Baldwin County Commission Regular - workshop

Alright. Good morning. Welcome to our Tuesday, April 21 pre meeting work session. I'll get commissioner Underwood to lead us in the invocation and commissioner Gruber to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Please stand.

Thank you, everybody. If you will please bow your heads with me. Dear heavenly father, we just thank you so much, Lord, for all that you do for us here in Baldwin County and and everywhere. But, Lord, we especially appreciate all the blessings you bestow upon us here in Baldwin County. And, Lord, we just ask you to be with us during this meeting, Lord. We ask that we do everything that would be pleasing to you. In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen. Amen. Please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of

The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god and indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

Alright. So today, what we're doing, the first thing this morning is we will review our items and set our consent agenda. So commissioners, the first thing we have is our administrative item c a one through c a three.

Good here.

Consent.

Mhmm. Good. We have our archives and history, c c one.

I'm fine.

Alright. Yeah. We got

our Bratz items, c d one, c d two.

Yes, sir.

Yep. Okay.

And then we've got miss Wanda's items, budget budget and purchasing. I got any questions on those?

I have a question on c c seven. It's really not of a it's really to find out since we opened up Robertsdale, the the probate and the revenue. Frank, is there anything I know it's been brought to your attention about the safety issue that between the two pieces of glass, have we came up with a plan to put something in between those? Do you remember? I don't have that answer, I will get with Jess and and look into it. Alright. Thank you. They they just brought it up about worrying about between the two big pieces of panel of glass, there's a gap and they're worried about kids coming around, walking and maybe putting their finger in it.

So it may be just something to look at.

We'll certainly look into it. Alright, thank you.

Wanda's on the with us today. Wanda, do you know anything about that?

That's the first thing I've heard

about it. Okay.

Yeah,

sure. I saw some of the ladies last night and they were talking about it and I just wanted to bring it up, so sorry. I thought you might have already been aware of it.

Alright. Y'all good with those?

It looks fabulous if you haven't seen it though.

Looks real good.

Y'all good. Job. Job. And under budget. Way under budget.

Alright. We got a CIS item that's just a looks like it's an an an agreement.

Okay.

An EMA item.

I'm fine.

Contract with Viosi. Yeah. We got a finance and accounting item, the back to school sales tax holiday.

Okay. Mhmm.

Okay. The grants, we have four items under grants.

Yeah. Okay.

Highway items.

Yep.

Our parks. I haven't seen parks and recreation in a long time. So today we're approving the usage of Live Oak Landing for the first annual dragon boat race hosted by the North Bowen Chamber of Commerce. Y'all got any questions about that? No. We're good on that and we got representatives here from that. If y'all want to say something you can but we just approved it. So I don't know, Chris, if y'all wanna say anything, if y'all good, just hanging out or whatever. Alright, got a thumbs so personnel items, we got or nine of those.

I'm fine.

Yeah,

I'm good. And then our planning and zoning, making the election order part of the record for planning district three in Stockton, Alabama.

Yep. What was the date that they're gonna do the October? June 30. Excuse me, 2030.

The probate judge said that.

Yeah. Well I know he's got it but I'm just trying to figure out. So it's June 30 this he's already signed, all right.

They're good with that?

Yep. All

right. All right, next up. And let me get my computer fired up for the next part of the meeting here. We have a public comment section. This is individuals wishing to speak regarding items that are related to this agenda must fill out a speaker form, and comments are limited to three minutes.

And if you have a group, it's five minutes and lenient on those times. I don't necessarily cut you off exactly on those timeframes. So I've got to look real quick at my speaker list. And I have Deb Sergi, is that right?

Yes.

Okay. Come on up to the podium. And I know you're not here for anything on this agenda but we're let you speak today and voice your concerns with us. Let me get make sure you get your mic on real quick. There we go. Alright.

I do appreciate, the opportunity to speak to you all today. My name is Deb Sergi. I'm a resident and member of the Idlewild subdivision, so I'm representing the HOA and my own personal concerns. My family has been visiting Fairhope for more than eighty years. I knew it would be a top location to retire, so when my father passed away two years ago, I semi retired and moved my mother here where we have family and friends.

I bought a beautiful home with a beautiful yard off of Fairhope Avenue in the subdivision of Idlewild, closer to 181, but between 98 and 181. Across 181 is Walmart, and on that lot is a car wash. When I first moved in, I noticed a constant noise, but thought it was the preparation and painting of the water tower, and knew that it would be short lived with the project. The noise never went away, so I put all the windows down in my car and followed the noise, and it led me to the 181 car wash in the Walmart lot. I was shocked at how loud it was, and certainly louder than any traffic on 181.

I spoke with the manager at the car wash when I first moved here, he acknowledged that they had numerous complaints from both sides of 181 from the surrounding neighborhoods, and it was also a concern for the workers at the car wash. The noise comes from the bay where the cars go through and the vacuum compressors that are not enclosed with any material. I spoke with the owner of that car wash. At the time, it was a Mach one. He does not live in the Fairhope area.

He said he would have soundproofed had someone asked him, but he wasn't about to soundproof with to just to do the right thing. It's he has he did acknowledge that he has had to make adjustments in other neighborhoods because that was part of their building code in residential areas. In late twenty twenty five, the car wash changed hands to Rich's car wash. I have spoken with the appropriate offices in Fairhope who sent me to Baldwin County, specifically the District 2 office and Matt McKenzie's office. I was at the HOA meeting for the Idlewild subdivision last week where the sound coming from the car wash was discussed again.

One resident said she's been calling for years. The residents are impacted, and I know the neighbors of other surrounding neighborhoods are impacted with their quality of life. I have a young family that just built a home across from me, and they are affected by the noise and surprised by it. The noise prevents residents from enjoying their yards and homes, and we sit in one of the most beautiful areas in the country. Growth is is transforming.

It's inevitable, and it's obvious that growth is here. But without innovative vision, the land, and the residents for the land and the residents, it will destroy what makes this area special for generations. Sustainable neighborhoods are designed to minimize environmental impact and create community engagement. I have been told that there's no noise ordinance, but there are building codes, and someone is approving these buildings and projects, the design, the landscape, the overall impact on water, aesthetic, light trespass, building materials, traffic, noise, to name a few. I have information about a car wash that did have to soundproof in Malbus, but I don't have his permission yet to share that information.

If it can be enforced in Malbus, it certainly can be enforced in the Fairhope, Baldwin County area. Car wash sound can be mitigated using all weather acoustic panels and barriers, acoustic fencing, dryer silencers, door management, acoustic baffles. There are companies that specialize in mitigating car wash noise to protect neighbors as the sound is significant. It sounds like an idling jet plane. I cannot sit in my yard, and this noise is seven days a week.

I'm asking for your attention to this matter, specifically for the richest car wash in the Walmart lot, but to prioritize this type of impact for all residents with all projects. I'm asking for your help, your expertise, your creative leadership, which I know you have, to solve this issue. Thank you. I appreciate your attention and, hopefully, more importantly, your action.

Thank you, miss Sergi. Thank you. We will get our our staff to be looking into that for you. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Alright. I don't see anybody else signed up on my speaker list. Is there anybody else that wishes has some matter they wish to speak on? For now, I will hold your peace. We don't we don't speak in the in the second meeting, so just letting everybody know public comments are offered right now.

And if you don't speak on public comments in this meeting, there will no be public comments in the next meeting except during the public hearing process on zoning cases. So other than that, we're going to commissioner requests. Any of those? But for many commissioners? No.

I don't have nope. Nope.

Good. That's great.

I'd love to shock y'all. No.

No request. I dare not

You want me to dream up something?

Do we have senior staff reports? Whoo. Thank you, man. We are fair hoping nothing. Right? County attorney.

Nothing for me.

About a thousand. Right? Alright, guys. This meeting's over. Welcome to the Tuesday, 04/21/2026 regular meeting. Today, we have pastor John Shell with Harvest Fields Church in Summerdale to give us an invocation, and then commissioner McKenzie will lead us in the pledge of allegiance afterwards. Please rise.

Dear father, we thank you for your love for us. But most of all, we thank you for Jesus. And, Jesus, thank you for what you did. You changed everything. Father, we're we've been taught to have faith in you, but, you know, you have faith in us, And I thank you that you do. You've given us responsibility for the earth. You give us responsibility here in Alabama and Baldwin County. I thank you for your trust and faith in us. And, Lord, we just say that we wanna represent you well. We wanna do the things that you want done.

We thank you for our leaders. We ask you to help them and encourage them. And and, Lord, may we be people that pray for our leaders and encourage them also. We thank you that your kingdom is coming and your will is being done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen.

Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America

Alright. Good morning and welcome today. We have a full house today. We've got a lot of presentations. This happening today is always good to have those going on. And so that's one of the reasons for the crowd in the room. We will get through a majority of this agenda pretty quick because we adopt a consent agenda and at our first pre work at work session that takes care of probably, I would say, a 100% of our our business items, and then we get on to some other things. So with that being said, is there a motion to adopt the 04/07/2026 regular meeting minutes?

Mister chairman, I make a motion that we adopt the minutes from the regular meeting on 04/07/2026.

And I'll second it.

We've got a motion by commissioner Gruber, second by commissioner Underwood to approve the 04/07/2026 regular meeting minutes. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. I'm gonna turn the next part of the agenda over to commissioner Gruber.

Alright. Mister chairman, I make a motion that we pay the bills, which consist of, this report includes 639 invoices totaling $13,341,896.08. That's for the payment of the bills.

I'll make a second.

We have a motion by commissioner Gruber, second by commissioner McKenzie to pay our bills. Is there any further cons discussion on this? Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye. Mister chairman, also make a motion to ratify the internal payments as allowed by policy 8.5. The report includes 788 invoices and the distribution totaling $4,968,728.76.

And I'll second it.

Got a motion and a second on item b a two, the ratification of interim payments as allowed by policy 8.1. Any further discussion? Carrying none. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion passes. Alright. Commissioners, next before us is our consent agenda.

Mister mister chairman, I'll make a motion that we, adopt our consent agenda as discussed in the prior work session.

I'll second that.

Got a motion and a second to adopt the consent agenda. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion passes. Next up, we're on to our, presentations. See, it works quick. Right? So, our first one is gonna be, National Correction Officers Week. Those that are gonna be participating to that, would you join me at the podium?

Yeah. So we're proclaiming the week of May 9, or excuse me, May 2026 as National Correctional Officers Week in Baldwin County, Alabama. Whereas on 05/05/1984, Ronald Reagan, the fortieth president of The United States, delivered a proclamation designating the first week in May as National Correctional Officers Week. And whereas the staff members who serve in this position of correctional officers, whether civilian or security staff, are essential to the day to day operations of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office Correction Center and whereas the United States Congress has recognized the essential services provided by all correction officers in The United States Of America, and whereas the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office employs approximately a 190 correctional officers, and whereas the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office correctional officers oversee the safety and security of approximately 600 inmates on a daily basis, and whereas the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office Correction Center processes approximately 13,600 inmates being booked in or booked out of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office Correction Center on an annual basis and now for therefore, be it proclaimed by the Baldwin County Commission in regular session, assemble that the week of May 2026 is hereby designated as National Correctional Officers Week in Baldwin County, Alabama.

Sheriff, is anybody in the line? I'll say anything.

Just quickly, mister chairman, commission, I wanna thank you obviously for for recognizing these corrections officers. I will tell you that I could not be more proud of of what they do and how they handle themselves. They're constantly under attack from within the facility and and and even sometimes out. It could be a place with low morale at times, and certainly I'm proud that they pull together and the family that they are. They celebrate success, each other's successes, like no one I've ever seen. So I'm extremely proud of what they do. Again, I thank you for recognizing them.

Thank you.

We'll try to get out of the way so get all these y'all, don't come on and crowd around this podium. Don't be scared. Don't hide behind these pewter guys and planting a zone. People come on over. Although they would love your protection.

Alright. So this next proclamation is proclaiming the week of May 10 through the sixteenth twenty twenty six as National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Week in Baldwin County. Whereas the United States Congress recognizes the second week of May as National Law Enforcement Memorial Week, and whereas law enforcement officers who have been killed or have died in the line of duty deserve to be remembered and honored each year. And whereas the work of all law enforcement officers is essential, preserving peace in our communities and ensuring the safety of our precious lives and property. And whereas the families of those who have suffered the loss of law enforcement officer are forever recognized and honored for their loss.

And whereas Bowen County Sheriff's Office has lost the following deputy sheriffs that were killed in the line of duty. Deputy Abram Johnson, end of watch December '19 1881. Deputy James Stewart, end of watch, 04/11/1895. Deputy Howard Dutton, end of watch, 10/01/1987. Deputy Scott Ward, end of watch, 11/23/2012.

Deputy Bill Smith, end of watch, 06/06/2021. Whereas the law enforcement's office memorial for Baldwin County is located in Robertsdale, Alabama and has affixed upon the names of all 15 law enforcement officers who've been killed on the line of duty in Baldwin County. And whereas the Baldwin County will honor those killed in the line of duty on 05/12/2026 at the law enforcement memorial site in Robertsdale, Alabama. Now, therefore, it be it proclaimed by the Baldwin County Commission in regular session assemble that the week of May 10 through the sixteenth twenty twenty six is hereby designated as law enforcement officers Memorial Week in Baldwin County, Alabama. The Baldwin County Commission and the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office extends its most heartfelt gratitude and eternal appreciation for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice going beyond the full measure and gives not only their personal lives, but also have caused hardship upon their families in doing so.

I'll let the sheriff take over from here.

Thank you, mister chairman, commission. I will say this. We we have been very blessed in the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office both with the the men and women that wear this badge and the resources that we're provided. I couldn't be happier or more proud with the work that they do, but certainly we're not without loss in the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office and and we recognize that. So we wanna remember these deputies and their sacrifice and the families the sacrifice that their families have made. So I would encourage everyone, if you could, please come May 12, to our memorial where we will recognize them again. We ask that you continue to support the men and women of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office with your prayers and your thoughts and your resources that you provide us. Again, thank you so much, commissioner.

Thank you.

You. Hey, Anthony. It's alright.

Stick around. Still waiting

for the coffee.

Hold them up for just a minute. Yeah. Guys. Y'all hold up just for a minute because, usually, during these presentations and stuff, the commission always wants to say a little something on behalf of us. And I'll start with commissioner Gruber as a result of these two proclamations.

Okay. First of all, on the on the first proclamation, I wanna, thank the, correctional officers for all the hard work they do. You know, it's it's trying you know, you're in confined spaces, and you're dealing with people that wanna don't wanna be where they're at. But they're there, and somebody else take care of them. And I appreciate the, jailers and that who take care of these folks and oversee them for their own good.

They may not think so, but it's through their own good. So with that, I wanna thank them. Now the, next part is the, National Law Enforcement Memorial Week. You know, we've had some deputies that had I go back and remember some of them. You know, Howard Dutton, I remember when he got, got killed and, Scott and then, Bill Smith.

I don't know the others the other two, I weren't around for them. So but, those three were, fantastic people. They were doing their job when this tragedy happened. You know? And, that's what it's about, and they gave their life for their job for so that citizens could be, you know, better off and and taken care of. So I wanna just, you know, say there you know, to their families, you know, you all gave you had a big sacrifice that your loved one gave. So thank them very much, and thank you all for supporting them.

First of all, for the correction officers, thank you guys and ladies so much for what you do in our in our facility. And, you know, when we were touring the facility before it, you know, was completely finished, there was a gentleman down in the I guess it's the control room where you watch all of the cameras and everything. He said he had worked over in Mobile jail metro jail or whatever they call it. I see it on the news every now and then. It don't seem like any place you'd want to be.

And he said this was almost a resort compared to over there. I don't think jail is anything like a resort, but I'm just saying, I guess if you had to be in jail, I'd probably rather be in that one. But you guys, I know you have to deal with a lot of undesirable things and I thank you. When I see the jail in Bay Minette, I my heart goes out to you. So thank you very much for what you do.

It's it's a it's a needed thing. And just talking about the memorial National Long Horseman Officers Memorial. Yes. Howard Dutton. The date that he passed away in October 1987, that really resonates with me because I will never forget that day because I knew his daughter.

She's passed away now. But what really resonates with me is in 02/16/1987, which was, you know, months not many months before he was he was taken down in the line of duty. He escorted husband's grandmother was brutally murdered in Foley. She was she was stomped and beaten to death by some rogue gypsies. And it's it's it's a it's a very interesting case that happened.

Think bad things do happen in good places, but we got like, look at all these guys in here. I feel safe in here. They're probably fixing some of them leave, but I hope none of y'all are gonna be dangerous when they leave. They're not gonna be too far away. But, you know, Howard Dutton, this guy fled.

He fled to Canada. And I don't really remember what all happened to get him back, but somehow or another, they turned him back over. And Howard Dutton was part of the group that went up there with one of the biggest correction officers we had, probably about big as David White, and escorted this guy back down here so he could stand trial. And he was convicted of murder of my husband's grandmother. But you just never know who's passing through our areas.

This guy wasn't from here, and you never know what families have been affected by different things. But I know that we have a good law enforcement here in this county, and I am honored to be able to support our sheriff's office in the way that our role brings us here. And I don't believe that any of the time frame we've been here that we have never not supported you guys. We might have asked you some questions. Okay?

Because that's our duty, you know, fiscal responsibility and stuff. But I am thankful to be a part of supporting you guys and what you do. It doesn't diminish any of the other guys that lost their lives on their watch, but that one's just kinda personal for me. So thank you.

Thank you. I just wanted to say it's for the National Correctional Officers Week. Thank you for what you do. I was a city officer in 1996 and had to work the jail, so I know what you go through. As an officer, sometimes you have to do it. I remember this story, and I'm gonna tell you this story. I got a call. I was working the jails as a young as a young police officer. The guy the inmate cut off his private spot, and it's sad. You had to go to the hospital. You have to deal with that situation, and you have to go there. So for these correction officers, they know what they have to do. It's tough. It's they underappreciated. They're underpaid, and they need to be looked at.

Citizens don't realize what they go through unless you've been there. So I hope if you're listening, please respect our correction officers because they go through a lot. And that that was tough for me as a young police officer have to deal with that, to be spit on to, to be cussed, to be all that and don't can't do anything about it except do your job. You know, as a retired state trooper, I lost a good friend. And for the deputies and their families that lost their life here in Baldwin County, it's tough.

I lost a good friend. 2002, the state trooper going home. People don't think about these things when they go home and deputies go home or city officers when they go home. But when they do go home, they gotta you know, that he got killed. And it's just sad that what they have to go through, the families have to go through. So if you ever get a chance to go to the National Memorial up in Washington DC, and if you're up there in Washington DC during that time frame, May, go by there and show respect. Go see what it's like to see to listen to it. If you've never been, you'll really enjoy it. So from the bottom of my heart, sheriff, and to all the deputies here, thank you. And to the correction officers, thank you for what y'all do. So thank you very much.

Alright. I'll wrap our conversations up. National Corrections Officer Week, exact exactly what everybody has said. I thoroughly respect the job that those guys do and women in that facility. I know it's tough on a day to day basis and keeping the morale up in that facility just like you said, they do it amongst themselves.

And I can't imagine the days that they go through in there and nights that they go through in there and that they you know, not everything happens perfectly over there with inmates and stuff. So it's constant tension. It's constant management. And I think they do it flawlessly. And I think we're been recognized nationally, if I'm not mistaken, for having we've we've got certifications on our jail over there.

You all have outdone yourself at that facility. And I know we're waiting, to get into the new one, I can't wait either. So and I know miss Wanda can't wait. Everybody can't wait for us to get into the new facility full swing and and be celebrating this. And it's definitely I know with that facility, a morale booster, not only for the staff but the people that don't think about it, it's a morale booster for the inmates there as well to have a new place to call home.

So it's gonna be nice. Yeah. So the other one, you know, while while we were commissioners, most of us got to attend deputy Smith's funeral services, and to say that was sombering is an understatement. To to see the camaraderie that was presented at that time to when Captain Reed was making the final call. Mean, was just all makes my hair stand up on my arms now just thinking about the camaraderie that happens afterwards. Y'all act like that every day of the week. I mean, that's just the department. But

when

we lose somebody near and dear to us, especially somebody that's passed in a way that's not normally thought about on a police watch in a drowning situation. You've seen what we've done in Fort Morgan to help you guys out make that beach the safest possible. And I saw the post the other day of the new addition that we put on the beach out there to be able to help better patrol it as far as keeping watch on it. And if if people don't just watching this don't understand, the beaches Of Fort Morgan is managed by Baldwin County Commission. We don't have lifeguards.

We don't have lifeguard stands or stations, and it's a swim at your own risk body of water, which if y'all haven't paid attention, couple last weeks, rip currents have been atrocious down there. Spring breakers couldn't even get in the water. So we have our sheriff deputies with a beach patrol unit down there that will risk their lives and sometimes lose their lives, saving others that are drowning. So it's something that is often not even thought about that a sheriff deputy would do, but they're quick to act. I was a friend of Scott Ward's before I was in this position.

Scott Ward and I used to he loved working out and we worked out all the time at various gyms around Daphne. The most common one we meet up at was the YMCA and Daphne right there off of Well And Pollard Road and we had some some laughs together and fun times. And, you know, I remember the day that all that happened just like everybody else does. So it's it's very respectful that we claim this week is that, and I encourage everybody, as the sheriff said, to please come out, what is it, May 12, and and go to that memorial service in Robertsdale. Everybody's invited.

And just come out there, and you will see a small scale version of what happens in DC right here in Robertsdale, Alabama with all, not just these five individuals, but all law enforcement personnel that has lost their lives in Baldwin County on the line of duty. A very sombering day there and sheriff does a great job in presenting that ceremony and weather permitting, it's always a nice event. So thank you sheriff for what you do for this county, and thank you to each and every men and women in here in the uniform. And we constantly pray for y'all to have a safe day and a safe return back to your families as always. Thank you, chair.

Thank you. Commissioners, we need a motion on both one the first one and the second

one of these. I'll make a motion on the first one.

And I'll second it.

Alright. So we got a motion and a second on DA one, which is the Correctional Office Week proclamation. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Alright. We need a motion on DA two.

I'll make that motion.

We got a motion on DA two, which is the National Law Enforcement Memorial Week.

And I'll second that.

Got a second. Alright. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Alright. Thank you, sheriff.

Thank you.

Alright. Commissioner Gruber. We got item d a three. This is the retirement of Catherine Kitty Jordan, Barksdale.

Yeah. She's happy. Look at her smile.

Come on, Ms. Kidding. Good morning, everyone. I'm here, as part of the commission and commending missus cat Catherine Kitty Jordan Barksdale upon her this occasion for her retirement as civil support specialist for the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office and for her years of dedicated public service. Whereas, miss Barksdale began her career as an office assistant with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office on 11/20/1995.

And whereas miss Barksdale served under the three sheriffs of Baldwin County, sheriff James b Johnson, sheriff Huey Hoss Mack, and sheriff Anthony e Lauer. And whereas miss Barksdale has positively impacted the lives of many people visiting the Foley and Fairhope satellite courthouse, and whereas miss Barksdale's accomplishments and over thirty years of service serving the public is the only thing that is honorably government body, public recognizes as commend miss Barksdale for her distinguished public service. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Baldwin County Commission in its regular session assembled. And on behalf of the Baldwin County Commission and the citizens of Baldwin County, Alabama, we hereby ratify and commend Kathleen Kitty Jordan Barksdale on this occasion of her retirement and recognize her distinguished and committed public service. Therefore, be it resolved that a copy of this resolution recorded in this the official minutes of the honorable county government body and codified as a resolution number 2026DashO71 of the Bowling County Commission.

We can say to miss Kathleen Kitty Barksdale in sincere praise for her years of public service.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Well, I'll say it's been an honor, and it's been a lot of fun. No stress at all. And it's really was the best decision I think I ever made. It was forced on me to join this sheriff's office. I did not wanna do it, but a a good friend of mine who was dean of instruction at Faulkner, he and I were taking a class. It was Dennis Godwin or Goodwin. What is he?

Godwin. Dennis Godwin. And he convinced me after just poking me so many times saying that you need to go to the Sheriff's Office. And I'd say, they don't pay enough. I am not doing it. No. No. No. But the benefits. The benefits. And so finally, I just said, okay. And I'm so glad I did.

That's a thirty minute.

Because the benefits are great. And the people are wonderful. They've always respected me, and we've had a good good ride for thirty years. That's hard to believe. But all three sheriffs I mean, like, one time, Jimmy Johnson. Y'all know Jimmy Johnson. He was a lot of fun. And not that you aren't, but he I joke with him too a lot. And so one day, he was in my office, and it's like, oh, well, is he ever gonna leave? I think he was campaigning and going around collecting money. And well, I guess he did. I don't know. But, anyway, so he just wouldn't leave my office. And I said, well, sheriff, did I ever tell you you look just like my third husband?

Uh-oh.

And he said he looked at me, and he and he said, well, who was that? I said, you. Well, he immediately left. So anyway, I I've I've had a good time and I've made lots of friends And I just appreciate this county and this commission and the sheriff's office and for everything that they've done for me. So thank you. It's been a pleasure.

I'll just say that, we had a celebration for for Kitty miss Kitty yesterday, and and there were a lot of people there from the sheriff's office that came to Bay Minette. I said it yesterday. She's probably one of the best employees we've ever had. You didn't get any problems. I didn't get any problems from the from her. The the citizens of the Baldwin County had tremendous respect for her, respect that she had earned. So it's a sad day for the sheriff's office. We're really happy for for Kitty and her family as she moves on the next phase of her life, but you're gonna be missed. I'm just telling you, you're gonna be missed. You can tell by all the people that showed up today, you're gonna be missed.

I'll miss y'all

very much. Picture?

I just wanted to do something before all these law enforcement guys leave. If if y'all don't mind standing up and clapping for these guys in this room. Thank y'all. Alright. Next up, we have our We have the we wanna

say something. Resolution. Yeah.

So we're gonna say something about miss Kitty. She wants to stick around. I'll I'll let commissioner Gruber start off.

Alright. I just wanna commend miss miss Kitty for her years of service. You know, you know, she's done a fantastic job, and, you know, thirty years is a long time to to be on one on a job. So I just wanna thank her for her patience and, you know, sticking it out and doing a fantastic job with the sheriff's department. So with that, I'm gonna go I'll go ahead and give you Okay. I'll do the resolution after all.

Alright. Well, thank you so much. I mean, that's a long time. Thirty a little over thirty years. And I I know what it's like for people to try to talk you into doing something that don't pay very much. But I tell you what, it's very rewarding to be able to serve the people. I didn't even know there were any benefits other than that. So I just want to say that sometimes whenever whatever you're called to do though, I believe that a job should also be a calling. Sometimes you have to do jobs to get through to another phase of your life. I've cleaned condos.

I've worked at McDonald's. Never hoped that that would have been nothing wrong with working at McDonald's, I was the lobby attendant. I cleaned the bathrooms and stuff. So I was hoping that I wouldn't have to do that for the rest of my life, but maybe that's a calling for some people. My mom was a custodian. There's some jobs you have to do to get to another phases and hopefully that it was a fulfillment for you even though you might not have wanted to do it at first. But that's a cute story about Jimmy Johnson. If I ever see him, I'll have to bring that one up to him. So thank you so much.

Ms. Kitty, congratulations. Thirty years is a milestone. So thank you for what you've done for the sheriff's office. When I was a young state trooper, you were one of the first ones I came when I went to the sheriff's office to say hello to. And you've just been an inspiration ever since. Every time we go see you or anybody goes see you, you've always got that smile on your face. So I just wanna say thank you for our friendship over the years. Please enjoy your retirement. If you wanna come back part time, you're more than welcome.

Ms. Giddy, I know the feeling of working thirty years. I started in 1996, talked into working for Dave Whetstone. So I showed up at that office on day one and the first person I saw was our current sheriff, Anthony Lowry. And I knew it was going to be trouble because I was a new man on the totem pole and I was not very well received in there. So, I got all the dirty work handed down to me. So, I have been working for thirty years. However, I do not receive retirement. So, I just have to wait till the age, which is about another thirty years. Then I'll get my retirement.

But, yeah, so I know that you've been there a long time. I've been with all three sheriffs as well. And I remember you almost from day one. I appreciate the service that you provided the sheriff's office. Thirty years is a long time and dedication, so we're grateful that we had you and filling those shoes is gonna be tough. So you gotta find a jokester, right? So thank you, miss Kitty, for all the keep keeping people laughing. We appreciate it.

Okay. Mister chairman, I'll I'll go ahead and make a motion that we adopt resolution number 2026071 retirement of miss Katherine Kitty Jordan Bartsdale.

I'll second that.

Got a motion and a second. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Alright. That motion passes. Alright. Next up, we have our environmental advisory committee presentation and awards.

Good morning, commissioners. Good morning. It's an honor to be here today. Ashley Campbell and James Howard with Planning and Zonings Natural Resource Planning Division. We're excited to be here today. We've been working on this for about four months, and it's an honor to introduce the Environmental Advisory Committee members that will be presenting today, the chair, Brett Garr, and a member, Leslie Gahagan. Between the two of these two, they've served on the committee since 2025 I mean, 2005. I didn't compete with miss Kitty. She was so much fun. Don't know what I'm But gonna no, it's an honor to introduce, Brett and Leslie.

They have served, on this committee for a long time, and this committee is a huge value to planning and zoning. It allows us to have a public participation with all our grants and all our regulations and also with any complaints and different things that come through the planning and zoning department for environmental. So thank you. And with that, I'll introduce Brett and Leslie.

Guys, I just wanted to say thank you for continuing this process. It's I think it's very important to the the county and it and it doesn't always it didn't always, happen. You you had to support it. And thank you for doing that. There was one time for about four years when the commission didn't use this service, and, it's very important for this county to acknowledge those people that do good things for our environment. So thank you. Appreciate that.

Thank you. Thanks, Brett.

Again, would like to reiterate what Brett said. We really appreciate what you guys do. And this is kind of the highlight for us to award such honorable people that have done things for Baldwin County. So with that, I will read the resolution, and then we'll call each one of the recipients up, to receive it, and then we'll bring them all up at the end for a photo. The 2026 environmental stewardship award, whereas in July 1998, the Baldwin County Commission established the annual environmental stewardship awards program.

And whereas the program recognizes citizens, businesses, and agencies that illustrate sound environmental principles in their day to day operations in the hope that all citizens may learn from the examples set forth by their neighbors. And whereas the actions of the award recipients enhance protection of Baldwin County's natural resources, and whereas the actions of the award recipient help ensure a clean water future for generations to come. And whereas the twenty twenty six award recipients actions are commendable, now therefore be it resolved by the Baldwin County Commission in regular session assembled that the Baldwin County Commission commends and congratulates the following award recipients for his or her distinguished service and strong commitment to the environment, our community, and all the citizens of Baldwin County, Alabama. We're gonna start with the award category of agriculture. This year's recipient is the Neil Underwood Farms, and mister Neil is unable to be with us today.

Underwood Farms utilizes conservation practices which reduce potential for pollution impacts to the environment and local creeks and rivers. The farm employs strategies to minimize nutrient pollution, and these initiatives are very commendable. Up next, we'd like to work to welcome the forestry commission under the category forestry, the Alabama Forestry Commission. Come on, guys. We've got, three representatives here today.

The Alabama Forestry Commission has long played a vital role in safeguarding the forests of Baldwin County. They offer valuable educational programs and resources focused on forest management, prescribed burning, and the wildland urban interface. Their ongoing work to manage, restore, and protect both private and public forest lands is truly commendable. Up next, we're gonna recognize the education program, the Gulf Coast Eco Center. If you would come up.

The Gulf Coast Eco Center in Gulf Shores is a newly developed environmental education campus that offers hands on learning focused on coastal ecosystems, sustainability, and outdoor exploration, complete with classrooms, gardens, and an adventure course. These programs are very commendable. Our education teacher this year is mister justice Manning, and he was ill and unable to be with us. Mister Manning is a retired volunteer with the master environmental education program. Since '19 since June 1998, mister Manning has been a cornerstone of the MEE program, dedicating over two decades to fostering environmental awareness and stewardship among Baldwin County youth.

Mister Manning exemplifies the spirit of environmental stewardship. His dedication, leadership, and passion make him a truly deserving candidate for this honor. Up next is government agency. We're going to be awarding the town of Magnolia Springs. The town of Magnolia Springs, Mayor Hauser and the Magnolia River Water Watch Task Force, over the course of 2025, spearheaded a community led investigation of bacterial source tracking throughout the Magnolia River watershed.

They remain vigilant in protecting the Magnolia River and outstanding Alabama water. Their efforts are commendable. Our government employee this year is doctor William e Puckett. Doctor Bill Puckett, serving with the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, has demonstrated unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship and the enhancement of Alabama's natural resources, including those in Baldwin County. He has achieved this through building strong partnerships and fostering collaborative relationships.

Our individual citizen this year is Lisa Mason Sanders. Miss Lisa embodies the spirit of environmental stewardship through her volunteerism, leadership, and steadfast commitment to protecting natural resources. Her efforts have strengthened the Magnolia River Water Watch program and helped cultivate a strong sense of environmental awareness in collaboration within the community. Her contributions are truly commendable and deserving of this recognition. Our small business of the year is Hydro LLC, mister John Curry.

John and his company, Hydro LLC, have been a critical team member and committed partner in Coastal Alabama over the last decade of watershed planning, restoration, engineering, and design. Time and time again, John has offered his expertise well beyond contractual obligations. His willingness to donate time and services to run model scenarios, answer questions, and share knowledge at workshops and meetings has undoubtedly elevated the tools, understanding, and resources available to all of us in Baldwin County. Our environmental project of the year is the Lower Perdido Island Restoration, and our recipients are the Nature Conservancy and the City Of Orange Beach. The Nature Conservancy in the city of Orange Beach led the effort to restore the Lower Perdido Islands.

The project used locally sourced sediment to rebuild 30 acres of subtitle, marsh, dune, and upland habitat on Walker And Robinson Islands. More than a decade of planning went into the initiative, and funding from NOAA ultimately brought it to life. Today, the restored islands provide valuable habitat for wildlife and birds while also supporting the recovery of seagrass beds. This project has been exceptional. And last but not least, our special recognition this year goes to Ms.

Roberta Swan. Ms. Roberta Swan has served as the director of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program for more than twenty years, retiring from the role in January. During her tenure, she worked alongside over 300 community leaders to advance restoration, capacity building, and policy initiatives aimed at protecting and enhancing Alabama's coastal resources. Following the Deepwater Horizon event, Roberta played a pivotal leadership role along Alabama's Gulf Coast, guiding efforts to develop watershed management plans for all tidally influenced watersheds, plans that today are either complete or nearing completion.

In Baldwin County, she was among the key leaders who helped transform the Doli Watershed through impactful restoration projects, creating a nationally recognized model of collaboration. Her dedication continued to shine through her advocacy for restoration, conservation, public access, and the revitalization of the cultural and natural heritage tied to coastal waterways. Roberta's lasting contributions have made her a true champion of conservation.

Alright. Commissioners, start with commissioner Gruber.

I'd just like to say, you know, I know this was very one of things that we had to get back in line. And for a while, it was left, go. And, this present commission is the one who revived it and put it back in place because it was very important that we we had this committee together and help us in the planning department and and everywhere else, you know, that was needed. They there was a lot of great stuff that has come out of this. There's a lot of things that we hoped for, but we weren't able to get a lot of it.

But, you know, at least we gave it the a try that, you know, if it would've happened, it would've made a great big, big, big difference in county, government. And one of them that really sticks out is with Roberta. Roberta came here with an idea of creating a stormwater management program. She worked very, very hard on that project. She got a lot of criticism, which we all did, because it got named the rain tax.

Everybody was always the rain tax, but what they did not consider was what good would have come out of it. If we'd had that program instrument, in place today, we wouldn't have the drainage problems that we have today because this program would have helped take care of that. You know, it and it works in other places. But Roberta brought this to us, and, I, you know, I was one of one of big supporters of it as well because us working with the Howard department, I've seen how important it was, you know, that we take care of the drainage. You know?

And it's it's one of our biggest biggest problems we have is drainage. Walden County is kinda flat, and, know, and it you know, and the water doesn't go where it wants to. So but, Roberto, thank you so very much for all you did with that program. You know? People just don't know what they lost, you know, because they voted against it because it got named the rain tax.

And all the other recipients, thank you for what you've done in with the environment, you know, the island, the Robinson Island, and Walker Island. Those were all big projects, you know, and they they helped, you know, and Magnolia Watershed. I mean, we're still doing stuff that we're gonna do. Still got more work to do on the Magnolia Watershed. But, you know, it's it's a team effort working together to try to make Baldwin County a better place to live.

And it takes teamwork and working with different organizations to make it happen. You know, there's a lot of stuff that happened on the Eastern Shore, with the, within the Lake Forest area because it's up and down hilly and everything else. And when that was developed, I don't think they looked at the drainage as much in there, but it's got a lot of head cuts where it's got straight cliffs off where thing is. And this group was instrumental in helping getting a lot of that taken care of. And and it got a lot of it goes back to Roberta again, you know, because, she worked very hard with the the cities of Daphne, Spanish Fort, and, Fairhope, and I'm trying to get some of these issues addressed.

And they are addressed now, and they're fixed, and they work. I mean, it's a proven fact, you know, that we've got several that you know, if you go out there and look today, you say, look. There's no problem here. But if you'd have seen it before that, you'd have known that it was it was desperately a need of something because it was starting to take some houses away. Now they're they're safe. Again, thank each and every one of y'all for what you do for the environmental management. Thank you.

You know, this is an area where that we can all find common ground, and being good stewards of our environment is not only a responsibility that we should all take on, it's a necessary duty that we must take on. And my hat's off to I don't even wear a hat mostly, but that's just a saying. Gotta have a little fun. But I am so thankful for each and every one of you from all of the different organizations. We are we are so blessed in Baldwin County.

We are the envy of the rest of the state for all of the things that we have here that make Baldwin County a paradise. We can never go backwards. We can only go forward. We cannot worry about what happened in the past because we can't change that. All we can do is take one step at a time forward. And, you know, when I was elected in 2018, Roberta was one of the first persons that came to me and introduced herself and told me about what the the Mobile Bay NEP was. And and I remember these words. She said, we're good cop. EPA's bad cop. Didn't you tell me that?

She's probably sitting here going, she said that out loud. But I didn't really know the difference. I'm an accountant. I'm a CPA. Okay? But the more I've gotten to know a lot of these things, I wanna be an advocate. I wanna do what I can do to help. And all the little things that we have done have made a huge difference. You know, we're talking about the Duluth watershed. Not only did it happen, but there was opportunity for us who were not in that profession to go out and see the results.

There were field trips. There were, you know, getting out there and and and getting in the the nature part of it. And also, the the project that's going on down at Magnolia Springs, you know, the best way for someone who's not in that arena to say it is it's like acting as the kidney for the river. That's the way I feel about it, you know, and it's filtering a lot of the stuff that we don't wanna see in there and and to keep keep our waterways clean and stuff like that. So and and and, you know, some of the awards that have been presented even in the past for all of the different things and the MRF that's down there, I I say this all the time, and I'm sure my colleagues get tired of hearing it.

But I'm so thankful that we have the recycling center at the Magnolia Landfill. I live on a farm, and if you could get my husband excited about recycling, anybody can get recycling. You have to know him to know that he did not want to rinse out cans, didn't want to do this kind of thing. And now it's like our recycling can is full every week and our regular garbage has very little in it. So if we can just train people to start doing things different, it's a mindset on anything.

Thank you guys, each and every one of you. I don't know as many of you and I know we're probably giving Roberta a lot of shout out, but she is amazing and I'm going to really miss her. So don't get jealous, just all aspire to be as great. Thank you.

How do I follow those two? I've only been on the commission almost four years now and I've learned a lot. Like everybody said, when they first came on the commission, you drink them from a fire hose and it's a lot thrown at you. And I just wanna say thank you for what you do for Baldwin County. I haven't met all the committees. You can't meet all of them, but thank you for what you do because this is very important to Baldwin County and the residents of what y'all do. So congratulations on your awards. You're well deserved. So thank you again.

Absolutely. Each one of y'all are deserving of your awards today. You know, I I can't sit and say that I know everything about all of them, but but I I have met with mayor Hauser before and learned of that project and and met with him on some other things. Magnolia Springs, I think, is very fortunate to have a very forward thinking mayor like himself that's looking into the future of of things. And the Magnolia River, whether you were there, lived there or not, if you lived in Baldwin County enough, you always swam over there.

I mean, that's the most common spot to go. And it's really, you know, I know that y'all are dealing with bacteria and and that kind of stuff in the water, but when the when you know that the cold hole is filling up, that is there's other problems as well. And so I I I commend Magnolia Springs, a small city that hardly, you know, everybody nobody talks about now is doing big things that helps us all out in the in the long run. So thank you all for each for those. Roberta, I appreciate you letting us tromp around in the woods behind Lake Forest and stuff.

When we first got on the commission, commissioner Underwood said, going on that field trip, I mean, that that was a that was a day, and I can't imagine though just the work that went into that. But we got to see firsthand how the restoration of the Dodleaf Watershed actually works and how it stopped head cuts. And and, you know, the the the work that you did didn't it wasn't eyesores. It looked it added beauty to the landscape, and we were happy to partner with y'all on that and on any of our watershed projects. So thank you for all the work that you've done for for us and Baldwin County and Mobile County and everybody else.

So with that being said, commissioners, we we do need a vote. Can we just vote on the the the item d a four, which which includes all of them? So just if y'all commission, just make a motion to and on DA four so we It encompasses all the awards and everything.

So moved.

I'll second. And a motion and a second to approve item DA four. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Alright. Next up is item DA five, a proclamation for fair housing month. Thank you all so much. Congratulations.

That's the whole thank you all. Yeah. Thank you very much. Yeah.

Okay. Thank you so much.

Thank you, sir.

Alrighty. Alrighty. Well, we have the proclamation here that will proclaim the month of April 2026 as fair housing month in Baldwin County, Alabama. They did not make this tall enough. They need to put a little stoop on this.

Whereas April 2026 marks the fifty eighth anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act, title eight of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended, which enunciates a national policy of fair housing without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, handicap, and national origin, and encourages fair housing opportunities for all. And whereas Baldwin Realtors is committed to highlighting the Fair Housing Act by continuing to address discrimination in our community, to support programs that will educate the public about the right to equal housing opportunities, and to plan partnership efforts with other organizations to help assure everyone of their right to fair housing. And whereas the Fair Housing Act, title eight of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, handicap, and national origin. And whereas fair housing improves economic stability, community health, and human relations in all communities. And whereas fair housing is integral to the ethical commitment of the members of the National Association of Realtors and Baldwin Realtors to serve their clients, customers, and communities, and whereas acts of housing discrimination and barriers to equal housing opportunities are repugnant to a common sense of decency and fairness.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Baldwin County Commission in regular session assembled that we hereby proclaim April 2026 as fair housing month in Baldwin County, Alabama.

Thank you, and good good morning, and thank you Baldwin County Commission for this recognition and for supporting fair housing. We at Baldwin Realtors sorry. I'm like, what am I saying? We at Baldwin Realtors believe that everybody deserves the opportunity for to own a home and belong to a community. And we are very grateful for this partnership, and we look forward to continuing to participate, especially in the upcoming housing assistance program grant where we look forward to it providing homeownership that will be attainable to many across Baldwin County. Thank you again.

Alright. Commissioners, as we're making our way back to the, dias, we need a motion on fair housing.

I'll make that motion.

And I'll second it.

Got a motion on item d a five and a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Alright. So before we get into our, planning the zoning cases, I'm gonna, take a break.

We're we'll be back in ten minutes. Back into order. I'm gonna do something just a little bit differently before we get into our planning and zoning cases. I've got some people here from the Stop Solar Group and the Friends of Tensile River Group that I was gonna allow speak at another time in the meeting, but I'll do it right now just to so they don't have to sit around and wait for the all the public hearings that's gonna be coming up. And, Megan, if you wanna come up to the podium, it's yours and tell us what you got.

Thank you. I appreciate you inviting me up here to speak. I know you didn't have to. I'm sorry we missed the public comment section. I did not realize it was in the 09:00 hour. So thank you for still allowing us

Absolutely.

To come up and speak today. I wanted to speak to all of our commissioners on behalf of the Friends of the Tensile River, which is a nonprofit that's newly been formed. We're a grassroots citizens group compiled of people from all over North Baldwin County. And we felt that we needed to create a nonprofit so that we could get legal counsel. And so I first would like to sincerely thank you for terminating the contract with Jacob Solution after you were made aware of the significant conflict of interest that existed between it and Silicon Ranch.

We hope that the commission intends to retain another engineering firm to conduct the necessary permit evaluations. As stated by the commission on February 19, a qualified engineering firm was necessary to conduct land evaluations prior to considering any permit application. FTR, on behalf of the residents of North Baldwin County, agrees with the commission's prior position that a qualified engineering firm should be retained to investigate and evaluate any prospective construction of utility scale solar facilities and to provide guidance for considering any potential environmental impacts on the surrounding watershed prior to granting any land disturbance or other permit. An evaluation conducted by an unbiased experienced firm will help to ensure that any utility scale solar development in Baldwin County will not harm our unique and valuable resources. While the search for a new engineering firm is underway, we request that the commission issue a temporary moratorium on any new utility scale solar development until the appropriate research can be done, and the planning and zoning department can draft and adopt ordinances specifically addressing such types of development.

As you know, the commission already identified the need for ordinances addressing solar facilities as reflected in the commission meeting minutes of March 17. FTR has located several other sites in North Baldwin County also targeted for solar developments. So combining the Stockton, Rabin site, the Tinsall site, and the Lottie site now equates to approximately 11,000 acres of industrial solar proposed for the North Baldwin region that is north of the I 65 Line. All of this property is on currently wooded land and is all on connected waterways. Being unzoned and unincorporated leaves our area vulnerable to a future of industrialization with no input from the community.

Utility scale solar facilities come with unique risks and concerns, which can be managed to some extent with proper regulation, oversight, and enforcement. We've sent a letter to you commissioners that highlights our concerns that should be addressed prior to allowing utility scale solar developments in our community. The scope and importance of these issues underscore the need for the temporary moratorium. Our legal counsel has advised us that the commission is well within its authority to issue the requested temporary moratorium, which we have sent you. Thank you.

Again, we believe it's the duty of the commission to issue a moratorium to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of this county, and we thank you for listening to all of our concerns. Everything we brought to you, you have listened, and we see that and we appreciate it. We all share the desire to protect our unique and valuable natural resources in Baldwin County, and we know that this can be accomplished with smart, well considered, science based rules concerning these types of development. Thank you.

You. Thank you.

Can I get my pen back?

What's that?

A pen.

Yes. You may have a pen. Thank

you. Saving money. Yeah.

I'll turn it over. Does our attorney wanna address anything on this?

Yeah. We received the request that they submitted for a moratorium. So it's really two different issues that they've raised. One is in flood prone areas and one is in areas that are not flood prone but also are not zoned. So we're evaluating the research they submitted to us. I don't have an answer yet on if it's legal. Obviously, the person that that they've hired to research it thinks it's legal, but I don't know that I agree yet. I have to finish my own process. So we're in the process of doing that. You know, one potential avenue we could consider is an attorney general's opinion.

If there's an area that as there often is in government law, an area that's not covered, we may consider asking the attorney general to give us an opinion on whether or not it's legal.

Was that something that the the body can ask you for?

Yes. So we would need to prepare a resolution that y'all would adopt. So anytime you adopt, you ask for an attorney general's opinion, there has to be accompanied with it a resolution of the governing body saying that I'm authorized to to ask for it.

Alright. So you wanna just are y'all okay with teeing that up for the May 5 meeting? A resolution to seek an attorney general's opinion.

Yeah. Yeah. And in the meantime, I can go ahead and start preparing it in anticipation for that.

Okay. I'm good with that.

Does that help you out, Megan?

Yes. I appreciate that very much.

Thank you

for looking into this.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

If y'all just wanna sit around and enjoy the public hearings, you're more than welcome. I thought you might say that, John.

They are zoning cases now. They're very exciting.

You. You're welcome. Thank y'all. Good morning. How are you or whatever

it is. Good morning. It's almost something. So

how are you doing today? Alright. We'll let you get started with our public hearings. Commissioner, we are we are on CaseZ26SO5, the Smith property rezoning.

Alright. Thank you, mister chairman. Good morning, commissioners. Good morning. Commissioner Ball mentioned, this is CaseZ2605, the Smith property. The request is to rezone from B 2 and R A to B 4. Here's a location of the properties within the county. The properties are located within Planning District 12. They're located North Of State Highway 59 and South Of Railroad Avenue in Locksley. The total acreage for the properties is about one acre, and the current uses is vacant.

They would like to rezone for a major commercial use of the property, and staff has received no core correspondence regarding this case. Here are the adjacent property images. Here's the locator and site maps. To the north and south, we see RA, rural agricultural zoning with a vacant land use. To the East, M two, general industrial with industrial land use.

And to the West, we have B two, neighborhood business district zoning with commercial use. Here's the future land use map. The properties are primarily zoned for moderate development potential, but we do see some areas of conservation development potential. In terms of the staff analysis, an application has been submitted to rezone the properties to be four to allow for major commercial uses, and this may include automotive sales. The surrounding properties are predominantly zoned for commercial or industrial use, and we do see adjacent properties that are zoned for commercial use anywhere from b two to b four.

As mentioned earlier, the future land use map identifies the subject property, and a lot of the surrounding area is primarily designed for conservation or moderate development potential. On the subject property is also located north of a principal arterial. This road is designed for a high level of mobility to facilitate travel through urban and rural areas. They also provide direct access to adjacent land uses. And the subject properties are currently vacant. The surrounding parcels are zoned for commercial use,

and

the applicant intends to develop the property for major commercial purposes. So staff has determined that the requested zoning map amendment is consistent with the factors specified in the Baldwin County zoning ordinance, but not consistent with the future land use map. It's also this amendment was also evaluated using the smart growth scorecard, and it strongly supports the request. And I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Miss Corey, the questions I have, I know it's just for rezoning, but what are their plans? Have do you know? They they said I know it's made

I believe it's gonna be either used car sales or automotive sales, which is an allowable use in B four. Okay.

I know that the Planning Commission is still working and I'm not so patiently waiting anymore, but I wanna see the updated land use map. And I know that it it it always seems to be like a conflict when you say it's consistent and then it's not consistent with our future guides. So maybe I'm putting you guys on the spot, but I don't think you would be recommending this if you didn't think it was consistent. And and also, that's why we need these future land use maps updated so that they do give us a a a more balanced guide. And is is that would that be a fair statement?

Absolutely. Okay. That's all I gotta say. Thank you.

I don't have any questions.

I don't have any either.

Okay. Open and public hearing for this case. I do have one person signed up to speak, Tracy Gamble.

Good morning. Thank you for listening. I just wanna reiterate the point that commissioner Underwood made. The future land use guide is not a law. It is not a regulation.

I understand that. I think everybody does. However, it was something that was required by law to be done every ten years. It's not even three years yet and somehow it is being further and further, I want to almost say eroded in the way that the evaluations are taking place. I think it had a negative eight in the one of the the growth what's that called smart growth calculator and yet it ended up with a 20.

I think that the weight placed on each individual category is not being fairly represented. And I know that you're working on it and want to improve it and there's always room for improvement. However, I don't think it should be actually ignored during this period of modification. And I just wanted to point that out. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Ms. Gamble. Anybody else signed up on this item that wishes to speak for or against it? Okay. Hearing none, close the public hearing. Commissioners?

I'll make a motion to approve the case on the Z26Dash05.

And I second it.

Got a motion and a second to approve this case. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Okay. Alright, next up we have KC 26 Slash 06, the Buckley property rezoning. Court? Alright.

This is case Z2606, the Buckley property. The request is to rezone from R S F 1 to r a. Here's the location of the property within the county. This is in Planning District 37. The location of the property is South of Gafer Road Extension and West of Liberty Lane in Fairhope. It's approximately 6.5 acres. The current use is vacant, and the applicant is requesting to rezone for agricultural use on the property. And staff has received an email expressing opposition to this case. Here are the adjacent property images. Here's the locator and site maps.

All the adjacent land uses are residential. We do see RSF one zoning to the north and west. To the south, we have the city of Fairhope. The properties are zoned r one, low density single family residential. And then to the east, we see RTF four residential two family.

Here's the future land use map showing the property is primarily rural agricultural or low impact development potential, but we do see small areas of conservation development potential. In terms of the staff analysis, as mentioned earlier, an application has been submitted to rezone this property to RA to allow for agricultural uses. The uses will include livestock as well as a satsuma orchard. Nearby properties are zoned for residential purposes, and the zoning classifications include R 1 within the city of Fairhope as well as RA and RTF 4. The future land use map identifies this property as well as the surrounding properties primarily for rural agricultural and low impact development potential.

This can include large lots, estate style residences, and active farmland. In terms of the timing, the subject property is currently vacant, and it was recently subdivided. It was rezoned to RSF 1 back in November 2024 after the previous owner considered subdividing the land and selling it to adjacent property owners who wanted to maintain the area area's rural character. That plan was never carried out. Now the current owner now requests the property to remain rural and intends to develop it for agricultural purposes, and this has been supported by the adjacent property owners.

So staff has determined that the requested zoning map amendment is consistent with the factors outlined in the Baldwin County zoning ordinance as well as consistent with the future land use map. The requested zoning map amendment was also evaluated using the smart growth scorecard, and it strongly supported the request. I'll be happy to answer any questions.

We got any questions?

What was the the email that you received in against it?

It was primarily due to Liberty Lane being a private drive and access to this property

which Sure.

So it wasn't about use.

It wasn't about

use.

But it not

were some issues with the agricultural use because it's surrounded by residential. There was also some issues with possible traffic.

Okay. Thank you. Anybody

else? Open the public hearing. Is there anybody here to speak for or against this case? Okay. Close the public hearing.

I'll make a motion that we approve zoning request Z26Dash06.

And I'll second that motion.

We got a motion and a second to approve case number Z26SlashO6, the Buckley property rezoning. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Okay, motion is unanimous.

Next up, we got KZ26007, the Roberts property rezoning.

We

got Selena with us on this one. We can still say good morning.

Good morning.

We're not at afternoon yet.

Alright. This is a request for rezoning. The applicant is requesting to rezone from RSFE, which is state residential to RA, rural agriculture. The subject property is located in Planning District 37. It's West of Highway 181, on at the end of Vance Lane in the Fairhope area.

It consists of 9.5 acres, is currently used residential. The applicant's request, is for residential use to allow an accessory dwelling on the subject property, which is similar to like an RV is what they're requesting. Here are the adjacent properties. Here's the locator and site map. To the north is some R S F 3 residential zoning.

To the South is R S F E and a little of R A. There's also some Commercial B 2, and to the West is RSFE. Most of this area is residential with a little bit of commercial. And the flu map, it does show the majority of the property as a mid density development potential area, and it's also in a village center. As just mentioned, the flume identifies the area as mid density, which is characterized by traditional neighborhoods and a mix of housing and price points.

And then also the village centers allow for a combination of retail, office, park schools, and various community needs. The subject property does currently feature a single family residence. The neighbor prop neighboring properties are primarily residential or commercial. The development trends in the area include mostly commercial along 181 and which transitions to some estate size and single family size subdivisions. The applicant is asking for RA to have a RV like structure as an accessory dwelling.

According to the zoning ordinance in section 13, when you're zoned r r r a, you have a minimum of three acres. You are allowed to have an r b as an accessory dwelling. So staff has determined that the requested zoning map amendment is what somewhat consistent with the factors, and it is not consistent with the Bowen County feature land use map. But, the smart growth card, which, it with the card, it somewhat supports the request.

You got any questions for Selena?

No question. I just wanna say thank you for explaining that about the RV because that's what I was gonna ask you. So thank you for explaining that. Just one. Thank Right? Just one? One.

Yes. We can have have more than two dwellings Okay. On the subject property.

Anybody else? Alright. Open the public hearing. Anybody here to speak for or or behalf of this or against this zoning designation? Okay.

Close the public hearing. Commissioners.

I'll make a motion that we approve case number Z26Dash07, the Roberts property.

I'll second it.

And a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Alright, motion passes unanimously.

Is that the last one?

Yes. Before

we get to the next area, I just wanna follow-up on a comment that was made earlier that you talked about the future land use map. We're not ignoring it. It's just that it's been found to be inconsistent in some areas and wasn't as well designed as it was hoped to have been. It was very, very hard to get an updated master plan to begin with. When we walked in the door in 2018, we had a master plan that might have been 20 pages long.

You may as well not have had one. And I don't know if you researched and went back that far, but I'm gonna tell you there wasn't much at all to go by. It was basically flying by the seat of your pants. And like I said earlier, you can't go back, you can only go forward. It was not easy to get an updated master plan done.

I don't know how the maps were done. I don't know if somebody hit an AI button and said, do it, but I doubt it. I plead we paid people to good money for a computer program, but you know as well as I do that no matter what you churn out, it's what you put in it. And I do believe that we wouldn't be looking at it now if it didn't need updating. And so, therefore, you can't like you said, it's not a regulatory document. It is a guide. But when a guide's not right, you gotta fix it. And so, hopefully, that'll come sooner than later. Thank you for listening to me.

And I agree.

There we go. My amen prep.

Thank you, Selena. Thank you. Dare to ask other staff recommendations? Yes, sir. Alright. Any addenda? Press questions.

He's he's over there.

Yes, You have to come up to the mic and yes, sir. Just state your name and what press association

you're with.

My name is Grant McLaughlin. I'm with Lanyap Daily. Okay. I just kinda wanted to get a general comment from commissioners on the idea of putting a moratorium on solar development at the Stockton site. Y'all seem to at least been in agreement about at least putting this up for a vote on a AG's opinion. So I just kinda wanted to I was gonna ask all your opinions anyway. So just thought this would be easier.

I'll go. Yep. You ain't first or last. I'm sorry. Talladega nights. Did you wanna hear me talk, or you wanna sit back down?

He's getting it.

I just wanna say that any time the word moratorium is used, you have to be extremely sure about what you're doing. And I think that that's where we're at right now. There has to be a reason for it, and there has to be a specific period of time. And one thing that I like to do is is to stay within the the law, and that's what we're looking at. So there we go.

Yeah. My my comments are simple. I'm following legal advice and and and traveling down the avenue of of of looking at what is available to us through the attorney general's office as an opinion if if cases like this have come up before and commissions in the past have placed moratoriums on things like this, it would be referenced in those attorney general's opinion. So we're just we're just we got the letter received from Megan Fowler last week. Attorney was copied on that as well. So we're looking into it and it's gonna take some time to get the answers that we need. But yeah, we're in support of whatever we can do within our compound.

And that's the same as the chairman said. I just wanna make sure we can do it. If we can, it'd be great, but if we can't, we can't. So I just wanna make sure. So thank you.

Thank you, Grant. Anybody else? Commissioner comments.

I'll go. Need to go in. Go ahead.

I'm ready to go.

Make it short.

I am. Thank you guys for being here today, and I can't Sorry. Begin to thank all of our staff for what you guys do for us. It's because of you. And for anybody to diminish what our staff does has no clue what they're talking about. So thank you.

Skip. I'll go ahead. And, again, I wanna thank the staff, you know, for, what they do, getting this agenda put together and, you know, getting it so that we can bring it out to, vote in the public so that, it it has a so it's official. So, again, I wanna thank all the jailers and, you know, for what they do and also the the folks that have lost their lives in the line of duty. I want to you know, their families to know that we're we're still thinking about those people who, you know, have lost their lives, you know, in in trying to protect the citizens of Baldwin County.

So, that, and thank you very much.

Dittos to the rest of the commissioners what they said. I just wanna say thank you staff for putting this on. Thank you. And to correction officers, thank you for what you do. And I'm glad that we're recognizing law enforcement officers that got killed in the line of duty. Like I said before, I don't wanna forget this trooper that I was good friends with. His name is trooper Brian Nichols. He was a good friend, so I just wanna say, you know, that happened back in 2002. I can't believe it. It's been that long ago, but thank you staff again.

And thank you staff for putting this agenda together. And thank you commissioners and everybody else for allowing us to get out here by noon. And we had a lot of stuff go on today. I mean, it's always good and makes the commission meetings go well when we have a lot of presentations that are heartfelt and you get to see a lot of goodness that comes out of job for us. I mean, think one of these days, staff, we need to come up with some kind of National County Commissioner Recognition Week or something. You know, it'd be it'd be it'd I've never heard of that but

just create it.

Maybe we can create it because this is a definitely, and I commend all the candidates running for offices out there. It's a thankless job to want to run for. And really, do, you try so hard and you work so hard and you can't please everybody. And when you have meetings like that happened today with the goodness that you can see in people laughter, people telling jokes, we go home feeling better about what we do. And I just I thank you all for working together, all together with us and congratulations on all the presentations and awards.

Again, thanks to our amazing staff for helping us get through these agenda items. There's so much that goes into this and we really appreciate it. With that being said, I'm gonna make the motion to get out.