Scottsboro, Alabama June 3, 2019 Scottsboro City Council Work Session - Bass Masters Tournament, June 20, 2019 - Discussion on Heritage Center Expansion Project and Brush Pit Fire Update

Scottsboro City Hall photo by G. Morgan

Brush Pit Fire, Briefing by Chief Necklaus

Scottsboro Brush Pit Fire - Article from WHNT News, excellent aerial photos, April 23, 2019

https://whnt.com/2019/04/23/were-working-every-day-scottsboro-brush-pit-fire-still-smoldering/

I had a brief discussion with Chief Necklaus about the status of the fire and if there were any hazardous materials involved in the underground fire. "There are no chemicals or tires involved in this fire. ADEM, (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) has inspected the area, no tires or chemical agents were found," stated Chief Necklaus. Necklaus also commented,  the fire appeared to be the result of spontaneous combustion underground from years of brush and vegetative debris buildup.

Chief Necklaus Video Update on Fire

AGENDA

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Heritage Center Expansion Project Update, Mrs. Brenda Ivey

Agenda Item 1, Mrs. Brenda Ivey provides the city council with latest info on the Heritage Center project and meetings with Mayor and architect, first 18 minutes of the below video after city council opening. Apparently there was an error in the architects initial cost estimates. Once the City Council provides final approval, the issue regarding the Heritage Center expansion project, the bidding and costs 'step' process will begin. 

Bass Masters Tournament

Agenda Item 2, Bass Masters Tournament at Goose Pond Colony - June 20, 2019 Info Link   https://www.bassmaster.com/sites/default/files/al_lake_guntersville_soe.pdf

WAFF-TV Huntsville, Alabama, September 2018 story link - Bass Masters comes to Scottsboro's Goose Pond Colony:  https://www.waff.com/2018/09/28/bassmasters-elite-tournament-coming-scottsboro/ 

VIDEO

May 2, 2019 Scottsboro City Council - Special Call Meeting City Bond Issue Approval

Scottsboro City Hall  photo by G,Morgan

AGENDA

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Brad Green of Raymond James Financial Services  made presentation to the city council about the City Bond Issue financing arrangements, percentages and time.

BOND ISSUE CHART

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama March 25, 2019 Scottsboro City Council Meeting, Work Session and Regular Session - Committee Appointment for Municipal Judge Selection and More Problems

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

WORK SESSION AGENDA

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VIDEO for Items 1 and 2 on Work Session Agenda

VIDEO for Items 3 thru 8 on  Work Session Agenda

AGENDA REGULAR SESSION

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Item 1 on Agenda - Scottsboro City Council Reconsiders Previous Decision, Approves County Park Road and Highway 72 Safety Improvement Project. 

Item 2 on Agenda - Stacy Ledwell appointed as Solid Waste director

Item 3 on Agenda - Wayne Moore appointed as Street Department Director

Item 4 on Agenda - Approval of a $4.5 million dollar bond issue.

Item 5 on Agenda - Cloverdale Rd. Property sale to highest bidder, Bobby Womack for $16,500

Item 6 on Agenda - Parks Ave Bridge renovation/construction bid awarded to Lambert Construction as lowest bidder, $517,850.00

Item 7 on Agenda - On call Asphalt Paving bid awarded to Wiregrass Construction as lowest bidder.

Item 8 on Agenda - Budget Amendment for funds moved to Chamber of Commerce for $2300.00

MUNICIPAL JUDGE SELECTION

Agenda Item 4, Regular Session Cancelled, appointment of Municipal Judge - Council President Patrick Stewart appointed a Municipal Judge Selection Committee, the following elected and appointed officials are on the Committee per Council President's instructions: Mayor Shelton, Council Member Ashburn, Council Member Bailey, Human Resource Management Director Erin Green.  (19min 7sec in the below Regular Session Video)

Of note on this Committee selection is the Alabama Open Meetings Act, Code of Alabama 36-25A-1 (link: https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-36-public-officers-and-employees/al-code-sect-36-25a-1.html ) and 36-25A-2 (link: https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-36-public-officers-and-employees/al-code-sect-36-25a-2.html ); the Alabama Open Meetings Act is very specific as to committees and open meetings. 

The selection of the Municipal Court Judge is of great Public Interest, so is the City of Scottsboro's process of selection of this important position. Information has been received regarding attempted outside influences regarding the Municipal Judge Selection. 

There has also been a reply from the City Clerk of Scottsboro, via email, as to my request to be notified of the Municipal Judge Selection Committee meeting date, time and place: Quote - "There is no meeting. Patrick formed a committee consisting of 2 council members to setup interviews with the applicants to make a recommendation at the special called council meeting immediately following the work session on Monday April 1." 

My Reply to the City Clerk: "You might want to receive advice from Mr. Kennamer (city attorney) on this matter, "committee meetings" fall under the purview of the Open Meetings Act. If the City of Scottsboro, or official representatives, fail to follow the Alabama Open Meetings Act - specifically, Code of Alabama 36-25A-1, 36-25A-2 defines "Committees," may have adverse effects on any decision made outside of the legal requirements of the law.  This issue is easily resolved, follow the law."

Secrecy, a lack of disclosure/transparency, plain old bad decision making and alleged violations of law are the reasons the City of Scottsboro has had multiple issues, including a compromise of integrity, within the Municipal Court System of Scottsboro, Alabama.  

VIDEO for Regular Session

Facebook reports live video:   https://www.facebook.com/garry.l.morgan.5/videos/10218493522393051/

Scottsboro City Council Regular Session and Work Session, December 14, 2015

Photo by G. Morgan

Regular Session Agenda

1. Public Hearing for Alcohol License - approved

2. Resolution for Public Transportation funds for Senior Center.-approved

3. Resolution to approve sign upgrades upon entering into the City of Scottsboro-approved

4.World Junior Bass Fishing Tournament, $12,500.00 approved

5. Fire Department Budget Amendment for Fire Truck - approved

Citizen presentation on refusal to produce government records for inspection

VIDEO

WORK SESSION

                                             AGENDA

VIDEO Part 1

Muscular Dystrophy Association Appreciation to Scottsboro Fire Department;  Resolutions, Personnel Handbook secrecy - shhh, we will say nothing about something; Mayor Potter discusses Capital Projects, his plan equals more debt for the city but a windfall for Municipal Bond Companies and their employees reaping percentage profits. 

Part 2 Video

7 Wonders of Jackson County by Judge John Graham (4 Part Series), Jackson County Historical Association 40th Anniversary Celebration

Scottsboro, Alabama, January 25, 2015 at Jesse Sue Bynum Auditorium, Board of Education - Page Administration Building; meeting of the Jackson County Historical Association, 40th Anniversary celebration. Presentation of "The 7 Wonders of Jackson County" by Judge John Graham in 4 parts, There will also be a short version soon.

 


Other History Videos of Jackson County 
The Jackson County Heritage Center

Web site of the Scottsboro - Jackson County Heritage Center: http://www.sjhc.us/

Jackson County, Scottsboro, Alabama "Someplace Special"

The Scottsboro Depot Museum Video 


Scottsboro Depot Museum - http://www.scottsborodepotmuseum.com/