City Commission Agendas and Minutes

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CITY OF DOTHAN, ALABAMA REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 20, 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, October 20, 2015 with the following members present: Mayor Mike Schmitz, Associate Commissioners Kevin Dorsey, Amos M. Newsome, Jr., Albert Kirkland, John Ferguson, Beth Kenward, 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. Delvick McKay, Personnel Director, then led in prayer, afterwhich Commissioner Dorsey led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Commissioner Baxley moved that the Minutes of the Meeting of October 6, 2015, be approved, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland and unanimously approved. Mayor Schmitz presented and read a proclamation, proclaiming October 25-31, 2015 as “Respiratory Care Week” in the City of Dothan. Kim Welborn, Wallace Community College Director of Clinical Education for Respiratory Therapy, Bobbie Green, Wallace Community College Senior and President of the Respiratory Therapy Association for Better Breathing, and Respiratory Therapy students were present for the proclamation. Mayor Schmitz presented and read a proclamation, proclaiming October 23-31, 2015 as “Red Ribbon Week” in the City of Dothan. Terry Grimes, Community Relations Manager for the Prevention Project, was present for the proclamation. Mayor Schmitz invited Carolyn Shephard and Patricia Lynn to the podium to make an announcement. Mrs. Shephard announced a “Save the Children Community Parade & Funday” event will be held on Saturday, October 31st at Porter Square beginning at 10:00 a.m., and she invited everyone to attend. Mayor Schmitz invited Fred Clark, President of the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA), to speak. Mr. Clark provided an update on the electric utility industry. He discussed cost stability, resources, projections, and solar power. He complemented the Dothan Utilities staff on their professionalism and for exploring renewable energy sources and pilot projects of solar type facilities in order to assess the impacts and associated costs. Mr. Clark said AMEA is expanding their partnership with the City in economic development, and they would like to celebrate in Mayor Schmitz’s activities of trying to bring industry and growth to Dothan. He said they are working with Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Parker and working to provide zero interest loans to many of the City’s industries. He said the AMEA is providing scholarships to high school graduates, regulatory compliance services, and monthly safety meetings. He said they look forward to being a partner in building quality of life and increased workplace development, and in achieving economies of scale in power supply and services. Commissioner Newsome said the handicap doors at the main post office have not been operating properly for several weeks. General Services Director Randy Morris said he will contact Circle City Glass to check the doors. Commissioner Newsome said he and others have heard ongoing conversations coming from the EEO office, and he requested City Manager West to see what can be done to provide privacy to ensure confidentiality between clients and the EEO officer. City Manager West said this issue is being looked at, and he advised that Mr. Morris and staff have begun looking for insulated doors to see if this will solve the problem. Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – October 20, 2015, continued. Commissioner Kenward said she had the privilege to attend the Cross Country Championship Race and Mayor’s Cup Challenge on Saturday, October 17th at Westgate Park. She said it was remarkable to see the kids compete, but even more remarkable to watch them cheering each other on, and this says a lot about our community. She said this was a great event with a huge turnout, and she encouraged all elementary school children to participate next year. Mayor Schmitz expressed appreciation to the community for showing up and filling the semi truck with supplies for Columbia, South Carolina to assist in their flood recovery efforts. He said the truck arrived in Columbia last Tuesday morning and Mayor Steve Benjamin has sent a thank you to all of us. Mayor Schmitz said he and Commissioner Dorsey plan to visit Mayor Benjamin in Columbia next week. Mayor Schmitz said he was grateful to attend the Florida International Trade Conference with Mr. Parker and Dean Mitchell, Executive Director of Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce last week. He said there were thirty countries represented and Dothan was the only U.S. city invited, and they were able to talk about our community and economic development for potential future prospects. Mayor Schmitz presented information on the recent number of new business licenses issued, talked about the importance of small business to our City, and thanked business owners for believing in our community. City Manager West presented Elston Jones, Director of Leisure Services, with a service award for thirty-five years of service with the City. City Manager West invited Tyson Carter, Leisure Services Athletic Coordinator, to recognize the 2015 Dothan National Dixie Boys Baseball Team. Mr. Carter, along with Head Coach Shawn McCorkel, introduced and recognized the team for winning both the Dixie Boys Baseball District 6 Tournament and the Alabama Dixie Boys Baseball State Tournament, and for bringing home 3rd place in the Dixie Boys Baseball World Series held in Aiken, South Carolina in August, 2015. Coach McCorkel also congratulated the team on being the first back-to-back Dixie Boys Baseball State Champions in Dothan’s history. City Manager West made the following announcements: • The National Peanut Festival Cubmobile Derby will take place on Saturday, October 24th. • Eighty teams are participating in this weekend’s travel baseball tournament. • Youth Basketball Registration is currently being held at the recreation centers. • Dothan High School’s Homecoming will be Friday night. • Approximately two hundred children participated in the Cross Country Championship Race and Mayor’s Cup Challenge at Westgate Park on Saturday, October 17th. • Staff will assemble at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room on Tuesday, October 27th to discuss specifics of the proposed Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Ordinance. Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams and Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief Chris Etheredge presented 2015 Member of the Year Fire Department Awards to Firefighter Blake Johnson, Firefighter of the Year; Sergeant Marty Snell, Sergeant of the Year; and Captain Shane Lee, Fire Officer of the Year. Mayor Schmitz introduced the application of Jansen Tidmore for a Special Retail License-More than 30 days (on premises) for Cheers Refreshment Services III, located at 126 Museum Avenue. Commissioner Baxley moved for approval, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland. Mayor Schmitz asked if there was anyone present to speak on this matter and there were none. There being no Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – October 20, 2015, continued. discussion and upon the motion being put to vote, the motion was 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 introduced Resolution No. 2015-297 (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 Kenward moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-298 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), entering into an agreement with the Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA) to receive funding from the Houston County Tobacco Tax Fund for senior citizen programs. Commissioner Newsome moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland. Mayor Schmitz noted that this is an annual agreement. There being no further discussion, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-299 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), increasing the Petty Cash amount from $50.00 to $300.00 for the Planning & Development Department to be used for the Business License Division. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley. City Manager West explained that this amount will be equally divided between three drawers. There being no further discussion, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-300 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), entering into a permit agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for the installation of tapping tee, valve, and ductile iron pipe for a new fire line for an existing business at 3693 West Main Street. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kenward and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-301 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), entering into an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for the installation of sanitary sewer lateral to an existing manhole within the right-of-way at 2418 Ross Clark Circle (AL Hwy. 210) to serve a new business. Commissioner Dorsey moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-302 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), entering into a private development agreement with Ron Wilson, for the installation and maintenance of water meters for Wilson Building, located at 4084 Ross Clark Circle. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Newsome and unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-303 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), accepting a grant award in the amount of $10,200.00 from Michelin Corporation for the purpose of purchasing bike repair/air stations by “Bike Fixtation” to benefit the Forever Wild, and appropriating funds for said project. Commissioner Dorsey moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kenward. Mayor Schmitz expressed gratitude to Michelin for being such a great community partner. There being no further discussion, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-304 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), approving payment of invoices for the month of September, 2015 in the amount of $15,751,301.52. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Baxley and unanimously adopted. Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – October 20, 2015, continued. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-305 (recorded in Ordinance Book No. _______at Page_______), awarding a bid and approving other purchases over $15,000.00 by the City, and appropriating funds for said bid. ITEM VENDOR AMOUNT Power Transformer for Mayer Electric $ 390,266.00 New Substation, Dothan, AL per City of Dothan bid specifications: Base price one(1) or more Electrical Power Transformer, Three-phase, 115,000 Volts Delta-12,470Y/7.200 Volts: Unit Price: $348,082.00 Field Assembly and Testing: Unit Price: $25,388.00 Freight FOB Site: Unit Price: $9,533.00 Offloading and Service: Unit Price: $7,263.00 Total Cost, Transformer Delivered Ready for Service, Not to Exceed: $390,266.00 Other Purchases: 2 Professional Legal Services Copeland, Franco, Screws & Gill, P.A. $ 17,235.88 Claim Number 2003204 Montgomery, AL Cooper v. City June-July, 2015: $9,972.42 August, 2015: $6,190.86 September, 2015: $1,072.60 Professional Services Maynard, Cooper & Gale $ 14,471.35 through 8/31/15 Birmingham, AL Claim Number 2003124, ReaMonica 3 Carney v City of Dothan 3 Professional Services Maynard, Cooper & Gale $ 1,004.27 Claim Number 2003132, Birmingham, AL Personnel Board v Ivan K. Gray through 9/30/15 Professional Services-Actuarial Tiller Consulting Group $ 23,000.00 Work for City Worker's Compensation, St. Louis, MO General Liability & Automobile (Fleet) Liability Risk Retention Programs; as well as, any Associated Data Needs. Traffic Signal Cabinet, 4-Phase Temple, Inc. $ 16,209.00 Solid State, Type III-Pole Mounted, Decatur, AL Per State of Alabama Awarded Bid Contract Number 401294 Notes: 1 ITB-Invitations to Bid 2 Upon receipt of the August, 2015 invoice legal expenses exceeded $15,000 for claim number 2003204. 3 Legal expenses have exceeded $15,000 for claim number 2003124 and 2003132. Commissioner Kirkland then moved for adoption of Resolution No. 2015-305, motion seconded by Commissioner Kenward and unanimously carried. Mayor Schmitz introduced Resolution No. 2015-306 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), approving the following advance travel requests for City employees: NAME CONFERENCE AMOUNT Ronnie Bruce Advanced Transformer Maintenance $ 3,966.30 And Planning Talmadge, OH Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – October 20, 2015, continued. Greg Dean Southern Software Public Safety $ 625.00 User’s Conference Myrtle Beach, SC th Deanna Watford 28 Annual Governmental Accounting and $ 1,274.00 Tamra Williams Auditing Forum Birmingham, AL Erik Broten The Crooks are Getting Smarter 2015 $ 20.00 Terry Nelson Montgomery, AL Kenny Dunning ARPA District Soccer Tournament $ 625.00 Eufaula, AL Garrett Franklin ARPA District Soccer Tournament $ 625.00 Andalusia, AL Michael Conner Emergency Responder Hazardous Materials $ 0.00 Jeremy Wallace Technician for CBRNE Incidents (ERHM) Jessie Hess Anniston, AL Thomas Price Wendell Cummings SWANA – Fall Forum $ 1,334.00 Roy Johnson Lake Guntersville, AL Commissioner Kirkland then moved for adoption of Resolution No. 2015-306, motion seconded by Commissioner Ferguson. Commissioner Kenward said she would love to see the employees attending the solid waste forum come back and share some creative ideas on how we can utilize our trash to create energy. 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 Ferguson and upon the unanimous vote of "yea," the meeting was duly adjourned. /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 /s/John Ferguson, Associate Commissioner /s/Beth Kenward, Associate Commissioner /s/Hamp Baxley, Associate Commissioner BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS