[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6324507,"mediaKeyId","2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f","parentId",2338041,"title","Commission approves routine license amendments, funds geotechnical study for storm shelter and schedules barracks ribbon cutting","audioSeconds",190,"startMs",104000,"endMs",294000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f&start=104&end=294","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f/thumbnail_104000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324507/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Commission-approves-routine-license-amendments-funds-geotechnical-study-for-storm-shelter-and-schedules-barracks-ribbon-cutting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324507-e2db45e4adef7322ce869c20cb7493c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162112&Signature=RkH~MEoe6TO7yJlUHn2EJFe2SJ1JLuBRlBAK4JrhTmaGHZf7~k9W12PAB3qhy6wghPVCxT-RsA8bYDdQaKULNMur6N4giyNG64UZrHDR4g1RLqs-exJ8d~kVbahrzv9sxoJLTE6amc1HS0A5j9cOZaNCbNdrXK~uqhVKOHqNuwrbGKlRgv6FfLMKCCVJagOFS0riPgIb9RLcw11CKVhty7ts52KwAvfEqRtLLnHpP9V13kzSZsfp~IKUMSweHD7umdBW6vsPmZghegVDwn~pziopx0M5d151e0Oiw0m6fCyWoozEEmcaoFNtS6RjRM~6eUawRKs5paQ4kLbQAMwiqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jefferson County, Alabama","date","2025-02-19T03:41:04Z","article","Jefferson County commissioners approved a series of routine administrative items that included amendments to license agreements for county-owned facilities, authorization for a geotechnical study tied to a storm shelter, and a staff announcement about an upcoming ribbon-cutting.

A staff member described amendments to license agreements for county facilities, noting the county owns the facilities and that the license amendments include provisions on billing responsibilities. One license amendment (Mount Olive) will move to an annual basis rather than a multiyear term, per the presenter.

A separate item authorized funding for a geotechnical study for a storm shelter in the amount of $3,700. The presenter identified that amount for the geotechnical study specifically.

Commissioners also heard an announcement inviting the public to a ribbon-cutting at the new police barracks at the academy in Bolzondale, scheduled for noon on Thursday, Feb. 27 (date described in the meeting transcript). The commission approved the routine consent items by voice vote.

The meeting transcript records clarifying exchanges: a commissioner asked for the contract dollar amounts and whether items were in the current budget; staff responded that some items are in the budget process and that hourly rates apply to certain agreements. No roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript; routine items were approved by voice vote with no opposition recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jefferson County Commission is Live!","oneSentenceSummary","County approved license-agreement amendments for county-owned facilities, a $3,700 geotechnical study for a storm shelter, and commissioners promoted a ribbon-cutting at a new police barracks.","taxTitle","taxId",2534,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6324512,"Commissioners press for more direct briefings from lobbyists after recent bills affect county programs",549,1534000,2083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f&start=1534&end=2083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f/thumbnail_1534000.jpg","/articles/6324512/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Commissioners-press-for-more-direct-briefings-from-lobbyists-after-recent-bills-affect-county-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324512-62af739e17c4bcdb7b1d7eba160ab007/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162112&Signature=exvTX6qwp8x1dI~kX3gDzT672m7nzj0pu~62cMi1AHn0SSFk4MhmIVwADycILeFgDRxOFz7IWtbysTOU3UfR9CMF7C7VRMnBkGcWLOQkbg2rEp~QZs71XO1oysStDo-sv19nAN~eNWRdBOsH62vqk4nUcdk9Q7ZPMFf6DOxACSAQzBDSRQCkmnXhAY3wvpaX8xOTJiy-So30tH57-3gBn7KpGH-Lar7T5TMqicRLkR1ZprUEhR2uW1atB3L24Qar72n9A5liqnHy-Hiq3T0dBbXtxYUkK3gCHBU5dCDBAWYU4CgNT9llD7iGzQan0vLYSXWbrX6aJk9hqFuxr9fmfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Jefferson County commissioners requested more proactive briefings from the county’s contracted lobbyists about pending legislation that may affect county budgets and programs.

One commissioner recounted difficulty explaining a prior bill that would have changed the homestead exemption freeze for seniors; the commissioner said they had to contact a state senator to learn details and argued that, because the county pays lobbyists, the lobbyists owe the commission timely briefings. County staff and others noted the difference between local bills (which are advertised) and general bills, and officers said staff will work to improve communication.

Separately, the county manager identified proposed state legislation that would change rules governing log trucks — specifically axle- and weight-related changes — and warned the commission those changes could increase county road and bridge maintenance costs and worsen safety risks. The manager urged the commission to consider opposing the measure and asked for staff support in coordinating with legislators and lobbyists.

Commissioners asked county staff to coordinate with named staff (Greg and Michael on the record) and the county’s lobbying team to arrange briefings when local bills are filed or when pending legislation could have county impacts. The meeting record includes an instruction to ‘‘call. We'll talk to Greg and, and Michael and see what we can come up with.’’

No formal legislative position was adopted at the meeting; commissioners requested staff follow up with lobbyists and report back.","Commissioners asked county leadership to arrange face-to-face briefings by paid lobbyists on pending local legislation, citing past surprises and a need to understand legislative intent and county impacts before bills advance.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6324517,"Commission amends opioid-settlement grant process to limit nonprofits to one application",55,612000,667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f&start=612&end=667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f/thumbnail_612000.jpg","/articles/6324517/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Commission-amends-opioid-settlement-grant-process-to-limit-nonprofits-to-one-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324517-50798222602f8953e1c420ac13ec2c6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162112&Signature=defAEimSor1aVN6wg85kRbzpw0MYFT3~71SchhxNZVrd6vV-umepaG1E9LlApdhlSvdPB~~A73TflspH1YD50uxfsvHw1kOrRZ2B~43xm0ZlUoHv6536GxndDgl-A3WiI6OFArAg2Pd1lUqdSLYvhsreGEFnC0BpiuTgpyNQD7j1gpxAPQeM07D7ZQiSGVlRg3MPnB5YacKgIPFWsDaFATqv6qbMjbwDk50yoa-enLw8I2eBi9lHkxPFUe-ZXCLOVWsBCe2dkPYFNqB6Itw~nCEOt38VLIdzn-QOj65DCFqrYnbkqWXwc62NA4zBSh3uMYlPNIVYcgtz0WNE2OYXPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jefferson County Commission approved an amendment to the county’s opioid-settlement fund grant procedures that limits nonprofit organizations to a single application purpose per funding cycle.

County staff described two related agenda items: an equipment agreement with Newtown and an amendment to the opioid funding process that restricts nonprofits to one application. Staff said the change is intended to prevent organizations from submitting multiple unrelated applications for the same funding round; the amendment does not limit applications from public-safety or government entities.

A brief discussion touched on whether nonprofits face a monetary cap under the amendment; staff said the amendment limits the number of applications per nonprofit but does not set a specific dollar cap at this time. Commissioners asked about usage by first responders and treatment providers; staff said first responders and educational/treatment providers have been primary applicants and remain eligible.

Commissioners approved the amendments by voice vote. The commission also discussed (in a separate comment) rapid drug-testing equipment used by coroners and other agencies; staff noted the county has multiple types of rapid analyzers and said equipment needs vary by agency.

The meeting transcript does not show a roll-call tally; the record indicates the amendments were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with no opposition recorded on the transcript.","Jefferson County approved amendments to its opioid-settlement fund grant process to limit nonprofit applicants to one application per funding cycle; the change does not apply to government entities or public-safety applicants.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6324521,"Commission approves Roads & Transportation package including MPO preliminary engineering agreement",140,400000,540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f&start=400&end=540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f/thumbnail_400000.jpg","/articles/6324521/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Commission-approves-Roads-Transportation-package-including-MPO-preliminary-engineering-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324521-4cc53b364dc22dc93469262d02a15e9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162112&Signature=VgNDFPRx9dp~eOaGAG-cwSAgozkpZOST8tNAzmN4rE3~GLPUXtTmFJkHjYRqw4Y5lNT~Z24ZxrhzFXMFhx9rGWcBgFp9yVu6OTdxtJxbvmiDrrQ1miuQmXCvtFBaPSnUGHbQj4h~TzDUfIiyBTxQIX4X~ejVhJoyB1ZuMsWHwPTX31p-24G-VNHXcACcCQK6HXb-TYOjBY3Ii9lkE6HGSFkWNjPqJ87m-ZygXQJyUH9Nc6rCGiRb9Qx2jsSS7WKizk9AKzmSazYJXOENkyy1EV-~cUECNfoLU4Cfg3jzQyWyTmLXK2c3c4RLpI3Mf~e4UZdYQoou667ZL2hVA3Or8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jefferson County Commission approved a group of Roads & Transportation items that included a preliminary-engineering agreement with the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for carbon-reduction funds and one-year renewals of on-call appraisal contracts.

A presenter described item 1 as an agreement with the MPO for preliminary engineering using carbon-reduction funds; the presenter said the county contribution would be $200,000 and that the MPO award would be $800,000 to support signal-optimization work countywide. The presenter described the work as signal optimization around the county. The transcript statement was: “we pay 200,000, we get 800,000.” The presenter also referred to multiple on-call appraisal contracts (items 2–6) being renewed for one additional year pending a new RFP process.

Items including easements for a gas company on county property and an agreement to place a sanitary sewer line across railroad property were also included in the committee package and moved together. The presenter said the MPO funds are “committed and obligated” by the MPO, and that the county will receive the award.

Commissioners moved and seconded the package for items 1–10; the motion carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition on the transcript.

The meeting did not include a line-item budget detail in the public discussion; the presenter stated hourly rates apply to some contracts and noted the appraisal work requires specialized outside expertise.

Because some budget figures in the oral presentation were abbreviated or spoken informally, the county’s posted agenda and contract documents should be consulted for exact dollar amounts and schedule commitments.","The commission approved a Roads & Transportation package that included a preliminary engineering agreement with the MPO for carbon-reduction funds and renewal of on-call appraisal contracts; commissioners discussed signal-optimization work countywide.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6324526,"Jefferson County commissioners approve nuisance demolitions and debate post-demolition redevelopment plans",476,856000,1332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f&start=856&end=1332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338041-4614cb181cfe2cd24750813c2b72566f/thumbnail_856000.jpg","/articles/6324526/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Jefferson-County-commissioners-approve-nuisance-demolitions-and-debate-post-demolition-redevelopment-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324526-f1f1da4d4f98607dd29b782a87d9135f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162112&Signature=Xxp3ZrVFQ5PnoRpOHsEadjh-qcqJh1lrRvPv-dXrBxmST7ZOWlLf5Xz~uRtlgBEHdAiM3~aYvZ2oCzNxHm9wUgCaZPOuO0oTpj6Oz2oF~0z3PZMm2IQIaE5e02vkUTnQz4ill-a7uO20ylhxasPlHdBxAyt--aU~jqMWsvG8yDZ4die~Y7xATTTpK1CrtcixKottCQEM5CD1DT-cxyjJ96iKFM8LVykff7vT-Pcs2JTXelvTjAIcnsiu9~LHU6P-LqxAwqcGa-faVysoGaZvmqB8~rP7FbkX338ijud9nkozCLxCns3FgPTk1OC6Aldg4c0q5Py9xAOmY-TJztJZZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jefferson County Commission approved a set of nuisance-demolition items and spent extended time discussing how the county should handle redevelopment of lots after structures are removed.

Commissioners approved ‘‘items 1 through 11’’ covering demolition liens and abatement for properties previously declared public nuisances. Members moved and seconded the package, and the motion passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded on the transcript.

The discussion that followed focused on what the county should do with cleared lots. Several commissioners urged the county to move beyond demolition to active redevelopment — for example, by partnering with Habitat for Humanity or similar nonprofits and by creating a county funding bucket to acquire and rehabilitate parcels where liens and low sale prices make redevelopment feasible.

County staff described the legal limits of the county’s authority: the county’s current process covers abating structures declared nuisances and placing liens to recover demolition costs. Staff said the county’s authority in these matters stops after structure abatement; separate weed or vegetation enforcement is handled under different provisions.

Commissioners pressed for follow-up actions. One commissioner asked county staff (referenced by name in the meeting as Darren and Josh) to meet and outline redevelopment areas and options so the commission could consider budget allocations next year. Commissioners referred to a recent count of cleared lots—“56 lots that have been cleaned off,” as cited during the meeting—and suggested creating a fund to cover small acquisition gaps (examples discussed included liens of roughly $5,000 and sample acquisition scenarios described informally during debate).

No specific redevelopment funding was adopted at the meeting; instead the commission directed staff to develop options for possible inclusion in future budgets and to pursue partnerships with nonprofit housing providers.

Votes at the meeting record the package motion as approved by unanimous voice vote; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally.

The discussion underscores a recurring county issue: demolition resolves immediate safety and blight concerns but raises follow-up questions about reuse, maintenance, and investment in unincorporated communities.

Looking ahead, commissioners asked staff to return with redevelopment proposals and suggested the commission consider budgeting a small acquisition/redevelopment pool in an upcoming fiscal cycle.","The Jefferson County Commission approved a package of nuisance-demolition items and discussed using county resources and nonprofit partners to redevelop cleared lots, including proposals to set aside funds and coordinate with Habitat for Humanity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves routine license amendments, funds geotechnical study for storm shelter and schedules barracks ribbon cutting

Commissioners press for more direct briefings from lobbyists after recent bills affect county programs

Commission amends opioid-settlement grant process to limit nonprofits to one application

Commission approves Roads & Transportation package including MPO preliminary engineering agreement

Jefferson County commissioners approve nuisance demolitions and debate post-demolition redevelopment plans