The Greene County Democrat

Tag: By: John Zippert

  • Eutaw City Council approves motion to park all city cars, including police cars, among many issues discussed on full meeting agenda

    By: John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    At its October 24, 2023, regular meeting the Eutaw City Council worked through a full agenda with many important issues. The Council also held a working session on October 23, which paved the way for many of its decisions.

    One controversial action taken by the City Council was a 5-0 vote to park all city vehicles at City Hall, when not in use. This includes police cars.
    Since many Eutaw city police officers live out of town, they have been permitted to drive city vehicles home, so that when they are called to a crime scene on an emergency basis, they can get their faster and be fully equipped.

    Councilman LaJeffrey Carpenter has been pushing for this policy change for many months. Carpenter, who is a Greene County Sheriff’s deputy and often comes to council meetings visibly armed with his pistol,
    says this will save money and wear and tear on city vehicles. All five council members voted for this policy change, while Mayor Latasha Johnson and Chief of Police Tommy Johnson were opposed and spoke against the decision.

    In the public comments section of the meeting, several Eutaw residents, including Faye Tyree, Danny Cooper, and Carol Gator, raised concerns about the new policy hampering police response to emergency situations. Concern was also expressed that this decision might result in more police officers quitting their positions to take better paid opportunities in other places.

    At the City Council Work Session, City Financial Adviser Ralph Liverman presented a report which acknowledged receipt of a long promised $371,294.88 check from FEMA for reimbursement of expenses incurred by the City of Eutaw in debris clearing and collection from storms earlier this year. Liverman indicated an additional check for $40,000 is still forthcoming from FEMA for additional expenses. In his report, Liverman indicates the city accounts that have been reimbursed for storm expenses, including $118,544.88 to the General Fund, which improves the City’s overall financial condition and outlook.

    The Council approved an Ordinance No. 2023-4 to grant a right of way agreement WIFI connections to cities in the Yellowhammer Network, which is planning to build a network of fiber to cities and towns in the western Alabama Black Belt, starting in Selma and moving west. Yellowhammer is fully funded for its plans, which reach cities and anchor institutions and cover some of the rural areas in between but not all parts of each county. The right of way agreement will allow running of fiber on and under streets and right of ways, owned by the city, but it is not an exclusive arrangement and other companies may also seek similar permission.

    The Council also approved payment of an invoice for $30,000 as a reimbursement to the Alabama Department of Transportation for work done to improve lighting on the Interstate 20/59 Exit 40. This one of several annual payments owed by the City to ALDOT for the lighting project.

    A credit card, with a maximum of $25,000, to be held by the Mayor, for training and travel expenses for city staff was approved. This single card will replace individual cards assigned to council members and staff department heads.

    The Council approved Resolution No. 2023-16 for Traffic Signal Management between ALDOT and the City to install Econolite Cobalt Controllers at the four city traffic lights at the county square, which will improve traffic flow. This improvement will come at no cost to the city. The
    Council also approved Resolution No 2023-17 to allow for the rehabilitation of the Sanders-Black Apartments with no changes to the zoning approval of the project, which is in place.

    The Council heard a presentation by Leah Banks of Alabama Power Company and representatives of the University of West Alabama’s Connecting Minority Program, to provide broadband in Sumter County and parts of Greene County, especially the Boligee area. They left copies of a broadband survey for residents of Eutaw and Greene County to fill out, showing the limited broadband services available. The Mayor agreed to collect completed surveys at the City Hall. The Council also heard a presentation on the Tree City Program from the Alabama Forestry Commission which encourages the planting of trees in cities and towns across Alabama.

    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved renewal of the business license and gas tax collection agreements with Avenue Insights and Analytics for 2024.
    • Approved repair of three police cars, two for transmissions and one for a motor. Tabled a proposal by the Chief of Police to lease purchase new police cars.
    • Approved request by the Mayor to seek bids to renovate the bathrooms in the National Guard Armory, which must be completed by March 2024 for the facility to be used as a voting poll.
    • Approved an additional $100 rental charge for groups planning to serve alcohol at functions held at the Robert H. Young Community Center (former Carver School) now owned by the city.
    • Approved a contract with Living Waters Association of Alabaster to provide laboratory testing the City Water and Sewer system.
    •Tabled leasing a new 2023 John Deere tractor for grass cutting, for 5 years at $1,926/month (total $97,852), until the city financial adviser can explain how this ad other expenses fit into the city’s budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
    • Agreed to pay bills on hand for the month.

  • Eutaw City Council approves debris removal contract; agrees to prepare required water and sewer plans to support improvement funding

    Eutaw City Council, Members of Hattie Edwards family and guests release ballons in honor of the former Mayor before Tuesday’s City Council Meeting

    By: John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    At its meetings on February 15 and 28, the Eutaw City Council took action in a number of areas related to debris removal from the January 12, 2023, storms, and the agreement to prepare several planning reports required as conditions of the $5.2 million ADEM funding for improvements to the Eutaw-Boligee unified water and sewer system.

    At the February 28 meeting the council accepted a bid from the Looks Great Services of Columbia, Mississippi for clean-up of tree trunks and other debris left by the storm of January 12, 2023. Looks Great Services had been prequalified as a debris removal contractor by the Alabama Association of County Commissions for work after storms.

    Because Greene County has been included in President Biden’s national disaster declaration of the January 12 storm, FEMA is able to grant more assistance to our area, including 100% reimbursement for debris removal for thirty days, ending March 18th. After that date, the city can be reimbursed 80% from Federal resources, 8% from the state and 12% local funding.

    Mayor Latasha Johnson argued that she wanted the Eutaw Council to award the contract to Looks Great, because they could start immediately and do much of the debris removal, on a 100% reimbursable basis before the deadline on March 18th.

    Another contractor was present at the meeting, who wanted to bid on debris removal if the council opened for competitive bidding, which would have taken a week or more of procedural delays to let a contract, even under emergency conditions.

    Mayor Johnson said, “We have already spent over $80,000 on clean-up for the April storm in Branch Heights and the November 29, 2022, tornado which destroyed part of Sagewood and residences north of Kirkwood, storms which did not meet the threshold for a national disaster declaration. We need to get as much work done now, when we can get 100% reimbursement from FEMA.”

    Sean Hunt, Executive Vice President of Emergency Response and Procurement for Looks Great Services said, “We have the equipment and personnel to remove the debris in the city by the March 18 deadline, if we have weather conditions that will permit us to work for the next three weeks.”

    At its February 15, 2023, meeting, the Eutaw City Council agreed to work on a Fiscal Sustainability Plan for the Water and Sewer System, a Fats, Oils and Grease Control Plan, a Water and Sewer Operator and Staffing Plan, and a Professional Tank Maintenance Service agreement. All of these plans are required by ADEM as part of their funding process for the first $5.2 million grant of a promised $30 million-dollar, 5-year program, to upgrade the unified Eutaw-Boligee water and sewer system.

    Corey Martin, Eutaw Water Operator said, “The State of Alabama is not going to invest $30 million in our water and sewer system without some assurance that its investment will be supported and maintained.”

    Asked if these plans would require a water and/or sewer rate increase, the Mayor and Martin indicated that there were no plans for an immediate increase but over time there would likely be an increase in water and sewer rates, possibly tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which has been increasing due to rising wages and prices in the economy.

    It was clear to this reporter, that ADEM’s request for these reports would lay the economic factual basis for a water and sewer increase, to keep pace with inflation in the economy and the need to repair and maintain the improved water and sewer system over time.

    In other business at the February 15th meeting, the council:

    • Approved a grant application to the Rebuild Alabama Act for resurfacing the Lower Gainesville Road.

    • Approved a reimbursable loan of $10,000 to Greene County EMS for purchase of a boat to rescue people from the rivers or other bodies of water in and around the county.

    • Approved the Mayor seeking to retain a land surveyor; travel for staff to training and $150 for membership in the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce.

    • Approved reappointment of Roderick Fulghum and Corey Cockrell to the Zoning Board; Kevin Knott to the Airport Authority Board; and other board appointments

    • Tabled a resolution establishing rates for the use of city property, e.g., the Robert H. Young Community Center, City Parks, and other facilities.

    In other business at the February 28th meeting, the council:

    • Heard reports from the Eutaw Volunteer Fire Department, that they had answered 11 fire calls and 4 vehicle extractions; and from Greene County EMS that the ambulance service was working and had secured a boat with the reimbursable loan from the city. The Fire Department reported that they had received the new fire truck but were waiting for additional accessories before it could be placed in service.

    • Held a public hearing on the vacation of Totem Avenue and approved a resolution to vacate. This road connects Finches Ferry Road with the RockTenn box plant. The company plans to improve the road if the city awards the road and right of way to them.

    • Approved storm debris removal contract and monitoring system.

    • Approved a letter of commendation for Sgt. Latoris Woods and officer Willie Bryant for rescuing a lady motorist who drove off an embankment and into a ditch. Chief Johnson said his officers actions saved the woman’s life.

    • Approved an ordinance for Emergency Fire and Rescue Operations.

    •Approved payment of bills and claims.

  • Eutaw City Council receives FY2021 Audit and detailed financial report showing progress but difficult decisions ahead

    New police officer, Danny Morales, who is bi-lingual in Spanish and English, joined the Eutaw Police force. He is standing with Chief Tommy Johnson.

    By: John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    At last night’s regular Eutaw City Council meeting, the city received a 53-page audit report from Rick Harbin, CPA on the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021.

    They also heard a report from Attorney Ralph Liverman, City Financial Advisor, on the first 9 months of the current fiscal year showing revenues over budget (104%) and expenses slightly over projections (88%) with a positive net cash position, with three months left in the fiscal year. Liverman also pointed out some long-term issues with the water, sewer and streets in the city which will require attention and increased expenditures in coming years.

    Harbin presented the long-awaited audit report for last fiscal year ending on September 30, 2021. Harbin said he could not give an “unqualified” audit opinion because there were deposits made in the early part of the year, before the current mayoral administration took charge, which cannot be properly traced to their purpose.

    He said he had to put a disclaimer on his opinion due to these concerns. “But as the year went on, the city set up a budget and an accounting system that can account for all income and expenditures,
    so, I was able to provide an audit you can use for complying with agency conditions and seeking new funding,” said Harbin.

    Harbin said the 2021 fiscal year, the City of Eutaw had $12.8 million in assets, with sufficient cash assets to meet current expenditures and have a new worth of about $3.2 million. Harbin distributed copies of the audit report and said he was willing to come back for a ”council work session” to explain things in more detail and answer any questions from the Mayor and Council.

    Liverman reports on financial issues

    The Council also heard a report from Ralph Liverman, Financial Advisor, on the nine months of the current fiscal year beginning October 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, 75% of the year. He showed General Fund revenues from property taxes, sales taxes, privilege licenses, building permits, garbage fees, rent and other sources of income for the nine months was $2,493,338 (104%) of budget at $2,337, 716 for the year. This means the city in 9 months has already taken in more than its total annual projection of revenues with three months to go. There is a separate report for the Water and Sewage Department which was not reviewed.

    Liverman also showed General Fund expenses for the City Administration (people in City Hall), Police Department, Streets and Sanitation, Parks and Recreation and the Fire Department which were budgeted for $2,195,962 for the year, had spent $1,953,378 or 88% of the budgeted amount for 75% of the time.

    Liverman stated that the budget projections were based on limited information available and that the next budget would be more accurate. The budget had balances and surpluses built in to cover the spending incurred. For the year to date, with $2,494,338 in revenues and $1,953,378 in expenses, there is a surplus of $540,960, which may increase over the remaining three months of the year.

    Liverman complimented the mayor, staff, and Council for a positive financial effort and moving the City in a positive direction. He then said there were some difficult and costly decisions ahead. First, the City must decide on how to deal with problems of the water system specifically in serving Boligee, where a major connecting waterline and lines in the town are leaking. The City has been offered a $3.5 million loan and grant combination by ADEM and USDA, but half is a grant and half is a loan, that the City cannot take on without assistance from the Town of Boligee.

    There are also problems of the City providing water at no cost to the Greene County Water System, the City also provides water and sewer services to the Catfish plant at concessionary rates under a ten-year agreement, that expired in 2010 and has never been updated or renegotiated. The City may have to raise water rates and late fees, especially for those in Boligee.

    Liverman also mentioned that the City’s sewage lagoon is 60-70 years old with many problems, which will take millions to repair. He also mentioned ten locations around the city where there are dangerous drainage problems. The City just spent $19,000 to repair a drainage ditch and curbing behind City Hall on Springfield Avenue. More expenditures are ahead to fix drainage throughout the city.

    Other Business

    The Council also heard a report from Brandon Broach, Assistant Fire Chief, on the condition of the city’s fire-fighting equipment. The Department has one certified and operable fire engine and a second engine that runs but is too old to be certified. The Fire Department has $150,000 in donated funds towards a second engine with a 40-foot ladder that can reach a third story building like some of the apartment complexes in Eutaw. A used fire truck that can be certified will cost $300,000, so more funds must be raised to get suitable equipment to save lives and retain a good rating for insurance purposes.

    The Fire Department is all volunteer and needs younger members to get training and help fight fires, said Broach. There is also a need for a better budget for other equipment to fight fires.

    The Eutaw City Council opened bids for caring for the roads and area around the Exit 40 intersection and going to Love’s Travel Center. Rev. William Webb’s -Total Care submitted a bid for $1,200 monthly, for services, twice a week. The bid was accepted by the City Council. The bid to maintain and care for the two city cemeteries – Mesopotamia and Thomas – was opened but the bid was not submitted properly on the form. This service was ordered rebid.

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Paid all bids and claims for June and July.
    • Approved an agreement between the City of Eutaw and the Greene County Commission for the pavement of Choctaw Road, which is joint owned by both.
    • Approved travel and per diem for staff to attend training.
    • Approved a salary increase of $6,500 annual for Police Chief,
    Tommy Johnson.
    • Approved a Restaurant Retail Liquor License for the Cajun Café, LLC.

    •Approved use of ARAP funds to give an incentive payment to city employees.