City Commission Agendas and Minutes

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CITY OF DOTHAN, ALABAMA REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 4, 2020 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, August 4, 2020 with the following members present: Mayor Mark Saliba, Associate Commissioners Kevin Dorsey, Janasky Fleming, Albert Kirkland, John Ferguson, Beth Kenward, and David Crutchfield. Also present were City Manager Kevin Cowper, City Clerk Tammy Danner, Assistant City Clerk Wendy Shiver, who recorded the Minutes of the Meeting, and the local news media representatives. Mayor Saliba called the meeting to order. Pastor Steve Russell, Central Baptist Church, then led in prayer, afterwhich Commissioner Fleming led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Commissioner Kenward moved that the Minutes of the Meeting of July 21, 2020, be approved, motion seconded by Commissioner Dorsey and unanimously approved. Mayor Saliba presented and read a proclamation, proclaiming August, 2020 as “August 2020 Census Month” and August 12, 2020 as “Drop Everything and Get Counted Day” in the City of Dothan. Lori Wilcoxon, Census 2020 Coordinator for Houston, Henry, and Geneva MSA, was present for the proclamation. Commissioner Fleming said he would like to remind everyone about the Love Your Neighborhood Clean-up Program, which is part of the “Love Dothan” campaign. He thanked City Manager Kevin Cowper, Community Relations Officer Vincent P. Vincent, Assistant City Manager Randy Morris, department heads, and staff for all of their hard work and for getting the word out to the Baptist Bottom community. Commissioner Fleming asked everyone to remember the family of Wallace Smith in their thoughts and prayers. He said Wallace Smith, who lost his life last week at the age of 101, was a fraternity brother and a personal hero for all of the things he did and for all of the lives he touched in Dothan, Ashford, and everywhere else. He thanked Executive Assistant Sarah Woodham for her hard work in getting a proclamation done to honor his life and his legacy. Commissioner Kenward extended her appreciation to the many citizens who have contacted her as the virus has hit close to home with her parents, and she said her stepfather is still at Flowers Hospital in the ICU. She urged our citizens to take every precaution and to wear your masks. She said we need to make sure the kids in our community who are going back to school are well aware of the risks of them not wearing a mask and passing this awful virus to someone older who may react a little more strongly. Commissioner Crutchfield asked everyone to keep Clayton Jordan in their thoughts and prayers as he is in the hospital with multiple issues and COVID may be one of them. He said Clayton Jordan has been a lifelong resident of this area, he has done a lot for our kids in our different youth programs, he looks up to him, and he means a lot to his family. Mayor Saliba expressed appreciation to Lori Wilcoxon for being here today, and he said he wants to repeat the importance of the census. He said we receive $1,600 in federal funding for every person who completes the census and this money goes directly to programs which affect a lot of our families, friends, and citizens in Dothan and the Wiregrass. He said we are more than likely going to lose one of our congressmen and there is a good chance it will be our area representative, which means we would be grouped in with another area, so this is how important it is for everyone to be counted. Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – August 4, 2020, continued. Mayor Saliba also expressed his condolences for Wallace Smith who he said was a light to the community, was a great spirit, and he did a lot for our community. Mayor Saliba said he was blessed just to be around him for a time and he appreciates his many contributions. Mr. Cowper updated the Commission on the continuing impact of COVID on the City organization. He said to date there have been approximately 100 employees tested of which about half have tested positive for the virus and there are about 30 employees who are currently being quarantined. He said we are fortunate to have had a very small number of employees who have been hospitalized but it is certainly impacting our organization and the people we work with every day. He said this in turn impacts our ability to provide public services and provide the level of customer service we are used to doing. He said we ask for everybody’s continued patience with us as our operations are really being stretched at the present time. He said our department heads are doing a fabulous job managing their resources and their staff, and they are doing everything they can to keep the employees safe and provide services. Mr. Cowper thanked Commissioner Fleming for his announcement regarding the Love Your Neighborhood Program in Baptist Bottom. He said the clean-up day will occur on Saturday, August 15th from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. He said if you live in this neighborhood you are probably already seeing some activity occurring as Public Works crews are repairing sidewalks, cutting grass, etc. and also work on street lights is being done. He said we will be contacting residents as we approach the August 15th date to see if they need fire alarms installed in their homes, street numbers posted, and other things. He said we are very enthusiastic about this inaugural event and City staff has put a lot into it. He said the reaction of the community, the outpouring of support, and the volunteerism of organizations who have contacted us to help us help this neighborhood help themselves has all been amazing. Mr. Cowper recognized and congratulated Fire Chief Larry Williams for recently being honored by the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs with the President’s Award. Mr. Cowper said this is a top notch award which recognizes the quality of Chief Williams for all he does for this community and for his contributions to the City of Dothan and to fire safety. Mayor Saliba announced a Public Hearing regarding the rezoning of property owned by James R. Wilson, located south of St. Regis Court Subdivision-US 431 North. There being no one present to speak, Mayor Saliba declared the Public Hearing closed. Mayor Saliba announced a Public Hearing regarding the abatement and removal of noxious or dangerous weeds. There being no one present to speak, Mayor Saliba declared the Public Hearing closed. Mayor Saliba introduced a proposed ordinance, rezoning property owned by James R. Wilson, located south of St. Regis Court Subdivision-US 431 North from R-A (Residential, Multi-family, High Density) District to R-3 (Residential, Single Family, High Density) District. Commissioner Crutchfield moved for immediate consideration, motion seconded by Commissioner Kenward and upon the motion being put to vote, those voting “yea,” were Saliba, Fleming, Kirkland, Ferguson, Kenward, and Crutchfield; “nay:” Dorsey. Without unanimous consent for immediate consideration, the proposed ordinance will be placed on the next commission agenda. Mayor Saliba introduced Resolution No. 2020-207 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), declaring certain properties which are overgrown with weeds, scrub, wild bushes, grass and other vegetative growth as injurious to the health, safety and welfare of the community as nuisances and ordering that the properties be abated. Commissioner Ferguson moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kenward and unanimously adopted. Mayor Saliba introduced Resolution No. 2020-208 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), confirming the cost incurred in notification and Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – August 4, 2020, continued. abatement of certain properties determined to be in violation of Article III, Chapter 106 of the City of Dothan Code of Ordinance (repeat offenders) and turning the costs over to the County Tax Collector so that the amounts can be added to the next regular bills for taxes levied against the respective lots and parcels of land. Commissioner Crutchfield moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kenward and unanimously adopted. Mayor Saliba introduced Resolution No. 2020-209 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), approving the implementation of the Compensation and Pay Study conducted by Condrey & Associates. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Crutchfield. Commissioner Kenward requested a brief overview for public knowledge. Personnel Director Delvick McKay said what started out as a priority to look into public safety positions allowed us to review all of our positions citywide to make sure our pay ranges were up to market and we could recruit and retain the best talent. He said there were 21 cities surveyed in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, and the study allowed us to expand our pay ranges from 42% to 60% which gives employees the opportunity to grow in their position. He said the study also allowed us to intentionally focus on police and firefighter starting pay and to continue to lead our market in public safety pay. He said this compensation study was comprehensive and we are excited about presenting this recommendation today. He said he wants to give a special thanks to our city manager and all of our department heads for working together to come up with a complete project that he believes will benefit our employees currently and the ones we seek to recruit in the future. Mayor Saliba said he would like to add his thanks as well because a lot of work has gone into this effort and he appreciates everyone working together to represent our employees. There being no further discussion, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Mayor Saliba introduced Resolution No. 2020-210 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), accepting an estimate from CentralSquare of $2,720.00 to develop software to efficiently implement the new Compensation and Pay Study. Commissioner Kenward moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland and unanimously adopted. Mayor Saliba introduced Resolution No. 2020-211 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), entering into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with SRM Properties, LLC for the purchase of two (2) parcels located adjacent to Hartford Highway and Honeysuckle Road and a portion of another parcel for the new Wiregrass Pet Recue and Adoption Center at a cost of $200,000.00. Commissioner Kenward moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland. Commissioner Ferguson said he is grateful to the owners of the property who have decided to donate a good portion, almost fifty percent of the value of that land, to this project. He inquired into the status of the funding and timeline. Commissioner Kenward said this land purchase is the first step and some money is set aside from other efforts. She said all of the money that was aligned with animal services has been transferred to this nonprofit. She said this is a true public-private partnership and fundraising through events and sponsorships will be the next step. She said board members have been assigned, and she recognized the members who were present in the audience. She said this is a dream come true, a step in the right direction, and to expect to be hearing a lot more from the board on the fundraising because this is truly going to take our entire community. There being no further discussion, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Mayor Saliba thanked everyone for their work. Mayor Saliba introduced Resolution No. 2020-212 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), approving an addendum to the contract with Houston County (Res. No. 2019-58), providing meals to inmates housed in the Dothan City jail to reflect a temporary price change per meal from $2.23 per meal to $2.52 per meal, due to COVID-19, for the timeframe of May 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Commissioner Kenward moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkland and unanimously adopted. Mayor Saliba introduced Resolution No. 2020-213 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), applying for and accepting funding in the amount of Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – August 4, 2020, continued. $42,483.00, $30,906.38 for the City of Dothan and $10,302.13 for Houston County, from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance under the 2020 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for the purchase of law enforcement technology advancement and equipment and entering into an inter-local agreement with Houston County to accept funding from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance under the 2020 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Commissioner Kirkland moved for adoption, motion seconded by Commissioner Ferguson and unanimously adopted. Mayor Saliba introduced Resolution No. 2020-214 (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 Champro Huddle Stretch Almega Sports $ 5,890.00 Polyester Football Jerseys Panama City, FL (more or less) Youth-Quantity - 170 Unit Price: $19.00 Adult-Quantity - 140 Unit Price: $19.00 Football Pants BSN Sports $ 2,279.62 Riddell Youth Quantity 50 Dallas, TX (more or less) Unit Price: $15.10 Riddell Adult-Quantity 50 Unit Price: $19.95 Basketball Score Books Quantity 40 Unit Price: $3.33 Anti-whip Basketball Goal Nets Quantity: 1 or more Unit Price: $2.21 Economy Soccer Net, 6.5' x 18.5" x 3 D Unit Price: $69.96 Four Corner Set-Quantity: 1 Unit Price: $94.96 Soccer Game Ball Wilson Copia #5-Quantity 1 or more Unit Price: $12.98 Footballs Group: Group Total: $71.88 Basketballs Group Group Total: $141.93 Football Jerseys-Teamwork Riddell $ 27,422.46 Crunchtime: N. Ridgeville, OH (more or less) Youth (170 quantity) Unit price: $29.00 Adult (Quantity 140) Unit price: $30.00 Champro Legend Football Jerseys Group Total: $48.02 Soccer Jerseys for All-Stars Augusta Style Lightning Jersey Group Total: $26.34 August High Five Style Hawk Jersey Group Total: $28.40 Badger Striker Tee Style Group Group Total: $20.40 All Star Basketball Jerseys Group Group Total: $66.00 Football Equipment Helmets Group Group Total: $214.00 Shoulder Pads Group Group Total: $ 132.50 Blocking Dummies Unit Price: $117.83 each Soccer Nets 6.5' x 18.5" Unit Price: $91.35 each Jr. Soccer Nets 6.5' x 18.5" Unit Price: $101.50 each Volleyballs: $17.73 each Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – August 4, 2020, continued. Other Purchases: Legal professional services Bradley, Arant, Boult, Cummings, LLP $ 31,480.20 ADEM appeal through 6/30/20 Birmingham, AL 2103ci cell phone package with Teledyne ISCO $ 80,122.00 60-2004-550 magnetic mount dual Lincoln, NE band antenna foe 23 pe3rm flow meter sites- Unit Price: $2,310.00 2105ci LTE serial over IP modem module w/60-2004-550 dual band magnetic mount antenna for 8 rain gauge sites Unit Price: $3,295.00, Shipping & handling $632.00 Total, Sole source provider Lenovo ThinkPads T590 15.6" C D W Government $ 61,152.84 Core l5-8365U 8GB RAM 256 GB Vernon Hills, IL with Pro Docking Station, 3 Year Premier Support, Onsite Warranty and Crucial DDR4-8GB-SO-DOMM-260 PIN Unbuffered & E15s-15.6" Core with Dock, Support & Warranty All products awarded on Sourcewell Contract. Parts & Repairs as Needed Gulf Coast Truck & Equipment $ 10,000.00 throughout Fiscal Year 2020 Dothan, AL Mack Truck - Only Dealer Commissioner Kenward then moved for adoption of Resolution No. 2020-214, motion seconded by Commissioner Crutchfield and unanimously carried. Mayor Saliba introduced Resolution No. 2020-215 (recorded in Ordinance Book No._______at Page_______), approving the following advance travel requests for City employees: NAME CONFERENCE AMOUNT Doug Magill Alabama Association of Polygraph Examiners $ 2,440.00 Ronald Hall 2020 Annual Seminar Tim Mullis Orange Beach, AL Will Benny Effective Management in a Volatile Society $ 461.12 for the Police Executive Oxford, AL Commissioner Kenward then moved for adoption of Resolution No. 2020-215, motion seconded by Commissioner Ferguson and unanimously carried. There being no further business, Commissioner Ferguson moved that the meeting be adjourned, motion seconded by Commissioner Fleming and upon the unanimous vote of "yea," the meeting was duly adjourned. /s/Tammy Danner, City Clerk See approval next page: Minutes of the Board of Commissioners – August 4, 2020, continued. Approved: /s/Mark Saliba, Mayor /s/Kevin Dorsey, Associate Commissioner /s/Janasky Fleming, Associate Commissioner /s/Albert Kirkland, Associate Commissioner /s/John Ferguson, Associate Commissioner /s/Beth Kenward, Associate Commissioner /s/David Crutchfield, Associate Commissioner BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS