Scottsboro, Alabama - February 18, 2019 - Scottsboro City Council Work Session, 2 Part Video, Hwy. 72 and County Park Rd. Safety Improvement Project, "Castin and Catchin" Fishing Tournament - Pediatric Heart Center Charity, at Goose Pond - Municipal Court Update Feb. 19, 2019 (Bottom of Page)

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

WORK SESSION

Monday, February 18, 2019

6:00 P.M.

I. Call to Order

   1.     Discuss HSIP Project for County Park Road & Highway 72 Intersection-Volkert Engineering - Clark Bailey presentation. Plan submitted to Alabama Department of Transportation for Safety Improvements; approximate costs $1.15 million, city to pay 10%. Area accidents and injury information discussed in this Clarion article - link: https://www.theclarion.org/index.php/news/top-stories/1320-changes-could-be-coming-for-u-s-72-and-county-park-area 

Clark Bailey of Volkert Engineering discusses improvements plan with city council. (photo by G. Morgan)

Video of Hwy. 72 - County Park Rd. Improvement Plan, 

2.     Discuss Castin & Catchin Tourism Grant Application for charity event; all funds raised goes directly to the Pediatric Heart Center of Alabama. April 27, 2019 at Goose Pond Colony, check out the link:  https://www.castinncatchin.org/

3.     Discuss Recycling Program, lengthy discussion, visit to Guntersville. It was stated that additional employee hires would be needed to staff this program.

Council members and Mayor discussed recycle program problems and solutions. Committee formed per Council President Stewart. (photos by G. Morgan)

4.  Discuss Rental Agreement for Mowing Tractors.

Delegations

Mrs. Pam Ayers spoke about High Country Toyota building and investing in a new $4 million  auto dealership center on John T. Reed Parkway, U.S. Highway 72. Mrs. Ayers commented,  "Improvements to the areas traffic flow are needed." She mentioned the new dealership would probably be located on the north side, which has a current access road. (photo by G. Morgan)

Another delegation representing property developers between the Kentucky Fried Chicken and Dunhams' Sporting Goods also spoke in support of the traffic flow improvement and safety project.

VIDEO, Part 1

VIDEO, Part 2



MUNICIPAL COURT UPDATE - PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST SUBMITTED - CLARIFICATIONS AND OUTLINE OF THE PROBLEM

Public Records Request(Original request signed)

Under the Alabama Open Records Law 36-12-40 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of said public records, (Describe the records or information sought with enough detail for the public agency to respond.)  Also give the reason why you wish to review these records. (You must give a valid reason)

Records Requested: 1) On or about February 1, 2019; or during the first week following Feb. 1, 2019, the Chief of Police, Ralph Dawe sent forward to the Mayor and City Council a information memorandum or notice, outlining Scottsboro Police Department concerns regarding the case activity and or conduct of the the current Municipal Judge, Scott Berry. Please provide a copy of this public document as soon as possible. 2) On or about November 1, 2018 to January 31, 2019, per information from City Officials, a payment for legal services utilizing City of Scottsboro, Al. funds was made to an attorney, per report by the last name of “Snow,” to represent Municipal Judge Scott Berry in the sum of approximately $7000.00. It was also reported that travel expenses were paid to Judge Berry for this reported trip to Montgomery, Al. where lawyer “Snow” was located. Please provide copies of any vouchers or checks paid by the City of Scottsboro, Al. related to this event, eg. Attorney fees and or travel documentation as soon as possible, to include any other attorneys or firms related to Judge Berry’s representation paid for by the City of Scottsboro, Al.

The documents information requested is of a public interest which may be utilized as a news story in various news media outlets to include but not limited to my blog, a non-profit news and information blog regarding local issues and news events, “In the Boro,” https://arklite.blogspot.com

Clarification and outline of the problem
Problem reflection which is linked in the blog articles and expounded on numerous times: https://www.waff.com/.../scottsboro-judge-strikes.../... 

Here are the historical articles regarding this incident and the history of the Municipal Court of Scottsboro, concerns and events associated with sexual discrimination and harassment within the Scottsboro political entity: https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Municipal%20Court 

There are city officials and employees (4) who have made statements to me, but must remain as a confidential source due to fear and probability of retribution carried forth against the employee or public official. I can understand why some of the confidential source information may be confusing, however without permission to release names in this developing situation there is nothing more I can say until specific public records information is received or official findings are released.

Regarding the current problems within the Municipal Court System there are 3 specific allegations: 1) Alleged Criminal Conduct, 2) Alleged Misappropriation, 3) Alleged Sexual Harassment/Discrimination-Creating Hostile Work Environment. 

All of this may be confusing because of the historical trends within the City of Scottsboro relating to failed management practices and lacking communications. Those problems are disclosed within the blog articles and have a direct relationship to the current problem within the Scottsboro Municipal Court System.