Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting - February 18, 2025\n\nThe Baldwin County Commission held its regular meeting on February 18, 2025, at the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse, preceded by a pre-meeting work session. The meeting covered a retiree recognition ceremony, two rezoning public hearings, adoption of a consent agenda with numerous items, and updates on grants and property management. Key decisions included approval of the Gatlin Property rezoning, denial of the Kimbrough Property rezoning, and acceptance of the withdrawal of the Randall Property rezoning. The meeting adjourned at 10:51 a.m.\n\n### Consent Calendar\n- Minutes: Approved the February 4, 2025, regular meeting minutes (4-0).\n- Payment of Bills: Approved payment of bills and tax distribution (4-0).\n- Ratify Interim Payments: Ratified interim payments as allowed by Policy 8.1 (4-0).\n- Consent Agenda: Approved with the exception of Item CE12 (Micro-transit Software RFP) which was removed (4-0).\n- Key Consent Items: Appropriation of $25,000 for Swift-Coles Home event pavilion; loan to Historic Blakeley Authority (Resolution #2025-078); employment contracts for part-time legislative clerks; letter of support for The Dream Center; approval of White House Fork Volunteer Fire Department loan up to $597,577 for a pumper truck; annexation notifications from Town of Elberta; cleaning agreement with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; renewal of OnCell Systems for historic tours app ($1,188 annually); easement agreement with Regions Bank for District Attorney building; various bid awards (tree removal, janitorial, guardrail, police equipment, motorgrader blades); contract with Thompson Engineering for Fish River Watershed Stormwater Pond ($150,000); allowance for mental health holding cells security upgrade ($171,383.54); change order for permanent repair sites ($19,465.73); pre-qualification of contractors for Central Annex renovations; release and settlement with PH & J Architects; authorization to negotiate with Thompson Engineering for Bruhn Road dirt road paving; budget amendment (Resolution #2025-081); Citibot communication technology subscription ($13,667); law enforcement contract with City of Orange Beach; ARPA subrecipient amendments for Summerdale Water Tower (extended to Feb 28, 2026) and Loxley Water Capacity (extended to Apr 30, 2025); contract extension with Civix for CDBG-DR planning ($50,000); license agreements for sewer force main on Sandy Lane/Danne Road; resolution for County Road 64 utility relocation (80% federal, 20% county); transfer of vehicles and equipment to various departments; numerous personnel actions (hires, promotions, reclassifications) for BRATS, CIS, Highway, Parks, Probate, and Planning/Zoning.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- Flood Hazard Management Plan (Public Hearing): No public comments offered. Chairman McKenzie opened and closed the hearing at 10:15 a.m.\n- Case Z24-50 – Kimbrough Property Rezoning: Opponents Sheena McClusky (on behalf of adjacent property owners) and Sonia Styron McClusky expressed concerns about density, stormwater runoff, lack of infrastructure, impact on wildlife, school overcrowding, and increased traffic. Supporter Jeremy Taylor (MTTR Engineers) stated a wetlands study reduces developable acres to about 100, drainage will be addressed per subdivision regulations, and access will come from County Road 12 and Wood Waters Road.\n- Case Z24-53 – Gatlin Property Rezoning: No public speakers signed up. Chris Lieb (Lieb Engineering) was present to answer questions.\n- Public Comments (after rezoning cases) : Ryan Crocuett (adjacent property owner) supported withdrawal of Randall rezoning, citing traffic safety. John Chason opposed moving a roadway in Josephine community, citing hardship. Douglas Smith presented research on multifamily housing impacts: home prices drop up to 25%, property crime up 21%, violent crime up 149% within two years. Garry Little thanked commissioners for listening. Sissy Hawkins (District 37) urged gradual expansion and infrastructure improvements.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- Work Session Items: County Administrator Roger Rendleman noted all ARPA funds are allocated; extensions for Summerdale and Loxley projects (CN1, CN2) are formalities. County Engineer Frank Lundy explained vehicle transfer approvals (CO3) are needed for asset tracking and fund reimbursement. Building Official Eddie Harper presented updates to the Baldwin County Flood Hazard Management Plan, developed in-house by staff (Corey Flowers, DJ Hart, Shannon Spivey) at no cost (previous update cost $50,000). The plan supports the Community Rating System (CRS) aiming for a 20% flood insurance discount (currently 15%, requires 2,000 points from 1,515 points). Two-week waiting period before formal adoption. Mike Bunn (Historic Blakeley State Park) thanked commissioners for a loan to finance a new interpretive center.\n- Grants Update (Brian Underwood): CDBG-DR local recovery plan awaiting ADECA acceptance (expected early March). Once accepted, $43 million will be allocated: $10.5 million for county infrastructure, $13 million for local governments/utilities, $19 million for housing assistance. Competitive application portal developed by CIS. Proposed stakeholder review committee to score applications. Homeownership assistance program will involve nonprofit subrecipients and lenders. Period of performance expected extended to 2028.\n- Property Project (Jarrod Cunningham): Presented a new web-based application consolidating all county property records, searchable by name, city, or parcel PIN. Includes photos, maps with pin drops, and links to Revenue Commission. Designed to break down departmental silos and improve asset tracking. Commissioners praised the effort.\n- Executive Session: The commission voted 4-0 to enter executive session at 9:29 a.m. for approximately 20-30 minutes to discuss pending litigation and legal ramifications. The work session did not reconvene.\n- Retiree Recognition Presentation: Personnel Director Deidra Hanak recognized 15 employees who retired in 2024, representing over 315 years of combined public service. Six retirees attended in person: Linda Wilson (BRATS, 31 years), LaDonna Young (Revenue Commission, 26 years), Regina Giddens (Probate, 25 years), Amy Williams (Probate, 25 years), David Boutwell (Highway, 30 years), Anthony Lee Sr. (Highway, 10 years). Commissioners thanked them for their service.\n- Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Underwood emphasized the difficulty of zoning decisions and urged public understanding that change is inevitable; she stated she cares deeply about the county as a fifth-generation resident. Commissioner Gruber thanked staff and employees.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- Case Z24-50 – Kimbrough Property Rezoning: Motion to approve (Commissioner Ball, second Commissioner Gruber) failed in a 2-2 vote (Ball and Gruber aye; McKenzie and Underwood nay). The rezoning of 114.3 acres from RR/RA to RSF-2 was not adopted.\n- Case Z24-53 – Gatlin Property Rezoning: Motion to approve (Commissioner Gruber, second Commissioner Underwood) passed 4-0, rezoning 40 acres from RA to RSF-2 for future residential development.\n- Case Z24-47 – Randall Property Rezoning: Commission voted 4-0 to accept the applicant’s withdrawal of the rezoning application.\n- Flood Hazard Management Plan: Public hearing held; plan will be brought back for formal adoption in two weeks (scheduled for March 4, 2025).\n- CDBG-DR Portal: Grants Department authorized to form a stakeholder committee for application review (to be finalized later).\n- Meeting Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Underwood to adjourn at 10:51 a.m., passed without objection.