Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting - September 3, 2024

The Baldwin County Commission held its regular meeting on September 3, 2024, at 10:00 AM in the County Commission Meeting Chambers, Bay Minette, Alabama. A pre-meeting work session began at 8:30 AM. All four commissioners were present: James E. Ball (District 1), Matthew P. McKenzie (District 2), Billie Jo Underwood (District 3, Chairman), and Charles F. Gruber (District 4). The meeting was adjourned at 10:44 AM.

Consent Calendar

• The Consent Agenda was approved with two modifications: Item CE2 (Contract for Engineering/Environmental Services for County Road 65 Corridor Extension – Paul Cleverdon Road Section) had a replacement attachment, and Addendum Item GA1 (Amendment of Contracts for Assistants to Absentee Election Manager) was added to the Consent Agenda.
• Key items approved under consent included:
  • CA1: Correction of address for alcohol license application for Sai Yogeshwaraaya LLC d/b/a Bon Secour C Store.
  • CA2: Acknowledgment of City of Robertsdale annexation notification.
  • CA3: Hold Harmless/Indemnity Agreement with United Bank for returning funds for Baldwin County Library Cooperative.
  • CA4: Approval of routes and rest stop for the National MS Society’s Bike MS: Tour de Beach event on September 28–29, 2024.
  • CA5: Memorialization of order granting license for Walters Cemetery in Summerdale.
  • CA6: Adoption of revised policies 2.7 (Cemeteries) and 2.17 (Advertisement Requirements), and abolition of Policy 2.18.
  • CB1: Professional Services Agreements with Safe Harbor Animal Coalition (Trap-Neuter-Return) and Abel Veterinary Clinic (veterinary services), both with automatic renewal clauses.
  • CC1: Acceptance of a $2,600 Alabama Tourism Department Legislative Tourism Grant for Christmas at Bicentennial Park.
  • CD1: Approval to auction five BRATS vehicles on GovDeals.com with a minimum bid of $1,500.
  • CE1 & CE2: Contracts with Thompson Engineering for County Road 65 corridor extension projects ($196,000 for segment between CR 34 and 36; $499,500 for Paul Cleverdon Road section).
  • CE3: Authorization to begin negotiations with Volkert Inc. for engineering services for Scenic Highway 98 Bridge Replacement in Point Clear.
  • CE4–CE9: Awards of bids for HVAC maintenance, painting/drywall, traffic signal repair, bituminous materials, emergency generator repair ($40,399), and flooring installation at Sheriff’s Office ($35,109).
  • CI1: Fiscal Year 2024–2025 Title III Older Americans Act contract with South Alabama Regional Planning Commission ($145,052).
  • CJ1: Rescission and reapproval of Memorandum of Agreement with Gulf Coast HIDTA for overtime reimbursement (effective Jan 1–Dec 31, 2024).
  • CN1: Allocation of $710.51 in ARPA funds for publication of bid notice for correctional facility mental health cells.
  • CN2: Adoption of Resolution #2024-155 approving Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Local Recovery Plan.
  • CO1: Approval of Amendment No. 3 to subaward grant for Lillian Park Beach Habitat and Shoreline Protection, adding $364,997 in RESTORE funds and extending performance to April 30, 2026.
  • CO2 & CO3: Release of maintenance bonds for Fields Crossing ($110,660.42) and Terranova Subdivision ($173,503.48).
  • CO4: Reimbursable Utility Agreement with Baldwin County Sewer Service for paved shoulders on County Road 99 ($82,500 total; 80% federal match, 20% county).
  • CR1: Employment of Andre Davis (Operator Technician III, $19.75/hr) and promotion of Joseph McFerrin (Operator Technician II, $19.16/hr) in Highway Department.
  • CR2: Employment of John Hibbert as Landscape Technician I ($16.54/hr) in Parks Department.
  • CS1: Adoption of Resolution #2024-156 establishing the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) and making appointments/reappointments. Notable: resignations of Kim Burmeister, Paige Felts, Tommy Cleverdon; appointment of Miles Cook, Leslie Gahagan, Brett Gaar, Todd Frank, Donald Joffe; and recognition of the late Casey Fulford for her service.
  • GA1: Amendment of contracts for absentee election assistants to start September 3 instead of September 11, 2024, for the November 5, 2024 general election.

Presentations

• DA1 – Proclamation – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (September 2024): Commissioner Ball read a proclamation citing statistics: approximately 15,780 children aged 0–19 diagnosed annually in the U.S., 1 in 285 children diagnosed before age 20, and 44% of cases worldwide undiagnosed. The proclamation was presented to the family of Carlin Davis, who passed from a rare brain cancer. Commissioner Ball highlighted donation boxes being placed in courthouses for hospital supplies. The motion to adopt passed unanimously (4-0).
• DA2 – Recognition of Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack: The Commission recognized former Sheriff Mack for his 18 years of service. Mack addressed the Commission, thanking them and reflecting on his career. Commissioners and newly appointed Sheriff Anthony Lowery expressed gratitude and noted Mack’s new role as Executive Director of the Alabama Sheriffs’ Association. A standing ovation was given. (No formal vote required as resolution was adopted previously.)

Commissioner Comments

• Commissioners thanked staff and law enforcement. Commissioner McKenzie reported that unauthorized signs (“boat launch only, no fishing, no crabbing”) were placed on county property and removed; he alerted the county engineer and DCNR. Chairman Underwood thanked those who pray for elected officials, referencing Psalm 35.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (including amendments) were approved unanimously (4-0).
• The proclamation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month was adopted unanimously (4-0).
• The meeting adjourned at 10:44 AM following a motion by Commissioner McKenzie.