Commission approves end-of-year business, elects vice chair

By Christa Jennings

Senior Staff Writer

 

During its meeting last Tuesday, the County Commission conducted various business matters, including electing a vice chair and approving department contracts and Highway Department material bids, with the meeting further being recessed rather than adjourned to continue later this month.

With District 5 County Commissioner Lamar Daugherty having been elected chair at the commission’s August meeting, last week the commission agenda included the nomination and election of vice chair to fill the role previously held by Daugherty.

After brief discussion, District 2 Commissioner Bertha K. McElrath nominated District 3 Commissioner Brandon Davis for vice chair, with District 4 Commissioner Ronnie Joiner seconding the nomination.

With the floor open for nominations, District 1 Commissioner John Forbus then nominated himself for vice chair.

The commission opted to take a roll call vote starting with Davis’ nomination. In that matter, Davis, Joiner and McElrath voted in favor, while Forbus and Daugherty voted nay, ultimately giving Davis’ nomination the lead with a 3-2 vote.

Daugherty then called for a motion to elect Davis as vice chair, with McElrath making the motion and Joiner seconding it, and it was unanimously approved.

In preparing for the new fiscal year, the commission also unanimously approved department contracts, which included Royal Office equipment contracts for printers for October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, for the Highway Department, probate judge’s office, revenue commission office, Sheriff’s Office, and commission office; DataWorks Plus for the Sheriff’s Office; Quality Correctional Health Care Inc. for the County Jail; LETS and SNAP inmate services for the jail; and Southern Software support agreements for the Sheriff’s Office and jail.

After opening and reviewing bids for the new fiscal year, the commission also approved low bids received for materials for the Highway Department.

The approved low bids were awarded to Fallin Farms of Cleveland for metal pipe, Hard Rock Hill in Elmore County for granite except for number 57 granite which was awarded to APAC Alabama in the Ray community, Vulcan Asphalt in Cordova for asphalt, and Allen Oil in Sylacauga for fuel.

There was no bid received for limestone, and as such the commission unanimously approved adding the rebidding of limestone to its agenda. The commission then proceeded to unanimously approve rebidding the limestone and opening bids at 10 a.m. September 30 when the meeting reconvenes.

There was also no bid received for cement, and County Engineer Tad Eason said that they might be able to buy it from the state bid list through the Association of County Commissions of Alabama.

In other business, the commission heard a presentation from Bolaji Kukoyi, president of Dynamic Civil Solutions, regarding the potential courthouse annex that has been discussed at length over multiple commission meetings.

Kukoyi provided the commission with a brief overview of the company and said that he loves impactful projects and community involvement. In reviewing some of the work done, he said that their projects have included the Alabaster Police Department, historic restoration in Birmingham, parks, and bridge replacements, and they are currently working on a new community center in Childersburg.

Following his presentation, Daugherty told Kukoyi that he appreciated him and the information he shared, adding that the commission will be in touch when it gets the funding agreements in place and is ready to proceed with next steps.

In related business, later in the meeting the commission unanimously approved tabling plans for the former Extension building next to the courthouse until the September 30 reconvened meeting.

The commission also heard from Sheriff Michael Howell regarding the retirement of K-9 Lino. Howell explained to the commission that Hometown Foundation donated two K-9s to the Sheriff’s Office about two years ago, but that K-9 Lino has begun having some aggression issues, leading to the decision that it was time for him to retire.

Howell said he spoke with someone at Hometown Foundation regarding the best way to handle the situation and if the K-9 needed to be returned to them. However, the organization recommended that if Lino’s handler was willing to take on the responsibility then it suggested donating K-9 Lino to him.

After brief discussion, the commission unanimously approved retiring K-9 Lino and donating him to the current K-9 handler.

In other business, the commission unanimously approved:

• For the EMA vehicle to be auctioned with Bradley Equipment Auction, to support a local business, instead of through GovDeals as previously approved.
• For Chair Daugherty to sign the resolution to designate American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce, with those funds being for the chamber to redesign and update its website.
• Removing from inventory and selling surplus vehicles, specifically a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 2015 Dodge Charger from the Sheriff’s Office, utilizing Bradley Equipment Auction in Kellyton.
• For JP Diaz Construction LLC. to install a drop ceiling in the Sheriff’s Office sallyport remodel, with an installation quote of $2,289.60, as well as a quote for materials of approximately $2,200 from L and W Supply in Montgomery, with the materials to be purchased by the County Commission.

In other business, the commission heard from Hanover resident Robin Brooks regarding safety concerns with the County Road 49 intersection at U.S. Highway 280, mentioning it being prone to wrecks and that school buses do not use it.

Brooks mentioned her experience working with the Alabama Department of Transportation and stated that her suggestion would be to straighten the intersection to a 90-degree angle to improve visibility.

In discussion, engineer Eason said that he agreed with Brooks and that he has seen wrecks at the intersection since he was in high school. He added that it is on their minds, as well, and that he thought the state would have addressed it by now since a great deal of the area is in the state’s right of way.

However, Eason said that they are looking into it and that he thinks community input would help in that situation.

EMA Assistant Director Les Sellers added that he is working on the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan and that he would follow up with Brooks, stating that was the kind of thing the county needs as input for that plan.

The commission also heard from Cindy Atkinson with AltaPointe regarding the outpatient program for substance abuse now being available. She said they also have an Access to Care Department and that people can call to get information or to be directed to the care needed.

For more information and to access mental health or substance use services, individuals can call AltaPointe at 251-450-2211 or 888-335-3044.

During staff reports, EMS Director Hollie Osbourn stated that the county ambulance service had 73 calls in August, which is the most they have had in a single month since going into operation last July.

Additionally, Eason reported that the Highway Department is working through its projects, stating at last week’s meeting that the County Road 29 paving project was finished except for striping and that they were working on County Road 27 and hoped to have it paved soon.

The County Commission recessed its meeting until 9 a.m. Monday, September 30. Following that, the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting will be held at 9 a.m. October 8.