CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman County Commissioner Garry Marchman at this week’s meeting voted no on approving the minutes of the Cullman County Commission’s previous meeting, causing Chairman Kenneth Walker to give the second yes vote needed to approve them. The difference in opinion pertained to the decision to open the pool at Smith Lake Park this season.
According to Marchman, the pool has become increasingly difficult to keep repaired and operational.
He said, “We keep pumping money into something that loses money while we can’t afford to pave the roads.”
In recent years, he said, the pool has required major maintenance including liners and pump and filtration systems. The pump and filter are not reliable, said Marchman, who said he’s also opposed to hiring the summer staff only to let them go when or if the pool equipment were to go out.
He said, “That’s just not a good way to do business.”
With Commissioner Kerry Watson and Walker voting yes, the pool at Smith Lake Park will open Saturday, May 25 for the annual Memorial Day Weekend Festival, and hiring of lifeguards and other pool staff has begun.
The condition of Cullman County roads was again a hot topic with residents of County Road 351 filling the conference room to voice their concerns.
Resident John Seagle addressed the commission for the group, saying, “Most people work and can’t come, so for this I have a petition. I just want you to know, they are all behind us.”
The residents want their road repaved and cite the increased traffic due to development as contributing to the road’s deterioration.
The commission agreed to enter into an agreement with Southern Health Partners to provide medical care for inmates of the Cullman County Detention Facility effective June 4, 2019. Cullman County Attorney Chad Floyd recommended Southern Health Partners to the commissioners after a thorough search for a medical provider after Cullman Regional informed the County it would no longer be providing inmate care.
The 12-month premium will cost $551,280 which comes to $45,940 monthly for inmate health care.
In other business, the commission also approved the following:
- Authorized local matching funds for CARTS FY-2020
- Authorized filing of application with DOT for CARTS operation FY-2020
- Proclaimed Older Americans Month 2019
- Walker reappointed Mark Bussman to the Health Care Authority for a six-year term to expire 6-30-2025
- Watson appointed Ginger Hogeland to the Health Care Authority, replacing Greg Barksdale, for a six-year term to expire 6-30-2025
- Watson appointed Perry Knight to the Health Care Authority to fill the unexpired term of Billy Faulk, term to expire 6-30-2021
- Bid OHV Park Safe Room- reject and rebid
- Authorized Revenue Commissioner Barry Willingham to sign a purchase agreement with Xerox for a printer through the Local Government Contract- cost $6,356
- Purchase by CARTS for the purchase of four additional buses to replace buses that are beyond their life span for FY 2019. Federal funds- $212,595; local match $53,149; total cost $265,744
- Purchase of 40 roll-off containers of various sizes off the Sourcewell Bid list (formally NJPA) for the Sanitation Department- cost $181,965
- Purchase of a re-manufactured engine from Tractor Equipment Company for a SweepPro Broom- cost $6,700
- Purchase of a Dresser double smooth drum asphalt roller from ADECA- cost $15,000
- Purchase of 20 handheld radios for the detention center for Sharp Communication-cost $12,870
- Approved Adopt-A-Mile application by the Joe Parker Family for a section of CR 538
- Approved Adopt-A-Mile application by Church 212 for a section of CR 437
- Approved disposal of obsolete checks from various banks
- Surplus, to be sold as scrap, a 2005 Sierra 2500 crew truck from the Sanitation Department
- Accepted the donation of a boom trailer from PALS to the County
- Approved plat for Sunny View Subdivision, located in District 4 on County Roads 601 and 636
- Accept bid extension for concrete- USA Ready Mix
- Accept bid for metal pipe- Harvey Culvert
The next work session is Tuesday, June 11 at 8:30 a.m., followed by the commission meeting at 10 a.m.
Copyright 2019 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
