Baldwin County Commission Pre-Meeting Work Session - April 16, 2024

The Baldwin County Commission convened for a pre-meeting work session on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 8:30 AM in the Baldwin County Fairhope Satellite Courthouse. Chairman Billie Jo Underwood presided, and all four commissioners were present. The session focused on setting the consent agenda for the regular meeting later that morning, receiving brief reports, and entering an executive session to discuss opioid litigation settlements.

Consent Calendar

• Commissioners reviewed and set the consent agenda for the regular meeting. Items placed on consent included:
  • Administration (CA1–CA9): including annexation notifications, board appointments, a benefit motorcycle ride, lease termination, TEFRA resolution for Infirmary Health System bonds, and creation of a Tax Increment Financing District with bond authorization.
  • Archives and History (CC1): appropriation for Olde Time Days event.
  • Budget/Purchasing (CE1–CE4): competitive bids for roof replacement, extension for solar-powered message signs, pre-qualification for DA building construction, and annual risk assessment.
  • Communications/Information Systems (CH1–CH3): interoperability agreement, donation, and sale of surplus equipment.
  • Elected Officials (CJ1): sheriff’s contract for law enforcement services with Orange Beach.
  • Environmental Management (CL1–CL2): low-income and Social Security exemption applications for garbage fees.
  • Grants (CN1–CN3): permission to advertise partitions, homeland security grant application, and ACAMP grant application.
  • Highway (CO1–CO3): release of maintenance bond, license agreement, and subaward for stormwater improvements.
  • Juvenile Detention (CP1): reallocation of budgeted funds.
  • Personnel (CR1–CR3): promotion and employment actions.
  • Addendum item GA1 (GOMESA project application) was added to the consent agenda.
• Item CA5 (Perdido Vineyards “Dice Run” Benefit Motorcycle Ride) was included contingent upon receipt of a certificate of liability insurance.

Discussion Items

• Commissioner Requests: Chairman Underwood commended Historic Blakeley Authority on its audited financial statements and thanked the Commission and Highway Department for paving the park’s parking lot. She encouraged commissioners to share relevant information from their board meetings.
• Senior Staff Reports: County Administrator Roger Rendleman acknowledged the collaborative work that went into creating the Tax Increment Financing District, which had been delayed previously.
• County Attorney’s Report: David Conner (Blackburn & Conner, P.C.) requested an executive session to discuss a proposed settlement in national opioid litigation involving Cardinal Health and Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen). The meeting recessed briefly at 8:41 AM to wait for Mr. Conner, reconvening at 8:45 AM, after which he made the required oral declaration.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda for the regular meeting was set, including the addition of GA1 (GOMESA project application).
• The Commission voted unanimously (4-0) to adjourn into executive session at 8:47 AM for approximately 20 minutes. The stated purposes were to discuss the general reputation, character, professional competence, or mental health of individuals, and to discuss with legal counsel the legal ramifications and options for pending or imminent litigation related to opioid settlements.