The Grady County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 with Chairperson TD David, Vice-Chairperson LaFaye Copeland, Commissioners Charles Norton, Billy Poitivent and Elwyn Childs in attendance. Also present were County Attorney Kevin Cauley, County Administrator Carlos Tobar and County Clerk Carrie Kines.

Mr. David called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:00 am and asked Mr. Poitivent to offer the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Poitivent made a motion to adopt the Agenda with Mrs. Copeland making the second. The Board unanimously approved.

Mr. David called for Public Comments. Mr. Richard Kuhne, Lewis Estates, spoke to the Board about the proposed paving project. He stated that the lower part of Lewis Lane also needs paving.

Mr. Owen Sampson, 121 Ledford Road, advised the Board of the drainage problem on Ledford Road and state a culvert was needed.

Mr. David closed the Regular Meeting and opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of discussing the CDBG Grant. Mr. Tobar began the Public Hearing by reading the Grant Allowances.

Mr. Richard Kuhne, Lewis Estates, spoke again about the need for more roads to be paved. Mr. Kuhne at this time presented to the County Attorney paperwork threatening legal action against the County.

With no other participation, the Public Hearing was closed and the Regular Meeting resumed.

Ms. Vonnie McCormick, from the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe, provided the Board with a history of the local tribe and invited then to the activities October 17-19. Ms. McCormick also asked the Board for a letter of support to receive Federal Recognition which will allow the local tribe to become a legal entity of the Federal Government. Mr. Poitivent made a motion for the letter of support to be prepared and authorized the Chairman to sign. Mrs. Copeland made the second with the Board giving their unanimous approval.

Schnabel Engineering requested the Board approval for a Change Order to a second Borrow Pit for dirt to complete the Dam. A lengthy discussion occurred. Mrs. Copeland made a motion to approve the Change Order opening a Second Borrow Pit at a cost of $63,215.90 in anticipation of a return in Professional Services from Schnabel. Mr. Norton made the second with their Board giving their unanimous approval.

Mrs. Phyllis Gainous, Tax Commissioner, advised the Board that there are six parcels that she has been unable to see at Tax Sales. The City of Cairo wants one of the pieces of property and is asking the County to waive the interest and penalties. Mr. Norton made the motion to waive the interest and penalties on the tract for the City’s purchase with Mrs. Copeland making the second. The Board gave their unanimous approval. It was the consensus of the Board to allow Mrs. Gainous to waive the penalties and interest on the remaining five properties if there was an interested buyer.

Chairman David read the Proclamation regarding National 4-H Week. He recognized the 4-Hers present. The Board at this time recessed for a break to enjoy refreshments provided by the 4H Club.

Mr. Tobar advised the Board of the repaving of 20th Street which is jointly owned with the City. At a recent JDA meeting, Mr. Tobar was asked to help with the search for funds. It was the consensus of the Board to allow:

The Following Correspondence was reviewed:

  • The Calendar of Events
  • A Notice of the ACCG Fall District Meetings. The Meeting will be Tuesday, November 18th. Mrs. Copeland, Mr. David, Mr. Poitivent, Mr. Childs and Mr. Tobar wish to attend.
  • Notice of the Domestic Violence Walk to be held October 23, 2014.
  • Minutes from the August 7th Lake Authority Meeting
  • The Grand Jury Presentments from the September 2014 Term
  • A notice of the upcoming Red Ribbon Week Activities

Mr. Childs made a motion to approve the following Consent Items with Mrs. Copeland making the second. The Board unanimously approved the Consent Items as listed:

  • Approval of the Minutes – September 16, 2014 Regular Meeting
  • Change the Time of the October 21, 2014 Regular Scheduled Meeting
  • Allocate the 2015 LMIG Funding
  • Invitation to participate in the Christmas Parade
  • Ratify two Verbal Approvals:
  • Knight Forestry in the amount of $9,491.68 for Excavator repairs
  • $154,000.00 to Brad Cole Construction for Water Control

Mr. Tobar included an item to Formal Action. He asked the Board to ratify their verbal approval to purchase a new serve from Rumbles in the amount of $3,500.00. The other bid received was from Harris in the amount of $6,079.84. Mrs. Copeland made a motion to ratify the Board’s verbal approval to purchase the server with Mr. Childs making the second. The Board unanimously approved the motion.

Mr. Childs made a motion to prepare a resolution authorizing Carlos to act as agent for the website. Mrs. Copeland made the second with the Board giving their unanimous approval.

Mrs. Copeland asked the progress of the City of Whigham purchasing sewer.

Mr. David would like to see different working documents be included on the tablets.

Mr. Norton has several items he brought to the Board’s attention:

  • He advised of the Midway Music Festival and asked if an ambulance could be at the scene that day. The board was in agreements to have an ambulance present that day
  • He asked when the advertisement for Fire Department Coordinator would begin.

Mr. Norton made a motion to adjourn with Mr. Poitivent making the second. The Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting.