Merry Christmas to all! The City Council held the last business meeting of 2008 this evening. There was a short agenda this evening with only two topics of old business which needed discussion or action. The first order of business was to resolve some questions relative to the proposed use of RPS for our ambulance service. The management team from RPS was unable to attend this evening, so we tabled any discussion until the first meeting of 2009. At that time, we'll have both RPS and our current provider, Northwest Hospital, available to resolve any questions or issues with the services they provide.
The final order of business was to take action on a annual one time payment given to city employees. While this has traditionally been approved for our employees as a Christmas time supplement to their salaries, we had to take a closer look this year at the city's financial picture to determine if it was feasible to release such payment. The finance committee reviewed our situation resolving that if any payment would be made, it would have to be reduced from last year's amount. That amount was equal to one week's salary of each employee. So, tonight, Elaine Junkin motioned that each full time employee receive a $200 one time payment, while part time employees would receive a $50 supplement. The motion gained a second, but was voted down on a 4 - 3 vote. Those voting for the proposal were Mayor Segraves, Elaine Junkin, and Phillip Garrison and those against were myself, Cerell Metcalf, Boozer Pinkerton, and Gary Randolph. Mineo Lindsey had to leave the session early in preparation for the lead role in his church musical and was not present for the vote. For me personally, this was the hardest decision I've ever made as a council member given the effect it would have on people I consider friends and employees who deserve much more than what the city can afford to pay them. We have a great workforce in the city of Guin and, by no means, is my vote a reflection on their performance. It was strictly based on the financial situation of our city and the economic conditions we're currently facing. It is my hope that this is a short term problem and we can continue this payment again next year.
In other news, the city accountant gave us an update on the budget cuts our department heads have proposed for 2009. Overall, we're looking at a projected $100,000 reduction in expenses over the next year. The details of those reductions are still being finalized and will be presented at a later date.
Finally, I again wish each and everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy, Safe, and Prosperous New Year. This is my favorite time of year. God has blessed me and Heather with wonderful families and so many close friends that we get to spend time with during the holidays. I wish you all the same blessings. See you next year and Roll Tide! ;-)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
City News - December 1, 2008
There were several items on the agenda for tonight's meeting. In new business, Mike Knight and another gentleman approached the council for permission to organize unified public prayer meetings within the city during one day of each month. Those meetings are currently going on in neighboring communities and are scheduled for 10 A.M. on the second Saturday of each month. The council unanimously agreed to allow those meetings within the city and on city property if they so choose.
In old business, we took action to alleviate the shortfall the city's endured related to garbage pickup. The council decided unanimously to increase rates across the board. Residential and business customers will all see an increase of $4 per month, while the minimum fee for special pickups will increase to $15 from $10. Councilman Pinkerton also proposed that we place $1.25 per customer per month in a fund which will be used for maintenance costs related to our current truck and to purchase a new truck when it's appropriate. That proposal was also accepted, but will not go into effect for one year to allow the city to recover some of the shortfall we've seen in recent years. It is a goal of this council to become as efficient as possible to minimize or eliminate the need to borrow money for such projects. Mr. Pinkerton's proposal is a step in the right direction.
In other old business, we accepted a proposal from RPS (Regional Paramedical Services) to provide ambulance service to the city of Guin. This service includes stationing an ambulance inside the city limits which will serve the citizens of Guin and surrounding communities. The service comes at no cost to the city. RPS will man the truck with two people at all times including at least one certified paramedic. They will deliver to the hospital of the patient's choice given they are stable enough to do so, but will deliver to the closest hospital when that's not the case. Their service would also provide us with an additional ambulance as needed if the primary truck is on a run. If they can't get a backup to a location quick enough, they can and will call on other local companies to provide coverage as needed.
In other news, we tabled a proposed annual one time payment to city employees to allow the finance committee an opportunity to review our current finances.
Our current administration just completed their first month on the job and I want to personally thank each and every member for the work that's being done to move Guin forward. It's been a pleasure, thus far, to work with a group of people who really have the best for Guin in mind.
One final note, please remember that Guin's Christmas Parade will be next Monday. I encourage all civic groups, churches, athletic teams, etc.. to take part in the parade. If not, please make plans to be downtown next Monday to watch and enjoy.
In old business, we took action to alleviate the shortfall the city's endured related to garbage pickup. The council decided unanimously to increase rates across the board. Residential and business customers will all see an increase of $4 per month, while the minimum fee for special pickups will increase to $15 from $10. Councilman Pinkerton also proposed that we place $1.25 per customer per month in a fund which will be used for maintenance costs related to our current truck and to purchase a new truck when it's appropriate. That proposal was also accepted, but will not go into effect for one year to allow the city to recover some of the shortfall we've seen in recent years. It is a goal of this council to become as efficient as possible to minimize or eliminate the need to borrow money for such projects. Mr. Pinkerton's proposal is a step in the right direction.
In other old business, we accepted a proposal from RPS (Regional Paramedical Services) to provide ambulance service to the city of Guin. This service includes stationing an ambulance inside the city limits which will serve the citizens of Guin and surrounding communities. The service comes at no cost to the city. RPS will man the truck with two people at all times including at least one certified paramedic. They will deliver to the hospital of the patient's choice given they are stable enough to do so, but will deliver to the closest hospital when that's not the case. Their service would also provide us with an additional ambulance as needed if the primary truck is on a run. If they can't get a backup to a location quick enough, they can and will call on other local companies to provide coverage as needed.
In other news, we tabled a proposed annual one time payment to city employees to allow the finance committee an opportunity to review our current finances.
Our current administration just completed their first month on the job and I want to personally thank each and every member for the work that's being done to move Guin forward. It's been a pleasure, thus far, to work with a group of people who really have the best for Guin in mind.
One final note, please remember that Guin's Christmas Parade will be next Monday. I encourage all civic groups, churches, athletic teams, etc.. to take part in the parade. If not, please make plans to be downtown next Monday to watch and enjoy.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Thank You En Evant Study Club!
I want to thank the En Evant Study Club and their junior counterparts, the Leas(sp?), for the wonderful dinner this evening. The food, as always, was amazing. Each year, they honor our community leaders and volunteers with a dinner cooked by their members. While En Evant was the honoring group this evening, the services they provide our community are just as important as those who they recognized tonight. As I've talked about many times, it's so important to have a community which is willing to go the extra mile to move Guin forward and that's what we have here.
On a personal note, Heather and I found out yesterday that we're having a little baby girl. She is due in April and will be named Ava Kerrington Bellew.
On a personal note, Heather and I found out yesterday that we're having a little baby girl. She is due in April and will be named Ava Kerrington Bellew.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Guin's New Administration Sworn In To Office
Tonight, Marion County's Circuit Clerk, Sheila Bozeman, swore in your newly elected administration for the four year term beginning November 1, 2008. We then carried out the organizational meeting making several required appointments and establishing our rules of procedure. The following appointments were made and unanimously agreed upon by the council:
Chairman Pro Tem - Elaine Junkin
NW AL Gas Board Member - Mayor Phil Segraves
Police Chief - G.B. Blaylock
Fire Chief - Eddie Gunter
City Clerk - Norma Nelson
Court Clerk - Terri Dennis
Bank Deposits - Wachovia
Special Accounts - State Bank and Trust
City Attorney - Jerry Hester
We also agreed upon using Robert's Rules of Order as our model for meeting procedure. There was one amendment, though. We agreed that agendas will be established before the meeting and any changes requiring action would be approved by majority vote before the meeting begins. This will help us keep order and will allow everyone the opportunity to be properly informed of items requiring our attention.
I sincerely believe we now have a council which is willing to work together for the betterment for our city. I look forward to the exciting and challenging opportunities we'll face over the next four years. Thank you again for entrusting me to this position. I'll continue to use this outlet as a two way discussion on the issues facing our city. Please feel free to pass on your concerns publicly through the blog's comment section or privately at bobbybellew@gmail.com.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Guin Park and Rec Haunted House
Guin Park and Rec are putting on a Haunted House at the National Guard Armory in Guin. The cost for entrance is $6. Children 12 and under will need a parent or guardian with them for entrance. The hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday this week from 6:30 - 11 P.M. and Saturday from 6:30 until all patrons have been served. Please make an effort to get out and visit and encourage others to as well. I have had the pleasure of helping with the constuction and can assure you that it's well worth the $6 you'll pay to get in.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Journal Record Article On October 6th Council Meeting
The Journal Record's Saturday edition has an article outlining our most recent City Council meeting. You can check it out at http://www.myjrpaper.com.
As always, remember the on-line Journal Record articles are not archived and will be unavailable for viewing when the next edition is published.
As always, remember the on-line Journal Record articles are not archived and will be unavailable for viewing when the next edition is published.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Journal Record Article On Guin's 2007 Census Numbers
Wednesday's Journal Record has an article outlining the Mayor's efforts to challenge Guin's 2007 census figures and why those numbers are so important. You can find the online version at http://www.myjrpaper.com.
Please remember the Journal Record has no archive feature and the current newspaper will be replaced when the next edition is published.
Please remember the Journal Record has no archive feature and the current newspaper will be replaced when the next edition is published.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
City News - October 6th, 2008
After last night's city council meeting, we're now down to one meeting left in this administration. There was not a lot of business on the agenda, but we did take action on one item.
The Marion County Commission requests funding each year from each municipality to help with resources they provide to the county. The amount requested is determined by population numbers with the larger municipalities taking on the larger portion of the funding. It should be noted that the County Commission takes on approximately half of the funding and the municipalities split the other half. The funding requested of Guin is as follows:
Communication - $21,548.15
Drug Task Force - $11,480.43
Emergency Management - $3127.99
Communication is primarily for the base communications of the entire county. The Drug Task Force is self explanatory. Unfortunately, we have used their services much more that we'd like here in Guin. The cost involved in the cleanup of these labs alone would run into tens of thousands of dollars per year per municipality without the service provided by our Drug Task Force. The Emergency Management Agency provides our county with those services needed during disasters of any kind.
The City Council agreed to fund our portion of these appropriations given the services they provide and the criticality of those services. The appropriations will be paid monthly rather than in a one time lump sum payment.
The other item on the agenda was old business related to the total cost the city incurs for our garbage service. Over the last several years, we've seen significant increases in our per ton use of the transfer station, fuel surcharges, environmental fees, and several other increases associated with providing this service. Given those increases, the city has to find a way to cover the shortfall we've seen in recent years associated with this service. There are a couple of options on the table for covering that shortfall including rate increases or contracting the work out. We have tabled action on this item until the next meeting so we may have a complete understanding of the issue.
Notes of Interest:
The Marion County High School volleyball team is ranked number 10 in the latest state high school volleyball poll for 1A. Amy Parker and her kids have been very successful in recent years in a sport which is fairly new to our high school. If you get an opportunity, please take time to go out and support these ladies.
The Marion County High School football team plays at home Friday night against Parrish High School. The team is very young this year and is taking it's lumps in a very competitive region for football. Please take time to go out and support these young men. They work very hard each week and need our support.
Missy Miles has completed the mural downtown behind our city fountain. She has done amazing work and has really improved the aesthetic quality of our downtown area.
An access road is currently being built into our industrial property along Interstate-22. Work should be completed in the coming weeks. This road will be an important recruiting tool as we look to bring industry to Guin.
Please encourage those candidates who still have signs up around town to remove them. Signs can be very helpful during a campaign, but those candidates also have a responsibility to clean them up when the campaign ends. We should all want our city to be beautiful and attractive to our citizens and those who visit. These signs take away from that beauty.
The Marion County Commission requests funding each year from each municipality to help with resources they provide to the county. The amount requested is determined by population numbers with the larger municipalities taking on the larger portion of the funding. It should be noted that the County Commission takes on approximately half of the funding and the municipalities split the other half. The funding requested of Guin is as follows:
Communication - $21,548.15
Drug Task Force - $11,480.43
Emergency Management - $3127.99
Communication is primarily for the base communications of the entire county. The Drug Task Force is self explanatory. Unfortunately, we have used their services much more that we'd like here in Guin. The cost involved in the cleanup of these labs alone would run into tens of thousands of dollars per year per municipality without the service provided by our Drug Task Force. The Emergency Management Agency provides our county with those services needed during disasters of any kind.
The City Council agreed to fund our portion of these appropriations given the services they provide and the criticality of those services. The appropriations will be paid monthly rather than in a one time lump sum payment.
The other item on the agenda was old business related to the total cost the city incurs for our garbage service. Over the last several years, we've seen significant increases in our per ton use of the transfer station, fuel surcharges, environmental fees, and several other increases associated with providing this service. Given those increases, the city has to find a way to cover the shortfall we've seen in recent years associated with this service. There are a couple of options on the table for covering that shortfall including rate increases or contracting the work out. We have tabled action on this item until the next meeting so we may have a complete understanding of the issue.
Notes of Interest:
The Marion County High School volleyball team is ranked number 10 in the latest state high school volleyball poll for 1A. Amy Parker and her kids have been very successful in recent years in a sport which is fairly new to our high school. If you get an opportunity, please take time to go out and support these ladies.
The Marion County High School football team plays at home Friday night against Parrish High School. The team is very young this year and is taking it's lumps in a very competitive region for football. Please take time to go out and support these young men. They work very hard each week and need our support.
Missy Miles has completed the mural downtown behind our city fountain. She has done amazing work and has really improved the aesthetic quality of our downtown area.
An access road is currently being built into our industrial property along Interstate-22. Work should be completed in the coming weeks. This road will be an important recruiting tool as we look to bring industry to Guin.
Please encourage those candidates who still have signs up around town to remove them. Signs can be very helpful during a campaign, but those candidates also have a responsibility to clean them up when the campaign ends. We should all want our city to be beautiful and attractive to our citizens and those who visit. These signs take away from that beauty.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
City News - September 15, 2008
Very short agenda tonight with only two items discussed.
Due to increased costs over the past year and the Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Management Act, the rate per ton for using the Little Creek Transfer Station is increasing by $2.61 per ton, plus additional environmental fees and fuel surcharges. While there was no action taken on this issue tonight, this was passed on to the finance committee for further investigation on the true cost to the city.
The only other item on the agenda was to resolve to be included in Governor Riley's promotion called The Year of Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns. We did approve such resolution. The idea is to promote a homecoming weekend in which former residents or visitors are invited to return, walking tours of the city will be lead, a historic marker paid for by Alabama Tourism will be unveiled, and a civic project of some sort will be dedicated. There will be other activities yet to be determined, but the event may coincide with Mayfest. With Governor Riley expected to visit several of the cities participating, this could be a great way to promote our beautiful city.
Unfortunately, I was traveling for work and missed our previous council meeting, but here are the issues discussed at that meeting.
A resolution from the Retirement Systems of Alabama was passed to allow a one time lump sum payment for our retirees costing the city $1729.00.
Additionally, a resolution was passed allowing us to apply for a grant which would provide a walking trail from State Bank and Trust to the rear of the elementary school along the creek. This application is dependent upon the properties' land owners approval to allow us an easement for such project.
Due to increased costs over the past year and the Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Management Act, the rate per ton for using the Little Creek Transfer Station is increasing by $2.61 per ton, plus additional environmental fees and fuel surcharges. While there was no action taken on this issue tonight, this was passed on to the finance committee for further investigation on the true cost to the city.
The only other item on the agenda was to resolve to be included in Governor Riley's promotion called The Year of Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns. We did approve such resolution. The idea is to promote a homecoming weekend in which former residents or visitors are invited to return, walking tours of the city will be lead, a historic marker paid for by Alabama Tourism will be unveiled, and a civic project of some sort will be dedicated. There will be other activities yet to be determined, but the event may coincide with Mayfest. With Governor Riley expected to visit several of the cities participating, this could be a great way to promote our beautiful city.
Unfortunately, I was traveling for work and missed our previous council meeting, but here are the issues discussed at that meeting.
A resolution from the Retirement Systems of Alabama was passed to allow a one time lump sum payment for our retirees costing the city $1729.00.
Additionally, a resolution was passed allowing us to apply for a grant which would provide a walking trail from State Bank and Trust to the rear of the elementary school along the creek. This application is dependent upon the properties' land owners approval to allow us an easement for such project.
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