City Commission Agendas and Minutes

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CITY OF DOTHAN, ALABAMA REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 6, 2015 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, January 6, 2015 with the following members present: Mayor Mike Schmitz, Associate Commissioners Kevin Dorsey, Amos M. Newsome, Jr., Albert Kirkland, John Ferguson, Susan Anderson, and Hamp Baxley. Also present were City Manager Michael West, City Clerk Tammy Danner, Assistant City Clerk Wendy Shiver who recorded the Minutes of the Meeting, and the local news media representatives. Mayor Schmitz called the meeting to order. Pastor Jerome Lister, Jr., St. Walden Missionary Baptist Church, then led in prayer, afterwhich Commissioner Anderson led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Commissioner Baxley moved that the Minutes of the Meeting of December 16, 2014, be approved, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland and unanimously approved. Mayor Schmitz presented and read a proclamation, proclaiming January 29, 2015 as “Public Education Day for the City of Dothan.” Dothan Education Foundation President Tami Culver and other representatives were present for the proclamation. Mayor Schmitz presented and read a proclamation, proclaiming January, 2015 as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month.” Gia Hughes, Director of Human Trafficking Outreach, Love in Action Ministries was present for the proclamation. Mayor Schmitz read a press release issued by the Dothan/Houston County Emergency Management Agency announcing that a warming station will be open this week from 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday until 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and from 6:00 p.m. on Thursday until 9:00 a.m. on Friday at Harbor Church, located at the corner of East Burdeshaw Street and North Foster Street. Commissioner Kirkland said he is glad to be here and proud to serve in this new year of 2015. Commissioner Ferguson asked if the City is opening any warming centers? City Manager West said we typically do not open centers at night and usually churches operate as warming centers. Mayor Schmitz said he is proud to see that the three candidates who are running for District 5 City Commissioner are here today. He said he knows they are all working hard and we appreciate them for putting themselves in the public eye. He stated the election will be held on Tuesday, February 10th. City Manager West said the Westgate Pool is still closed. He said the sump pumps have gone out and replacements are being sought, because these are the original pumps and parts cannot be found. Commissioner Baxley commented that the pool seems to shut down every year, and he asked why this happens so often? City Manager West said past reasons have been the chlorinator and the filtration pump, but this is the first time the sump pumps have gone out. City Manager West said the Dothan Downtown Hoops Classic Tournament was a great event with more sponsors than ever and Dothan High School won for the third consecutive year. City Manager West said the recycling carts are being delivered and new requests continue to be received. Commissioner Anderson confirmed with City Manager West that residents may begin using the carts immediately after delivery on their scheduled pick-up day. Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – January 6, 2015, continued. City Manager West reminded everyone that the 2015 Strategic Planning Work Session with Lyle Sumek will be held next week in Friend Bank’s community room. He said department heads will meet on Thursday, January 15th and elected officials will meet on Friday, January 16th and Saturday, January 17th. City Manager West said trash collection is running behind because of the holidays and is anticipated to be back on schedule by the end of this week. City Manager West announced meter reading is behind schedule because of staff shortage and the holidays. Mayor Schmitz explained that the timing may cause some utility bills to be less than average one month and more than average another month. City Manager West advised if this causes anyone financial problems to contact Utility billing who will work with those customers to spread the amount over several months. Commissioner Newsome asked if this will have an impact on anyone who has not paid their utility bill and is facing cut-off? City Manager West said they will look at this to make sure the only reason they are late in paying their bill is the extended period. City Manager West announced City offices will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Regarding the sanitation schedule, Monday residents will receive garbage and recycling pick-up on Wednesday, January 22nd. There will be no trash collection for Monday residents. Mayor Schmitz introduced the application of Raymond Baker for a Lounge Retail Liquor License, Class II (off premise) for East Side Package Store, located at 1018 North Range Street. Hearing no motion, the application died due to lack of a motion and second. Mayor Schmitz introduced the application of Binal Patel for a Retail Beer and Table Wine License (off premise) for Quick Stop, located at 2984 East Main Street. Commissioner Newsome moved for approval, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley and unanimously carried. 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 announced a Public Hearing regarding the demolition and removal of unsafe structures. There being no one present to speak, Mayor Schmitz declared the Public Hearing closed. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-1 (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 Baxley. Commissioner Ferguson noted that one of these locations is a commercial property, and he confirmed with City Manager West that the abatement process is the same as residential properties. There being no further discussion, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-2 (recorded in Ordinnce Book No._______at Page_______), declaring certain properties as creating a nuisance, constituting a hazard to the public health, safety and convenience of the citizens and authorizing the demolition and removal of said properties. Commissioner Ferguson moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland. Commissioner Ferguson said there has been quite a bit of discussion on the Wembley Court property, and he clarified the reason it took as long as it did is because of the nature of the fire. He asked if we are doing everything possible to secure these properties? Fire Marshal Chris Etheredge said the Fire Department does their best to board up any open doors or windows before leaving a property once their investigation is complete. He said in this particular case there were several times they received calls that the boards had been removed and this is a situation of them going back on private property. There being no further discussion, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – January 6, 2015, continued. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-3 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), entering into a contract with Polyengineering, Inc., for a proposal to inspect the Pettus Street, Honeysuckle, Hodgesville and Highway 84 West water tanks at a cost of $18,500.00. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Newsome and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-4 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), entering into a permit agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for the installation of two (2) taps, two (2) increases, and nine (9) linear feet of PVC water main for a new medical facility located between East Main Street and Ross Clark Circle. Commissioner Newsome moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-5 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), entering into a permit agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for the installation of isolation valve, tee, removal of 515 linear feet of water main, remove, lower and install 525 linear feet of water main, install fire hydrant and two (2) taps with water services for new service station development located at Highway 431 N. and Westgate Parkway. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-6 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), re-appointing Mickey E. Davis as a member of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Ferguson and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-7 (recorded in Ordinance Book No. _______at Page_______), awarding the following bids and approving other purchases over $15,000.00 by the City. ITEM VENDOR AMOUNT Polymer, Per City of Dothan Solenis, LLC See Price In Bid Specifications: Liquid Polymer, Wilmington, DE Description Quantities 60,000 lbs. (more or less): Polymer Product Name: Praestol K260FL; Unit Cost Per Pound of Active Polymer: $2.96; Unit Cost Per Pound of Neat Polymer: $1.36 Neat Volume of Polymer Per Tote: 275 Gallons; Dry Polymer, Quantities 3,000 Bags (more or less): Polymer Product Name: Praestol 852BC; Unit Cost Per Pound of Active Polymer: $1.95; Unit Cost Per Pound of Neat Polymer: $1.95 Disk Storage: Dell EqualLogic Dell Marketing L.P. $ 30,000.00 PS6100XS (equivalent or better) Round Rock, TX Disk Storage, 600 GB, 10K SAS, 400 GB SSD, Per City of Dothan Bid Specifications: Quantity 1, Cost Per Unit $30,000.00 1) 115 KV High Voltage Bushing, A B B Inc. See Price In per City of Dothan Bid Specifications, Alamo, TN Description Quantity to Bid 6 (more or less): Unit Price: $4,251.00 Total Price: $25,506.00 2) Draw Lead Adaptors, Quantity to Bid 6 (more or less): Unit Price: Included Grand Total: $25,506.00 Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – January 6, 2015, continued. Other Purchases: Professional Services Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. $ 22,603.55 through 11/14/14 Birmingham, AL Claim # 2003124 Commissioner Dorsey then moved for adoption of Resolution No. 2015-7, motion seconded by Commissioner Newsome and unanimously carried. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-8 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), approving the following advance travel requests for City employees: NAME CONFERENCE AMOUNT Chris Phillips NESC Clearance and Grounding Class $ 2,957.88 Roger Lynch Opelika, AL Matthew West Allen McJunkins Delvick J. McKay Overview of Public Personnel Administration $ 1,120.00 Nichole Gibson Montgomery, AL Delvick J. McKay Job Analysis and Job Descriptions $ 1,310.00 Nichole Gibson Montgomery, AL Kelly Speigner Delvick J. McKay Performance Appraisals and Employee $ 1,310.00 Nichole Gibson Evaluations Kelly Speigner Montgomery, AL Rachel David GA Chapter of APCO two day workshop $ 1,483.02 Anna Kelly for Communications Training Officers Jessica Danford Savannah, GA Kaylen Shoupe Deanna Edwards Rita Patterson Gregory Benton Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police $ 606.70 Winter Conference Montgomery, AL Matthew Krabbe Basic Clandestine Lab Certification Course $ 1,690.00 Timothy Powell Bushnell, FL David Lewis National Institute for Jail Operations $ 80.00 Shina Hutton Legal Based Training Seminar Eric Morris Montgomery, AL Yonka Rogers Kenneth Thomas Bradley Beatty Ida Hagen William Banks Commissioner Kirkland then moved for adoption of Resolution No. 2015-8, motion seconded by Commissioner Anderson. Commissioner Ferguson said he received a phone call yesterday regarding the travel policy. He said he would benefit from having more information on some of the trips, and he requested that future requests include a brief paragraph from the department head explaining the reason for the travel. City Manager West said this can be done. Commissioner Baxley said he has noticed a number of times where approval is being requested after the fact. He said this is inappropriate and travel should be requested in advance. There being no further discussion, the resolution was unanimously adopted. There being no further business, Commissioner Kirkland moved that the meeting be adjourned, motion seconded by Commissioner Dorsey and upon the unanimous vote of "yea," the meeting was duly adjourned. See approval next page: Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – January 6, 2015, continued. /s/Tammy Danner, City Clerk Approved: /s/Mike Schmitz, Mayor /s/Kevin Dorsey, Associate Commissioner /s/Amos M. Newsome, Jr., Associate Commissioner /s/Albert Kirkland, Associate Commissioner John Ferguson, Associate Commissioner /s/Susan Anderson, Associate Commissioner /s/Hamp Baxley, Associate Commissioner BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS