City Commission Agendas and Minutes

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CITY OF DOTHAN, ALABAMA REGULAR MEETING APRIL 17, 2012 The Board of Commissioners of the City of Dothan, Alabama, met in regular session in the Commission Chambers of the Roy Driggers Municipal Building at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, April 17, 2012 with the following members present: Mayor Mike Schmitz, Associate Commissioners James H. Reading, Amos M. Newsome, Jr., Albert Kirkland, Critt Snellgrove and Hamp Baxley. Commissioner Taylor Barbaree was absent. Also present were City Manager Michael West, City Clerk Pam McCoy, Administrative Assistant Tammy Danner, who recorded the Minutes of the Meeting, and the local news media representatives. Mayor Schmitz called the meeting to order. Pastor Bobby Marks, Cornerstone Church, then led in prayer, afterwhich Commissioner Newsome led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Commissioner Baxley moved that the Minutes of the Meeting of April 3, 2012, be approved, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland and unanimously approved. Commissioner Baxley presented and read a proclamation, proclaiming April 26, 2012 as “Yes We Can! Dothan Pay It Forward Day” in the City of Dothan. Christy Browning and Sylvia Shepherd, YWCD Acceptance and Inclusiveness Advocacy Group were present for the proclamation. Commissioner Baxley presented and read a proclamation, proclaiming April, 2012 as “Library Month” in the City of Dothan. Bettye Forbus, Houston-Love Memorial Library and Steve Roy, Chairman of the Library Board were present for the proclamation. Commissioner Snellgrove presented and read a proclamation, proclaiming April, 2012 as “Autism Awareness Month” in the City of Dothan. Frances Heisner, Southeast Alabama Medical Center and Amber Byrd were present for the proclamation. Commissioner Snellgrove presented and read a proclamation, proclaiming April 21, 2012 as “Powertalk 21® Day” in the City of Dothan. Susan Trawick, Dothan- Houston County Substance Abuse Partnership was present for the proclamation. Commissioner Snellgrove, along with Bruce Tyre, Dothan Elks Lodge recognized Lauren Thompson, Highlands Elementary School. After winning the local, state, district and southeast region contests, Lauren will now compete in the National Hoops Shoot in Springfield, Massachusetts. Commissioner Kirkland presented a Certificate of Recognition to Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame Inductee-Coach Jimmy Golden. Commissioner Reading said he, Commissioners Kirkland and Snellgrove attended the last two Dothan School Board meetings. He said they have identified a problem at Headstart. He said they have 267 students and have a waiting list. Commissioner Reading said Reverend Glasgow has identified 67 kids who do not have access to Headstart. He said there should be no child who wishes to attend Headstart not be able to do so. He said we can invest in the kids now or invest and discipline down the road. Commissioner Reading said there are resources that we can use to get these kids access to Headstart. Commissioner Kirkland said the Dothan City School Board has been meeting in conjunction with the magnet schools. He said tonight, District 3 will be meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 in the Beverlye Magnet School Auditorium. He said anyone with questions about a magnet school; Dr. Tim Wilder, District 3 Board Member Charles Woodall and himself will be there to answer questions. Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – April 17, 2012, continued. Commissioner Kirkland expressed appreciation to Officers Schaffer and Ash for their professionalism and kindness to an elderly lady who had her car broken into last week. She called and wished to extend her appreciation to the officers. Commissioner Kirkland said we always hear the bad stories so it is very refreshing to hear positive comments about our officers. Commissioner Baxley extended birthday wishes to Cassandra Milton, City of Dothan, Houston County Chairman Mark Culver and Police Chief Greg Benton. Mayor Schmitz announced that on April 20th there will be a Job Fair at Clarion Inn between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Several companies will be there to interview. Larry Patrick, Dothan Leisure Services introduced the Dothan Leisure Services’ Therapeutic Recreation Cheerleading Squad, Champions of the Tallahassee Diamond Cheerleading Competition. The squad performed a cheer for the Commission and audience. City Manager West gave his Annual Report on the Financial Condition of the City. He said the City is financially strong and the City is showing signs of economic recovery; sales tax revenue has stabilized. Mr. West said current reserves are adequate. He said we must stay focused with our partners, The Chamber of Commerce, Dothan by Design and Houston County and focus on economic development and do whatever it takes to bring jobs to this community. Mr. West said he and his staff must continue to focus on productivity and performance and ensure that the citizens of this community get what they pay for. Copies of the Annual Report are available in the City of Dothan Finance Department. Mr. West introduced Karen Falk, Vice President of ETC Institute, who presented the results of the 2012 DirectionFinder ® Survey Results. The purpose of the survey was to identify needs of residents vs. special interest; benchmark the performance of the city with other communities, identify resident priorities, prepare Dothan to measure success over time-trends, and to have defendable data. Commissioner Newsome asked if there was any reason for limiting the number of those surveyed to 417. Mayor Schmitz said that 2,000 surveys were sent out and only 417 answered the survey. Ms. Falk said they knew they could deliver well with results of at least 400. She said that is what fits that statistical principle. Commissioner Reading said what he got from the presentation is that if he lived in north or west Dothan; he would be a happy camper. Commissioner Newsome said as you look in one section of northeast Dothan there was probably less than 30 or 40 households that responded. Ms. Falk said they did get the opportunity. Commissioner Reading said the problem with the people he represents in east Dothan is affordable housing. Ms. Falk said what you need to know is what percentage that is of the overall city. She said this Commission determines, budget wise, how you will allocate funds and to know what that is for the city is important information to have. Mayor Schmitz expressed appreciation to Ms. Falk. He said this survey is public record and copies of the Survey are available in the City of Dothan Planning and Zoning Department. City Manager West announced that the City Clerk was notified by the Department of Justice that they did not object to the new district lines. He also announced the Pro Tennis Classic at Westgate Tennis Center. Dothan 101 starts tonight at 6:00 p.m. in the Police Department assembly room. The Fire Department will host a Chicken Cook-Out on April 20th to benefit March of Dimes at the Downtown Station on Columbia Highway. Older Americans Day will be May 2nd at Eastgate Park. The Fire Department will hold a 5K Run on May 5th. The Neighborhood Watch Program” participants will host a “Fun Day” on April 28th at Gussie McMillon Park to try and build that program. Mr. West reminded everyone about the watering schedule that is in effect. Commissioner Newsome asked when the restrooms at the Gussie McMillon Park will be open. Mr. West said they will be open by April 28th. Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – April 17, 2012, continued. City Manager West announced that the Commission will have a work session on Tuesday, April 24th at 10:00 a.m. in the Sakado Room to discuss the EEO Office organizational issue. City Manager West stated that the Community Build for the playground on E. Powell Street will be held on May 5th. Commissioner Newsome asked if we will be getting the same support from Ft. Rucker. Mr. West said he believed so. Mayor Schmitz recognized a Boy Scout Troop that was present at the meeting. Mayor Schmitz announced a Public Hearing regarding the abatement and removal of noxious or dangerous weeds. There being no one present to speak, Mayor Schmitz declared the Public Hearing closed. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2012-92 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), declaring certain properties which are overgrown with weeds, scrub, wild bushes, grass and other vegetable growth as injurious to the health, safety and welfare of the community as nuisances and ordering that the properties be abated. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Newsome and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2012-93 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), entering into a contract with Polyenvironmental Corporation to provide laboratory test services at a base rate of $350.00 per month plus any additional testing for a three year period and appropriating funds for said services. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2012-94 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), approving Change Order Number 1 to the contract with National Salvage & Service Corporation for the Beaver Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Decommissioning Project for a deduct amount of $44,700.00 which reduces the total contract amount to $470,700.00. Commissioner Reading moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2012-95 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), awarding the bid, entering into a contract and issuing a Notice to Proceed to Stuart C. Irby Co., Inc. to provide control and telemetry to lift stations located throughout the City through the Pump Station Controller, Level Sensing Devices and Remote Terminal Unit Project in the amount of $472,955.20 and appropriating funds for said project. Commissioner Reading moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2012-96 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), awarding the bid, entering into a contract and issuing a Notice to Proceed to Stuart C. Irby Co., Inc. to provide FCC Licensed Ethernet Radio Communications to lift stations located throughout the City in the amount of $154,682.60 and appropriating funds for said project. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2012-97 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), entering into a lease/maintenance agreement with A-One Business Solutions, LLC for a digital copier for the Westgate Tennis Center for a monthly lease cost of $54.39 and a monthly maintenance cost of $12.00. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Newsome and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2012-98 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), approving the payment of invoices for the month of March, 2012 in the amount of $11,611,516.64. Commissioner Reading moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland and unanimously adopted. Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – April 17, 2012, continued. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2012-99 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), appointing Edna McLoyd as a member of the Community Development Advisory Board. Commissioner Reading moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Newsome and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2012-100 (recorded in Ordinance Book No. _______at Page_______), awarding the following bid received by the City. ITEM VENDOR AMOUNT Concrete Pipe and Filter Fabric Hanson Pipe and Precast As needed over Dothan, AL an approximate one year period Commissioner Snellgrove then moved for adoption of Resolution No. 2012-100, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley and unanimously carried. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2012-101 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), approving the following advance travel requests for City employees: NAME CONFERENCE AMOUNT Angie Jay AWWA 2012 Annual Conference and $ 2775.00 Exposition Dallas, TX Nicole Spivey CUBE VOYAGER Training $ 293.20 Montgomery, AL Melissa Woods 2012 Regional Seminars for Municipal $ 1364.00 Jason Miller Court Officials Sadie Edwards Mobile, AL Chad Hammack Nighthawk SWAT School $ 440.00 Tom Davis Selma, AL Sammy Hancock Will Benny SUGA Conference $ 1959.00 Mark Nelms Orlando, FL Randy Morris Public Risk Management Association $ 2431.00 Trampas Gougler Walking the Line of Risk Nashville, TN Roy Kitts Archery Training $ 355.00 Newberry, FL th Gregory Benton 68 Annual National PAL (Police Athletic $ 1578.28 League) Conference Orlando, FL Mamie McCory American Jail Association Annual Training $ 00.00 Conference Reno, NV Jinri Jiang ATAC Swim Meet $ 250.00 Tallahassee, FL Jinri Jiang ARPA State Swim Meet $ 250.00 Opelika, AL Nicole Spivey Esri ArcGIS Training $ 1367.97 Atlanta, GA Commissioner Kirkland then moved for adoption of Resolution No. 2012-101, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley and unanimously carried. Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – April 17, 2012, continued. There being no further business, Commissioner Reading moved that the meeting be adjourned, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley and upon the unanimous vote of "yea," the meeting was duly adjourned. /s/Pam McCoy, City Clerk Approved: /s/Mike Schmitz, Mayor /s/James H. Reading, Associate Commissioner /s/Amos M. Newsome, Jr., Associate Commissioner /s/Albert Kirkland, Associate Commissioner /s/Critt Snellgrove, Associate Commissioner /s/Taylor Barbaree, Associate Commissioner /s/Hamp Baxley, Associate Commissioner BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS