Commission to keep two monthly meetings
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
After much discussion and debate, the County Commission will continue to meet twice each month, including a morning meeting and an evening meeting.
During its last meeting December 28, the agenda included an item for “approval to discontinue Tuesday evening commission meetings held on fourth Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.” The agenda indicated that matter was brought up by District 4 Commissioner Ronnie Joiner.
However, when it came time to approve the agenda, Joiner said that he would like to strike that item from the agenda, saying that he had heard much opposition to even considering it. With unanimous approval, the item was stricken from the agenda.
However, later Commission Chair Randall Dunham brought up another option to add to the agenda instead. His suggestion was to move the second Tuesday morning meeting to be an evening meeting instead and to absolve the fourth Tuesday meeting.
That would put the commission back to having one meeting per month, but would make it an evening meeting to allow more citizens to attend.
After much discussion, the commission unanimously approved adding that item to the agenda.
When it came time to vote on it, District 3 Commissioner Unzell Kelley stated that the morning meeting allows agencies, company representatives and others to conduct business during regular business hours, whereas the evening meetings allow citizens who work daytime hours to attend. Therefore, he voiced being in favor of keeping the current schedule with one morning meeting and one evening meeting.
After much discussion and debate, the commission voted 2-1-1 regarding the matter and Dunham’s proposal. Kelley and Vice Chair Bertha K. McElrath opposed the motion, Joiner and Dunham approved the motion, and District 5 Commissioner Lamar Daugherty abstained from voting.
As such, the motion died for lack of a majority, and the commission will currently continue holding its twice monthly scheduled meetings. Those are the 9:30 a.m. second Tuesday meeting and the 6:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday meeting.
The only other agenda item that saw action during last Tuesday evening’s meeting was the county’s amended funeral leave policy, which was unanimously approved.
The amended policy was to clarify certain family members included in the policy, as well as the amount of time off to be given. The amendment also includes that the funeral leave is to be given “upon supervisor approval.”
In other business, McElrath reviewed Kevin Adair’s business and security plan for Vell’s Lounge on U.S. Highway 280 East. Adair had come before the commission seeking approval of his application to the ABC Board for his new business.
His plan detailed a $15 entry fee, with all law enforcement being free, and that there will be four security guards on the premises. Those guards would have security wands, and everyone would be checked with a wand prior to entry.
Adair’s plan also stated that there would be an enforced dress code, including no sagging pants, and that everyone must sign a waiver before entry. Additionally, the plan includes all employees having walkie talkies for communication, security cameras inside and outside the facility, having two Ubers available, and the installation of walk-through metal detectors in the future.
Adair’s plan also stated that no weapons of any kind will be allowed on the premises, and no drugs of any kind will be allowed on the premises.
He anticipates Vell’s Lounge having four pool tables, four dart boards, two sets of corn hole, two sets of beer pong, and a mechanical bull.
The business will be accepting cash only, so an ATM will also be available on site.
Adair also listed his expected business hours, which include being open 12-6 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday, open 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, and 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
After reviewing his plans, McElrath explained to Adair and attendees that when matters like this come up in her district she prefers to hold town hall meetings to gain input from area citizens. She also asked Sheriff Michael Howell his thoughts, and he said he would recommend tabling the matter to look into it further.
After brief discussion, the commission unanimously approved tabling the approval of Adair’s application to the ABC Board, pending McElrath holding the town hall meeting or meetings.
Since that time, McElrath has scheduled a town hall meeting to discuss Vell’s Lounge and gain input from area citizens. That town hall meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. January 20 at the Goodwater Community Center.
The commission also once again unanimously approved tabling proceeding with the bid of the roof for the Department of Human Resources and Board of Education building, with the assessment having been completed but the claims adjuster still going through the appraisal report at that time.
In other business, under public comment Larry Goodgame was on the agenda to discuss County Road 111. He said that they have problems with truck drivers on that road, including them parking trucks on the right of way at night and also dragging mud into the road.
Additionally, Goodgame stated that the road is now in worse condition overall than it was before it was resurfaced. He said that he and area residents would appreciate anything the commission could do.
County Engineer Tad Eason was not present for the meeting; however, McElrath told Goodgame that she would talk to Eason about it. She said that by the spring they will revisit the matter and that it will be fixed.
Stephen Lowery was also on the agenda under public comment, but he was unable to attend.
During staff reports, EMA Director Sheldon Hutcherson mentioned that the ambulance grant application was almost complete. He said he hoped to have it to the commission by its next meeting.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commission will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 11.
