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Landfill approved by WashCo Commission The Washington County Commission met in regular session Monday, May 14, and the Regional Landfill again dominated the meeting. County Attorney Michael Onderdonk told the commission that a copy of the report of comments from the public hearing of April 24 had been sent to ADEM and to Advance Disposal Systems (ADS). ADS was awarded the contract to construct the landfill in Washington County. Onderdonk further stated that the commissioners and Probate Judge Charles Singleton had received ADS's response to the concerns voiced by citizens on April 24. "I have a resolution prepared if you decide to go forward today; but that is a decision to be made by the commission." Judge Singleton said he had not had time to read through all the material and would like more time before proceeding. Commissioner William (Termite) Beasley asked if the proceeds from the landfill would be earmarked for roads and bridges. Judge Singleton answered, "I don't know. I have several questions." Commissioner Willie Dixon expressed the opinion that all concerned had had time and said, "We don't want to delay the process. If there is something specific, I don't mind holding off; however, we need to move forward with something positive for the county. We need to be ready to serve the plant (steel mill) we just landed down the road." "I haven't read anything I object to," commented Commissioner Hilton Robbins. Allen Bailey said, "As far as I'm concerned, I'm ready." Onderdonk reminded the commission that they had 90 days from their March 12 submission to ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) to take this step (pass the resolution) to move the landfill forward. The resolution plus the April 24 citizens' concerns and ADS' response to citizen concerns will now be sent to ADEM for their review. When contacted by phone, Onderdonk said that in addition to ADEM, the Tombigbee Regional Planning Commission will also conduct a study into the proposed landfill, taking into consideration citizen concerns and ADS' response. Their findings and reports from other pertinent state agencies, (ex: Alabama Historical Commission) will also go to ADEM. James McNaughton, Washington County's solid waste consultant, asked to address the commission. "This has been a long deliberate process," he said. "One of the first things was the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with Mobile County. ADS submitted a proposal. I have reviewed their application thoroughly and I have reviewed the concerns of the public." McNaughton continued, "ADS has addressed air, land, water and noise problems. Hodges, Harbin, Newberry and Tribble of Macon, Ga. issued a Land Impact Report, which said, 'the site is an ideal site.' M. D. Bell of Mobile, a property evaluation firm also issued their finding stating that the landfill 'will not have a negative impact on surrounding property values.' "If they should go out of business, ADS must have insurance and bonding in place to take care of the county government and the citizens." Commissioner Dixon said, "We have already agreed; everything has been looked at by the attorney. It doesn't make sense to hold up." Judge Singleton countered, "I understand this is a process of about 20 steps. We are in the early phase. I understand it will be three years before any money will be realized from a landfill." Dixon said in light of all the studies he didn't understand why "we want to delay." The judge made his position clear: "My reason for wanting to delay is that my name will go into the signature block and I don't know enough about it to put my name on it." "The commission has reviewed and feels satisfied," Dixon continued. "But I am the one who gets the calls," Singleton said. Dixon replied, "We all get calls. We have to do what we feel is best for the county and the people. We are still faced with the same problem, a shortage of revenue." At this point, Judge Singleton called a 5-minute adjournment to speak privately with Jim McNaughton, saying he had a question that "is personal to me." When the judge returned to the room, the vote was taken and the resolution to proceed passed unanimously. Butch Lambert, director of corporate development for ADS rose and thanked the judge, the commission and the county attorney. To this, Judge Singleton said, "I hate surprises. Don't let a concerned citizen call me with something going on that I am unaware of." Richard Johnson leader of the opposition in Charity Chapel was called for his response to today's action by the commission. "It is a shame that the county commission of Washington County is proceeding with this without talking to the people of Washington County, or listening to what has already been said. I have traveled the county and have not met anyone who wants a landfill." Other business The Washington County Commission had a full plate at Monday's meeting. Several citizens were in attendance to voice concerns and make requests. Resolutions Passed +Jean Williams of the Washington County Hospital came to ask the commission to approve the amended articles of incorporation for the Mobile Washington County Mental Health Center. The changes consisted of a name change from Mobile/Washington County Mental Health Center to Altapoint Health Systems, Inc.; specifying Mobile and Washington counties as the area of service; specialized training in mental health for personnel provided by University of South Alabama; change the 12 directors to nine with Mobile County having three, city of Mobile three, and Washington County three +Commissioners voted to pay the first Katrina invoice of $55,000 to Hudson Contracting of Arkansas for moving the trailers to Chatom. +The commission approved a motion to advertise bids to pave 5,500 feet on the Epworth and Burbank roads. Bids will be opened at the commission meeting on June 11. +As per ALDOT regulations, the rural transportation vans will be drug tested. +Commissioners allocated $500 for the MOWA Pow Wow on June 15-16. +The commission agreed to advertise five pieces of equipment on GovDeals. Citizen concerns and requests +Laverne Dickinson who lives on the Carson Dickinson Road asked the commission why the five families who live on the road are getting a 3-inch water line while Dr. Spires who lives off the road is getting a 6-inch water line. Judge Singleton said he went down to the area because the engineer had not told him of this change to the project (Dr. Spires, etc.). He explained to Dickinson that the county is buying water for his neighborhood from South Alabama Water System of Citronelle. The judge said that without his knowledge, the doctor went to the water system and paid to get a six-inch water line and a fire hydrant to his property. He did assure Dickinson, however, that the three-inch line leading to his home would have adequate pressure to fill a fire truck tank. "This was our project, however," said the judge, "and we will know before another change is made to one of our projects." +Irwin Misrok told the commission that he has a new business, Ala-Miss Variety and Uniform Store, and he would like to provide uniforms and sell products to the Washington County Commission. He distributed information about his business. +Judge Singleton read a letter from Faye Elmore of Frankville thanking the commission for the school bus stop signs on her route. +There was a second letter from a resident on Cooley Road saying that the stop signs and needed culverts were not complete in the area and requested that the commission and engineer revisit to take care of this. Ag building Commissioner Robbins said that he and Commissioner Bailey had for some time been looking at Ag buildings in other counties and he wants to proceed with such a building for Washington County. He emphasized that no money from the gasoline tax fund would go toward construction. The building will be used for various events such as horse shows, gospel sings, rodeos, graduations, etc. The USDA will make a low interest loan for the construction of this multipurpose building. When asked if any money would come from the general fund, Robbins said "No, nor any road and bridge money either." Booster Station The booster station on Jordan Circle keeps popping up and seemingly without foreseeable solution. This project was re-bid and even the second round bids were above the commission's budget. They have $30,500 left to spend on this project. The lowest bid to come in was $127,500 leaving a deficit of $97,000. There was discussion about the commission doing the dirt work and separating the "pad" (foundation) out and bidding that separately; and the possibility of the municipality of Chatom contributing to the facility at the completion, it will become their property. Finally, Judge Singlelton suggested "Let's look at what we can do and table this until the next meeting." Former engineer's annual leave/holidays Former county engineer Bob Gunter has requested pay for annual leave and holidays he claims to have worked for the county. Attorney Michael Onderdonk has sent Gunter a letter saying that the county must have documentation of his having worked the days in question to receive payment. County engineer Jason Sturdivant reported that the Kabota tractor advertised on the Govdeals Web site sold for $31,000. In additon two more watershed projects have been completed in the last few days. He has talked with ADOT and they have reviewed the plans on Pine Barren Creek and he hopes to let that bid in July or August. General information to the public Judge Charles Singleton had several items to bring to the attention of the commission and to the general public. One of them was that Washington County will furnish a training site for the steel mill at the property recently purchased in south Washington County. Additionally, Dr. Steve Donald has been asked to set up an industrial medical center in the southern end of the county to serve the needs of the new plant. Washington County has been asked to furnish fire protection for the steel mill. Judge Singleton said that he thought the facility would be placed in the Bates Lake, Paul Bayou area as fire protection for that area is not as accessible as it is in the rest of the county. Judge Singleton said he was surprised and pleased with the quality of the applicants he received for the 30-month administrative assistant job related to the Katrina Grant. He has narrowed his choices to five and asked the commissioners to review the applications and narrow their choices. The top people will be interviewed on May 24 and hired at the next commission meeting.
The commission's next scheduled meeting is May 29.
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