CULLMAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
February 22, 2010
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
Charlotte Slatton, County Clerk, called the roll; present were Chairman James Graves, Commissioner Wayne Willingham, Commissioner Doug Williams and County Attorney Dan Willingham. The invocation was given by Dan Willingham and Commissioner Wayne Willingham led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 9, 2010 MINUTES, APPROVE APPROPRIATIONS, EXPENDITURES, REQUISITIONS, TRAVEL EXPENSES; AND APPROVE ALL JOURNAL ENTRIES TO BE POSTED.
Chairman Graves asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2010 commission meeting, approve appropriations, expenditures, requisitions, travel expenses and journal entries. There was not a motion. Attorney Willingham advised since old expenditures have not been approved, new expenditures can not be authorized. Chairman Graves directed the accounting department be informed that no payments are to be made on pending invoices and no purchase orders issued until the associate commissioner’s approval is obtained.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
A gentleman from the public asked why the water department manager could be given a $12,000 annual raise as compared to the coroner’s pay. Chairman Graves stated he had not approved the pay raise and neither associate commissioner commented on the salary. Chairman Graves also expressed concern over water department expenditures for a public relations consultant and three extra employees.
Wiley Kitchens, former chairman of the county commission, stated while he was in office the Commission approved the coroner’s pay according to state legislation. He also defended the salary of Mr. Bussman.
Chairman Graves announced Senator Shelby will be in Cullman Saturday, February 27, at the VFW.
Chairman Graves announced Rusty Turner will be joining the legal counsel for the Commission.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider a donation of $3,000.00 to the Festhalle Market Committee
Chairman Graves stated the Festhalle Market Committee has requested $3,000 for promotion of the market through the use of local media. Commissioner Williams made a motion to make the donation to the committee. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Consider a special appropriation for the Agricultural Board
Chairman Graves stated the utility bill for the Ag Center has been high due to the extremely cold winter. They have requested a one time appropriation and he recommended $3,000.00. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to approve the special appropriation of $3,000.00 for the Agricultural Board. Commissioner Williams seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Consider surplus of various vehicles from the Sheriff’s Department
Commissioner Williams stated he has spoken with the sheriff and all vehicles requested to be declared surplus have over 200,000 miles. He made a motion to surplus various vehicles from the Sheriff’s Department. Commissioner Willingham seconded and the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Consider agreements for construction of new section of County Road 1601
Chairman Graves stated there are two (2) agreements, both dealing with the construction of Royal Technologies, Inc. The first is between the Industrial Development Board City of Cullman, Royal Technologies, Inc. and Cullman County. The second is between East Point Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Cullman County. Commissioners Williams explained a section of County Road 1601 is being relocated to provide an employee entrance for the new facility. The new road will be relocated away from the church. Commissioner Williams made a motion to accept both agreements concerning the construction of the new section of County Road 1601. Commissioner Willingham seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Resolution 2010-26 – Authorize the Chairman to sign the Byrne JAG program through ADECA/LETS
Commissioner Williams made a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign all documents for the JAG program. Commissioner Willingham seconded and upon a unanimous voice vote the motion passed.
Consider resolution for the Cullman County Industrial Development Board (CCIDB) to reincorporate
Sammie Danford, Director of Economic Development, stated the reincorporation of the Industrial Development Board will allow greater flexibility for the Board. It will also change the name to the Industrial Development Authority (IDA). Attorney Willingham stated he has reviewed the documents and agrees the reincorporation will allow the CCIDB to be more effective. Commissioner Willingham made a motion approving the reincorporation of the CCIDB. Commissioner Williams seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Inform the public of Governor Riley’s proclamation concerning Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day
Chairman Graves stated Governor Bob Riley has issued a proclamation to make the public aware of the Earned Income Tax Credit which may provide up to $5,657 in federal refund to qualified individuals. Commissioner Willingham made a motion to affirm Governor Riley’s proclamation. Commission Williams seconded, and upon a unanimous voice vote, the motion passed.
Authorize the signing of a copier lease agreement between the Commission on Aging and RJ Young
Gary Teichmiller, County Administrator, stated the copier at the Commission of Aging is old and the proposed replacement will interface with other printers at the commission’s office. He recommended signing the lease agreement. Commissioner Williams made a motion to authorize the signing of the copier lease agreement with RJ Young. Commissioner Willingham seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Consider Water Department letter submittal for proper payment schedule of 16.18% retro-active rate increase
Chairman Graves stated the County has been informed by the Cullman City Water Department of a 16.18% increase in water rates retro-active to October 2009. He explained that each year the City passes along a rate increase based on the previous year’s operating cost through October. Previously the County’s arrangement has been to pay the retro rate increase over a six (6) month period.
This year the City has asked for immediate payment, or at most, payment within three months. The County had anticipated a rate increase and raised water rates in January. However the 16.18% is much larger than normal. Commissioner Williams made a motion authorizing Mr. Bussman, Water Department Manager, to send a letter to the City requesting an explanation of the large increase in water rates and the County’s desire to pay the retro charge over a six (6) month period. Commissioner Willingham seconded. Chairman Graves agreed. Upon a unanimous voice vote the motion passed.
Consider awarding Bid No. 1033 – Reroofing a portion of POB Building
Chairman Graves stated the section of the POB Building which houses Cullman Caring for Kids has been leaking for some time. Mr. Teichmiller, County Administrator, reported three (3) bids were received. The low bid was Willoughby Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. with a bid of $62,000.00. He recommended awarding the bid. Commissioner Williams made a motion to award the roofing bid to Willoughby Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Commissioner Willingham seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Consider awarding Bid 1034 – Processing and placement of 310A-010 Soil Cement
Fred Penn, County Engineer, stated Kimes & Stone Construction Co., Inc. was the low bidder. Commissioner Willingham stated the materials are for road repair related to the recent storm damage. He made a motion to award the bid for processing and placement of the soil cement to Kimes & Stone Construction. Commissioner Williams seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Chairman Graves announced the next meeting of NARCOG will be February 25, 2010 at the Decatur office of NARCOG.
NEXT REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2010
Chairman Graves announced due to the Commissioners being out of town, the next regular Commission Meeting will be Monday, March 15, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in the Commission Office Conference Room.
RECESS THE MEETING
Since the minutes, appropriation, expenditures and requisitions were not approved, the meeting was recessed until Wednesday, February 24, at 2:00 p.m.
_________________________ _____________________________ __________________________
James D. Graves, Chairman J. Douglas Williams Wayne Willingham
Associate Commissioner Associate Commissioner