The Wayne County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, June 21st, 2021. County Executive Jim Mangubat presided over the meeting. All commissioners were in attendance, including Herbert Brewer, Tom Mathis, Phillip Casteel, Vickie Petty, Stephen Pevahouse, Tim Prater, Kathryn Staggs, Sherrie Powers, John McDonald, Mary Lauren Garner, Tim Powell, David Martin, Katherine Reeves, and Rickey Kelley. Also in attendance were County Clerk Stan Horton and County Attorney Andy Yarbrough.
Commissioner Kelley first made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous commission meeting. Commissioner Staggs seconded, and the minutes were approved. Commissioner Kelley then made a motion seconded by Commissioner Powers to approve the minutes from the various committee meetings, and those minutes were approved as well.
County Clerk Horton presented the following to serve as notaries with approved bonds: Layton Packwood, Summer J. Skelton, K. Vencion Ray, Deadra Keaton, Wonda D. Turnbo, Scarlett Bryant, Allie Ward, and Preston Casteel. Commissioner Powell made a motion to approve, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Staggs. The notaries were unanimously approved.
An Ag Center update was next on the agenda. Jeff Minatra told the commission that material costs are decreasing, and suggested that the commission may want to consider delaying any bids until July. That would still keep the timetable set for bid openings on August 10th.
Next was an update on the Collinwood Medical Building. Tyler Taylor briefed the commission on the plans for the site, stating that the plans had been submitted to the state. He said that the Fire Marshall had recommended some changes, and once those changes are completed, he would present the updated plans.
Budget amendments were next. Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve the amendments as presented, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Mathis. The motion carried unanimously.
Next on the agenda was the re-bidding for Industrial Park mowing. County Executive Mangubat stated that only one bid had been submitted, from Ayers Brothers Farm in the amount of $2,755.00. The bid also included a request for a five-year contract. Commissioner Casteel made a motion to accept the bid, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Reeves. Both commissioners withdrew their motions after a discussion regarding the timing of the bid process and the fact that half the year has already passed.
Commissioner Brewer then made a motion to let Ayers Brothers Farm have the last half of the year 2021 at no cost with the contract to begin in January 2022. The beginning due date for payment would be January 1, 2022 and payment would be made on or by January 1 each year following with the contract ending on December 31, 2026. Commissioner Garner seconded the motion, and the motion passed on roll call vote. All commissioners voted yes with the exception of Commissioner Powell, who abstained from the vote due to a possible conflict of interest. County Executive Mangubat pointed out that the bid request stated that Ayers Brothers Farm could renew at the end of the contract. Commissioner Kelley made a motion that the mowing would need to be re-bid at the end of the contract period, and Commissioner Powers seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Powers then made a motion to state that the mowing contract would be on the calendar year from January through December, and this contract would expire in December 2026. Commissioner Brewer seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Wayne County JECDB Executive Director Rena Purdy next presented a fiscal letter from the Three Star Communities program that must be approved by the commission every year. Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Garner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Director Purdy then presented the possibility of a zero-match grant that would fund a study of the Lincoln Brass building once it becomes vacant to see if the building would be feasible for a recreation area.
Lastly, Director Purdy requested a site location adjacent to the Ag Center site for a pavilion to be used for forestry education. She stated that a grant had been awarded to the Department of Education to add forestry into the schools’ curriculum.
Next, Sheriff Shane Fisher presented a bid to the commission from Imperial Design Fence Company. The budget committee previously approved option 2 of the bid at a cost of $24,500.00. Commissioner Garner made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Reeves seconded. The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Sheriff Fisher then told the commission that a camera upgrade would be taking place at the Criminal Justice building. The upgrade will be funded by a grant that was awarded with no cost to the county.
County Executive Mangubat next presented a request from the Wayne County Public Library to appoint Lori Cooke to serve another term on the Library Board. The new term will expire on June 30, 2024. Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Garner. The motion carried unanimously.
Departmental reports were next on the agenda. Sheriff Fisher first gave a brief oral report on his department. Commissioner Reeves questioned Sheriff Fisher and County Clerk Horton concerning Wayne County citizens not purchasing their license plates in-county, and asked if there might be software available that would indicate those who purchase their plates in another county. Horton said that he would contact the state and see if there is something like this available, and asked the commission to provide him with a list of anyone they may know of who is violating the license plate law.
Road Superintendent Chuck Moser addressed the commission next to request the renaming of two bridges. One bridge, located on private property, is to be renamed in honor of Sgt. James Hubert Tinin and Newt Allen Floyd. The second bridge, located on Tom Holt Road, is to be renamed in honor of Alton C. Holt.
School Superintendent Marlon Davis then gave a brief update on the status of the schools.
The Solid Waste Department report was next on the agenda. Commissioner Garner made a motion to mirror a motion made in the Solid Waste Board meeting, which was to accept bids for hauling and disposal of Wayne County materials utilizing the method that is currently used for collection and transportation in 42-yard compactor boxes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Staggs, and passed unanimously.
Next, Commissioner Powers asked about getting the lawn at Boyd Cottages Assisted Living on the list to be mowed. She said that at this time, the director is trying to do the mowing with her own mower and at her own expense. County Executive Mangubat said that he would add this to the list of properties to be mowed.
Commissioner Reeves next informed the commission that there would be a meeting on July 13th at 5:30 p.m. to discuss items with the Fire Department chiefs.
Commissioner McDonald stated that the mowing job on state roads still has a poor appearance. County Executive Mangubat said that Representative David Byrd had been trying to help with the problem, but since Rep. Byrd is unavailable to help at this time, he will reach out and see who to contact.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner Garner made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Mathis seconded, and the meeting was adjourned.
