Calhoun County Commission unanimously approves nuisance abatements, contract extensions and multiple appointments

The Calhoun County Commission met on July 25, 2024 in Anniston and, in a series of unanimous voice votes, approved a slate of administrative actions including nuisance abatements, contract extensions, purchases and appointments.

Chairwoman Henderson called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.; Commissioners approved the agenda and the minutes of the prior meeting. Environmental Programs Manager Kraig Mize presented multiple nuisance items: the Commission voted to proceed with abatements on eight properties identified in Anniston, Weaver and Jacksonville and to dismiss nuisances on a separate list of eight properties. Mize also recommended declaring 11 additional properties nuisances; the Commission tabled one property (29 Lloyds Road) at Mize’s request after he reported speaking with a family member and declared the remaining properties as public nuisances. During that discussion, Aaron Jackson said he plans to renovate the property at 4836 Saks Road and Brianne Wade said she was willing to help resolve the nuisance at 1407 Parkwood Drive.

Mize asked the board to approve three invoices representing removal costs: $576.00 for 1307 Russell Drive (Weaver), $301.00 for 4900 Saks Road (Anniston) and $826.00 for 116 Ridgeview Drive (Alexandria). Commissioners approved those invoices by unanimous voice vote.

County Administrator Jonathan Gaddy presented several procurement and contract items. The Commission extended the bid for jail inmate supplies with Bob Barker Company for one year with no price changes. It similarly extended multiple Highway Department bids (plantmix in place; FOB plant and FOB cold mix; aluminum signs; signposts; traffic stripe; crushed granite; and park/rec supplies) for an additional year at unchanged prices.

Gaddy also brought two employment-contract modifications for board approval: a three-year modification for the Project Manager/Land Surveyor (effective Sept. 30, 2024–Sept. 30, 2027) and a three-year modification for the Solid Waste Programs Manager with the same term. The Commission authorized the chairman to sign both contract modifications.

Other approvals included an easement requested by Alabama Power to run power equipment at Ladiga Landing, and a resolution authorizing the purchase of a Caterpillar 265 Compact Track Loader for the county landfill at $102,865.00 for FY2025.

The Commission authorized modification of the jail lease agreement with the City of Anniston covering Aug. 1, 2024–July 31, 2029. It also approved participation in a 2023 Memorandum of Participation (MOP) for a full valuation of Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) to be performed by Cavanaugh Macdonald Consulting, LLC.

The board declared several roll-off bins assigned to the Recycling Department surplus and authorized their sale on gov.deals. The Commission accepted the FY2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Cooperative Agreement, noting a state allocation of $2,979.00, and authorized joining an application with the East Alabama Regional Planning Commission for a Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.

Appointments and committee assignments were handled by unanimous votes: Michael Poe was reappointed to the Rails-to-Trails Board (District 2) for a five-year term beginning Aug. 1, 2024; Thomas Downing was reappointed to the Rails-to-Trails Board (District 3) for the same term; Robbie Hines was appointed to fill the unexpired District 4 seat on the Department of Human Resources Board; and Everette Studdard was appointed to fill the unexpired District 2 seat on the Beautification Board. The Commission accepted the Revenue Commissioner’s Report of Insolvent and Litigations for tax year 2023, which reported $31,678.28 collected, and appointed Commissioner Lee Patterson to the 2024–2025 ACCA Legislative Committee.

During public comments, Dr. David West (County Extension Coordinator) thanked the Commission for attending the Beautification Board Award Luncheon. Chandy Gordon of A.S.A.P. invited commissioners to a Faith-Based Support Specialist Training Conference in Oxford on Sept. 19–20. Britney Knox of the Department of Human Resources announced a county job fair on Aug. 14. Audrey Maxwell, the Chamber of Commerce tourism director, said plans for the Freedom Riders National Monument are progressing and noted that Calhoun County and the cities of Anniston and Oxford will participate in Alabama’s Restaurant Week, Aug. 17–24, 2024. Lee Evancho thanked the Commission for support of the Blue Line Foundation.

The next regular meeting was announced for Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The Commission concluded routine business after the announcements.