Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting - May 21, 2024
Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting - May 21, 2024
The Baldwin County Commission held its regular meeting on May 21, 2024 at 10:00 AM in Fairhope, Alabama. The meeting began with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of minutes and reports. Key actions included adoption of proclamations for Beach Safe Week and EMS Week, approval of consent agenda items, and four public hearings on rezoning cases. The most contentious item was Case Z24-10 (Hamm Enterprises) which resulted in a 2-2 tie vote on a motion to deny; therefore the rezoning was not approved. Commissioner comments addressed a recent mass shooting, graduations, and Memorial Day.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the May 7, 2024 regular meeting.
- Approved payment of bills.
- Approved consent agenda items, which included:
- Baldwin County Board of Human Resources board appointments (resignations accepted; JaNay Dawson appointed).
- Alcohol license for Live Music and Billiards LLC d/b/a Tardeada Baile (special event June 1, 2024).
- Resolution #2024-116 approving use of fire tax proceeds by Elsanor Volunteer Fire/Rescue for a loan up to $655,074 for a fire truck.
- Transfer of megasite property (Crosby and Catawba) from Economic Development Alliance to the Commission.
- Concurrence for construction contract award (Waverly Construction) for Loxley Municipal Park Transit Hub.
- Rescinding prior award and awarding road resurfacing Group #2 to John G. Walton Construction Co., Inc. ($1,509,457.77).
- Authorizing bids for HVAC equipment for Foley Satellite Courthouse.
- Authorizing bid for 30 kW diesel generator for Sheriff's Training Facility.
- Adopting Resolution #2024-120 for Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday (July 19-21, 2024).
- Authorizing sale of surplus equipment via GovDeals.
- Approving Revenue Commission report of insolvents, errors, taxes in litigation for 2023.
- Approving certificate of exception from garbage pickup for Debbie Bryant.
- Adopting Resolution #2024-118 updating mandatory garbage collection regulations.
- Allocating $754,920.21 in ARPA funds for drainage improvements along County Road 65.
- Authorizing Adopt-A-Mile program for County Road 48 (NightCruzin Car Club).
- Approving contracts for right-of-way acquisition appraisals (five appraisers).
- Executing quitclaim deeds to City of Loxley for portions of County Road 49 and Truck Route 17.
- Adopting Resolution #2024-121 and funding agreement with ALDOT for intersection improvements at State Highway 181/County Road 24.
- Approving supplemental reimbursable utility agreements with East Central Baldwin Water Authority for Hurricane Sally repairs (seven projects).
- Personnel changes: employment of two Animal Control Technicians, one Custodian, two Highway Department employees; promotions in Highway Traffic Operations, Parks, and Probate Office.
- Planning and Zoning Commission board appointment (Reid Key appointed).
Presentations
- Beach Safe Week Proclamation (May 20-27, 2024): Commissioner McKenzie read and presented the proclamation to EMA Director Tom Tyler and others. Tyler recognized partner agencies. Commissioners urged residents to heed beach warnings and sign up for alerts. Unanimously adopted.
- Emergency Medical Services Week Proclamation (May 19-25, 2024): Chairman Underwood read and presented to Brad Jernigan of Global Medical Response. Jernigan noted the 50th anniversary and described department activities. Unanimously adopted.
Public Hearings
Case Z24-06 (Smith Property Rezoning): 38 acres from RA to RSF-E in Foley. Planning staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. Applicant Jonathan Petty answered questions. No public opposition. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
Case Z24-08 (Curtis Property Rezoning): 2.98 acres from RSF-E to RSF-1 in Foley. Planning Commission recommended approval (8-1). Owner Scott Curtis stated he wished to subdivide for family. No opposition. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
Case Z24-09 (Lewis Property Rezoning): 3.3 acres from RA to RSF-1 on County Road 97. Planning staff and commission recommended approval. No public speakers. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
Case Z24-10 (Hamm Enterprises LTD Property Rezoning): 22.87 acres from RA to RSF-4 to allow future development as part of Spanish Cove. Planning staff recommended approval; Planning Commission recommended denial (8-1). Eleven citizens spoke in opposition, citing concerns about stormwater runoff, traffic, density, crime, infrastructure, and compatibility with the rural character. Two speakers (applicant Jeff Windham and engineer David Shumer) argued the property had been designated for development since 1973, that infrastructure studies would occur at subdivision stage, and that the request was less dense than existing non-conforming lots. Commissioners discussed legal standards: the rezoning decision cannot consider future subdivision details. Commissioner McKenzie moved to deny, citing safety, drainage, citizen opposition, and the lack of Spanish Cove board attendance. Commissioner Gruber seconded. The motion failed on a 2-2 vote (McKenzie and Gruber aye; Ball and Underwood nay). Consequently, the zoning amendment was not approved, and the property remains zoned RA.
Commissioner Comments
- Commissioner Ball spoke about the mass shooting at May Day Park in Stockton on May 11, 2024, which left three dead and 19 injured. He expressed condolences to the family of Christian Bradley, nephew of county employee Felisha Anderson. He praised the response of law enforcement, EMS, and North Baldwin Infirmary staff. He also congratulated Baldwin County High School graduates (his daughter among them) and reminded attendees of the meaning of Memorial Day.
- Commissioner McKenzie thanked first responders and staff, and echoed thoughts on the tragedy.
- Commissioner Gruber expressed shock at the shooting, thanked first responders, and urged remembrance of fallen service members.
- Chairman Underwood reflected on the tragedy, noted attendance at graduations and a sports banquet, thanked staff, and highlighted the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Robertsdale. She wished everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend.
Key Outcomes
- All consent items approved.
- Proclamations for Beach Safe Week and EMS Week adopted.
- Four rezoning cases: three approved; one (Hamm Enterprises) not approved due to 2-2 tie on motion to deny.
- Meeting adjourned at 12:20 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to the uh May 21st regular meeting of the Balling County Commission. Um we have Pastor Ann Rowan here. It's going to lead us in the invocation. And then followed by that, uh, Commissioner Ball will lead us in the pledge. Thank you. Good morning, everyone. My name is Ann Rowan. Um, I'm the lead pastor at FMC Family Ministries Center. We're a non-denominational church located here in Fairhope. Um, we're visitors become family. Um, it is my pleasure to be here with you today. I want to thank you all for uh for being here today, and I thank you all for all that you do for the Baldwin County families, and I'll feel blessed to be a part of it. Um, it is my honor to deliver the invocation for this meeting. Um let us pray. Father God, we humbly approach your face this morning, thanking you for all that you are. I thank you for the officials here today that you have placed in position to govern this county. I pray that as they make the important decisions for the good of the people, they'll be in one mind in one accord, united together with the same purpose under one common cause. I pray that their influence, Father, um, and their decisions will impact the progress of the people and will and will cause this county to flourish beyond their wildest imagination. I pray, God, that I hold them high before you today, and I pray that as they make these decisions, you will impart unto them your godly wisdom, and I pray for the divine strategy, Lord, that they need as they seek your guidance to lead the people of Baldwin County to their greatest moments in its history. I pray that you empower them to bear the load that they carry and help them to serve with grace. And just as you called out to the young boy Samuel in 1 Samuel chapter 3, when you because you needed his voice, I pray that you call out their names, each one individually, uh, the names of these great leaders here today. And uh, Father, I I pray that you let them hear you and recognize your voice, and pray that um they'll answer you as Samuel did, as he said, here am I. Um speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I pray this in the powerful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen. Amen. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to my United States of America and the Republic for which it stands one nation. With liberty and justice for all. Okay. The first item on our agenda is the adoption of the May 7th, 2024 regular meeting minutes. Do I hear a motion? I still make a motion that we all approved the minutes from May 7th 2024. Okay. We have a motion by Commissioner Gruber. Do I hear a second? Second. Matt. All right. Matt, I'll give it to Matt. Okay. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. The motion carries. Next is the um committee reports, the finance chair. Uh Madam Chairman, I make a motion that we pay our bills. Second. All right, we have a motion and a second to pay our bills. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
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