COMMISSION MEETING
September 24, 2007

CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
A regular meeting of the Cullman County Commission was held Tuesday, September 24, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., in the County Commission Office Conference Room, Chairman Kitchens called the meeting to order and welcomed all visitors. 

CALL OF ROLL TO ESTABLISH QUORUM, INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present were Chairman Wiley Kitchens, Commissioner Doug Williams, Commissioner Wayne Willingham and Attorney Dan Willingham. Dan Willingham gave the invocation and Commissioner Williams lead the pledge of allegiance. 

APPROVE MINUTES, APPROPRIATIONS, EXPENDITURES, REQUISITIONS, TRAVEL EXPENSE AND ALL JOURNAL ENTRIES TO BE POSTED
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to approve. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS
No Public Comments

NEW BUSINESS

Authorize Chairman to sign Resolution No. 2007-54 FY 2008 Transportation Enhancement Application 
Sammie Danford, with the Economic Development Office stated her office is in the process of filing for a Transportation Enhancement Grant for FY 2008. This grant will be to upgrade and modify the old prison camp which houses the East Side Road Department. 
Commissioner Williams made the motion to authorize the Chairman to sign Transportation Enhancement application. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 

Master Gardner’s Linda Schafner
Mrs. Schafner said the Master Gardner’s are proposing to build demonstration garden’s in the yard of the Hays historical house. We feel it would beneficial to the county and would demonstrate the latest technology in draft irrigation.  Too justify in doing this we need to know if this is a semi permanent location. 
Commissioner Williams said at some point in the future the Hays house will be moved and property used for parking. We can’t promise how long that will be. It’s not feasible for the county to give a longer term lease for that reason. We don’t want to put you in the position of spending a lot of money, then pushing you out. 

Consider the surplus of a Lexmark Printer – Probate Office
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to surplus Lexmark Printer. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 

Authorize Chairman to sign agreement between Rivertree Systems, Inc. and Cullman County Commission – Sales Tax
Mr. Teichmiller, County Administrator stated this is an auditor for the Sales Tax office this is a budgeted item. I recommend the Chairman signing the agreement. 
Commissioner Williams made the motion for the Chairman to sign the agreement. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 

Authorize Chairman to sign an improvement agreement between Alabama Power Company and the Cullman County Commission 
County Attorney Dan Willingham said this is an agreement with Alabama Power with the State of Alabama is wanting to use Smith Lake Park for a little more enhanced public usage. They want to enlarge the parking area and also put in a fishing pier. The county would be responsible for the lights and maintenance. The county has not match on this it is done completely by Alabama Power. 
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 

Resolution No. 2007-55 Courthouse Security
Chairman Kitchens said this is the resolution for Courthouse Security all department heads will be sent a copy and one will be posted in the courthouse. We may have to do some modifications along but at the present time this is the resolution to go by. 
Commissioner Williams made the motion to adopt the Courthouse Security resolution. Commissioner Willingham seconded. 
Revenue Commissioner Kay D. Smith ask the commission to briefly tell everyone what the resolution contained. 
Commissioner Williams said the resolution goes into detail the definitions of fire arms, who are required to go thru security, and etc. 
Attorney Willingham stated some years ago the Supreme Court sent a letter saying all County Courthouses will institute security. So in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling and Homeland Security who has given a grant for the magnetic imaging security scanner that will be placed at the east entrance. Everyone that enters the east entrance will go thru the security scanner, if you desire not to go thru the scanner you may go thru the north and south entrance doors, which will require an electronic card. Employees that have offices within the courthouse will have an electronic card. Also, the resolutions outlines what is and what is not to be allowed in the courthouse. Just because you have a gun permit, that permit does not allow you to carry a gun into the courthouse. The general rule for entry with the electronic access cards will be during courthouse hours. Some employees will have after hour access to the courthouse on as needed basics. 

Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 

Resolution No. 2007-56 –Reduce speed on County Road 1222 to 20 mph
Commissioner Willingham made the motion to reduce the speed on county road 1222 to 20 mph. Commissioner Williams seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 

Resolution No. 2007-57 consider granting a one-time lump sum payment to retired member and beneficiaries
Mr. Teichmiller said this is for retirees that are receiving benefits on or before December 14, this is a one time lump sum benefit. The cost to the county will be approximately $30,000.00. This is optional the commission has the choice to do it or not. This is a one time lump sum payment.  
Commissioner Williams made the motion to pay the one time payment. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 

Consider approving FY 2008 Budget
Mr. Teichmiller said the total projected revenue for FY 2008 is $44,309,336.00 and the projected expenses are $43,734,339.00. Included in that is a 16.6 million dollar general fund budget and a 9.3 million dollar road department budget. There are over 65 departments in the general fund budget. Also, included in the budget is a 4% cost of living raise to the employee’s. 
Commissioner Williams made the motion to accept the proposed 2008 budget along with passing the 4% increase to the employee’s. Commissioner Willingham seconded, and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 

OLD BUSINESS

NEXT REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2007

Chairman Kitchens announced the next regular Commission Meeting will be October 9, 2007 at 10:00 am in the Cullman County Commission Office Conference Room. 

ADJOURN 
Commissioner Williams made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Willingham seconded. 

______________________________	_____________________________ 	        __________________________ 
Wiley Kitchens, Chairman			J. Douglas Williams			        Wayne Willingham
						Associate Commissioner 		         Associate Commissioner