Scottsboro, Alabama - September 16, 2019 Scottsboro City Council Work Session, City Jail Inmate Trustee Policy Change, Citizen Comments by Billy Jack Kirby on Truck Routes and Robbie Copenhaver on New Restaurant Development Stress

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G, Morgan

--Scottsboro City Jail Inmate Trustee Temporary Policy Change--

Due to allegations regarding jail trustees and a subsequent investigation into city jail inmate trustee management, the inmate trustee program has been temporarily suspended according to Police Chief Ralph Dawe. Currently there is 1 trustee utilized at the Scottsboro Landfill, all other trustee programs are temporarily suspended. The trustee program will be reinstated soon, said Chief Dawe.

--Agenda Item 1, Development Tax Abatement/Rebate for Economic Development--

Agenda Item 1 regarding a tax abatement/rebate for Economic Development involving a 10 acre development project on John T. Reid Parkway, U.S. Hwy 72, by Hutton Development of Chattanooga, Tn. The property being considered for the development project is between Dunham's Sporting Goods and Kentucky Fried Chicken, former Shoneys and the #1 China Restaurant including the land behind the former restaurant location. The Hutton Development proposal involves developing property at that location for a fast food restaurant and further retail use. The property is currently owned by Garcia Properties.

Rumors have been circulating that the location would be utilized for a "Chick-Fil-A" restaurant. Hutton Development personnel in an interview after their city council presentation did not disclose a  specific company site usage regarding a fast food restaurant at the proposed location. 

Robbie Copenhaver, franchise owner of the local Captain D Restaurant, spoke during the delegation portion of the council session in opposition to a restaurant tax abatement at that location. Mr. Copenhaver's presentation may be seen at the end of the city council video below.

--Billy Jack Kirby on Cecil Street Truck Route vs Porter Road--

Billy Jack Kirby made a presentation regarding the Truck Route at Cecil Street. The citizens living on Cecil Street oppose Cecil Street as the Truck Route. Mr. Kirby brought forward an agreement between the State of Alabama and the City of Scottsboro regarding Porter Road as the Truck Route, stating the Mayor of Scottsboro in 2012 signed an agreement with the State of Alabama that Porter Rd. must be designated as a Truck Route. City Attorney Steve Kennamer stated the City Council did not sign the 1995 agreement, further stating: "It takes the council's actions to make it official for the city." Mr. Kirby and Mr. Kennamers dates as to the agreement in question did not coincide with each other.

AGENDA

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VIDEOS

Scottsboro, Alabama - August 26, 2019 - Scottsboro City Council Regular Session - Cecil Street Designated as Truck Route

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

Truck Route designated as Cecil Street - huh? Was there a sit down with all concerned regarding receivers and shippers, was the Mayor and Police chief involved in the decision making? What is this about Phase 2, permitting (That is a disaster in the making.) and maybe Phase 3? Does the city council know what they are doing regarding this issue? 

THE ANSWER - NO - The city council must communicate effectively with the appropriate city officials and those businesses this will effect. 

MR PATRICK STEWART, CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT, and others, it seems you are more concerned about your electability and appeasement of a few rather than leadership and sensible decision making. 

BRAVO to Mr. Bailey for voting no on the designation of Cecil Street as the truck route.

Note the traffic pattern problems of Cecil St. there are many times big trucks exiting off or onto Cecil St. with this traffic pattern would not be able to make the turns onto or off of S. Broad St. without hitting another vehicle. The current traffic pattern, turn lanes, does not facilitate turning without traffic congestion, backups or collision. 

AGENDA

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VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama July 22, 2019 - Scottsboro City Council Regular Session

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

Problems continue with truck routes and 18 wheel vehicles turning onto home areas off of the truck route.

AGENDA

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, Alabama October 1, 2018 Scottsboro City Council Work Session

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

Truck Routes were brought up once again, the idea of making Cedar Hill Drive a truck route is a mistake. Photo by Google Maps, Cedar Hill Drive, Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary.

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama September 10, 2018 - Scottsboro City Council - Regular Session and Work Session - Certificates of Election Presented to Richard "Pudge" Bailey and Gary Stewart

Scottsboro City Hall - photo by G. Morgan

CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION VIDEO

AGENDA FOR REGULAR SESSION

VIDEO REGULAR SESSION

                        4th ANNUAL SCOTTSBORO BBQ COOK-OFF
              (agenda item 2 -Click on image for an expanded view.)

                                           WORK SESSION AGENDA

VIDEO OF WORK SESSION

August 20, 2018 - Scottsboro, Alabama - Scottsboro City Council Work Session - Questions Regarding Nuisance Property, Lack of Action From City and Timber Cutting on City Property

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

VIDEO

Part 1 Alternative Sentencing Program

Part 2 Agenda Items 2 - 8

Part 3 Delegations, Citizen Questions 

Scottsboro City Council Regular Session - Porter Road Public Hearing - August 28, 2017 - Past Videos on Porter Road Issue

Scottsboro City Hall photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

VIDEO

Porter Road public input begins at 22:10 in the video.

Blast from the past - previous videos about Porter road. This is not the first time residents have been up in arms about Porter Road.