Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting - April 2, 2024
Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting - April 2, 2024
The Baldwin County Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 10:00 AM in Bay Minette, Alabama. The meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by unanimous approval of minutes from the Mach 14 and March 19 meetings, payment of bills, and adoption of a large consent agenda. Three proclamations were presented and passed unanimously, and the commission set annual alcohol license fees. The meeting adjourned at 10:46 AM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the March 14, 2024 Department Head Meeting and March 19, 2024 Regular Meeting (vote: 4-0).
- Authorized payment of bills and distribution of taxes.
- Adopted the consent agenda with the exception of Item CJ1 (Coroner's Office appointment, removed at request) and including Addendum GA1 and replacement attachments for CE7 and CL1 (all votes 4-0). Key consents included:
- Repeal of Policy #8.7 (Emergency Reserves) and revision of Policy #8.22 (Financial Management Policy) setting minimum reserves of 30% for General and Highway funds, plus an additional $2.5 million for Highway emergency infrastructure.
- Resolution #2024-100 establishing reserve fund balances per the new policy.
- Resolution #2024-098 appropriating $400.00 from the Historic Parks Fund to Historic Blakely State Park for a Civil War cruise.
- All location of $2,085,127.20 in ARPA funds for drainage improvements along River Road Project (Resolution #2024-085).
- All location of $300,000.00 in ARPA Revenue Replacement funds for public improvements at Old Vaughn School Property (Resolution #2024-099).
- Adoption of a new Government Relations Director position (grade S319, salary range $68,230 - $111,802) and organizational chart update.
- Personnel changes in the Revenue Commission, including promotions and new hires effective April 8, 2024.
- Approval of a $12,100.00 change order for chiller units, award of multiple bids (vehicle, pre-cooked meals, pavement markers, police accessories, erosion control), and contract extensions.
- Submittal of a $200,000 Homeland Securty Grant application to ALEA for EOC video wall updates.
- Acceptance of Dogwood Estates Phase One roads (Roughleaf Drive, Red Clay Street, Pagoda Lane, Treehill Lane) and a $491,082.79 surety bond.
- Transfer of Old Vaughn School property from the school board to the county, with the board paying demolition costs.
- Apppointment of Tracey Gambill to Boand of Adjustment #2 for a reduced term ending March 16, 2025.
- Correction to a legal description in a prior rezonning resolution.
Proclamations
- Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month (April 2024): Commissioner Underood read the proclammation, noting that every 68 seconds an American is sexally assaulted and every 9 minutes the victim is a child. She presented it to representatives from The Lighthouse, Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center, and The Gulf Coast Family Center. Commissioners e pressed support for the work of these agencies. The motion passed 4-0.
- Confederate History Month (April 2024): Roger Rendleman read the proclammation. Commissioner Ball presented it to Ms. Mary Blackman (wife of late Bert Blackman) and Mr. Richard Sheely, Alabama State Commander of the Military Order of Stars and Bars. Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives, played a video collage of the late Mr. Bert Blackman discussing Confederate history and honoring veterans. Commissioners spoke fondly of Mr. Blackman’s passion and teaching legacy. The motion passed 4-0.
- National Telecommunicators/Communication Officers Week (April 14-20, 2024): Commissioner McKenzie read the proclammation, noting that the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division receives approximately 100,000 calls for service each year. Major Tony Nolfe accepted on behalf of staff, thanking the commission for recognizing the dispatchers. Commissioners praised the communicators as vital first respondders. The motion passed 4-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public signed up to speak.
Discussion Items
- Alcohol License Fees (FM1): The commission adopted the annual county levy for alcohol licenses for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, with fees ranging from $15.00 (Wine Festival Participant) to $1,111.00 (Club Liquor Css II). No new fees or licenses were added. The motion passed 4-0.
Key Outcomes
- All votes (minutes, bills, consent agenda, three proclamations, alcohol fees, and adjournnment) passed unanimously (4-0).
- The commission authorized submission of a $200,000 Homeland Securty Grant application due April 15.
- ARPA funds totaling $2,385,127.20 were allocated: $2,085,127.20 for River Road drainage and $300,000 for Old Vaughn School improvements.
- A new Government Relations Director position was created.
- Personnel changes in the Revenue Commission included promotions, new hires, and a pay adjustment.
- A letter of support for Historic Blakely State Park’s GOMESA grant application was authorized.
- The meeting adjourned at 10:46 AM.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to the April 2nd, 2024 regular meeting of the Ball County Commission. We have Pastor Steve Pettis here from Bay Assembly and Bay Manette is going to come to the podium and lead us in the indication. And then we'll be followed by Commissioner Gruber will lead us in the pledge. Thank you for being here today. Thank you. Would you bow your heads, Heavenly Father? As we assemble today, we understand that without you, we can do nothing. But with you, all things are possible. We ask God that as our council just presides over business and situations that affect our county. Father, that you would give them insight as they posture themselves as the servants that they are. Give them wisdom to know how to collaborate, and father, how to solve the problems and to celebrate the successes of our great county. Father, I pray that you would give us peace and prosperity as we serve you and all things that we do in your holy name we pray. Amen. Please join me for a pledge. One nation under God and liberty and justice. Okay, thank you. The first item on our agenda is to adopt the minutes of the March 14th and the March 19th meeting. The March 14th was department head meeting and March 19th was regular meeting. Madam Chairman, motion that we uh approve the minutes from the March uh 14th, 2024 department heads meetings, and also the March 19th, 2024 regular meeting. We have a motion. Do I hear a second? Second. All right. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. The ayes have it. The minutes are adopted. Next, we have our um finance chair. Madam Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that we approve the payment of the bills. Second. All right, we have a motion and a second to pay our bills. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Good thing to be able to pay our bills. Uh next item on the agenda is a notification of interim payments approved by Clerk Treasurer as allowed under policy 8.1. Um, next on our agenda is our consent agenda, which was discussed during our pre-meeting work session this morning. Um, just want to make a notation that we that item CJ 1 was pulled at the request of the corner. We are adding the addendum item GA1, and there are replacement attachments for items CE7 and CL1. We need a motion to approve Madam Chairman. I make a motion we adopt our consent agenda as you just outlined. Okay. Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. The consent agenda is passed. Which brings us all the way over to presentations. The first um presentation that we have on our agenda is a proclamation for child abuse prevention and awareness month and sexual assault prevention and awareness month. Um, I believe we have representative representatives from the Child Advocacy Center, the Lighthouse, and the Gulf Coast Family Center here.
openpublica.com