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Record of Proceedings

Baldwin County Commission Meeting: Work Session and Regular Meeting, June 18, 2024

County Commission — Tuesday, June 18, 2024
BodyBaldwin County, Alabama
SessionCounty Commission
DateTuesday, June 18, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:14:41

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:04

We'll call this work session to order for the Ballin County Commission.

0:08

This is the June the 18th work session.

0:12

And I have asked Commissioner McKenzie if he will lead us in the invocation, followed by the pledge that we led by Commissioner Ball.

0:18

Thank you.

0:18

If you'll buy it.

0:20

Please pray with me.

0:20

Dear Holy Father, thank you for this day.

0:22

Lord, as we discuss county business, make sure we make the right decisions.

0:25

In Jesus' name, amen.

0:26

Amen.

0:28

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:35

One nation under God and individual.

0:40

Thank you.

0:44

Don't y'all love it when you open up your computer and it says you're getting an update.

0:52

How about means you had to turn it on anywhere?

0:56

We've got the paper if it goes out.

0:59

All right.

1:00

Well, we'll start out with reviewing the where's my paper copy.

1:09

Oh well, this one popped up now.

1:12

Oh, you think it was Monday.

1:15

First item is to go over the consent agenda and set it for the regular meeting.

1:20

Uh, what we have on consent is we start out with uh administration and the items on administration.

1:28

Um are there any questions?

1:31

We do have the CA2.

1:33

I want to recommend that we appoint uh ACCA to be our proxy for that vote.

1:40

Okay, we have ACCA.

1:42

Hey Matt, hand me that agenda on the other side of you.

1:45

Somehow another you got two.

1:50

Probably took yours.

1:50

What's online doesn't have the red print in there, it's not the red letters.

1:56

All right, let's go back to here.

1:58

Okay, so we have a recommendation that we um instead of selecting a commissioner, we just select and I concur with that.

2:07

So we can still leave this on consent.

2:10

We just needed to put a name in there, right?

2:12

So it'll be ACCA, Sunny Razville.

2:15

And I guess my recommendation would be that we just um leave it like that.

2:20

Leave it like that for future NACO meetings.

2:24

And the commission always reserves the right to create an agenda item and do it ourselves if we decide that right.

2:31

We'll still know we'll still have to take action each year, man.

2:34

We have to do an agenda item each year.

2:36

Every year, yes, they do require our residence.

2:38

Okay, okay.

2:39

Well then let's just never mind.

2:41

Let's just do it for now then.

2:42

We gotta do it every year, gotta do it every year.

2:45

All right, we will we'll put that now it can still be on consent.

2:48

Everybody's okay with that.

2:50

All right, so there's um no really other items on here.

2:56

I've got a question with CA3 if you don't mind.

2:59

Umda, would this complete the project with the jail?

3:02

This this amount.

3:03

Okay.

3:05

Good.

3:06

All right.

3:07

I hope so too.

3:08

Thank you.

3:08

We have some folks in the house that that are here, I believe, probably about that.

3:14

So did y'all want to say anything?

3:16

Are you on a wait?

3:18

I mean, we're just in work session right now.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████19%
Employee Retention███████████████15%
Fiscal Sustainability█████████████13%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Zoning███████7%
Public Engagement█████5%
Public Safety█████5%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Emergency Management█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Baldwin County Commission Meeting: Work Session and Regular Meeting, June 18, 2024

The Baldwin County Commission held a pre-meeting work session at 8:30 AM and a regular meeting at 10:00 AM on June 18, 2024, at the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse. The work session included discussion of agenda items and an executive session. The regular meeting approved a consent agenda with several exceptions, re-voted on jail financing, and recognized employees of the quarter. The Commission also approved a public hearing rezoning, a grant for weather radios, and a tax increment warrant resolution.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda with the following exceptions:
    • CC1 (Christmas Extravaganza and Holiday Light Display at Bicentennial Park) was pulled to gather more information on costs and impact; tabled to the July 2, 2024 meeting.
    • CE14 (Resolution #2024-126 updating allocation of local cigarette tax revenue) was pulled to explore adding the Dream Center as a recipient; brought back to a future meeting.
    • CK1 (Gulf Coast RC&D grant for purchase of 300 NOAA weather radios) was moved to Other Staff Recommendations for a separate vote due to Chairman Underwood's membership on the RC&D board.
  • The consent agenda included approval of 16 items (CA1-CA5, CE1-CE10, CE12-CE13, CH1-CH3, CN1-CN2, CO1-CO3, CP1, CR1-CR7, CS1) after the above removals.
  • CA3 (Resolution #2024-130 for $12,845,000 in jail financing warrants) was originally on consent but was re-voted separately at the advice of bond counsel; passed unanimously (4-0).
  • CE11 (Final design for new Baldwin County District Attorney Building in Bay Minette) was approved on consent; the design includes a two-story structure with estimated cost of $10,156,150.
  • CE12 (Project No. HW24084 – Construction of Mega Site Novelis Rail Spur) awarded to S. A. Graham Co., Inc. for $14,869,642.87 with a 540-calendar-day construction period.
  • CN2 (Allocation of $400,000 in ARPA Revenue Replacement Funds for engineering design of Scenic Highway 98 Bridge Replacement Project) approved.
  • CE9 (Purchase of 172+ Poll Pad Equipment Packages from KNOWiNK, LLC for $245,960) approved.
  • CE13 (Removal of derelict boat in Palmetto Creek by Gillis Construction for $5,300) approved.
  • CR1-7 (Personnel actions including demotions, leave, employment, reclassification) approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Hearing (ES1 – Craig Property Rezoning): No members of the public spoke. The hearing was opened and closed at 10:15 AM.
  • Public Comments (Regular Meeting): None.

Discussion Items

  • Jail Financing (CA3): Ken Funderburk (Stifel) briefed the Commission on the $12,845,000 Building Revenue Warrants, Series 2024, noting the county's A+ and AA1 ratings and a 4.50% interest rate. Walter Lewis (Piper Sandler) commended the seamless transaction. The warrants will complete construction of the new County Jail.
  • Library Intergovernmental Agreement (CA4): County Administrator Roger Rendleman explained the revision due to Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) requiring state aid to go directly to libraries instead of through the county. The Commission approved.
  • Christmas Extravaganza (CC1): Commissioner Gruber requested pulling the item. Chairman Underwood expressed concerns about $446,000 in total costs over two fiscal years, including $196,000 in labor, and questioned the use of historical funds. Felisha Anderson (Archives Director) noted volunteers would work the event but not setup. The item was tabled for further information on strain on county departments.
  • District Attorney Building (CE11): Todd Stewart (Adams Stewart Architects) presented the final design. Commissioners discussed cost increases from an initial $9 million to $10.2 million, and whether FF&E was included. The design was approved on consent.
  • Cigarette Tax Allocation (CE14): Commissioner McKenzie asked about adding the Dream Center following the removal of Dawn House. Beth (Administration) clarified the allocation must be for mental health and child advocacy; Dawn House's 2% ($17,500 annually) was being reallocated. The item was pulled for research.
  • Planning Jurisdiction Agreement with Foley (CS1): Jay Dickson (Planning Director) explained the new four-year agreement allows Foley to regulate multi-family and commercial development outside city limits. Baldwin County will still enforce zoning and building permits. Approved.
  • EMA Tabletop Exercise: Tom Tyler (EMA Director) reported on the June 17 exercise, highlighting opportunities to strengthen municipal relationships and streamline inventory management with state EMA. Commission commended the effort.
  • Senior Staff Reports: County Administrator Rendleman noted corrections needed in emergency resolutions after discussions during the exercise.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved with exceptions (4-0).
  • CA3 – Jail Financing: Resolution #2024-130 adopted (4-0).
  • CK1 – Weather Radio Grant: Motion to approve passed 3-0-1 (Underwood abstained).
  • FA1 – Tax Increment Warrants: Resolution #2024-122 adopted, authorizing General Obligation Economic Development Warrants not to exceed $37,500,000 for TIF District 1 (4-0).
  • ES1 – Craig Property Rezoning: Resolution #2024-119 adopted, rezoning 1.95 acres from BCZ to RSF-1 (4-0).
  • Employee Recognition: Zachary Bodle and Earl Steadham (Highway Department) recognized as Employees of the 1st Quarter 2024.
  • Executive Session: Work session adjourned into executive session at 9:24 AM to discuss personnel and pending litigation; work session did not reconvene.
  • Adjournment: Regular meeting adjourned at 10:24 AM.

Meeting Transcript

We'll call this work session to order for the Ballin County Commission. This is the June the 18th work session. And I have asked Commissioner McKenzie if he will lead us in the invocation, followed by the pledge that we led by Commissioner Ball. Thank you. If you'll buy it. Please pray with me. Dear Holy Father, thank you for this day. Lord, as we discuss county business, make sure we make the right decisions. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God and individual. Thank you. Don't y'all love it when you open up your computer and it says you're getting an update. How about means you had to turn it on anywhere? We've got the paper if it goes out. All right. Well, we'll start out with reviewing the where's my paper copy. Oh well, this one popped up now. Oh, you think it was Monday. First item is to go over the consent agenda and set it for the regular meeting. Uh, what we have on consent is we start out with uh administration and the items on administration. Um are there any questions? We do have the CA2. I want to recommend that we appoint uh ACCA to be our proxy for that vote. Okay, we have ACCA. Hey Matt, hand me that agenda on the other side of you. Somehow another you got two. Probably took yours. What's online doesn't have the red print in there, it's not the red letters. All right, let's go back to here. Okay, so we have a recommendation that we um instead of selecting a commissioner, we just select and I concur with that. So we can still leave this on consent. We just needed to put a name in there, right? So it'll be ACCA, Sunny Razville. And I guess my recommendation would be that we just um leave it like that. Leave it like that for future NACO meetings. And the commission always reserves the right to create an agenda item and do it ourselves if we decide that right. We'll still know we'll still have to take action each year, man. We have to do an agenda item each year. Every year, yes, they do require our residence. Okay, okay. Well then let's just never mind. Let's just do it for now then. We gotta do it every year, gotta do it every year. All right, we will we'll put that now it can still be on consent. Everybody's okay with that. All right, so there's um no really other items on here. I've got a question with CA3 if you don't mind. Umda, would this complete the project with the jail?

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