Scottsboro, Alabama - December 17, 2018 - Scottsboro City Council Work Session and Regular Session

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

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Live Facebook video of reports section: https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10217737183445050/

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama December 17, 2018 - Jackson County Commission Work Session and Regular Session - DHR Issue Discussed

Jackson County Courthouse, North Entrance, photo by G. Morgan

Department of Human Resources, DHR, lease agreement history, as described by the commission,  begins at 21:05 in the video below.

The commission should take note, if there are misunderstandings regarding information available regarding the DHR lease agreement, it is because the Jackson County Commission has not explained the lease terms sufficiently to the public or were not aware of the lease terms themselves. 

Utilizing the TVA in lieu of tax decreasing amounts as an excuse to increase the lease term costs should be a non-starter since the DHR building currently costs the county nothing. 

Jackson County Alabama Department of Human Resources

Fair Use of Google Maps for non-profit news reporting and commentary.

It has been reported that DHR pays the Jackson County Commission $1.00 per square foot. The building is approximately 1800 square feet (according to commissioners), $18,000 paid annually in monthly installments of $1500.00 as reported.

AGENDA

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VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama - December 10, 2018 - Scottsboro City Council Regular Session

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

The one agenda item was tabled. This evening's Christmas Parade info  : https://www.facebook.com/events/281582622697115/ 

Reports Section short, more parade info:   https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10217685314028347/

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama - December 10, 2018 - Jackson County Commission Work and Regular Sessions, DHR Story (Updated 10:45 AM 12-11-18)

Jackson County Courthouse, North Entrance photo by G. Morgan

Kristie Crabtree Director of Jackson County Department of Human Resources, Ms. Crabtree stated that over 6000 citizens are provided Food Assistance out of the Jackson County Department of Human Resources office. ( photo by G. Morgan)

Kristie Crabtree, Director of Jackson County Department of Human Resources, DHR, makes presentation to the Jackson County Commission regarding services provided to the citizens of Jackson County Alabama. Representatives of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, Montgomery, Alabama were also present, including the Assistant Attorney General for the State Department of Human Resources. Approximately 20 persons from the community and Jackson County DHR were present to demonstrate support for the work of the Jackson County DHR. 

These are the services the local DHR provides the citizens of our community: 

Adult Protective Services

Child Protective Services

Food Assistance

Child Support

Adoption

Foster Care

Family Assistance

Family Services

Child Care

Local Information Link: http://www.dhr.state.al.us/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Jackson  and Main Services Page Info:  http://www.dhr.state.al.us/directory/Directory.aspx

Concerns about Costs over the current contract between the Jackson County Commission and the Alabama Department of Human Resources, DHR, are being negotiated. Currently DHR pays Jackson County Commission General Fund $1.00 per square foot in an annual contract. Discussions by the Commissioners have indicated they have considered a charge up to $5.00 per square foot, but the commission would pay for building maintenance and supplies for the building. Commission Chair Tim Guffey indicated to me he had contacted other county commission chairs and administrators and found $3.00 per square foot was paid by other county DHR services. Members of the commission did indicate the DHR folks were not going to be evicted.

DHR provides crucial county services to the community. Any increase in costs should not be excessive. In this citizens opinion, costs should not exceed $1.50 per square foot in for a 5 year contract.

AGENDA

Facebook - Commission Reports Session https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10217684972619812/

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama - December 3, 2018 - Scottsboro City Council Work Session - Council Actions are Group Actions Not Individual Actions.

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

Left to Right - Council President Patrick Stewart, Council Member Greg Mashburn.  

Mr. Mashburn requested the City Attorney at tonight's council meeting to draft an ordinance regarding parallel parking on South Broad Street between Laurel and West Willow Streets. This type of request from a single council member appears improper, the City Council of Scottsboro's actions are as a group, not as an individual. The City Council President should have corrected this procedural error. 

Costs, traffic flow, business input, engineers input, all should be discussed in a work session prior to a vote. One council member requesting the city attorney to draw up an ordinance is improper, in my opinion. The Council President not correcting the error was the second problem

The parking situation has been brought forward previously by the former city council, it has not been voted on nor has the issue been brought forward to the current city council. 

AGENDA

Christmas Parade this Saturday, December 8, 2018, if weather permits. Next meeting on December 10 will be a work session and regular session meeting. 

VIDEO

WRITING IS ON THE WALL - Scottsboro, Alabama - December 3, 2018 Jackson County Commission - Serious Budget Difficulties on the Horizon

There was no meeting today of the Jackson County Commission, a quorum was not present due to sickness. I did visit the commission office and noticed the TVA in lieu of tax decrease chart. I obtained a copy and it is thus posted. This is not good news for the residents of Jackson County. This chart represents a 46%  decrease in TVA in lieu of taxes over the past 7 budget years; 2020 will reflect a larger decrease of General Fund money regarding TVA in lieu of taxes. County General Fund Revenue has fallen approximately 35% in the past 12 years with very little decrease in services with the exception of road improvements.

The point will arrive where the citizens will either except the inevitable tax increase or the citizens will not receive the same services in which they have come to expect. Falling County income will result in decrease of services for fire, police, roads, senior citizens services including transportation, prescription assistance and many other county services.

Scottsboro, Alabama November 26, 2018 - Local Government Report - Jackson County Commission, Regular Session and Scottsboro City Council, Regular Session.

Jackson County Courthouse North Entrance, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

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Citizen Concerns - Mr. George Lewis speaks about a concern regarding the Sheriffs Department, Sheriff Phillips' answers. Photo by G. Morgan

VIDEO

             
     SCOTTSBORO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama November 19, 2018 Scottsboro City Council Work Session

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

Facebook Live Video, Mike Ashburn discusses injuries, falls, at voting polls and sidewalks at the Rec Com, link:  https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10217526158409556/

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama - November 19, 2018 Jackson County Commission Work Session

Jackson County Courthouse, north entrance - photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA 

Mr. Jeff Arnold, Revenue Commissioner, requests approval for funding of 3% pay raise regarding Revenue Office  employees who had 5 months instead of the 6 month requirement. Mr. Arnold stated he would fund the pay increase from his allocated funds. If this issue is to be approved it will be an agenda item at the next commission meeting.

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama - November 14, 2018 - Scottsboro City Council Regular Session

Members of the Scottsboro City Council and support staff, seated left to right - Gary Stewart; Mike Ashburn; City Clerk Whitney Phillips; Council President - Patrick Stewart; City Attorney - Stephen Kennamer; Greg Mashburn; Richard "Pudge" Bailey (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama November 14, 2018 Jackson County Commission Swearing In Ceremony and Organizational Meeting.

Jackson County Commission November 14, 2018 

Left to Right: Dist. 4 - Mike Sisk; Dist. 3- Melinda Gilbert; Chair-Tim 

Guffey; Dist. 2 Jason Venable and Dist. 1-James Hill (photo by G. Morgan)

Live Facebook Video link: https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10217484847736815/

Organizational Meeting Agenda

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Agenda item 5 - Approval of funds for infrastructure improvements in the Scottsboro Industrial Park in Hollywood, Alabama; Jackson County's share - $20,000

Videos of Swearing In Ceremony and Organizational Meeting

Aspel, Alabama November 6, 2018 Tornado Damage Videos, Photographs, Line Path of Damage Photo

Aspel Tornado Path Map - Over 100 Residents in area without power for more than 12 hours, loss of income for business, property damage and food spoilage damage, maybe over $300,000. (Google Maps - Fair Use for non-profit news reporting, path and construct of map by G. Morgan)

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Aspel twisted sign (photo by G. Morgan)

F-1 Tornado Evidence Aspel Tornado (photo by G. Morgan)

Aspel Tornado damage, F-1 (photo by G. Morgan)

National Weather Service Link on Fujita Scale

http://www.tornadoproject.com/cellar/fscale.htm

VIDEOS Aspel Tornado Damage

Part 1

                                              Part 2

Scottsboro, Alabama November 5, 2018 - Scottsboro City Council Organizational Meeting, Work Session

Scottsboro City Attorney Stephen Kennamer served as Council President during the Organizational Meeting. (photo by G. Morgan)

Mr. Patrick Stewart was elected as City Council President. (photo by G. Morgan)

Council Member Greg Mashburn was elected as City Council Pro Tem President

AGENDAS

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Ms. Paige Airheart discusses the Airheart property on Tupelo Pike and Maple Street, agenda item 1, which has been discussed at several council meetings due to the property being declared in a poor state of repair. (photo by G. Morgan)

Mayor Robin Shelton discusses Industrial Park Credit Union Building, agenda item 2, owned by the City of Scottsboro. Mayor Shelton stated that an agreement between North East Alabama Community College and the city regarding a Truck Driving School at the old Credit Union location. (photo by G. Morgan)

Scottsboro Police Chief Ralph Dawe discusses Scottsboro City Schools Resource Officer funding. Chief Dawe stated the approximate cost per officer is $68,000. The goal is for 5 officers, 2 at the high school and 1 at each of the other 3 schools. (photo by G. Morgan)

VIDEO and FACEBOOK Video Links

Facebook live video - Organizational session   https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10217423482282717/

Facebook live video - reports section   https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10217423766489822/

Scottsboro, Alabama - October 29, 2018 Jackson County Commission Regular Session - Last Meeting of Jackson County Commission Chair Mike Ashburn

Jackson County Courts Clerk Donna Barksdale expresses her appreciation for the commission amending the budget for $18,000 so that an employee could be funded for a few more months. The Jackson County Legislative Delegation, per Senator Steve Livingston, has stated they are submitting a local act in the next legislative session to assist in funding a clerk for the entire year. 

Courthouse Security issue resolved, agenda item 2, money moved from contracts into the employee funds for Sheriffs Deputies to staff security at the entrances of the courthouse.

AGENDA 

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama - October 22, 2018 Last Council Meeting for Keith Smith and Tony Wallingsford, Regular Session of the Scottsboro City Council

Recognition awards were presented to Scottsboro City Council President Tony Wallingsford and City Council Member Keith Smith for their dedicated devotion to duty as members of the Scottsboro City Council.  Left to Right - Council Members Greg Mashburn, Gary Stewart, Tony Wallingsford, Keith Smith, Mayor Robin Shelton, and Council Member Patrick Stewart. ( photo by G. Morgan)

Council President Tony Wallingsford, last meeting. (photo by G. Morgan)

Council Member Keith Smith, last meeting. (photo by G. Morgan)

Council Member Keith Smith receives Special Recognition Plaque from the Jackson County Rescue Squad for his 26 years as Police Chief of Scottsboro and 12 years as a City Council Member. Mr. Smith also served 10 years as a Scottsboro Police Officer before becoming Police Chief. (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

VIDEOS

Facebook live video

https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10217320421946273/

Scottsboro, Alabama - October 15, 2018 - Jackson County Commission Work Session, Award Presented to State Senator Steve Livingston, More on Courthouse Security

Commission presents Senator Steve Livingston with appreciation plaque for County Workers Compensation Claims Legislation (photo by G. Morgan)

Link explaining legislation: http://www.alabamacounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Workers-Comp-Bill-Bluesheet-02.02.18.pdf

AGENDA

VIDEO