1 00:00:11,519 --> 00:00:18,320 This time I'd like to call to order the August 24th, 2026 Jackson County 2 00:00:16,240 --> 00:00:22,880 Commission meeting. Thanks for our members of our singing 3 00:00:21,039 --> 00:00:28,640 room river trail staff for being here today and the opportunity to hear their 4 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:33,200 the planning for Jackson County and we will get to that in our business portion 5 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:36,880 of the meeting today. At this time I would like to ask Miss Turner, our 6 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:40,399 county administrator, please call the station. 7 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:42,079 » Present. >> Commissioner Kmer 8 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:45,440 » present. >> Commissioner Buckner. 9 00:00:44,239 --> 00:00:51,879 Commissioner McRide >> present. We do have a quorum if everyone 10 00:00:48,320 --> 00:00:51,879 would please stand 11 00:00:53,199 --> 00:00:56,760 and commission. 12 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:04,080 Thank you. Let's pray together. God father, we come before you and it's 13 00:01:02,239 --> 00:01:08,479 appropriate at this time to just give you blessings and and we're so thankful 14 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:12,720 give you thanks for the natural beauty of the county that we live in in this 15 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:18,479 part of the country. Uh we have the mountains, we have lakes, we have 16 00:01:14,320 --> 00:01:22,960 rivers, we have uh trees and forests. And God, we're just so blessed to live 17 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:26,640 in this part of the country that that is so beautiful that you made it that way. 18 00:01:24,799 --> 00:01:34,320 God, we also pray that we will be good stewards of the the outdoors that you've 19 00:01:30,799 --> 00:01:37,439 given us to enjoy and to uh to use for our benefit. So God, we're thankful for 20 00:01:36,079 --> 00:01:40,960 all of these things. We're also thankful, God, for the people of this 21 00:01:38,799 --> 00:01:45,680 county. We pray you'll continue to watch over us all and guide us in Christ's 22 00:01:42,479 --> 00:01:52,159 name. Amen. >> Attention to pledge. I pledge allegiance 23 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:57,840 to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it 24 00:01:54,799 --> 00:02:03,560 stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice 25 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:03,560 for all. 26 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:15,200 your uh packet is the agenda for tonight's meeting. We do have two items 27 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:20,560 in our mute business portion of the meeting, two items that we discussed in 28 00:02:17,599 --> 00:02:26,239 the last fourth session. And as I mentioned earlier, we kind of done item 29 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:32,000 for discussion in our work session. Uh with that, do I have a motion uh to 30 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:36,560 approve the agenda for the commission meeting August the 24th, 2026? 31 00:02:35,519 --> 00:02:38,959 Motion >> second. 32 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:40,560 » The motion. We have a second. All in favor say I. 33 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:43,599 » I. >> Motion carried. 34 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:48,560 » We don't have any awards or presentations and no public comment 35 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:55,920 tonight. Directly into the new business portion 36 00:02:50,640 --> 00:03:02,400 of the meeting. In our last meeting, uh, our EMA director Josh Whitum made a made 37 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:09,760 a recommendation to surplus radio tower and that would transition into radio uh, 38 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:14,319 teams that are working in support of the opportunity to discuss this with them. 39 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:18,480 Uh, they think that they could be very useful and helpful in what they're doing 40 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:22,640 and their support of our emergency management office. So, do I have a 41 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:24,239 motion to surplus the radio tunnel from EMA? 42 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:27,120 » I make that motion. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? 43 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:33,280 » Second. >> We have a second. Any questions, 44 00:03:29,519 --> 00:03:39,280 discussion? If not, all in favor say I. >> Motion carries. Thank you. Second item 45 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:45,360 we have is regarding the 2027 county transportation plan. Uh, 46 00:03:42,159 --> 00:03:50,959 our county engineer briefed that to us at the last work session. you do have 47 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:56,480 the uh copy sheet of the transportation in your packets. This will be certainly 48 00:03:53,599 --> 00:04:02,159 forwarded to ALDOT and also it has to be publicly posted 49 00:03:58,879 --> 00:04:05,959 for the public. Um give you a chance to to look over that. 50 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:15,200 So, do I have a motion to approve the FY 2027 county transportation plan? 51 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:18,160 » Motion. >> We have a motion. We have a second. 52 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:23,520 » Second. >> We have a second. Any questions or 53 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:28,000 discussion? I I just want since Mr. Campbell's not here, I just wanted for 54 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:33,759 the record uh to make sure that as we make this public that this is for safety 55 00:04:31,199 --> 00:04:40,479 and paving upgrades. And so it's it's very it's very comprehensive program. Uh 56 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:45,199 and so when when you look at the mileage and divide the numbers, it's it's more 57 00:04:42,639 --> 00:04:50,960 than just putting asphalt on the road. You know, this is uh in fact using the 58 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:56,560 federal exchange funds we get as well as the rebuild Alabama funds to support 59 00:04:53,360 --> 00:05:00,880 that federal grant that we have that is specifically 60 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:07,199 uh for the purpose of redoing a nine roads across Jackson County for those 61 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:15,120 exact purposes to make them safer. Um so any other questions, comments? 62 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:17,120 Um if not uh all in favor say I. >> I. 63 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:23,520 » Motion carries. Thank you. That's the last item in our new business portion. 64 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:28,400 We'll now move to the work session. And we are fortunate tonight to have the 65 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:33,759 singing river trail uh team here tonight to give us a brief on the Jackson the 66 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:38,479 plan that they have been working now. I think this has been going on for a 67 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:47,199 little over a couple years to for the opportunity to create some uh 68 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:52,960 trails through Jackson County. That would certainly be of great benefit to 69 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:55,919 us. So, let me turn it over to you guys. >> Good evening, commission. Thanks for 70 00:05:54,560 --> 00:06:00,240 having us tonight to tell you about the Singing River Trail and this plan that 71 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:04,479 we have here uh that Brian will tell you a little bit more about later. But my 72 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:08,319 name is Scott Graham. I'm the new trail development project manager. I've been 73 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:12,240 on the job now for about three months. Before that, I was a project manager for 74 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:15,759 Ducks Unlimited in Louisiana, but I'm originally from North Alabama. I'm glad 75 00:06:13,919 --> 00:06:19,680 to be home and take part in such an amazing project that's really going to 76 00:06:17,280 --> 00:06:23,199 transform North Alabama and Jackson County because as y'all are well aware 77 00:06:21,840 --> 00:06:27,440 of, Jackson County is probably one of the prettiest counties in North Alabama. 78 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:31,680 and uh singing river trail really wants to help y'all protect that and enhance 79 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:34,960 the outdoor recreation opportunities through it. And so if you're not 80 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:39,759 familiar with the trail, it's going to be a 200 plus mile long greenway system 81 00:06:37,199 --> 00:06:43,840 that runs across North Alabama, mostly paralleling the Tennessee River. Um 82 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:47,919 singing River is what the Native Americans called the Tennessee River. Um 83 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:51,280 we've got a neat little story in here about how that came about if you want to 84 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:54,880 read it. But what you have in front of you is just a summary of the plan. And 85 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:59,199 the full plan is about 80 pages that we can get you electronically if you'd 86 00:06:56,400 --> 00:07:03,360 like. But uh eventually the singing river trail is going to run from 87 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:06,800 Bridgeport here in Jackson County across the state all the way to Florence and 88 00:07:05,199 --> 00:07:11,280 it's going to connect multiple small towns and large communities such as 89 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:16,479 Huntsville, Decator, Florence and uh be able to increase recreational assets uh 90 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:19,840 provide economic opportunities for small businesses, 91 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:23,840 provide health benefits to local residents as well as visitors alike. So, 92 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:28,639 it's really just a win-win for everyone to have these greenways and trails on 93 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:34,400 the ground in your county. The reasons we're here tonight is to ask y'all to 94 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:38,720 formally adopt this plan. Um to to review it and to have it have it in your 95 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:42,639 back pocket so that when opportunities come available for funding and whatnot, 96 00:07:41,199 --> 00:07:46,720 seeing River Trail is able to take advantage of those opportunities without 97 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:53,199 delay and actually put trails on the ground and u and and make this plan go 98 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:56,080 from paper to reality. Um, so with that, like I said, I've been on the job for 99 00:07:54,479 --> 00:08:00,000 only three months now, but Brian King with GMC did all the public outreach 100 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:04,000 was, which was really extensive to develop this plan. That was all done 101 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:07,360 before I got here, so he can give you a little bit more detail about that. But, 102 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:11,520 uh, I would encourage you all to review it and ask us any questions while we're 103 00:08:09,039 --> 00:08:14,319 here tonight. And, uh, Brian can take it from here and maybe give you some 104 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:18,360 details about the plan and what all we have in store for Jackson Cafe. 105 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:31,000 I'm Brian K. I am the 106 00:08:31,039 --> 00:08:39,360 lead planner for Goodwin Mills Kwood, vice president of planning at the time 107 00:08:36,560 --> 00:08:45,680 for GMC. First of all, it has been an absolute 108 00:08:41,839 --> 00:08:54,080 honor to get paid to come explored county and um I'm hooked and I just want 109 00:08:50,320 --> 00:09:02,560 to be um to make sure that other people have that experience then come hooked uh 110 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:08,880 with this county. Uh the the prayer to open us up was a great segue into 111 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:14,800 you know me preaching to the choir. You know what you've got. Uh is this 112 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:19,839 question of what do we do with that? And what we want to talk about today is uh 113 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:26,000 making sure you understand the importance of trails move forward to 114 00:09:22,959 --> 00:09:31,920 unlock the tremendous amount of assets you've got here in the county. 115 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:37,279 So, uh, I want to talk briefly about why Trails of Jackson County, uh, touch a 116 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:43,279 little bit on the process, highlight the route overview, and then 117 00:09:40,560 --> 00:09:49,200 talk about how we use uh, this plant. 118 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:55,920 So, again, just going to beat the dead horse. Um, 119 00:09:52,480 --> 00:10:00,640 your county is the most uh unique county in the state of Alabama, hands down, in 120 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:07,920 my opinion. Comes to topography, 121 00:10:03,839 --> 00:10:12,800 no question. Uh when it comes to um natural resources, 122 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:19,360 uh when it comes to public land, I believe you've got the most public land 123 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:30,240 percentage wise of any county in the state. Um and you know, not to forget 124 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:35,200 the the lake and the Tennessee River. So, 125 00:10:32,079 --> 00:10:43,680 how do we connect those? How do we make uh the most return on that? And how do 126 00:10:39,760 --> 00:10:51,120 we make that most accessible to our current residents? Um how can that apply 127 00:10:46,959 --> 00:10:57,760 to growth? Um both economically and residentially and 128 00:10:54,240 --> 00:11:07,760 um how do we incorporate it in into what we do um as as county. So, um, again, 129 00:11:04,079 --> 00:11:15,600 you know, we couldn't have asked for a more unique place, uh, to to do a trail 130 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:23,440 master plan. Your resources are endless and and they're anchored by some 131 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:31,120 phenomenal small towns that really pair nicely with this rural trail 132 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:35,920 mash plan. If you if you flip to this page which circles on it. 133 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:43,600 Um so why are trails important? 134 00:11:39,839 --> 00:11:50,079 Trails are have a massive return on investment. Uh and when I talk about 135 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:58,160 return on investment I I speak of that holistically. Um so I speak of the 136 00:11:54,240 --> 00:12:02,959 quality of life they provide. um the assets to tourism. They increase 137 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:10,320 property values. They create jobs. They uh they allowing 138 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:17,040 you to attract employers that may be on the fence. Um and studies have uh 139 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:24,320 surprisingly and literally shown that there is stronger community pride when 140 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:31,040 uh trails are present in a community. So going back to actual literal return 141 00:12:27,680 --> 00:12:40,079 on investments um we have looked at uh studies across the 142 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:47,279 country and um studies have shown that even in rural areas return on investment 143 00:12:43,519 --> 00:12:52,079 is at least 72% of 144 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:59,519 of construction cost and maintenance. So, u significant return on investment, 145 00:12:56,160 --> 00:13:05,760 and we're not just talking, uh, big cities. We're talking 146 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:12,000 communities and counties of your scale. That 72% return on investment is 147 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:16,720 significant. Um, even more significant is 148 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:24,000 Silver Comet Trail, one highlight. It's got a little more density to it, but 149 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:28,560 they they're looking at over 400% return on investment, which is 150 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:37,519 astronomic. So, the benefits of trails is immense. 151 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:44,000 Uh and you you are at a time now uh where trails 152 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:52,480 can be incorporated into into your processes into conversations 153 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:58,639 with your county engineer um into your grant decision making. And um I want to 154 00:13:55,920 --> 00:14:04,320 talk uh a little bit at the end about how we're offering to to help with that. 155 00:14:01,680 --> 00:14:11,040 So when when we think about trails, I want to challenge you to consider um 156 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:18,240 consider thinking about trails like you do um industrial 157 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:27,760 uh site development um or just in industrial recruitment because the 158 00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:33,519 benefits are equal and um they they both follow the exact same. the the quality 159 00:14:30,959 --> 00:14:39,360 of recruitment you're able to get if you've got natural assets and trails to 160 00:14:35,839 --> 00:14:42,519 connect them is significant. Does that make sense? 161 00:14:45,279 --> 00:14:55,120 So, next we've just got a couple more highlights for you. Um, more this last 162 00:14:51,519 --> 00:15:00,959 one is particular swamp rabbit and green bull. 163 00:14:56,720 --> 00:15:06,320 It's is a very famous study uh but but not necessarily 164 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:12,560 uh as as rural as the trails we're talking about today, but uh Tammy Trace 165 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:19,279 Trail is a great example for y'all to look at. 31 mile rural trail connecting 166 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:25,199 five towns. Because of this farmers markets opened, um concerts and 167 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:34,079 festivals started happening and they have documented their annual um impact 168 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:46,279 specifically um before and after and they found that uh the the annual 169 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:46,279 ROI local impact is $2.8 million. 170 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:55,839 So, um, turning the page here, uh, to get to your proposed trail route. Um, 171 00:15:54,079 --> 00:16:02,079 first of all, I want to just highlight the process that we've been through. 172 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:10,079 This this has been a long time coming. Um, but and the the process 173 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:18,560 um needs to continue. I just want to say that um it has been robust um to to 174 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:26,880 bring us together here today. We've had about 20 meetings um and those those 175 00:16:24,079 --> 00:16:34,079 meetings included the public. They've been across the county. Um they've been 176 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:39,040 with very uh enthusiastic people. They've uh they've been with very 177 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:47,040 enthusiastic um elected officials, um mayors, um 178 00:16:43,839 --> 00:16:56,560 they've been with hunters. Um so we've met with um at least 100 people 179 00:16:51,120 --> 00:17:03,920 throughout county and because of that robust engagement, this trail alignment 180 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:09,600 that you're seeing here has has changed over a dozen times. I I don't know 181 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:14,400 specifically how many 182 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:20,480 trail alignment, you know, where the trail is actually traveling. Um how many 183 00:17:17,919 --> 00:17:27,600 times it's changed, but it has changed a lot based on every single meeting we've 184 00:17:23,679 --> 00:17:37,039 heard. This this trail is your community's trail. Does that make sense? 185 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:42,160 So, um, what you have here is in the yellow is the main spine, um, 186 00:17:40,559 --> 00:17:48,559 where Miss Graham was talking about. This this 187 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:53,760 is the proposed route from Bridgeport beyond actually um, all the way to Gur. 188 00:17:53,039 --> 00:18:03,039 I mean, >> and so this this main spine is designed 189 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:11,840 to um be that main corridor um that connects essentially state line to state 190 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:20,480 line. Um what is unique about this countywide trail master plan 191 00:18:16,799 --> 00:18:28,880 is essentially you've gotten u two trail plans in one. This hasn't happened in 192 00:18:23,919 --> 00:18:35,520 any other county in SRT's footprint. Um we just couldn't help ourselves when we 193 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:44,080 noticed how much public land you've got. And so with that um you have an ex a 194 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:51,760 proposed extensive network of natural trails um through Puff and Planch. 195 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:56,960 This uh is extremely important for what we call lowhanging fruit 196 00:18:55,440 --> 00:19:02,240 because to take a 197 00:18:59,919 --> 00:19:08,000 just just to be candid and kind of talk through this um a lot of implementation 198 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:14,240 has been focused on the cities because that that's where the infrastructure is. 199 00:19:11,120 --> 00:19:22,240 That's where um you've got a tighter knit network of destinations. And so, 200 00:19:19,039 --> 00:19:28,160 um, so trail connections, um, can be built 201 00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:34,880 at at two, you know, two miles or less to get from point A to point B. With the 202 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:42,000 county, that that's a different story, isn't it? Because you're the the length 203 00:19:39,120 --> 00:19:48,559 um that we're talking about and in a main spine at least is a lot longer. And 204 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:56,160 so you need much more of a trail culture to be built um instead of 205 00:19:53,039 --> 00:20:02,799 that needs to happen prior to you deciding for a $10 million expenditure 206 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:10,559 for instance. You know, you're you're not building a trail to nowhere. Um, so 207 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:20,240 you you naturally need to to nurture and we need to nurture 208 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:26,960 together a a more robust community of outdoor centric um destinations, which 209 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:33,679 you certainly have, but we just need to continue to to nurture 210 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:41,200 Jackson County as that destination and and continue to build 211 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:49,360 um you as as that trail resource. And we we see in 212 00:20:46,559 --> 00:20:55,360 doing that um we need to start 213 00:20:52,640 --> 00:21:04,559 realistically with the natural trail system. Does that make sense? 214 00:20:59,919 --> 00:21:12,240 The cost there is is much smaller. uh the the network of potential vendors is 215 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:18,799 is much greater and you can truly plug into to through a more robust 216 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:23,640 partnership as opposed to uh building a trail on a county road. 217 00:21:24,480 --> 00:21:36,080 With that said, I think it it's still very important to um to identify funding 218 00:21:31,919 --> 00:21:41,600 annually. to look at um the state senator's discretionary funding and and 219 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:48,480 the like and we'll talk about that. But but I just wanted to emphasize that um 220 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:54,080 the natural trail system uh in the northern part of the county is is a 221 00:21:51,120 --> 00:22:01,120 logical and important first step to help you build that trail. 222 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:08,320 If we look at North Georgia for instance, you know, they're they're just 223 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:17,840 as rural as we are and and the only talkable to that landscape is Jackson 224 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:27,120 County. And we can see the the economic impact of tourism uh in North Georgia. 225 00:22:22,799 --> 00:22:34,559 And I really want um and and hope you agree that 226 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:41,679 that level or some level of elevated outdoor tourism would be a huge impact 227 00:22:38,159 --> 00:22:48,240 um to to your local citizens. And because you are 228 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:56,240 between the um between two very prominent uh metros 229 00:22:52,320 --> 00:23:02,960 that are full of outdoor enthusiasts, they just need a reason and we just need 230 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:09,679 to market um what what resources we're able to scrap together and and slowly 231 00:23:06,799 --> 00:23:15,840 build that because if if they come in on the weekends, spend spend some money and 232 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:24,960 go home. That is the definition of the most return on 233 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:30,559 investment um for your community for your humanity 234 00:23:27,679 --> 00:23:37,520 for your citizens quality of life because tourism is the is the greenest 235 00:23:35,919 --> 00:23:48,799 um form of uh economic development that is 236 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:55,360 by green I mean um money and and also just ease of operations. 237 00:23:52,000 --> 00:24:00,400 We all good on that? >> So 238 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:07,120 we've we've outlined a couple of fail topologies here. This is not extensive. 239 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:12,000 We I just wanted to throw in a couple of what 240 00:24:08,880 --> 00:24:18,240 you'll see in the full master plan. We've got Buffford's iPads. Um we've got 241 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:25,360 on street improvements and then we've got uh low traffic uh farm to market 242 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:29,760 roads. Just wanted to quickly give you a sense 243 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:38,080 of that. So what do we do now? 244 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:44,440 Again, this is a formal request to adopt uh the Jackson County Trail Master Plan. 245 00:24:44,799 --> 00:24:57,039 This plan is a tool and not a mandate. There is is no money obligations tied to 246 00:24:54,480 --> 00:25:06,400 adopting this plan. there is no money obligated 247 00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:14,720 um to adopting this program. So um as a tool this serves to as a roadmap for 248 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:20,960 trail investment. This positions us to go after state federal funding including 249 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:27,120 TAP atri um and 250 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:36,000 a number of other things. funding opportunities including even 251 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:44,880 earmarks. Uh this helps guide the county engineer. Um this this 252 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:53,120 operates as a reminder um to what I call the big wants policy. If we're doing a 253 00:25:48,720 --> 00:26:02,720 lively and uh it does not hurt to remember this and just at a quick glance 254 00:25:58,799 --> 00:26:10,240 talk to somebody and see if there is an opportunity for for 255 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:17,039 and the like. Um, >> this also, um, is just a reference 256 00:26:13,679 --> 00:26:23,760 point, um, for trail opportunities to staff, to, uh, you as a commission, and 257 00:26:20,960 --> 00:26:30,640 to future commissioners um, to encapsulate all the work that's 258 00:26:26,960 --> 00:26:40,000 been done. And um and again this is a plan and these are 259 00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:47,840 trails that were built by your citizens. So um what I want to also say is 260 00:26:45,600 --> 00:26:52,880 with this process um 261 00:26:49,440 --> 00:27:03,039 we're not done. We're not done. We would like to continue to work with you. Um 262 00:26:57,760 --> 00:27:11,200 uh SRT is a phenomenal group. Um their their mission is to uh share grant 263 00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:20,799 opportunities. Um their mission is to not plan projects. So this this is a 264 00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:26,400 fraction of of what their goal is. Their goal is to put trails on the ground. and 265 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:32,480 say this is just a a means to an end. Does that make sense? They're not in the 266 00:27:29,120 --> 00:27:40,240 business of making 80page documents. They're uh they're currently 267 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:49,120 building doing construction documents um and signing about 70 miles of trails 268 00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:58,000 across the state right now. and we just want to make sure that we're putting you 269 00:27:53,679 --> 00:28:04,559 um in best position possible uh to be next on that list. Um, so we're we've 270 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:11,600 already had several conversations uh at the state house uh about Jackson County 271 00:28:07,840 --> 00:28:15,799 and the potential to to unlock um some of that public land for 272 00:28:16,159 --> 00:28:26,480 trails for recreational use that's uh that would add to the the hunting um 273 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:33,520 that you're already experiencing. Um, and 274 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:41,200 we just we just want to reiterate again that we would like you to consider us 275 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:45,840 almost like on on call staff. Um, please please 276 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:53,520 we will reach out and and ask if you're interested in opportunities, but um we 277 00:28:50,320 --> 00:29:00,080 we would like to come back and and do updates. Um, we would like to just have 278 00:28:56,880 --> 00:29:07,120 a working relationship with you because we we talked about the process like it's 279 00:29:03,360 --> 00:29:15,600 over when a plan is adopted. It's not. We we would like to 280 00:29:11,039 --> 00:29:24,320 um invite you to join us in our passion for trails and even even a certain 281 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:32,559 percentage and just um you use us. We we're asking you to to use this. Um your 282 00:29:28,880 --> 00:29:39,919 your resources are immense and a big next step is to 283 00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:44,720 just peel off those lowhanging fruit opportunities and put some trails on 284 00:29:42,880 --> 00:29:52,399 there. Um I'm I'm open to I'm not going to dive 285 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:58,320 into the specific routes. Um it's it's 70 miles plus 286 00:29:55,200 --> 00:30:05,679 um probably another 70 plus of natural trails that we've outlined. But um any 287 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:13,120 any questions for me outside of AJ is what I'm told guys. 288 00:30:08,880 --> 00:30:21,760 A uh a quick question. >> Um will any of the trail route uh 289 00:30:17,919 --> 00:30:26,080 involve using our county roads uh as a portion of the trail where they all be 290 00:30:23,200 --> 00:30:35,760 to the side of the trail or the road, excuse me. Long longterm 291 00:30:31,520 --> 00:30:43,679 they would all be side paths. short term um we would be interested in um in 292 00:30:40,799 --> 00:30:47,039 throughout your engineering process to identify 293 00:30:45,440 --> 00:30:55,600 potential opportunities for for bike lanes. So but 294 00:30:50,880 --> 00:31:00,720 but long term the answer is is protected side use. So, like I'm looking at this 295 00:30:59,200 --> 00:31:06,240 map. You said you didn't want to discuss RS, but down I guess at 67 down the 296 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:08,720 Langston Road. Is that like a spur? >> What page? 297 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:13,279 » I'm on this page. >> Okay. 298 00:31:09,440 --> 00:31:16,960 » And you had like a you had like a spur. >> What box is 299 00:31:14,799 --> 00:31:22,159 » dotted line right along the Tennessee River where 300 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:26,320 it's leading down the section or below section there? That's the lakes 301 00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:30,720 and roads to the southeast. Yeah, it runs down along the river. 302 00:31:29,120 --> 00:31:35,440 » Yeah, >> that's right. 303 00:31:31,840 --> 00:31:42,080 » Is that what we were planning there? >> Um, so 304 00:31:38,559 --> 00:31:49,120 we did map out going to section. Um, we're also working 305 00:31:46,880 --> 00:31:57,840 uh uh Marshall County is uh will be the 306 00:31:53,039 --> 00:32:06,799 last county trail plan and we're and so that will be firmed up um in in our 307 00:32:02,399 --> 00:32:10,880 second pass. But but yes, that >> yeah, I don't think I'm making myself 308 00:32:08,240 --> 00:32:15,360 clear. This one is right when you cross the bridge. Yes, sir. You would turn 309 00:32:13,039 --> 00:32:19,120 right and go along the river side. >> Correct. 310 00:32:16,480 --> 00:32:22,960 » Would y'all be going down that road or to the side of the How? Because there's 311 00:32:21,039 --> 00:32:25,600 not a lot of room on that road. >> There's not 312 00:32:23,919 --> 00:32:29,600 » not a lot at all. >> It's 313 00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:35,840 the connection between Scottsboro and Gunnersville will will be um 314 00:32:33,519 --> 00:32:39,120 » will be a challenge. It's gorgeous, but it will be a challenge. 315 00:32:37,039 --> 00:32:43,679 » We want that area to be utilized. It's beautiful and we we're all for it. But 316 00:32:41,679 --> 00:32:49,279 that is one of my favorite routes. >> I love that route. I grew up there. 317 00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:59,039 » Um Yes, sir. We've looked at that and and we we went so far as as to price out 318 00:32:54,000 --> 00:33:04,720 um extending the u rip wrap, you know, because there's a lot of not bridges, 319 00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:12,799 but you know, rip wrap highway cutthroughs and and Gunnersville has has 320 00:33:09,120 --> 00:33:19,360 been surprisingly successful at at getting those done. So there there is a 321 00:33:16,240 --> 00:33:23,080 strong local presence uh precedent for for that route. 322 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:36,159 » Okay. Other questions? >> Let me ask um I know you've been working 323 00:33:32,320 --> 00:33:41,440 across the state. Uh you talked to some of your successes so far that is you 324 00:33:39,279 --> 00:33:45,200 have worked with some of the communities west of us. I think you guys have been 325 00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:49,080 involved with some of them for a couple years. Sure. 326 00:33:49,440 --> 00:33:57,120 » So, we've had a lot of success uh with existing trails on the ground that we're 327 00:33:55,600 --> 00:34:02,080 like you call that new route. We're going to sign those put our signs out 328 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:05,600 and bring awareness to the trail and uh bring bring that brand to those 329 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:09,440 communities so that when opportunities come to build new trails, they'll be 330 00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:14,879 familiar with what Singing River Trail is and and how that can come to their 331 00:34:12,159 --> 00:34:19,119 community and benefit it. Um, but in particular, we've got some trails on the 332 00:34:16,639 --> 00:34:22,639 ground in Florence. Um, we've got some trails that are wrapping up in Leon, 333 00:34:20,800 --> 00:34:28,000 Alabama right now. That's a downtown corridor segment was funed through a tap 334 00:34:24,960 --> 00:34:30,960 grant. Um, and Decatur or before we get to Decator, we have Courtland that's 335 00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:35,760 about to go to construction. That's another downtown segment. It's going to 336 00:34:33,599 --> 00:34:39,839 be sidewalk street improvement. Um, connecting downtown to one of their 337 00:34:37,359 --> 00:34:44,240 parks. indicator. We actually had a $18 million grant that got clawed back 338 00:34:41,919 --> 00:34:48,560 unfortunately through Doge. Um but before it all got clawed back, we had 339 00:34:46,079 --> 00:34:52,560 two million allocated already. And so that's going towards research and a 340 00:34:50,720 --> 00:34:56,560 study to see how we can update existing trails within Decar. Um particularly on 341 00:34:54,960 --> 00:35:01,440 the Bill Sims trail, which is an existing trail route that Decar wants to 342 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:06,720 improve. We have existing trails on the ground in Athens as well as the Richard 343 00:35:05,280 --> 00:35:11,760 Martin Trail. They'll connect from the Tennessee line uh down to Athens and 344 00:35:10,240 --> 00:35:15,280 then in Huntsville. They're one of our main supporters, our original 345 00:35:13,040 --> 00:35:19,920 supporters. Um there's extensive amount of greenways there that we're working to 346 00:35:17,599 --> 00:35:23,119 connect with the city of Huntsville as well as uh the Land Trust of North 347 00:35:21,599 --> 00:35:26,880 Alabama, which is a partner through Huntsville to help get those greenways 348 00:35:25,200 --> 00:35:31,119 built by helping with eastern acquisition. And then Gurley is actually 349 00:35:29,520 --> 00:35:34,480 about to kick off construction as well. They have another TAP grant to do a 350 00:35:32,560 --> 00:35:38,480 downtown segment. It's going to go from their downtown to a park. And uh here in 351 00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:43,839 Jackson County, we're making some headway in Bridgeport as well as here in 352 00:35:41,200 --> 00:35:48,160 Scottsboro, talking with local officials like yourself. Um but Jackson County is 353 00:35:46,240 --> 00:35:51,680 one of our newest counties. So we're we're still getting the ball rolling on 354 00:35:49,839 --> 00:35:56,079 a lot of projects here. And like he said, we do have our master plan to be 355 00:35:54,160 --> 00:36:00,800 completed of our eight counties. That'll be in Marshall County. We hope to get 356 00:35:58,000 --> 00:36:04,720 that funded and uh get that research and outreach going here in the next couple 357 00:36:02,560 --> 00:36:09,359 of months. Get our last master plan done in Marshall County. That'll give them 358 00:36:07,040 --> 00:36:17,200 that have a plan for all eight counties to work in. I believe in in plan for 359 00:36:13,920 --> 00:36:23,839 Scottsboro connected Will to City Park and uh and then kayak opportunities 360 00:36:21,280 --> 00:36:30,000 across the county park. So it's it's you're integrating I think Tennessee 361 00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:34,720 River Line into your plan. That's correct. The trail, 362 00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:38,320 » right? So Tennessee Riverline is a a great counterpart to us. They're their 363 00:36:36,320 --> 00:36:43,040 own separate nonprofit as you know. Um but we we often get confused because we 364 00:36:40,800 --> 00:36:47,760 kind of have the same same I guess mission to increase outdoor recreation 365 00:36:45,119 --> 00:36:51,200 and whatnot, but they stay on the river. We we stay on the land for the most 366 00:36:49,280 --> 00:36:55,520 part. But wherever we meet on the riverfront, we do work together to do 367 00:36:52,960 --> 00:36:59,520 co-branding and awareness for our trails and uh make sure that we're not 368 00:36:57,200 --> 00:37:02,800 duplicating efforts. So, we're in close close communication with sing or 369 00:37:01,359 --> 00:37:09,440 Tennessee River Line. >> My last my last question, it it seems 370 00:37:06,560 --> 00:37:14,720 and tell me if I'm wrong, for you to be able to go after federal and state 371 00:37:12,000 --> 00:37:17,839 funding, you you need an adoption of your plan. 372 00:37:15,760 --> 00:37:21,280 » That's correct. >> That's correct. as well as an updated 373 00:37:19,760 --> 00:37:26,160 plan. So, we're actually updating our original master plan right now. That was 374 00:37:23,119 --> 00:37:29,520 for the the original idea for this whole trail which was only three counties to 375 00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:33,200 connect the Calhoun campuses in Huntsville, Decator as well as the Athen 376 00:37:31,280 --> 00:37:37,680 State University campus. So, that was Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties. 377 00:37:35,599 --> 00:37:42,320 it blew up from three counties now to eight counties because there's people 378 00:37:39,839 --> 00:37:46,480 are so on board with the idea and uh so we're actually updating that master plan 379 00:37:43,920 --> 00:37:50,320 here this fall and uh we can like you said take that to go get some bigger 380 00:37:48,240 --> 00:37:54,160 funding from the state as well as federal funding. So one of our internal 381 00:37:52,320 --> 00:37:59,200 goals for the singing river trail was to have 60% of the plan done in five years 382 00:37:57,920 --> 00:38:02,480 and the way that that's going to be done is through our existing trails that are 383 00:38:00,720 --> 00:38:06,720 on the ground that we are going to put signs on and activate those trails. So, 384 00:38:04,560 --> 00:38:10,640 sounds ambitious ambitious, but it's very doable. And so, we're going to hope 385 00:38:09,119 --> 00:38:15,200 to have that done in five years. And then once that's done, we can move 386 00:38:12,880 --> 00:38:19,119 forward with a maybe a bigger ask for funding to do some more connections 387 00:38:16,960 --> 00:38:23,440 within towns and connect then connecting towns to each other. 388 00:38:20,720 --> 00:38:30,320 » All right. You have a question. and with their help, you know, um it 389 00:38:27,920 --> 00:38:38,240 sounds like they putting signs on existing trail networks, but really 390 00:38:33,839 --> 00:38:45,839 they're they're opening up um trails that may not be known by a lot of people 391 00:38:41,200 --> 00:38:54,079 um to a much bigger audience. And so so the that trail usage just goes up and 392 00:38:50,000 --> 00:39:02,640 those studies have shown that people who use trails um stay longer, spend more 393 00:38:57,839 --> 00:39:08,079 locally um and then again um they go home 394 00:39:05,119 --> 00:39:12,320 » and y'all maintain the trails and or y'all hire that. How does that work? 395 00:39:10,240 --> 00:39:16,720 » So like you said, these trails are your community trails. We want this this plan 396 00:39:14,640 --> 00:39:21,280 is not set in stone. Like you said, the alignments change. So once con it goes 397 00:39:19,200 --> 00:39:26,160 to construction and we decide on an alignment, uh it'll pro it'll most 398 00:39:23,760 --> 00:39:29,760 likely be down to the community level to maintain these trucks is the majority of 399 00:39:28,160 --> 00:39:34,400 them within city limits are going to be on a public ement, right? And so one of 400 00:39:32,640 --> 00:39:38,000 our future goals through the Sing River Trails to have a maintenance endowment 401 00:39:36,320 --> 00:39:43,599 that we can help cities with. That's definitely something we want to do and 402 00:39:39,599 --> 00:39:50,960 help with. Um but and when we do get to that point, um we we do factor in annual 403 00:39:47,680 --> 00:39:56,960 maintenance as as part of cost. So it it's it's not an unknown variable when 404 00:39:53,440 --> 00:40:02,720 we do get to that point. But again, early wins here is continuing to work 405 00:39:59,839 --> 00:40:08,480 with the state, being able, you know, we've got another meeting coming up. Um 406 00:40:05,200 --> 00:40:14,640 it's the date's not set yet, but um to be able to say, you know, David, um this 407 00:40:12,240 --> 00:40:20,079 trail was made by the county. It's just been adopted by the county. And for the 408 00:40:16,960 --> 00:40:24,880 state to truly know that um we we're supporting y'all um when we when we talk 409 00:40:22,960 --> 00:40:28,880 to them, that's really important. 410 00:40:26,400 --> 00:40:35,440 » Okay. Uh if there are no more questions, um 411 00:40:32,320 --> 00:40:42,480 they're asking that we would adopt the singing railroad trail plan for Jackson 412 00:40:37,680 --> 00:40:47,280 County. Uh it's not a financial um obligation. 413 00:40:44,480 --> 00:40:54,560 Uh are we okay putting this on the new business for the next meeting? 414 00:40:51,760 --> 00:40:59,119 Okay, we will do that. really appreciate you guys being here and thanks everyone. 415 00:40:58,160 --> 00:41:01,359 » Thank you for your time. >> Yes. Thank you all for having us. Thank 416 00:41:00,960 --> 00:41:06,960 you. >> Thank you. 417 00:41:03,599 --> 00:41:12,119 » It's the last item in our work session. We'll go to the staff county 418 00:41:12,240 --> 00:41:17,760 attorney. >> Okay. Thank you, 419 00:41:14,800 --> 00:41:23,920 » Jere. Anything Josh? Anything else? Okay. Uh so we'll now move for the 420 00:41:21,920 --> 00:41:27,040 comment from the commission. Uh commissioner welcome district. 421 00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:29,760 » I just want to thank everybody for coming out today and I don't have 422 00:41:28,079 --> 00:41:36,160 anything else to add. Thank you sir. >> Uh District 4 Commissioner McBride echo 423 00:41:33,599 --> 00:41:39,760 sentiment um thank you to all our employees for all hard work they put 424 00:41:37,599 --> 00:41:45,040 into our county. Thank you guys for coming and presenting to us. 425 00:41:42,720 --> 00:41:49,440 » District two Mr. K. I'd like to remind you of a fella that little girl had the 426 00:41:47,680 --> 00:41:54,000 accident been a good while. She's in Texas at a 427 00:41:51,440 --> 00:41:59,480 rehab center, new rehab center and reports for her getting she is making 428 00:41:56,240 --> 00:41:59,480 some health 429 00:42:00,640 --> 00:42:06,640 district one the commissioner's goal. >> Uh I was able to go down and attend the 430 00:42:04,560 --> 00:42:11,920 ACCA conference last week. had a good networking session with the other 431 00:42:07,920 --> 00:42:19,119 commissioners and uh had um good session on learning about the some of the new 432 00:42:13,520 --> 00:42:22,880 laws Bose law and ways the county those affect the county and and looking 433 00:42:20,960 --> 00:42:27,920 forward to sharing what's learned with the rest of commission. 434 00:42:25,119 --> 00:42:34,720 » Okay, I don't have anything to add with that. Uh we will uh the next meeting is 435 00:42:31,280 --> 00:42:38,520 scheduled for September the 14th. Uh meeting will be here. 436 00:42:39,280 --> 00:42:49,119 Uh at this time we need to move into an executive session to have a discussion 437 00:42:45,599 --> 00:42:54,400 regarding pending litigation. So do I held a motion to move into 438 00:42:52,079 --> 00:42:56,960 effect. Have 439 00:42:54,560 --> 00:43:02,560 » a motion. We have a second. could have stepped on before. 440 00:43:00,000 --> 00:43:02,560 Thank you.