Carmen Douglas

The meeting commenced with recognition of the AUM World Series champions, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation. Key discussions included the presentation and request for $50,000 in startup funding for the Pounds of Care Aviation Education Program, which focuses on air traffic control and aircraft mechanics training for youth and workforce development, securing partnerships with entities like Valiant Crossing and Maxwell Air Force Base. Other significant agenda items involved approvals for payments of accounts payable and payroll checks, consideration of various budget change requests supporting tourism and education initiatives, approval of contracts for housing juveniles, an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation regarding road widening on Wasden Road, the approval of the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Transportation Plan, and the termination of a memorandum of understanding with the City of Montgomery. Several miscellaneous appropriations were approved, including funding for Samaritan Counseling Center, Pike Road High School's cheerleading program, and Tuskegee United Women League. Finally, the Commission considered and approved a bid award for re-roofing the Montgomery County Courthouse and contracts for governmental relations services and security equipment for Montgomery Whitewater.

The meeting included presentations and discussions on several key areas. An update was provided regarding the claim summary for the Flatwood Community Center, which was destroyed by a tornado, detailing insurance inspection progress and future steps for reconstruction. Attendees discussed upcoming bid openings for county construction projects, specifically for the NX3 new roof and the courthouse and jail chiller AC replacement. The status of the Emergency Rental Assistance program was reviewed, noting the closure of the application portal due to depleted funds. Discussions also covered personnel matters, including a request for a step increase for hiring a new Elections Director, a position fill request for an IT Systems Manager emphasizing the need for a competitive IT pay scale, and several other position fill and budget change requests across various departments like Appraisal, Community Corrections, Engineering, and the Probate Judge's office. Furthermore, the commission reviewed the DECCA Broadband technical assistance grant awarded in conjunction with the City of Montgomery, emphasizing the need for preparedness regarding future federal broadband funding. Other agenda items included the 2023 renewal of external audit services, an Equitable Sharing Agreement for the District Attorney's office, a lighting services agreement with Alabama Power, and scheduling the 2023 County Cleanup Days.

The information meeting covered several upcoming items for the formal session, including a Proclamation designating Crime Victims' Rights Week, a resolution approving the 2023 back-to-school sales tax holiday, the donation of a decommissioned vehicle to the Sheriff's Office, and miscellaneous appropriations. Significant discussion focused on future agenda items concerning the obligation and transfer of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding through intergovernmental agreements with the City of Montgomery for programs like Critical Home Repair, Small Business Support, and Violent Crime Prevention. Other topics included budget change requests, position fill requests across various departments (Engineering, Personnel, Probate Judge, Sheriff's Office), travel training requests, and board member appointments/reappointments to the Montgomery Area Mental Health Authority and the Montgomery City County Library Board. Bid awards for Sheriff's Office uniforms and a solar message board were also discussed.

The meeting included scheduled visitors providing updates, such as the Director of City County Emergency Management Agency reporting on COVID-19 statistics, including confirmed cases, testing rates, positivity rate, and vaccination progress by race and overall coverage. Discussion items for the formal session covered an alcohol license application for a Dollar General store, Montgomery County's participation in the 2021 back-to-school sales tax holiday, and various miscellaneous appropriations to agencies and education funds. Budget change requests for multiple departments were also considered. The Sheriff presented a service agreement with Crosby Communications for jail security systems, cameras, and locks, which consolidates services and is presented for approval via a rules waiver. Another Sheriff's item involved creating an assignment pay for public safety communication dispatchers assigned to Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on-call status. The Risk Manager requested approval for the second-year scope of work for a multi-year environmental project with the Downtown Environmental Alliance concerning pollution monitoring and remediation efforts. Finally, updates were provided on the Montgomery County Student Apprenticeship Program, including start/end dates, eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and a discussion regarding setting the student pay rate competitively, possibly at nine dollars per hour.

The information meeting included presentations from the Sheriff, Grants Administrator, and Community Corrections Executive Director. Key items for the formal session included a presentation on the FY 2023 County Rebuild Alabama annual report, a resolution to obligate funding to the Consolidated Homeless Service Center Community Partners to mitigate pandemic impact, the adoption of a new flood plane development ordinance amendment, and a contract for Clean Saturday refuse collection. Significant discussion occurred regarding the Consolidated Homeless Service Center funding, specifically questioning the allocation of ARPA funds to partners like the Beacon Center and Map Center, the lack of immediate increase in beds, and the necessity of detailed budgets. The Commission debated tabling the homeless initiative discussion due to lack of clarity on fund usage versus the need for timely decision-making. Additionally, the Sheriff requested consideration for an unbudgeted position fill for a Crime Gun Analyst.