing waterlines involved in the bridge work. Some upgrades to the waterline will also take place at a cost of approximately $2,500.00. Commissioner Williams made a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign agreements with Morgan County for waterline replacement. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Consider approval to surplus tires from the Eastside Road Department
Commissioner Williams stated there is a large pile of “junk” tires at the Eastside Road Department that need to be declared surplus for disposal. He made a motion to surplus the tires. Commissioner Willingham seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Consider approval to surplus one (1) Case Backhoe #343 580 Super M Serial # JJG0284665
Commissioner Williams stated a new backhoe has been purchased and the Case Backhoe #343 Super M and requested it be declared surplus and sold. He made a motion to surplus the backhoe serial # JJG0284665. Commissioner Willingham seconded and the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Consider the appointment of Patrick Ward and Arnice Weeks to the NARCOG Board
Chairman Graves stated earlier in the year a letter was sent to NARCOG concerning appointments; however they were not properly brought before the Commission. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to appoint Patrick Ward and reappoint Arnice Weeks to the NARCOG Board. Commissioner Williams seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Discuss proposed strip mining in the Brushy Pond area of Cullman County
Commissioner Willingham stated there was a meeting last week concerning strip mining in the Brushy Pond area. Residents have requested the Commission to write letters to the Surface Mining Commission voicing opposition to mining in the area due to the increase in population in that area of Cullman County over the past few years. The mining would also result in damage to roads, waterline damage due to blasting, the lowering of property values and potential damage to Smith Lake due to run off and other pollutants. He also stated the company which originally obtained the mining permit filed bankruptcy and has been bought by another company. There are also problems with the application which states land owners permissions are pending (these land owners have not been contacted) and county roads will be moved (the county has not been contacted).
The Commission agreed to set a public hearing date during the next Commission Meeting for an evening meeting to allow residents to voice their concerns and opposition to the proposed strip mining.
The next meeting of NARCOG will be January 27, 2010 at the Decatur office of NARCOG.
NEXT REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2009
Chairman Graves announced the next regular Commission Meeting will be Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commission Office Conference Room.
__________________________ ____________ ________ ______ __________________________
James D. Graves, Chairman J. Douglas Williams Wayne Willingham
Associate Commissioner Associate Commissioner