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.