Clarke County Democrat

Commission pays $236,334 on hurricane cleanup bill




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The Clarke County’s Commission had a long list of agenda items for the meeting Monday, highlighted with discussion on Hurricane Zeta cleanup costs as well the selling of surplus equipment.

In an added agenda item, the commission approved making the first payment to Thompson, the debris monitoring company, and a drawdown of funds to pay DRC, the debris removal firm. The total amount of the first invoice to be paid by the county is $236,334.

The commission had held a conference call with mayors in the county about the debris removal costs for each municipality. Each will be sent an invoice for their amount of the first payment. Jackson, who opted out of the county contract, was the only city that will not be sent a bill.

“We had over $4.7 million in costs so far and that is not counting the forced cleanup done by Jackson, Thomasville and Grove Hill,” EMA Director Roy Waite explained. “Jackson was able to get all of their work done, Thomasville and Grove Hill moved a good bit, but the smaller municipalities lack the manpower and equipment to get it done.

“Each city or town expressed to us in the call that they did not need any more debris picked up by DRC and that they could get that with their own personnel,” Waite added. “But in the county we still have maybe two weeks’ worth of cleanup left.”

Waite added that the county has just about completed all of the paperwork with FEMA for Hurricane Sally and was expecting between $17-20,000 reimbursement. “We have been notified that with both Sally and Zeta that the cost breakdown will be 75-12.5-12.5 percent. That is 75 percent from the federal side, 12.5 percent from the state and 12.5 percent at the local level,” he said.

He also explained that mitigation grant money would be available after Hurricane Sally in the amount of about $112,000 and that once all of the paperwork associated with Zeta was completed that a substantial higher amount would be available in those funds. They must be used in very specific ways like with generator purchases.

Earlier in the meeting County Engineer Jake Bailey said that the auction sale on surplus dump trucks and a motor grader was held last Saturday and the total amount of purchased equipment would bring the county $1,402,500.00. “The dump trucks brought anywhere from $150,000 to $158,000 each and the dozer sold for $22,500,” Bailey said.

When asked if the county made any money on the sale, in reference to the recently purchased new trucks and equipment, Bailey explained, “I believe we made money on the old equipment or we have at least broke even. But it is going to be really close.”

Bailey also said that four of the new dump trucks have been delivered and that crews were back in the business of hauling dirt.

Commissioner Bill Taylor asked Waite about Covid-19 numbers in the county. Waite replied, “Statewide and at the county level it looks like the numbers are decreasing. But I am concerned that people are relaxing too quickly and we may see a spike if we are not careful and continue to follow the guidelines.”

In other business, commissioners:

 Approved an invoice for SWA for county projects.

 Re-appointed Carol Jackson to the Old Line Water Authority Board.

 Re-appointed Eugene Ambrose and Louise Weaver to the Cindy Haber Center, Inc. Board.

 Agreed to fill the vacant County Administrator position in the commission office by posting the opening within. Rick Harvey recently resigned the position.

 Agreed to fill the vacant part-time Litter Officer position. That vacancy is generally handled by the sheriff’s department.

 Approved AVENU, a private firm for collecting sales/use tax, tobacco tax and lodging taxes.

 Approved the change in ownership for Alabama Department of Transportation permit for the signage located at the North Clarke Industrial Park and Mid Clarke Industrial Park.

 Approved the application for ALDOT permit for signage located at the North Clarke Industrial Park and Mid Clarke Industrial Park.

 Approved a resolution authorizing the commission to submit an application for Covid-19 Community Development Block Grant funds. A hearing was held before the regular meeting to discuss the use of those funds.

 Approved travel for Brianna Hawk for five nights for training in the amount of $1,238.

 Approved travel for Marlene Davis for three nights for training in the amount of $357.50.

 Heard Bailey explain that he contacted state bid sellers about the costs of two trucks and had not received any word. The discussion on new vehicles was tabled until he gets the exact cost per truck.

 Heard from Tommy Phillips, head of maintenance at the courthouse, and from James McLean who works on air conditioners on the status and need for a new AC unit in the south wing of the courthouse. They are to get concrete costs for the project to present to the commission.

Love Road upgrades

Commissioner Rhondel Rhone asked Grove Hill Mayor Ross Wood about plans for Love Road improvements because he had been contacted by residents on that road. It was brought into the town limits with annexation two years ago.

Wood explained that he was aware of the need for improvements on the road and that much of the wear and tear on the road was due to log trucks and other heavy transport trucks cutting through from Highways 84 and 43.

“I have been talking with state officials about the needs we have on the road,” Wood said. “But the problems and needs for Love Road were there two years ago when it was still under the county care. It is something we want to make improvements on.”

Commissioner Tyrone Moye added, “We all use that road – city, county and state – and there is no reason that we all can’t work together to get something done and make improvements.”

Wood gave the commission an update on the Cobb Street/Asbury Road erosion project. He explained the engineers were on site last week to make exact surveys and measurements and that cost of the project would be ready soon. “FEMA directed Grove Hill to start the process so that they (FEMA) could compare bid costs with projected engineering costs,” Wood said.

County officials expressed a willingness to help with inkind work if needed for the project.

The commission went into executive session on the request of Attorney Craig Dillard. The subject of the session was not revealed but appeared to be employee-related.

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