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Record of Proceedings

Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting - April 16, 2024

County Commission — Tuesday, April 16, 2024
BodyBaldwin County, Alabama
SessionCounty Commission
DateTuesday, April 16, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:41:58

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:01

Good morning and welcome to the August 16th, 2024 regular meeting of the Baldwin County Commission.

0:07

Um we are here to start our meeting, and we have Pastor Garcia from Celebration Church here in Fair Hope that will lead us in the invocation.

0:16

And Commissioner Gruber, will you lead us in the pledge?

0:20

Okay.

0:23

Uh Liz Pray.

0:24

Here God, we want to thank you so much for everything that you've given us and bless the swift Lord.

0:28

Today we just pray over this meeting that you give us wisdom and insight, Lord.

0:32

God, we just pray that you help us to steward what you've given us.

0:35

God, we also just pray that you help us to make Baldwin County the best that it can be.

0:39

Lord, we thank you in advance for the things that you're doing now, the things you're going to do, and the things you've done.

0:44

In name I pray.

0:44

Amen.

0:45

Amen.

0:46

Please join me in a pledge.

0:49

A pledge of allegiance to the fly of the United States of America.

0:53

And so we apply for which it stands.

0:56

One nation under God.

0:59

Individual with liberty and justice for all.

1:05

Okay, Commissioners.

1:06

The first item on the agenda is the approval of the April 2nd, 2024 regular meeting minutes.

1:12

Do I hear motion?

1:13

I'll make a motion that we approve the April 2nd, 2024 regular meeting minutes.

1:18

I have a motion by Commissioner Gruber.

1:19

Do I hear a second?

1:20

Second.

1:21

Second by Commissioner McKenzie.

1:22

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

1:24

Aye.

1:25

Motion carries.

1:26

The next item is the payment of our bills.

1:29

Madam Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that we approve our bills.

1:33

Second.

1:34

We have a motion and a second to pay our bills.

1:35

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

1:38

Aye.

1:38

The next item on the agenda is a notification of interim payments approved by the clerk treasurer as allowed under policy 8.1.

1:46

Which leads us to our consent agenda.

1:48

Our consent agenda, which was discussed in the work session prior to this meeting.

2:04

So we will not be voting on that in the addenda.

2:06

We're adding that to consent.

2:08

Madam Chairman, I make a motion we adopt our consent agenda.

2:11

Okay.

2:12

I'll take it the motion.

2:13

All right, we have a motion by Commissioner Ball, executed by Commissioner Gruber to adopt the consent agenda.

2:18

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:20

Aye.

2:21

It's passed.

2:22

All right.

2:23

So now I get to flip all the way over.

2:24

Let's put these on so I can see.

2:27

Madam Chairman, if you we got to bring that um okay.

2:30

We have one item that we're gonna move.

2:32

I'm gonna move the um there is an addenda that came up that is not this is one that's coming from the floor.

2:40

This is an item that David Connor is going to come up and present to us, and we're gonna move that on up so that we can take a vote on that.

2:52

Okay, thank you, Mr.

2:53

Connor.

2:54

Thank you.

2:54

Uh here on behalf of your consortium of attorneys that represent Baldwin County in the national opioid litigation.

3:01

Uh, there has been a proposed settlement that's been agreed upon to settle claims against Cardinal Health and Sincora, formerly known as a mayor Sorceburg and Drug Company.

3:11

Uh, have an agenda action item for you that uh recommends the approval of this settlement and the authorizing the chairman to execute any documents related to the settlement uh to effect that settlement on behalf of Baldwin County.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning█████████████████████████████████████37%
Environmental Protection███████████████████████23%
Procedural████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Traffic████4%
Opioid Funding███3%
Racial Equity███3%
Master Planning███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting - April 16, 2024

The Baldwin County Commission held its regular meeting on April 16, 2024, at 10:00 AM in the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse. The meeting included adoption of minutes, approval of bills, a consent agenda with 28 items, presentations, public hearings, and a resolution to join opioid settlements. All votes were unanimous (4-0) unless noted otherwise.

Consent Calendar

  • Adopted minutes of April 2, 2024, regular meeting.
  • Approved bills and distribution of taxes (Payment of Bills 24-0662).
  • Approved the consent agenda including 27 items from Administration, Archives and History, Budget/Purchasing, Communications, Elected Officials, Environmental Management, Grants, Highway, Juvenile Detention, and Personnel. Key items: acknowledgment of City of Orange Beach annexation; reappointments to Eastern Shore Health Care Authority (Em Johnson, John Baker, Tut Wynne); appointment of Victoria Loewen to Cindy Haber Center board; support for Alabama State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day event (providing chairs, tent, PA system, stage, and BRATS transport at total cost $2,828); approval of Perdido Vineyards Dice Run benefit motorcycle ride on April 20; termination of lease with Bay Minette for police complex; approval of TEFRA resolution for Infirmary Health System bonds; creation of TIF District 1 effective May 1 for 35 years and approval of project plan; adoption of resolution authorizing warrants for TIF; appropriation of $60,000 from Historic Parks Fund for Olde Time Days event on October 5; authorization to bid roof replacement and maintenance (up to $400,000); extension of portable message sign rental bid; pre-qualification of eight contractors for District Attorney building in Bay Minette; authorization for annual ADCNR risk assessment; agreement with Tensaw Volunteer Fire Dept for interoperability communications; donation of three laptops to Amateur Radio Club; sale of surplus equipment on GovDeals; approval of law enforcement contract with Orange Beach for 2024; garbage fee exemptions: 15 low-income approved, 10 denied; 279 Social Security exemptions approved, 43 denied; permission to advertise for protective partitions; acceptance of $27,650 Homeland Security grant application for night vision goggles; submission of $50,000 ACAMP grant for Meadows Park public access; release of maintenance bond for Estates at The Verandas; license agreement for sewer line on Kee Avenue; subaward agreement for Fish River Watershed stormwater facility preliminary engineering; reallocation of funds for Juvenile Detention fire protection; personnel promotions and hires (Derica Johnson, Jamie Garrett, Matthew Quinley, Amanda Maggerise).
  • Adopted Resolution #2024-110 to submit GOMESA application for Gulfway Street Beach Access project.

Presentations

  • Fair Housing Month Proclamation: Commissioner Ball presented the proclamation to Kayla Sanders of Baldwin Realtors, who read a statement on the history and importance of the Fair Housing Act. The commission unanimously adopted the proclamation.
  • Environmental Stewardship Awards: The Environmental Advisory Committee presented awards to 11 recipients across categories (Agriculture – Baldwin County Soil & Water Conservation District; Large Business – Grand Hotel; Small Business – Cooper Farm 4-H; Educational Program – Jessica Sampley, Gulf Shores High School; Education Teacher – Tammy Grace; Environmental Organization – Tom & Laurie Eberly, Little Lagoon Oyster Gardening Program (grew 54,000 oysters in 2023); Government Employee – Angie Eckman, Water Watch Steward; Individual Citizens – Pittman, Turner & Milling families (donated 65 acres of Titi Swamp); Student Initiative – Cade Kichler, Lillian Park wildlife viewing area; Special Recognition – In Memory of Andrew James). Commissioners commended the recipients and the committee.

Public Hearings

  • Case VAC-24-1 – Vacation of a portion of Rosalia Avenue (Lillian): Assistant County Engineer Mark Acreman explained 70 years of title discrepancies. The vacation would enable cleanup of rights-of-way and provide room for parking relocation. Speaker Ronald Bellars thanked the commission. The commission unanimously approved the vacation contingent on execution of quitclaim deeds.
  • Case Z24-01 – Bornholt Property Rezoning (41 acres, RA to RSF-1): Staff remained neutral; Planning Commission recommended denial 10-1. Speakers in opposition (Jeanne Piotrowicz, Trevor White, David Diehl, Kimberly Campbell, Gwen Block) cited traffic, pedestrian safety, infrastructure strains (31-minute fire response), and incompatibility with active farming. Applicant representative John Paul Vallas argued for low-density development (27 lots on 41 acres). Commission denied the rezoning 4-0, citing incompatibility with the master plan.
  • Case Z24-02 – Carillon Oaks Property Rezoning (2.91 acres, CR to B-1): Staff recommended approval; Planning Commission recommended denial 9-2. Speaker Jessica McDill (for applicant) stated the rezoning would allow a daycare and professional office, consistent with the master plan. Commission rejected the Planning Commission's recommendation and approved the rezoning 4-0.
  • Case Z24-03 – Vaughan Property Rezoning (2.52 acres, RA to B-2): Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval (10-1). Speaker DeAnna Hyche (Broadway Group) said the rezoning is commensurate with long-term use. Commission approved 4-0.
  • Case Z24-04 – Lewis Property Rezoning (5 acres, RA to B-3): Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval (11-0). No public speakers. Commission approved 4-0 for a golf driving range (use not in master plan).
  • Case Z24-05 – Curtis Property Rezoning (3.07 acres, RV-2 to RR): Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval (10-1). Applicant Scott Curtis answered questions; he had previously been denied B-3. Commission approved 4-0.

Key Outcomes

  • All consent agenda items (including addendum) approved unanimously.
  • Resolution #2024-111 adopted unanimously to join opioid settlements with Cardinal Health and Cencora, authorizing Chairman to sign documents and including a MOU for allocation of funds from Endo/Mallinckrodt bankruptcies.
  • Bornholt rezoning (Z24-01) denied. All other rezoning cases approved.
  • Rosalia Avenue vacation approved.
  • Commissioner Ball requested staff to consider incorporating golf driving ranges into the Baldwin County Master Plan.
  • Meeting adjourned at 11:42 AM.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning and welcome to the August 16th, 2024 regular meeting of the Baldwin County Commission. Um we are here to start our meeting, and we have Pastor Garcia from Celebration Church here in Fair Hope that will lead us in the invocation. And Commissioner Gruber, will you lead us in the pledge? Okay. Uh Liz Pray. Here God, we want to thank you so much for everything that you've given us and bless the swift Lord. Today we just pray over this meeting that you give us wisdom and insight, Lord. God, we just pray that you help us to steward what you've given us. God, we also just pray that you help us to make Baldwin County the best that it can be. Lord, we thank you in advance for the things that you're doing now, the things you're going to do, and the things you've done. In name I pray. Amen. Amen. Please join me in a pledge. A pledge of allegiance to the fly of the United States of America. And so we apply for which it stands. One nation under God. Individual with liberty and justice for all. Okay, Commissioners. The first item on the agenda is the approval of the April 2nd, 2024 regular meeting minutes. Do I hear motion? I'll make a motion that we approve the April 2nd, 2024 regular meeting minutes. I have a motion by Commissioner Gruber. Do I hear a second? Second. Second by Commissioner McKenzie. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries. The next item is the payment of our bills. Madam Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that we approve our bills. Second. We have a motion and a second to pay our bills. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. The next item on the agenda is a notification of interim payments approved by the clerk treasurer as allowed under policy 8.1. Which leads us to our consent agenda. Our consent agenda, which was discussed in the work session prior to this meeting. So we will not be voting on that in the addenda. We're adding that to consent. Madam Chairman, I make a motion we adopt our consent agenda. Okay. I'll take it the motion. All right, we have a motion by Commissioner Ball, executed by Commissioner Gruber to adopt the consent agenda. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. It's passed. All right. So now I get to flip all the way over. Let's put these on so I can see.

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