[1:12] Good morning. Let's call the Coven County Commission meeting for August

[1:16] 25th to order. I'd invite everybody to stand as we have an invocation followed

[1:19] by pledge of allegiance.

[1:23] Chair, >> let's bow our head. Our heavenly father,

[1:27] thank you so much for bringing us here today to to work on our local

[1:32] government. I pray that these men and women have the have the knowledge that

[1:37] you've given them to make the right decisions. God, I know they put their

[1:40] heart into it. God, I ask that you be with all of our government leaders and

[1:44] our community and keep us safe and help us to keep looking toward you and to

[1:49] serving you, God. I ask these things in your precious name. Amen.

[1:53] » Amen. Please join us in the pledge. Pledge to

[1:58] the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.

[2:04] One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[2:11] » Thank everyone. Please be seated. Again, thank you for attending the C County

[2:14] Commission meeting this morning. Um, we'll just get right into the agenda. We

[2:19] have no scheduled public hearings. No pro comments from p uh I'm sorry, public

[2:24] officials. Let's get to Miss Tammy Good with Cats. Miss Jenny the jail sheriff

[2:33] EMA. >> I want to welcome Josh as our newest EMA

[2:38] director. Wear several hats.

[2:42] We're excited to get him started. >> Good deal.

[2:46] All right. Uh, Eric, again, Philip trying to hide back.

[2:52] Phillip, you good? All right, come on around. Uh, no awards

[2:58] and presentations at this time. Done comments, folk officials,

[3:03] commissioner. We going to come down to the consent agenda. At this time, I'd

[3:07] entertain a motion to approve the minutes for July 28th regular meeting

[3:10] and August 11th regular meeting. These have been emailed to you. Um, if you

[3:15] have any corrections, please note that. If not, I'd entertain a motion to

[3:20] approve the minutes. >> I make a motion to approve the consent

[3:23] agenda. >> Have a motion from Tommy.

[3:26] » Second. >> Second from Miss Lyn. All in favor say

[3:28] I. >> I.

[3:31] » Nothing. Under old business. We come on down under new business. We have

[3:34] consider board appointment for the South Southeast Alabama Planning and

[3:38] Development Commission. That is page two.

[3:41] Um, Mr. Zoe Husten is no longer elected with official. I think he was in the

[3:47] Horn Hill area. Is that correct? Horn Hill area. M. So, um, he is no

[3:53] longer elected official over there, but he'd like to try to stay on the board if

[3:57] he could and and as an and move to the alternate

[4:02] position, which does not have to be an elected position. So, he would like to

[4:06] serve as that. Um, I see where it says Ben, if you be interested in flip

[4:13] » and you go to the elected official and him go to the alternate because both

[4:17] y'all are already on the board. >> So, just just swap your roles.

[4:23] » Any discussion on that, Commissioner? We like I said, both these men are

[4:27] already on the board and they just one of them is not elected anymore and just

[4:30] kind of reverse their roles. >> Let's take a ma'am. Let's take a vote to

[4:34] make Mr. Hudson >> go on a motion.

[4:37] » That's what they ask for. Have to have a motion.

[4:38] » Okay. >> I'll make the motion that Mr. Hudson be

[4:42] moved to the alternate member position and that Mr. Van Corson be moved to the

[4:49] uh elected official. Mr. B. >> Thank you.

[4:53] » I thought you'd enjoy that. >> Mr. Park

[4:56] have a motion for Miss Holmes to move Mr. Hudson to the alternate and Mr.

[5:03] portion to the elect position. Second from Robbie. All in favor say I.

[5:09] » All opposed. >> Item B is consider renewal of the title

[5:15] three contract for Sarcoa. Miss Karen, I'm going to let you kind of give a

[5:19] quick rundown of that. >> Okay. This is our annual contract with

[5:22] our inhome service program. The Sarcoa will pay a grant up to of 13,000 per

[5:28] year with us participating. We do a monthly report on this. with our

[5:33] revenues and expenditures for that department.

[5:37] » So, I'm just asking for y'all to reiterate this again this year.

[5:39] » And this has been going on for several several years,

[5:42] » many many years >> with the SAR code to help for our inh

[5:45] home services department. >> Any any discussion on that commissioner?

[5:50] » Nothing has changed in no changes in all whatsoever.

[5:58] » Any other questions? At this time, I entertain a motion to

[6:02] enter back into the contract with Sarcoa for fiscal year 2027.

[6:06] » Make a motion. We enter back into the contract with Sarco.

[6:10] » I have a motion from Tommy. >> Second.

[6:12] » Second from Robbie. All in favor say I. >> All opposed.

[6:18] Next on it is not just a an announcement of the 2027 severe

[6:24] weather preparedness tax holiday. M. Gr. I know you handed me that a minute ago.

[6:30] » There you go. >> The day the date will be uh January

[6:34] 26th, 2027. No, I'm sorry. February the this 26th through the 28th of 2027.

[6:41] This is just something that comes up every year. We like to announce where

[6:45] people can go out and get certain items for tax-free for weather related

[6:50] emergencies. And a lot of times it could be radios, it could be generators.

[6:53] just a long list, but there are several items on there that that is available

[6:58] tax free and those items will be available February the 26 to the 28th.

[7:04] » And this is something that we passed last year.

[7:10] » So, it's a just a carryover. We we've done it for as long as I can remember.

[7:21] » Okay. And then consider item D is consider awards for be shavings. That is

[7:26] pages six in your packet. M.

[7:31] » Yes sir. We uh sent out a request for bids on shavings to be used at the

[7:35] arena. Um there are many different types shavings. We generally use the large

[7:40] pine plate the most. But um while we were sending out the bids, we thought we

[7:43] never knew what kind of events may come that might require a different type. So

[7:47] we did send out for the large pine fine. fine flake and then extra fine. And then

[7:53] we gave them an opportunity if there was some specialty shaving available that

[7:56] they would like to respond. Um, whenever you take the cubic foot per bag and

[8:01] divide it out and the shipping amount per bag, uh, I recommend Tractor Supply

[8:07] for the large fine and extra fine and the Bay Horse with flyaway shavings were

[8:13] this optional, which was a shaving that has a citronanella type

[8:19] product in it that helps to keep flies away as just an option to have. That's

[8:24] my recommendation whenever you break it down by the cubic foot. as being the

[8:28] lowest most responsible bidder. >> Are these all delivery uh prices?

[8:33] » They have the shipping prices for them to be delivered. That's correct.

[8:36] » Yeah. >> And all this is through Tractor Supply.

[8:39] Is that correct? >> Tractor Supply had the lowest we had. We

[8:42] had four responses. One of them was not able to be considered because they did

[8:46] not follow the guidelines on the response.

[8:49] But the other three we did get the prices there and you can tell that some

[8:53] were very close and the shipping made a actual big difference in the cost.

[9:00] » How many uh bags do you average on per event? Per event. It won't go.

[9:06] » It varies. Um there's some that will use You've got some events, a lot of the

[9:10] ropers, they'll tend to put as many shavings in a stall. We do require they

[9:14] have at least one bag per shaving, but you have some that's up in 300

[9:19] per event. But you've got um we've had as many as I think eight bags per stall

[9:24] one time. I think the most just personal preference on how much the people want

[9:29] to put in the bedding >> and and we charge

[9:32] » we charge a fee for it and after getting these prices back we probably need to

[9:36] look at that again and consider an increase on the prices because uh we

[9:40] we're not out to make money off of them but we do need to cover our cost.

[9:44] » Absolutely. >> Yeah.

[9:45] » So you said that tractor supply was the cheapest?

[9:48] » Yes. Because >> two of the three

[9:51] » well the whenever you actually take it down by the bag size because They vary

[9:55] by size, but if you take it down by the cubic, I went down to how many cent per

[9:59] cubic feet. >> Gotcha. Like like Walmart does 20.

[10:02] » Yeah. I had to go down. In fact, I actually thought one was a little bit

[10:06] better until I got the delivery part fit and figured in with it. Okay. And it

[10:10] actually came out to be tractor supply would be the lower responsibility.

[10:13] » Just on the large >> on the large fine and extra fine.

[10:16] » Okay. All three of them. >> Yes.

[10:21] I did too until I divided out the shipping.

[10:24] So it was a few cent on that 131 for the trap versus the 159 I

[10:31] believe on the

[10:39] motion.

[10:42] » Have a motion for Ben. Second from Tommy. All in favor say I.

[10:46] » I. Would you consider the flyway shavings for the specialty shaving?

[10:54] They were the only ones that offered a specialty type or do y'all want to just

[10:58] limit it to those three types? >> Either way is fine.

[11:06] » Well, they won the first three, but then if you look at the one with the that

[11:09] helps control the flies, that was actually what by Bayor. Is that correct?

[11:13] Yes. So if it does come up a need, we we have

[11:17] to get those. We'll already have it done.

[11:19] » Yes. So if we can >> you're good with that, Adam.

[11:22] » Okay. >> Can we just amend his motion to add

[11:25] » to include >> the large fine and extra fine shavings

[11:30] from Tractor Supply and then the optional sha optical shaving from Bay

[11:34] Horse is the one that has the fly control in it. The Croninella or

[11:38] whatever Miss Karen described as >> you give it that.

[11:42] » Yep. You give it a second. >> Good. Yes. And then

[11:44] » so what will you do to >> they can

[11:54] » I understand that's what a lot of the larger facilities do. They have an

[11:56] option. You can choose which type and so they have prior to event.

[12:03] » Do we need to go back and vote? We >> do it.

[12:07] » I think we got it. I mean we let's just do it full full motion right

[12:12] » okay motion that we accept the bid from all three

[12:18] » large fine and extra fine >> extra fine and then we accept the bid

[12:22] from Mayor on the special control >> there second still have a second with

[12:28] comics >> on what all in favor say I

[12:31] » all opposed >> good

[12:34] » great >> um next is discuss policies of the co

[12:39] center arena. >> I'm gonna let Morgan um if you don't

[12:42] mind kind of >> um

[12:47] Okay. So, what I was asked to look into some policies, some potential policies

[12:55] for you guys to consider as it relates to um electric scooters and similar type

[13:02] devices. um at specific in any of the public

[13:08] places um that that you all managed specifically at the arena. Um and just

[13:13] for disclosure, this is coming off the heels of some property damage that was

[13:17] done inside the building. Um that appears to have been as a result of

[13:22] improper use of of these electronic um type scooters. Um, so what what I have

[13:31] been able to determine for you all and something that I'd like to just kind of

[13:35] hear what y'all are interested in doing. Um, but I'll give you this backdrop and

[13:39] some research that I was able to do before today's meeting. And that is um

[13:44] that previously within the Federal Park Service, they were allowing these kinds

[13:50] of bicycles anywhere that they were otherwise allowing just a traditional uh

[13:56] pedled bike. Um but in September of this year, they're actually going to have a

[14:01] new rule that goes into effect that's really restricting these um it's not

[14:06] only restricting these scooters, but the Segways, the hoverboards. It has, you

[14:10] know, a very broad um listing of what is going to be, you know, narrowed um for

[14:17] allowable use in the park service. And that's on their trails and things, of

[14:20] course. Um, and what I would suggest to y'all is y'all let me give you that

[14:26] language so you can look at it and say yes, we would like to do something

[14:30] similar um at at our arena um and if there's you know there was um there's a

[14:36] weight limit in that which I thought was very helpful because I have been made

[14:40] aware that you know for example some of our um users will use a golf cart to go

[14:47] from the RV lot up to the building and that we're not looking necessarily to

[14:53] restrict that unless you want to, but that wasn't the complaint. Um, so I want

[14:57] to be sure that I'm giving y'all what you're asking for, but if you know of

[15:01] something that I need to be considering um over these next two weeks while I

[15:06] work on this policy, I hope you will um call me and we can talk about what we

[15:11] need to do. Um, but just letting folks know that that I think you all I'm going

[15:16] to recommend something to you and you can decide whether you want to act on

[15:19] it. Um, I would I would say that regardless of what you do um in the

[15:25] external um areas that I think there is no excuse for electronic use of these

[15:33] kinds of um vehicles inside your building and I think that's where we are

[15:39] today regardless of something happening. So I'm okay with you know there being a

[15:43] two week or so period of time for y'all to consider this. I think that um it you

[15:48] know your staff um the event uh you know the the hosts um anybody on behalf of

[15:56] the county could tell anyone you know today you know to to remove themselves

[16:02] um and and an electronic device from inside that that facility um without a

[16:08] policy but I think a policy may be a good idea moving forward to discuss what

[16:13] can go on make sure we get you know completely clarify that we're not

[16:17] talking about electric wheelchairs or electric

[16:20] » correct >> little things that help disabled or

[16:25] » people who are unable to very well. >> That's right. That's right. A mobility

[16:28] device is not what we're looking at. This is

[16:32] » recreational um

[16:36] » what about the covered arena? >> There's a strip in between the stall

[16:42] barns with the restroom and all. There's the ice on each side. Sometimes they are

[16:46] through that area. I would recommend that the bathrooms are off limit as well

[16:48] for these inside any of any of the buildings.

[16:52] » Okay. >> And and there may be some more policies

[16:56] that we want to discuss with you. >> Okay.

[16:58] » While we're while we're doing that, when we go back and visit

[17:02] » Okay. And Miss Karen, when we lease this out, does the leaser lease get the

[17:09] » They have a contract they sign that has a copy of our rules. So, anything that

[17:12] gets updated can be incorporated with that um signed

[17:17] contract and that way they will be put on notice.

[17:20] And I believe also I spoke with Morgan a little while yesterday and to have this

[17:25] announced also prior to an event so they can't say they

[17:31] don't know it >> and I believe we could probably even at

[17:33] the announcers booth put some kind of notice up that kind of has the language

[17:37] in front of them as well. >> Now with that being said with this said

[17:42] policy if somebody does because there's no you know it's hard to place it. I

[17:46] y'all know as good as I do, it's going to be very, very hard to police this.

[17:50] If there is damage that had like has occurred again, such as it has here

[17:53] recently, are we going to have a a fee

[17:58] incorporated in this to clean up?

[18:04] » Do we have cameras up? >> We do have cameras.

[18:07] » So, we should be able to see >> unless

[18:11] we have some kind of deposit. That's what that's what I'm talking

[18:15] about. And that way,

[18:22] » yes, that that's what I was talking about. That way, because

[18:25] » once you go out there after the event's gone, it's hard to find somebody.

[18:31] So, that's be I think consideration to put in that

[18:35] » policy. >> Okay. Well, I'll be working on that. And

[18:39] if y'all have more thoughts, just let me know.

[18:41] » Okay. Anything else with that commission? If you do,

[18:45] » sounds good. >> Think of anything hard to find if you

[18:47] got your money.

[18:51] » Make a motion, put something temporarily in place to go ahead and do it or need

[18:54] to wait on the policy. >> I don't think you need to do anything

[18:58] because I think you have the authority today to tell somebody who's inside to

[19:02] to leave. Um, but I do think that I think you're okay today. Um, but I think

[19:09] moving forward and having a uh you know notice you know some signage the proper

[19:16] language in our agreement announcements you know those kinds of things. I think

[19:20] that that would take a little bit of time

[19:22] » and the employees that are working the events have the authority

[19:27] to to do any of this to ask them not to ride to ask them whatever it is.

[19:33] » Yes. >> Okay.

[19:35] » Because they represent the county in our best interest. I mean a recreation an

[19:40] electronic recreational you tool being used in inside a facility is yes you

[19:46] have the authority to ask them to stop.

[19:50] » Anything else commissioner? Like I said if you think of anything please get with

[19:53] Morgan while she's drafting this. >> Okay. Next is consider

[20:00] forestry overtime grant for sheriff department. Sheriff.

[20:06] » Yes. Yes, the forestry overtime grant is a grant that we've been doing for 20

[20:10] plus years and it has come up for renewal. Um the it's basically the same

[20:16] as it's always been. Uh the award is for $4,136

[20:24] and the wages at the prevailing rate will be $30 an hour and there's a 75%

[20:30] mile uh patrol uh fee as well. In other words, we get mileage for 75 cents a

[20:36] mile. Uh, this grant is to be worked basically on weekends and holidays. And

[20:41] it's assigned to several roads. One of them being Can Roads 14, 25, 31, and 45,

[20:49] Open Pond Road, highways 9, 137, and 55 South. And highway 9 is actually US 331.

[20:57] So all these all these roads fall within the forest the forest area and we would

[21:03] just uh like to go ahead and move forward this grant. Uh officers working

[21:08] on their their off time and uh they they have a choice between a 4 hour and 8

[21:14] hour shift. It has to be worked after uh after after lunch on those days.

[21:20] I'm going to ask this sheriff because I know some of your employees make because

[21:24] if you look at it at $30 an hour that means employees making $10 an hour and

[21:28] roughly half that again be 30 but a lot of your employees have make more than

[21:33] just say $20 an hour, >> right?

[21:35] » That's that's part of the when they when they agree to to actually work the grant

[21:41] is is a standard $30 an hour.

[21:48] And I'm and I'm asking that because then all of a sudden how does it affect us if

[21:52] if the employee make $25 an hour? Well, his overtime rate is going to be

[21:56] » $1250 more and all of a sudden then it comes to a different total than this.

[22:02] That's that's the only question I have about it.

[22:04] » Um maybe I can just get with the sheriff and talk about how he is applying it and

[22:09] make sure that we're compliant and um that we're assigning the proper folks to

[22:14] it. It's turned over to us as this grant reimbursement. So, it's it's kept

[22:20] separately on their pay. Um, it's put in a category that specifies that it's this

[22:26] overtime whenever they turn it in. >> That's right.

[22:29] » That's right. >> They're only $30. So, that's

[22:33] » no issues with us later on for overtime rate or something comes to us and says,

[22:37] "Hey, well, I work my overtime rate this, but I only got this amount."

[22:39] That's that was my only thought and I understand it's a grant, but I don't

[22:42] want to come back different. Well, I I I understand. I understand what you're

[22:46] coming. >> We can look into that.

[22:49] » So, >> and we certainly want to keep up with

[22:52] the hours. >> Yes.

[22:55] And like I said, I know we've done it. It's been done numerous times, but that

[22:58] was just when I seen that, that was just the first thing that kind of popped into

[23:01] my mind. >> Right. Uh but, uh, basically, I want to

[23:05] be able to use this grant. I mean, as far as working out the the details of

[23:09] the hours and everything, we we can do that, but I I really need to see if I

[23:13] can get approval on it so we can go ahead and move forward with it because

[23:16] we are in that time of year where uh can we get approval and

[23:22] make sure they all get together and work everything?

[23:25] » Sure. >> Yeah.

[23:28] With that being said, Miss Miss Morgan did say to go ahead and approve it

[23:35] and let them get together making sure all the the details are worked out that

[23:38] it is. >> Can we do uh make a motion to approve

[23:42] this grant contingent upon the discussion between Miss Arington and the

[23:47] sheriff? >> If you want to,

[23:52] » we will have the conversation. And then like I said, that way if they come back

[23:56] and say it's good, we're good with it. >> If there's anything else we need to

[24:00] revisit, they can bring that back. >> When is it supposed to start?

[24:03] » It actually supposed to start July the 22nd. We've held back until

[24:09] for using it. So

[24:14] go ahead and >> like you said, contingent on their

[24:19] » contingent upon their conversation. >> Any bugs?

[24:22] » Yeah. If there's any problems then they can be brought back to the commission.

[24:25] If not then it will be approved. >> Motion second.

[24:31] » Second Tommy. All in favor say I. >> I.

[24:34] » All oppose. >> Thank you.

[24:37] » Yes sir.

[24:41] All right. Next is consider approval for the 2027 rebuild Alabama transportation

[24:47] plan. Come on up. Mr. Derek, you got a couple on the road.

[24:54] Get him a stool over there. >> Yeah.

[24:57] » Yeah. You have included in your package and then update this morning um our

[25:04] annual county transportation plan. This is the

[25:08] FY 2027 county transportation plan. Um, in this one you'll see an update where

[25:14] we've pulled in the projects uh from the last couple years that still are yet to

[25:20] be completed that um so I'll just move them forward. There's some notes at the

[25:24] bottom of page two on which items those are. Um and then the addition of FY2027

[25:33] projects for the 2027 funds will be added. Um so items

[25:41] 18 through 21 um on the map index on page two are the

[25:48] new items for now. Um we're still looking at a

[25:54] potential to add one more um for district one

[26:02] that um so we have some funds here at the bottom that are yet to be assigned

[26:09] um so that we'll we'll have available for that. So this

[26:15] may have to be revised again at a later date. Uh but as of right now, this was

[26:19] the consensus from um the commissioners that I had uh on projects that they were

[26:25] interested in. Um so I'd like to request the commission um approve the FY2027

[26:35] county transportation plan. >> Commission, you had a chance to look at

[26:40] this. I think somebody talked with Derek about it. I know some of these are carry

[26:44] over and I was just asking Derek this morning. Some of us I guess you're

[26:47] talking about starting maybe within a week of some of the old ones trying to

[26:50] get them caught up. >> Yes, absolutely. We're we're moving now.

[26:55] We've completed some some other projects that it's kind of um taken up some time

[27:00] this summer and um we should be starting on the first of those next week.

[27:06] » Uh on number 13, which is one of mine, this is Bass Bridge Road, not Bass Road.

[27:12] And that's two separated roads. So, I want to be sure that that is

[27:17] » I'll get that updated. I I think the latitude and longitudes for the the GPS

[27:22] coordinates are >> correct. I think just somehow the

[27:25] wording >> didn't get updated.

[27:28] » Make sure just make sure it's bass bridge.

[27:30] » That's right. >> That it is bass bridge road.

[27:32] » Yes. >> Yes.

[27:37] » And this is capable of being revised if needed.

[27:40] » Yes, ma'am. It'll it will have to come back before

[27:44] the commission and you'll have to the commission will have to approve a

[27:48] revision. >> Okay.

[27:50] » I'd like to make note that um just for the public's information that based on

[27:57] your recommendation that we omit any new paving to be put on the plan because we

[28:04] are so far behind. >> Yes. U dirt road paving project. Um,

[28:09] yeah, I've asked the commission if we could hold off this year adding any new

[28:15] additional dirt roads to be constructed and paved. Um, we're very far behind. I

[28:21] think we've got 10, nine or 10 still on the list uh to do from the last two

[28:27] years and we'd need to catch up with those. Um, I think if we added anything

[28:31] right now, we're still not wouldn't be able to get to the work until next year.

[28:36] um you know so I think at that point then you could add um you know a dirt

[28:41] road construction paving project if if that was the the interest but as of

[28:47] right now yeah I would like to to request that of the commission kind of

[28:50] give us a year let us get caught up >> I have no problem with that

[28:55] » just trying to get trying to get us caught up

[28:57] » caught up yes >> these people know that their road's

[29:00] going to be paved and they're you know >> they're worried to death about it you

[29:04] know it's going to be done we We've got it right here.

[29:07] » That's right. You guys are getting a ton of calls on it. We're getting a ton of

[29:10] calls at our office of, "Hey, this was on the list or y'all not still going to

[29:14] do it." But we are um you know, everything that's on this list, we're

[29:17] still going to get it, too. >> One other thing I want to mention, uh

[29:21] when Chairman Smith was a commissioner, he and I put our heads together and we

[29:26] wanted to try to get Presswood Bridge Road paved

[29:29] » from the bridge all the way to Plywood Mill Road. So, we started doing

[29:33] increments. It's a second increment hasn't happened yet, but it was on a

[29:38] transportation plan already approved. Yes.

[29:40] » But we have gone back and we've changed that to complete the whole road when we

[29:45] start the next one. So, >> yeah, our wish will be granted.

[29:49] » Okay. So, you're just going to continue on what?

[29:51] » Instead of the next segment stopping at Blackman like was on the previous

[29:54] transportation plan, we're continuing on to Plywood Mill Road.

[29:58] » Get it all >> get it all done. Yeah.

[30:00] » So, it' be like a couple years combined. transportation

[30:05] plan to finish it out. Okay. >> One was already approved. The other one

[30:08] was, you know, supposed to be coming up again to approve the next section, but

[30:12] we've incorporated both of those into what we already approved.

[30:17] » This says to Glisten Road on here. >> That's where that's where No, it it goes

[30:21] it's paved right now from the bridge to Glisten Road. So from Glisten Road

[30:26] » to Plywood Road would be the next. >> So is this cost not right?

[30:30] » It's correct. Yeah. That unfortunately >> Yeah. when we got it.

[30:34] » I thought that was pretty good cost >> that that I believe this was

[30:40] actually approved last year to do the it that must have been edited at some point

[30:46] right there before it was approved. So because I think the approved final

[30:49] version did include that whole section and portion um with the with the funds

[30:56] that are shown for it there. So that nothing changed from

[31:01] um I think the the final approved version of this to this one. I just

[31:06] moved it forward from last year to this this year. Um so at some point it got

[31:10] changed prior to me. >> Although the word had gotten out it was

[31:13] Blackman Road was where we're going to stop.

[31:15] » Oh, got you. >> That's what everybody was thinking. So I

[31:17] wanted to >> Yeah,

[31:19] » while we were talking about it. >> That's great.

[31:23] » Free up a motivator. >> Yeah. and come to district three. Okay,

[31:28] » I doubt it. >> Commissioner have any questions on that?

[31:33] » I don't. But I want to be the district two commissioner where I can get a lot

[31:36] of money. >> It's not easy.

[31:40] » Somebody's got to do it though. Right. >> Right. Somebody's got to have it. So,

[31:44] » so I make a motion we approve. >> With no other discussion, we have a

[31:47] motion from Tommy to approve the rebuild plan as presented that can be amended as

[31:53] we go. >> Do I have a second?

[31:57] Have a motion, Tommy. Second, Robbie. All in favor say I. I.

[32:01] » All opposed. Next to consider approval for contract mowing as awarded in the

[32:06] annual bid. That would be page 20 of your packet.

[32:12] the um yeah it previously when this bid was awarded um it has the herbicide

[32:20] spraying and mowings included uh in that and and at that time I think the

[32:26] discussion well um the commission had with me was that

[32:31] we didn't want to authorize the contractor in advance to come do the

[32:36] mowing that you wanted to to re um review It was approved in two sections.

[32:42] One for herbicide and one for potential mowing.

[32:44] » Yes. >> But before we could authorize a PO and

[32:49] then go ahead and um authorize somebody, the contractor who won the bid to do any

[32:55] of the work, we wanted to readress that. Um, so we feel like, you know, by the

[33:00] end of September, probably prior to October, that we're at that point where

[33:07] we'll need to um have already talked to a contractor if we're going to hire the

[33:12] contractor to do the work um and have a plan in place for them to start um

[33:18] because it the beginning their last round of spray um for rideway spray

[33:26] today actually. So, we're starting it um it'll take approximately two to three

[33:32] weeks. Uh when it gets through um depending on the where they started at

[33:36] and where the mowing needs to start, I think there's like a twoe delay uh after

[33:41] that spray before you can mow um to to keep from

[33:48] reducing the effectiveness of our herbicide spray. Um, so we're coming up

[33:53] on that and I wanted to have that discussion to see if we couldn't uh go

[33:57] ahead and contract get approval to to issue a PO for mowing countywide mowing.

[34:04] Um, this on the contractor there. So I think part

[34:09] of the discussion is was it better to pay or was it better for us to do it

[34:13] ourselves? Um, moneywise it's a potential we would be cheaper to do it

[34:20] ourselves. timing is an issue right now this year. Um I don't we could do it but

[34:27] we would have to put other things on hold to continue and to do that. So for

[34:32] our office um I think it would be beneficial to try

[34:36] to contract it out this year. Um and see if see if it's advantageous to us.

[34:44] » How many tractors and bush hogs do we have right now that's up and would be up

[34:48] and running? Um, we have four tractors and I think only three bush hogs that

[34:52] are that are ready right this minute. Um, we could have the fourth one ready

[34:58] by the end of September if we need to. Um, just toss a little bit of

[35:04] » and we've got personnel for that if we needed it.

[35:07] » If we need it, we can. >> Yeah,

[35:08] » we can make it happen. I think we should uh my opinion is we

[35:14] should contract it out >> and use what we've got for the dirt

[35:18] roads. >> Well, Derek's explanation of it, like

[35:20] you said, he's going to have to put a lot of work on hold

[35:24] » and I think the department's done a great job so far trying to do a lot of

[35:28] work and I think they've done a lot of work trying to get a lot of stuff caught

[35:30] up. >> Yeah. The same people that would be

[35:33] where we would have to stop to do the mowing are some of our guys that are

[35:37] doing a lot of our rideway trimming right now. Um and that's something that

[35:42] um is is desperately needed to at the same time. Uh this year has been been

[35:48] pretty overgrown. So between getting some spraying in on dirt roads as well

[35:54] um trying to get those knock back that crew that's would do the mowing is out

[35:59] trimming still. Um, so it's like we're adding a whole another,

[36:04] you know, crews to to mow and still be able to trim.

[36:11] Commissioner, any questions? This was a budget item that we have put into the

[36:15] budget for this reason. Any more discussion?

[36:23] At this time, I entertain a motion to consider Derek's request to contract out

[36:27] the mowing as it was as on the annual bid.

[36:31] make a motion that we allow him to contract it out. Have a motion from

[36:34] Tommy. >> Second.

[36:35] » Second from Lint. All in favor say I. >> I.

[36:38] » All opposed. >> Thanks, sir.

[36:41] » That's all. Sorry. Apparently my voice for some reason is is the background

[36:46] today. Um, but that's all I've got. >> Thanks, sir.

[36:49] » Thank you. >> Appreciate it.

[36:53] » Commissioners, come on down to report from staff. Miss Karen.

[36:55] » No, sir. >> Miss Morgan.

[36:58] » Um, yes. Can I ask the commission to be on notice? I'm working an issue for you

[37:04] all that I may need to take you into executive session next week or next

[37:07] meeting. Um so you could just make some time in your schedule. Um if we can put

[37:12] that on the agenda for the next meeting. Um

[37:17] and if you get anything from me between now and then, it may be geared towards

[37:21] that issue. >> Okay.

[37:25] Um Commissioner

[37:29] Ben Robbie. >> Uh, yes. Yes, I went and met or went to

[37:33] a town hall meeting at Liberty Bill and talked to them for a while um

[37:40] about some of the money that they have, but also

[37:45] they want to or they look at getting a storm shelter grant and they cannot do

[37:50] that through their through their town because the lady

[37:54] basically told them no one's ever they've never had a fatality there due

[37:58] to a tornado. So, we're gonna wait until somebody gets killed to do it.

[38:02] » That's right. But no, they were us to kind of explore and see if we

[38:08] could stumble across one of those grants or help them out any way we could.

[38:15] » Yeah, >> you did.

[38:18] » I don't have a problem with it, commissioner, with y'all. We just have

[38:21] to find somebody who we can Allan through

[38:24] » generally the EMA would work with them to help identify opportunities.

[38:29] » Okay. So, commissioner, if y'all have any issue with that, we'll let Allan

[38:33] explore the the potential opportunity. You know, it's kind of crazy they were.

[38:37] So, you never had a fatality in that area.

[38:39] » That's what they told us. >> We're trying not to.

[38:41] » So crazy. >> Anyway,

[38:44] » anything, >> Miss Lyn?

[38:47] » Uh, not really. We have discussed it just a little bit. I say we several of

[38:54] us have discussed a little bit about um and mentioning Libertyville brought it

[38:58] to my mind uh of coming up with a a plan of how to help these communities with

[39:05] maybe u some rules and regulations or something

[39:11] of that nature. So that'll be something else we're probably going to need to

[39:15] discuss. >> Some guidelines.

[39:17] » Some guidelines. Yeah,

[39:24] » but that's all. >> That's all.

[39:27] » That's all. >> I'm good.

[39:29] » You want the rest of her time? >> Make a motion. We

[39:32] » I have a motion, Tom, to adjurnn. Do I have a second?

[39:35] » Robert, all in favor say I. >> Come on, Tom. Who are these?

August 25, 2026 Commission Meeting

Transcript