Scottsboro City Council - Parks and Recreation Board - Mayor's Salary to Increase

Scottsboro Police Department- the old City Hall

Last night was a regular meeting of the Scottsboro City Council. Agenda below, click on image for an expanded view.

Added to the agenda, #9 (Brooks Hall was deleted from the agenda), was discussion of an Ethics Complaint involving the City of Scottsboro Parks and Recreation Board per Mr. Smith.

1) Dr. Judy Berry, Scottsboro Schools Superintendent and Mr. Robbie Copenhaver, School Board President, discussed and requested refinancing and financing of a School Bond Issue. The rules were set aside and the request to refinance and finance was approved. Dr. Berry stated there were capital asset funds available for this project. A look at the City Debt becomes necessary as described below.

Dr Judy Berry, Scottsboro City Schools Superintendent - Dr. Berry stated, "it has been approximately 40 years since there has been any improvemnet on Trammel Stadium. Many incoming corporations and families are interested in our athletic programs."

Mr. Robbie Copenhaver, President Scottsboro Board of Education. "We need improvements made to Trammel Stadium. Visitors must use 'Porta-Johns' as there are no restrooms on the visitors side. "

As of the audit dated July 2011, Fiscal Year of 2010, City financial info including debt may be found at audit link: CITY OF SCOTTSBORO, ALABAMA  Page 32 of the audit lists total long term liabilities of warrants and notes payable as $38,430,000; total obligation school warrants are listed as $20,435,000. The bond situation is further disclosed on pages 33-35.  Page 8 of the audit reference debt states: "The debt service fund has a total fund balance of $9,128,887, all of which is to be used for the payment of debt service. The net decrease in fund balance during the current year in the debt service fund was $97,088. Interest expenditures were $1,463,770 and principal retirements during the year were $2,070,000."

Page 9 of the Audit lists the following concerning long term debt: "Long-term debt- At the end of the current fiscal year, the City had total long-term liabilities outstanding of $39,959,118, which is comprised entirely of debt backed by the full faith and credit of the City."

There have been 2 new Bond Debt issues which have increased the total debt since FY 2010 for the City of Scottsboro. Per City Financial Director Rick Wheeler: Recreation Facilities, soccer fields/splash park and service road issue. Current principal and interest is $62,347,641. Amount includes  Board of Education and Scottsboro Parks and Recreation Board debt. Principal is $43,675,000 interest is $18,672,641. The School Boards slice of the $62 million total is $28,085,000 including principle and interest. Total assets of city including school, parks and library is approximately $104 million.

The City of Scottsboro serves as bond guarantors of  The Board of Education (Scottsboro School system) and The Scottsboro Parks and Recreation Board (Goose Pond Colony and Plantation Pointe). The current proposed issue involving the refinancing and additional funding in regards to school bonds will increase debt. According to Dr. Berry, Scottsboro School Board Superintendent,  and Mr. President of the Board of Education, there is a need to improve the facilities at Trammel Stadium which will include restrooms, locker facilities and concession area.

2) Mayor appointed John Childress as a member of the Housing Authority Board. 3) Tree Commission members appointed.reappointed: Jim Reed, Ronnie Dolbery, Arlene Geede. 4) Appointed to the personnel board were Kelly Goodowens and Nora Sebring. There were 3 applications for 2 positions. 5) Charles Yarborough was selected to the Water Sewer and Gas Board. 6) Judge Ralph Grider was appointed to fill the vacancy of the Municipal Judge until Sep. 2012. Judge Word has been appointed as the District Court Judge.

Mayor Potter

7) Salary Ordinance was passed for an increase in the Mayor's Salary, rules were set aside, as follows per annum: 2012-0; 2013-$1000; 2014-$1000; 2015-0. More on the salary increase, which includes the city council, from the Daily Sentinel: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_0a391f26-6322-11e1-a010-001871e3ce6c.html  8) Jason Phillipe resigned from the Scottsboro Industrial Development Board due to a move out of the area. Interested parties to fill position should contact City Clerk by application no later than March 15, 2012, 4:30PM, contact phone #256-574-3100. 9) Scottsboro Parks and Recreation Board Ethics concerns expressed by Council Member Keith Smith.

Council Member Keith Smith

Mr. Smith stated, "I have been informed by our city attorney that a complaint must be made by an individual, it is not a matter for the city council."

The majority of the Parks and Recreation Board were present including their attorney to address the issue if any complaint or allegation was brought forth. Mr. Smith had no public comment other than the previous statement. Several members and the attorney for the Parks and Recreation Board had signed up to speak, since Mr. Smith had no charge to make the Park Board members nor their attorney had no comment.

Citizen presentation by Judge (retired) Arthur Davis: Reference the Scottsboro Parks and Recreation Board-"Anything I have presented to this council concerning actions about the Goose Pond Colony Board derives from presentations before the city council or the [GPC] board meeting involving loans payments, interest." Mr. Davis further commented, "I do not think the  [GPC] Board is an arm of the City of Scottsboro. In my opinion, it is not a public course." Mr. Davis has expressed disappointment in that: "my family has been mislead by Chamber of Commerce advertising. 2 golf courses was the reason we moved to Scottsboro" Mr Davis stated last night, "the false advertising continues." After the council meeting Mr. Davis stated to me he thought the people of Scottsboro were very friendly and cordial to him. His problem, he said, "we have been mislead as to the availability of playing golf at the 2 courses." He was refering to the Goose Pond course and the Plantation Course. The Plantation course hours have been reduced to save money according the Parks and Recreation Board.