Greene County Democrat

Tag: Angela Henline

  • Eutaw City Council considers garbage fees, water and sewer improvement projects, meets new canine officer

    Eutaw City Councilmembers Stewart, Hunter, Woodruff, Mayor Johnson, Officer Tyler Johnson, Marco ( German Shepard),  Chief Johnson Councilmembers Watkins and Coleman.

    By John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    The most exciting part of Tuesday’s Eutaw City Council meeting was the introductory appearance of new K-9 officer – Marco – with his handler Officer Tyler Johnson. Marco, a trained German Shepard police dog, who can sniff out drugs and other contraband is the newest member of the Eutaw PD.

    Mayor Latasha began with a discussion of the garbage collection services provided by Arrow Disposal Services, Inc (ADSI) which did not collect garbage for two weeks in July 2024. The mayor sent the company a letter requesting information on the problems with garbage services. The mayor said, “ASDI says it experienced difficulties in staffing and several truck breakdowns, which have delayed garbage pick-up in July, which has since resumed on most routes in the city.”

    The City Council also received a memo from Financial Advisor, Attorney Ralph Liverman, indicating that the current $15 a month garbage fee, included with monthly water bills, is too low to cover the company’s billing for garbage services. He recommends raising the garbage fee to $18 per month for residential customers and possibly putting the garbage contract up for bids. The Council decided to consider the issues related to garbage collection at a work session to be scheduled.

    The Council also heard a report from Angela Henline, engineer with Cassady Company of Tuscaloosa on progress with improvements to the water and sewer system, serving Eutaw and Boligee. Most of the elements of the overall project are completed or are on schedule, including the Boligee Water Tank, which lacks a control valve and meter that will be installed by September 3, 2024, which will bring this water tank online and increase water pressure in Boligee.

    Henline asked the Council to approve two additional contracts for work on the system. First, a $24,543 contract with Gaines Utility Construction
    Company of Mobile, to do an investigative inventory of materials in 400 water connections that have not been fitted with backflow meters. This inventory is needed for a report to ADEM on lead pipes in water systems. The inventory has already been completed on 1200 services that received backflow preventers in a prior contract.

    The second contract is for $427,225 for Manhole Restoration for Boligee, awarded to Insituform Technologies LLC to raise and repair the Boligee Manhole, which is part of the unified sewer system. Henline also stated she was working on ways to include the Branch Heights pumping station in repairs and new pumps in the next phase of the wastewater improvement project, which includes refurbishing the lagoon and other pumping stations. The Council voted to approve both new projects, pending approval by ADEM.

    The Council discussed the leasing of the arena in the Lock Seven City Park to the Six Saddle Riding Club. The club has been locking up the park property and several councilmembers objected to this process. The mayor indicated that a new lock had been put on the gate and that the Eutaw Police Department controlled the key. The mayor said the park was locked because of a large hole in the road. The hole is a cracked septic tank cover and cannot be easily filled without relocating the septic tank. The city staff is trying to figure out the best and least expensive way to deal with this problem.

    The Council voted to accept the resignation of Jacqueline Stewart, District 5 Councilperson. Stewart explained that she purchased a home and no longer lives in District 5. The Council set August 27, 2024, as the deadline for persons interested in filling this seat to apply. The application must include a copy of a driver’s license and voter registration showing residency in District 5 and a letter of interest in serving in this position. The Council will hold interviews for the candidates on September 5, 2024, at 11:00 AM as part of a working session, scheduled for that date.

    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved travel registration and per diem for Council members, staff, including the City Attorney and Judge, and others to attend upcoming trainings in their fields of work.
    • Approved payment of $3,600 to Brian Price Transmissions for repairs to a police car.
    • Approved use of the R. H. Young Community Center, Gym, at no charge, for the Greene County Volunteer Fire Fighters, for a public purpose and partnership activity with the city.
    • Tabled discussion of sale of.3.36 acres of property on the Lock Seven Road to Elizabeth Hamilton.
    • Approved a request that bank statements be included in the councilmembers’ meeting packets.
    • Heard a presentation by Sandra Walker on supporting the Miss Black USA Pageant.
    • Received several financial reports from Ralph Liverman, Financial Adviser.
    • Approved payment of bills.

  • Eutaw City Council receives audit,engineering, and financial reports

    Angela Henline, PE addresses Eutaw,City Council

    The Eutaw City Council met on May 28, 2024, for its regular fourth Tuesday meeting. Mayor Johnson and all the council members, except for Valerie Watkins, were present.

    Patricia Stough, CPA with Harbin and Stough, presented the audit report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023. The report was presented with an unqualified opinion letter saying that the audit, “presents fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business type activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining information for the city as of September 30, 2023.”

    Stough summarized the report and referred to pages 12 and 14, which was the Statement of Net Position on September 30, 2023, government-wide for the City of Eutaw. This report shows Total Assets of $12,840,650; with Liabilities of $3,245,940; and the Net position of $9,532,347. The report shows the annual revenues and expenses for specific governmental funds and activities. The Council accepted the audit as submitted. The audit report will be helpful to the city in pursuing grant funds for specific needs.

    Angela Henline, Engineer from Cassady Company, who is working on improvements to the City of Eutaw water and wastewater systems, gave a progress report to the Council on the status of current projects. The Backflow Meters Project for residences is complete. The Boligee Tank Rehabilitation Project is 95% waiting on a control valve. The Backflow Prevention, Monitoring and Flushing Project is 50% complete, waiting for materials to be delivered.

    The Stand-by Emergency Sewer Pump Project, for a trailer mounted sewage pump,is complete. Critical Pump Station Improvements Project is awaiting pumps and other materials to be installed. The Upgrade Low Road Force Main Project is 405 complete. The Lagoon Improvement Project design is 90% complete to be used seeking construction funds next year. The Boligee Manhole Rehabilitation plans and specs have been approved, waiting on funding.

    Henline proposed a $101,669 project to ADEM for an inventory of lead in the service lines of projects. The inventory is required to be completed by October 16, 2024, to be in compliance with Federal guidelines. The Council approved Resolution No. 2024-05#8, for a forgivable loan from ADEM, to finance this project. Henline said a local Greene County company should be eligible to do this inventory work, since it does not require construction licenses and other requirements. Companies interested in doing the work should contact her office in Northport, Alabama (phone 205/330-0098) to request an RFP packet. The deadline for proposals is June 28, 2024.

    At the recommendation of Councilman Jonathon Woodruff, the Council approved an amended policy for the use of city vehicles that would end the policy of allowing police officers to drive cars home even if they live outside the city limits. Woodruff argued that since the police were receiving higher salaries, they no longer needed the benefit of driving cars home. Mayor Johnson objected and said allowing police officers to drive city vehicles home would allow them to respond to emergencies in a more timely manner. The Council voted 4 to 0, over the mayor’s objections, to approve the amended policy.

    The Council approved a recommendation from Ralph Liverman, Financial Adviser that they seek $130,000 in matching funds from Sheriff Benison for the Lower Gainesville Road and Streetscape Projects. The Sheriff is no longer giving municipalities a set amount of bingo funds each month, but he is willing to consider specific requests for bingo fund allocations.

    The Council received a series of reports from Ralph Liverman, Financial Adviser, concerning the City’s finances. Liverman reported that at current rates of revenues and expenses, the City would end this fiscal year on September 30, 2024, in a deficit position unless the city watched finances closely. He recommended that the city increase water and sewer rates as these activities are not generating enough funds to cover expenses. He recommended closing the Robert H. Young Community Center because of high utility bills.

    Councilman Woodruff asked what the City of Eutaw charges to dig graves outside the city, since he said he saw city staff and equipment digging a grave at a church in Clinton. The Mayor said there was a policy on this that she would have to research. She also said that she was not aware the specific instance that Councilman Woodruff was raising.

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved travel and expenses for City Council members and staff to attend various trainings in the coming months.
    • Approved placement of an antenna for the Greene County Fire Association on the Boligee Water Tank.
    • Approved 2023 Municipal Water Pollution Prevention report from consultants, Living Waters.
    • Tabled a request to pay light and gas bills for the Goodson Storm Shelter, which is in the Eutaw fire district, pending a discussion with the City Attorney.
    • Took no action on a request to acquire a credit card account with Citizens Trust Bank.
    • Approved use of the Robert H. Young Community Center for the Greene County Children’s Policy Council and the University of Alabama Center for Business Research. Denied approval to Order of Eastern Stars #699 and Eutaw High Class of 1979, because their events did serve a public purpose.
    • Discussed the arrangements with the Sixth Day Saddle Club on their use of the City’s Lock 7 Park. Councilwoman Hunter said that members of the Saddle Club were blocking other city residents from using the park. The Mayor agreed to gather more information to decide on control of the park and locking and unlocking of the gates to the park.
    • Approved payment of monthly bills.

  • Eutaw City Council meets Jan. 9th, hears from CPA, engineers, and others

    The Eutaw City Council held its first meeting of the new year on January 9, 2024. The mayor and all council members, including newly appointed District 2 member, Jonathan Woodruff were in attendance.

    The Eutaw City Council heard a report from Rick Harbin, its Certified Public Accountant on the status of the audit for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022. Harbin passed out and read from a draft report and collected the reports after his presentation.

    Harbin said he was still refining the numbers and would have a full report with an opinion on the city finances by the end of the month. He went over the major findings including that the city had total assets of $12.9 million dollars. Complete details will be available when the official report is released. Harbin said some of the delay was caused by the city switching to a new accounting system and some was based on personal family emergencies that required his attention.

    Harbin said once the 2022 fiscal year audit was issued, he planned to move ahead with the 2023 fiscal year report, which will go more smoothly.
    Mayor Latasha Johnson said the audits were needed to apply for grants to assist and improve the city facilities. Angela Henline, the city’s engineer for the water and sewer project supported this saying she needed to report to ADEM, when the audit would be ready to be able to apply for continuing grants on the city water and sewer improvement projects that she is supervising.

    The Council approved a Proclamation naming January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the city. The proclamation highlights the importance of citizen awareness of the problem in helping to resolve it.

    The Council approved an agreement with the Sixth Day Saddle Club for using parts of the Lock 7 City Park for horse rides, trail rides and horse shows.

    At the request of City Police Chief, Tommy Johnson, the Council approve purchase of a police dog for the city for $23,000. The Chief has raised $20,000 for the dog from the public and was asking the Council for the additional $3,000 needed to acquire the dog. The dog will be able to do search and rescue operations for people lost around the city, as well as drug enforcement during traffic stops or when asked by the school system or others to investigate for drugs.

    The Council chose Tracey Hunter, District 3 Councilmember, to be Mayor  Pro Temp, to assume the duties of the mayor, in the case of  her absence.  Hunter was unopposed for the position.

    Assistant Clerk, Joe Powell opened bids for the sale of the city owned, but inoperable, Greyhound bus, which is parked behind the National Guard Armory. LA Transportation offered $2,500 and Cliff Taylor offered $2,700 for the bus. The council awarded the bid to Taylor.

    The Council agreed to a Work Session on January 22 at 4:00 PM to review and discuss a property rental policy for city facilities, like the Robert H. Young Community Center and the National Guard Armory. The council agreed to rescind charges for using exercise equipment that had been donated to the city for use by residents to improve their health and wellbeing.

    The Council approved a plan for the Rebuild Alabama Funds that it receives for road and bridge improvement. There is not enough money to do all the needed projects but the plan lists and prioritizes work on the most needed project.

    Angela Henline, engineer for the city’s water and sewer improvement project made a report on current work underway and requested approval for the next set of projects, which was approved by the council. This included awarding of contracts for pump station improvements and upgrading the Lower Gainesville Road Force Main.

    Mr. Ralph Liverman, City Financial Advisor gave the Council five reports on financial issues and bank balances, one of the reports on the lack of income from rental of city owned properties will be discussed at the upcoming work session.

    The Council approved liquor licenses for the sale of beer and wine at Eutaw Station Inc. (formerly One Stop) on Highway 43 and or a new Dollar General Market, that is being built on Highway 43.

    The Council approved paying of bills and tabled a $500 claim for damage, by the Eutaw Fire Department, to a mailbox and basketball goal for ReShonda Daniels.

    District 5 Council member, Jacqueline Stewart, who works at the Love’s Travel Center said they were interested in stronger security on weekends and wanted help from the Eutaw Police Department. The Mayor and the Chief agreed to meet with Love’s and see what could be worked out, similar to efforts made with Rock Tenn.

    In the public comments, Siegfried Williams, Pastor of the Freedom Rock Church, renewed his request to purchase five acres from the city as a site for the church and community center. The city is conducting an appraisal of its properties to determine a fair market price.

  • Eutaw City Council approves first three contracts for Water Restoration and Resiliency Project

    At a special called meeting on October 3, 2023, the Eutaw City Council approved the first three contracts, presented by project engineer, Angela Henline, for the joint Eutaw-Boligee Water system Restoration and Resiliency Project.

    Contract A for Metering, Monitoring and Flushing Improvements (Project No. FS010444-02) was awarded to low bidder, Lavender, Inc. of Aliceville, Alabama, for $531,215. In her report to the council, the engineer includes an itemization of the costs and approvals by the engineer, City of Eutaw and ADEM, which is funding each of these projects.

    Contract B for Boligee Tank Rehabilitation (Project No. FS010444-02) was awarded to Robinson & Sons Construction Services of Haleyville, Alabama for $294,896.

    Contract C for Backflow Prevention Improvements (Project No. FS 010444-02) was awarded to Lavender, Inc. of Aliceville, for $708,760, after the low bidder sent in a corrected bid, which was not accepted, This contract will install over 1,300 backflow preventers for the system’s residential customers. Business and commercial customers will also receive more appropriate backflow devices for their service.

    The Eutaw City Council then turned its attention to three agenda items placed there by Council member La’Jeffrey Carpenter. These were city vehicles; police DARE account and city gas card. Carpenter had no specific suggestions or resolutions for these issues. Other council members suggested a time log on use of the vehicles and periodic inspections, which the Chief of Police said he was already doing for police vehicles.

    In a previous meeting, the council voted to restrict the Mayor’s use of a city credit card, which has created problems in reserving rooms and rental cars when city council members and staff are traveling to training and other conferences. The Mayor has a debit card which is not accepted for certain transactions by hotels. The council agreed to discuss this matter further in an upcoming work session.

    The council tabled action on two agenda items: lease-purchasing a John Deere 5100E Cab Tractor to replace an aging tractor; and loaning the city’s street sweeper to Aliceville, until there was more clarity on the City’s financial status. Mayor Johnson announced that the city was still awaiting reimbursement of over $400,000 from FEMA for debris removal after the tornadoes earlier this year. FEMA is promising payment by the end of October. These funds will be returned to the city’s General Fund and restore stability to the city’s finances.

    The council heard a report from Lorenzo French, PARA Director, who also serves as administrator of the Robert H. Young Community Center (old Carver School) and the National Guard Armory, which are city owned facilities. French asked for funding to clean-up the field behind Carver after the Class Day, a few weeks ago. French was advised that the groups $350 deposit on the grounds was not returned and was available for necessary clean-up.

    French also advised that the National Guard Armory needed repairs prior to the March 2024 Primary Election, which uses the facility as a polling place. French was advised to get estimates for the cost of repairs for the council to consider at future meetings.

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved a ‘Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday” for February 23-25, 2024.
    • Purchased two defibrillators for the Eutaw Police Department and two for the Eutaw Fire Department at a total cost of $3,280.
    • Received financial reports from Mr. Ralph Liverman, Financial Consultant, on utility revenues, opening a new bank account for Rebuild Alabama Gas Tax funds, and a report on the status of a $500,000 loan to the City of Eutaw from Merchants and Farmers Bank for trucks and other equipment, purchased in October 2021. The amortization schedule shows that as of the September 18, 2023, payment, the balance owed is $258,546.78.
    • Approved payment of bills.

  • Eutaw City Council awards first contract in water/sewer revitalization

    At its July 11, 2023, regular meeting the Eutaw City Council approved the first contract for repairs to the unified Eutaw-Boligee water and sewer grant, which is $5.2 million for the first year and $30 million for a five-year period.
    Angela Henline, Engineer with Cassady Company of Northport, was present at the meeting and explained that the city received two bids for the work to provide a truck mounted emergency pump and fittings for the sewer pumping stations. She recommended and the Eutaw City Council approved the low bid of $245,625 from Goldman Contractors, LLC of Livingston, Alabama for this initial contract of this five-year process to renew the water and sewer system of Eutaw and Boligee, Alabama.
    Engineer Henline presented the Council with a summary of the two bids, her recommendation for the low bidder to ADEM, which is providing the Federal grant funds, and ADEM’s approval of the contract. The Council approved all these documents by a unanimous vote.
    Henline gave the Council a report on progress of the project beyond the initial contract. She said she was looking closely at the sewage pumping stations between Boligee and Eutaw and what will be needed to upgrade them. She also said her firm was looking at redesign of the lagoon to be more efficient in the handling of the municipal sewage.
    She also reported that her firm was working on a contract to refurbish the Boligee water tank, a new control value and meters to be placed at strategic points along the water system to determine water loss. She said she was negotiating an easement on a small amount for land to place the control valve for the Boligee water tank. This contract will be released for bids in the near future.
    Councilmember Tracey Hunter moved to table two requests for travel to training in September and October for the City Clerk and Assistant City Clerk. Hunter had proposed a hold on all travel for training at a prior meeting until the General Fund was replenished with funds from FEMA for storm debris pick-up and removal. Hunter successfully blocked travel by city employees for training. Mayor Johnson said she was opposed to tabling this measure since city employees needed training and the city staff need to be up to date on new regulations affecting their job performance. “Our staff will fall behind and we will not be able to give the services that city residents need,” said the Mayor.The City Council approved accepting a grant of $38,755 from Firehouse Sub Sandwich Company for support of the Eutaw Volunteer Fire Department operations. The Council also approved the RFQ for an EPA Community Assessment Grant for the City of Eutaw. They also agreed to pay all bills and claims on a list submitted by the Mayor and City Clerk.
    In her report, Mayor Johnson thanked her team of employees for their dedicated work. She said the city staff would be cleaning the entrances to the city for the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival in August to make a favorable impression on visitors who come to enjoy the two-day cultural festival.
    The Mayor reported that she received a Facebook listing of 18 micro-towns in the South worth visiting which lists Eutaw as one of the places to visit. This listing can be found at: https://findingvacationvalues.com/18-enchanting-micro-towns-in-the-south. Other towns included: Wedowee, AL,
    Madison, GA, Black Mountain, NC, St. Francisville, LA. Most were sited for their architecture and downtown squares.
    Mayor Johnson said, “This is a special honor; people are taking notice of our town and we should be proud.”