Scottsboro City Council Meeting

 North Broad St. Rail Road Crossing to be Closed

North side approach looking south at the North Broad Street Crossing. An 18 wheel towed vehicle became stuck on the crossing in the past month utilizing this approach.

In a 3 to 2 vote, with the Council President Matthew Hodges breaking a tie vote, the North Broad St. crossing will be closed. Mr. Hodges commented after the vote, "we will be looking at evacuation planning in the case of an emergency in this area." Mr. Speers and Ms. McCrary voted no; Mr. Smith, Mr. Bell and Mr. Hodges voted yes to close the dangerous crossing.

City Council President Matthew Hodges broke the tie vote in the North Broad St. rail crossing issue. (photo G.Morgan)

Ms. McCrary and Mr. Smith discuss the Broad St. rail crossing issue. Ms. McCrary stated,  "larger, more visible signs should be placed prior to the crossing...the crossing should remain open in the case of other crossings were blocked."  Mr. Smith commented, "if the Broad Street crossing was blocked,  the crossings left and right of the Broad Street crossing would also be blocked." (photo by G. Morgan)

Mr. Speers suggests that height restrictive, protective devices could be placed on the approaches at the crossings to warn off large vehicles. Mr. Speers stated he believed the crossing should remain open and voted to keep the crossing open. Mayor Potter, left side of picture looks on. (photo G. Morgan)

Mr. Bell suggested that that a locked double gate be placed at the crossing which could be opened in case of an emergency. Mayor Potter and Mr. Bell both confirmed that Norfolk Southern Railroad rejected this plan as the crossing would not be a permanent closed crossing. Mr. Bell voted to close the crossing. Daily Sentinel article on issue: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_3aa5df3a-b4d2-11e1-8fcd-0019bb2963f4.html

In other business, the agenda for new business.

1) Bond refinancing issue for $10,575,000- 2002 city bond, interest 5%. $108,000 will be returned to the city, the bond's time will remain the same. The $108K will be utilized to replace the roof on the library before further damage occurs. (Rate is 3.8%) 2004A Board of Education bond issue. $2 million dollars will be returned to the Board of Education, debt will be extended for 3 years, the rate is 3.8%.

Mr. Larry Ward of Morgan Keegan presents the details of the Bond Issue refinancing to the Scottsboro City Council. The council approved the bond issue refinancing. The Scottsboro Board of Education must approve the school bond issues before it becomes final. (photo G. Morgan)

2) The Severe Weather Tax Holiday (Jul 6-8) and the School Sales Tax Holiday (Aug 3-5) was approved.Both issue ordinances were changed to reflect "until reascended." Dates will change but the tax holiday will continue unless the city council cancels the tax holiday. 2) Budget amendment for Commercial Development Authority (CDA) of $15,000 approved. Subsequent years budget line item will be $20,000. 3) Vacancy on Zoning Adjustment Board, applications must be turned into the City Clerk by Thursday, June 21, 2012 by 4:30PM, 3 year appointment. 4) Contract with Barge, Wagner, Sumner and Cannon Engineers for airport improvement approved. 5) New Fire Department Organizational Chart approved allowing a Fire Fighter position to be a driver position. 6) Donation of the Derrick Office building on the north side of the square to the City of Scottsboro approved. The space is 11.5 ft by 50ft. with a small rear outside space of approximately 5ft Demolition by the Street Department and supervised by the City Engineer will begin immediately.

Picture submitted by Mayor which suggests a proposed use of the property. This property is in the historical district and all building or demolition must meet the approval of the Historical Commission. (photo by G. Morgan)

Scottsboro City Council Meeting

Monday April 16, 2012 Scottsboro City Council Meeting was a work session. Boy Scout Troop 444 led the Pledge of Allegiance

The big issue, the unsafe railroad crossing closing at North Broad Street. Mr. Will Miller of Norfolk and Southern Railroad encouraged the city council to take action to close the North Broad Street rail crossing.

Mr. Will Miller of Norfolk & Southern R.R. (photo by G, Morgan)

Miller stated by closing the N. Broad St. crossing the rail road and the State of Alabama Department of Transportation  will install crossing bell and light safety devices at another crossing location. "The cost will be between $200K to $300K," Miller stated.  He also commented:  "I would not come to you tonight if this crossing closing was not an important safety issue. The FRA (Federal Railway Administration) recommends no more than 4 crossings per mile." 

Issues and questions were brought forth by Council member Gary Spears about area safety and evacuation of people during an emergency response in the case of an accident blocking the tracks and isolating the north side of town. Mr. Miller replied:  "People crossing the rail tracks is not the railroad's responsibility, it is a state and local government responsibility; the railroad does not get involved." However, Miller did say Norfolk & southern would gladly cooperate, if asked, in any exercise involving an emergency preparedness exercise. 

Councilman Spears speaks about the issue of community safety and access to citizens north of the railroad in the case of an emergency. (photo by G. Morgan)

Mr. Miller was preparing to leave after the city councils question to him.  Council President Matthew Hodges requested Miller to remain as citizen representatives of the community had questions.

Mr. Howard Hill representing the North Side Community and the Jackson County Voters League spoke.

 Mr. Hill asked the question: "Will closing the crossing make the situation for citizens safer? Norfolk & Southern has an excellent safety record, but in the case of a serious accident involving hazardous materials how will we evacuate and how will emergency responders respond if the rail crossings are blocked." Mayor Potter responded that we are conducting a safety study. 

My comment to this issue: The City of Scottsboro is ill prepared to deal with a hazardous materials disaster which may involve the north side community. A safety study should have already been accomplished. Emergency planning, evacuation and emergency access to the area should have already been planned. The citizens residing and industry located in the area should have already been advised of evacuation procedures and plans. Emergency response planning and preparedness involving the north side of town should receive a high priority for the city-an immediate priority. A lack of preparedness could result in a loss of life.

In other business: 1) The council discussed a $5000 budget amendment for the Fire Department to purchase needed safety equipment and maintain existing equipment. 2) Aquatic weed control: Citizens from the Driftwood Shores community expressed concerns that the area surrounding their boat docks are being infested by nuisance aquatic weeds. They have asked the city council to provide assistance concerning this problem. Mr Deerman, citizen spokesperson for the group stated: "We have approached the Legislative Delegation but they did not make a commitment to help with the project... State Weed Management (apparently the name of a contractor) said they would do the job for $15,600."

My comments: Once again this issue comes forth which should be expected. Clearing areas around public access areas is one issue, but to clear aquatic species from around personal boat docks is another issue. It is notable that not one person from the state, the county or from the city has stood before the TVA Board and requested that they perform their environmental steward leadership responsibilities concerning the control of aquatic nuisance species. There has been no-zero-none professional, impartial state biologist input from the Alabama Department of Conservation or TVA concerning this issue. Nor has there been any long term plan submitted involving this issue. Ladies and gentleman - that is inexcusable.

There is a group which deals directly with aquatic weed control issues in Alabama and the southeast. and associated with the state universities and departments of conservation. Info: "The MidSouth Aquatic Plant Management Society (MSAPMS) is a non-profit organization of scientists, educators, students, resource managers, administrators, and concerned individuals interested in the management and study of aquatic plants in the MidSouth region."  Link:  http://www.msapms.org

Council President Hodges stated he will ask the Roseberry and Driftwood Shores citizens to meet in the attempt to resolve the problem. "We need to be looking for a long term solution to this problem," stated Mr. Hodges. 

Map of the Driftwood Shores area involving the aquatic nuisance species congestion. 

3) Burn Permits issue. A Mr. Deerman approached the city council concerning burn permits in the city. Mr. Deerman suggested the city curtail burning unless there was a fire curtain installed around the burn area. Fire curtains are expensive devices which curtail smoke emissions from burning of rubbish. He stated a used fire curtain would cost approximately $14,000. The council and mayor will be visiting the issue concerning burn permits. 4) CDA, Commercial Development Authority  appointment will be made at Monday's regular council meeting.

Reports: Council Member Bell stated, "in regards to the emergency evacuation for the north side of town there is an evacuation route north of the city up Tupelo Pike." My comment: I discussed this issue with Mr. Bell after the council meeting explaining to him that the issue of evacuation is not as serious as the issue of entry into the north side of the community in the case of a disaster with over a mile of track blocked in the city central location. His reply to me, "go around to Ridgedale Rd." That comment is true, but problematic and insensitive concerning the specific area problems. Delays could cost lives when time is important in the event of a disaster. If the Ridgedale Rd. access was not blocked the response time to an emergency is increased to 15-20 minutes to an area which the response time is normally 5-8 minutes. If the Ridgedale Rd. access was also blocked it is possible that access could not be gained for up to an hour.

It is my perception the citizens of the north side community believe they are being neglected and that city government does not represent the group of citizens north of the railroad tracks fairly. This continues to be a historical problem for Scottsboro.

Scottsboro City Council Work Session Report

The big issue at Monday's City Council work session was a suggestion to close the rail road crossing at North Broad Street in Scottsboro. The Norfolk and Southern Rail Road had been in contact with the city and has requested that 2 crossings be closed.

Mr. King, City Engineer

Scottsboro City Engineer Charles King spoke about the issue. 2 rail road crossings were considered for closing. The Kyle Street crossing and the North Broad Street Crossing. Mr King suggested that only the North Broad Street crossing be closed. It was discussed Monday and last Monday night that the North Broad Street crossing is dangerous due to its track elevation and low approach to the track.

18 North Side residents were present at the work session to express their concerns and demonstrate unity. Mrs. Tiajuana Cotton, speaking in behalf of the Voters League, stated: "The people of the North Side Community feel we are being disenfranchised. There has been one death as a result of blocked rail road crossings. We are very concerned and appalled that any crossing would be closed."

Mrs.Tiajuana  Cotton, Voters League Spokesperson

Mrs. Cotton reminded the council about the several North Side Community residents whose homes were flooded in August 2010.  "The Maple Street flooding issue has not been resolved." Note figure 3-2 in the Flood Mitigation Plan Map, Scottsboro's 2004-2020 Plan at this link Strategic Plan - 2020 - City of Scottsboro, Alabama  Figure 3-2 does not include the Maple Street area as a flood zone. The red asterisks indicates the end of the FEMA flood consideration area at or before the rail road tracks. Maple Street is the street immediately above the rail road tracks. The area north of the middle red asterisk was the area which flooded pictured below.

Figure 3-2 Scottsboro's 2004 2020 Development Plan

 (reference flooding issue: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/08/drainage_problem_in_scottsboro.html and http://arklite.blogspot.com/2011/01/scottsboro-city-council-meeting-maple.html ) Mrs. Cotton continued, "what message are you sending to the community concerning north side residents?" Mrs Cotton closed with the sentiment that it seemed the city council had already decided on closing the rail road crossing.

City Council Member Gary Spears. Mr. Spears stated, "a final decission has not been made to close the crossing."

City Council Member Gary Spears spoke about the possibility of an under or overpass at one of the rail crossings, he also spoke about long waits at crossings.  City Attorney Steve Kennamer stated the issue of an underpass or overpass has been an issue that has been discussed for 40 years.

City Council Member Thermon Bell

City Council Member Carol McCrary

Council Members Bell and McCrary voiced their concern about the rail crossing issue. Both assured citizens there would be no immediate decision made and "we hear your concerns."

City Council President Matthew Hodges

Mr. Hodges stated that the council will need to consider these matters further at another work session to include considering community needs. He assured citizens that no decisions would be made until we look closely at the rail crossing situation.  Daily Sentinel article concerning the issue: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_42812886-72d8-11e1-9505-001871e3ce6c.html

Other Agenda Items: 1) Industrial Development Board position to be filled at Monday's council meeting. 2) Shriner's Roadblock event to collect charitable contributions to be placed on Monday's agenda; date April 1, 2012 8AM to 12PM. 3) Street Department excess property discussion, 13 items to be declared excess property. Sale of property proceeds to be utilized for the Street Department capital expense purchases. 4) Board of Education appointment will not be made next Monday.