Lawrence County, TN

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners held an Agenda Meeting for the July 2010 Regular Session on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at the Lawrence County Courthouse. There were several members of the county commission present.

County Executive Paul Rosson called the meeting to order and asked County Attorney Charlie Holt to review items proposed for the agenda thus far.

Mr. Holt said there would be budget amendments, approval of minutes, appointments to the library board and airport board. He said the Safety Committee might have a resolution regarding the ambulance service following a meeting the following week.

Commissioner Ronnie Benefield asked about the vehicle donation for the City of Ethridge that was approved at the last meeting. No one was certain on the status of this vehicle. Mr. Holt said the Budget Committee would have to approve the matter.

Commissioner John Sanders proposed donating the meal trailer from the temporary jail to the local Red Cross chapter. Mr. Holt said the Budget Committee would have to approve this.

Commissioner Rick Hill proposed setting a 45 mph speed limit on Hudson Road from Redhill Center to Buffalo Road.

Commissioner Ray Brazier proposed that the Highway Committee to set some sort of standards or criteria regarding speed limits in the county.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned without objection.

The Public Safety Committee convened on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Lawrence County Administrative Center.

Members present were Bobby Clifton, Sandra Hyatt, Bert Spearman and John Sanders. Also present was County Attorney Charlie Holt and Ambulance Director Scott Storey.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss issues related to the Ambulance Service.

Mr. Clifton called the meeting to order and asked Director Storey to open the discussion.

Director Storey presented the committee with a proposed resolution which would set guidelines for emergency response services in Lawrence County. Mr. Storey and Mr. Holt discussed this proposal with the committee.

A motion was made by John Sanders, seconded by Sandra Hyatt to recommend the resolution to the full county commission. The motion was approved with all ayes.

The committee next discussed coverage of the north end of Lawrence County. Mr. Storey said there are options being considered. He said his goal is to ultimately have a first responder within 10 minutes of any call.

Mr. Storey next informed the committee that the ambulance service has been awarded a grant through the Health Services Administration and has received 10 AED devices. Mr. Storey demonstrated the machine for the committee.

With no additional business, the committee adjourned on a motion by John Sanders.

Community clubs and their supporters helped make sure springtime was a clean time in Lawrence County, collecting more than 13,000 pounds of trash, during the first county-wide litter pickup effort of 2010.

The clubs collected litter as part of a contest funded by the Litter Grant Program of the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The effort coincided with the Great American Cleanup campaign, which is held across the nation each spring.

During the contest period, community clubs and their friends delivered 13,210 pounds of litter to the Lawrence County Solid Waste Transfer Station.

West End Community Club collected 6,660 pounds of litter, winning the first place prize of $250. New Prospect won second place and $200 by collecting 2,080 pounds of litter. Copperas Branch Community Club collected 1,340 pounds of litter, winning the third place prize of $150. Winning fourth place and $100 was West Point Community Club, whose supporters collected 1,180 pounds of litter.

Henryville, Gandy, Center Point, Mars Hill, Crawfish Valley and Southeast Lawrence clubs will all receive $50 cash awards for participating in the litter cleanup campaign. Together, those clubs collected 1,950 pounds of litter.

Lawrence County Government thanks all those who participated in the latest litter campaign for helping Keep Lawrence County Clean. Community clubs and their supporters are encouraged to watch for dates and information about the fall litter contest.

The Lawrence County Purchasing Committee convened on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Lawrence County Administrative Center.

Members present were Paul Rosson, Jerry Putman and Alan Keener. Also present was Road Superintendent Donnie Brown and Purchasing Agent Carla Burden.

The purpose of the meeting was to open bids for a state aid bridge project.

Mr. Rosson called the meeting to order and asked Mrs. Burden to open the only bid submitted for the project.

The bid was submitted by Rogers Group for resurfacing of Flatwoods Road from State Route 242 to the Lawrenceburg City Limits and for Owens Road from State Route 98 to Blooming Grove Road. The price for the Flatwoods Road project was $92,200 for BPMB-HM, $54,495 for Grade E Mix, and $42,926 Aggr for Grade E Mix. The price for the Owens Road project was $35,850 for BPMB-HM, $20,760 for Grade E Mix, and $16,328 for Aggr Grade E Mix.

Mr. Brown explained the nature of the project.

A motion was made by Alan Keener, seconded by Jerry Putman to approve the bid as submitted. The motion was approved with all ayes.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned without objection.

The Lawrence County Purchasing Committee convened on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference room of the Lawrence County Administrative Center.

Members present were Jerry Dryden, Jerry Putman, and Rick Hill. Also present Commissioner Bert Spearman, Purchasing Agent Carla Burden and Highway Superintendent Donnie Brown.

The purpose of the meeting was to open bids for cleaning services at the Lawrence County Health Department and Lawrence County Public Library and annual bids for the Lawrence County Highway Department.

Mr. Dryden convened the meeting and then asked Mrs. Burden to open the bids. The following bids were opened:

Health Department Cleaning Services:

Duck Creek $13,000

Go Natural $18,900

Mary’s Cleaning $12,000

A motion was made by Jerry Putman, seconded by Rick Hill to allow Health Department Director Steve Hill and Purchasing Agent Carla Burden to determine the lowest and best bid. Motion was approved with all ayes.

Library Cleaning Services:

Duck Creek $5,200 Main Branch only

Go Natural $5,000 Main + $900 Loretto Branch

Mary’s Cleaning $5,000 Both Branches

Shirley Trapp $900 for Loretto only

A motion was made by Jerry Putman, seconded by Rick Hill to allow Library Director Teresa Newton and Purchasing Agent Carla Burden to determine the lowest and best bid. Motion was approved with all ayes.

Bids were next opened for materials and services for the Highway Department. This includes roadway striping, reinforced concrete pipe, metal culvert pipe, elliptical pipe, plastic double wall reinforced pipe, patch magic and crushed stone. The bid tabulation is included with these minutes.

Bids were opened for crushed stone, rip rap, crusher run and pug mix from Wayne County Rock and Rogers Group. Prices are included with these minutes.

Next, bids were opened for Patch Magic from Damron Trucking and Ergon Asphalt and Emulsion. Prices are included with these minutes.

Next, bids were opened for reinforced concrete pipe and plastic double wall reinforced pipe from K& W Culvert and Supply and Williamson Pipe Company. The prices are included with these minutes. A motion was made by Jerry Putman, seconded by Rick Hill to accept the bid of K&W Culvert and Supply for these items. The motion was approved with all ayes.

Next, bids were opened for metal culvert pipe from K&W Culvert and Contech Construction Products. The prices are included with these minutes. A motion was made by Rick Hill, seconded by Jerry Putman to accept the bid of K&W Culvert for the metal culvert pipe. The motion was approved with all ayes.

A motion was made by Jerry Putman, seconded by Rick Hill to accept the earlier bid of Damron for mixing on-site of patch magic. The motion was approved with all ayes.

Next, bids were opened for reinforced concrete pipe from Sherman-Dixie. The prices are included with these minutes. A motion was made by Rick Hill, seconded by Jerry Putman to accept the bid. The motion was approved with all ayes.

Next, bids were opened for elliptical pipe from Sherman Dixie. The prices are included with these minutes. A motion was made by Jerry Putman, seconded by Rick Hill to accept the bid. The motion was approved with all ayes.

The final bids opened were for roadway striping from Anderson Striping in the amount of $375 per linear mile and Kerr Brothers in the amount of $550 per linear mile. A motion was made by Rick Hill, seconded by Jerry Putman to accept the low bid from Anderson Striping. The motion was approved with all ayes.

A motion was made by Jerry Putman, seconded by Rick Hill to accept the bid on crushed stone submitted by Rogers Group. The motion was approved with all ayes.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned without objection.

The Lawrence County Insurance & Benefits Committee convened on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 5:15 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Lawrence County Administrative Center.

Members present were Chris Jackson, Charles Robertson, Jerry Dryden, Sandra Hyatt and Bert Spearman. Also present was Budget Director Teresa Purcell.

The purpose of the meeting was to be updated on the county insurance pool premium for the coming year.

Mrs. Purcell explained to the committee that the renewal period has arrived for the county’s insurance coverage including auto, general liability, errors and omissions and property coverage. Last year, the premium amount was $185,424. The amount will increase this year by $16,161 due primarily to the addition of the new jail to the policy. The renewal premium for the coming year will be $201,585. This policy is through the Local Government Insurance Pool. The renewal period begins July 1, 2010.

A motion was made by Jerry Dryden, seconded by Charles Robertson to approve the renewal of the insurance policy at the announced premium price. The motion was approved with all ayes.

Mr. Robertson asked about health insurance for county employees. Mrs. Purcell said the committee needs to discuss this matter.

With no additional business, the meeting was adjourned without objection.

The Lawrence County Resolution Committee convened on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 5 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Lawrence County Administrative Center.

Members present Jerry Dryden, Charles Robertson, Sandra Hyatt, and Bobby Clifton.

The purpose of the meeting was to review matters of business for the May 25, 2010 Regular Session.

County Attorney Charlie Holt presented the committee with a draft of the agenda and reviewed the items listed.

Also added was a speed limit on Dry Weakley Road as sponsored by Ronnie Benefield.

Mr. Holt said Commissioner Jackson would have a resolution to honor Ronnie McMasters for his service as Mayor of Loretto.

A motion was made by Bert Spearman, seconded by Bobby Clifton to approve the agenda. The motion was approved with all ayes.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned without objection.

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners held an agenda meeting on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 5 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Lawrence County Administrative Center.

Members present were Bobby Clifton, Jerry Dryden, Sandra Hyatt, Rick Hill and Bert Spearman. Also present was County Attorney Charlie Holt.

The purpose of the meeting was to propose matters of business for the May 25, 2010 regular session.

County Attorney Charlie Holt presented a list of items for the agenda, including Minutes, Budget Amendments, Three Star Strategic Plan and Title VI Resolutions, Litter Grant Resolution, Appointments and the Doubles and Errors Report.

Commissioners Sandra Hyatt, Rick Hill and Bobby Clifton asked to sponsor a resolution which would have the county opting-out of the state residential codes legislation. Sandra Hyatt reminded that the Safety Committee had recommended writing off uncollected ambulance service debt from 2003 to 2007. Commissioner Clifton also reminded that there was a vacancy on the Board of Equalization which needs to be filled.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

The Lawrence County Public Safety, Jail & Judicial Committee convened on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 5 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Lawrence County Administrative Center.

Members present were Bobby Clifton, Sandra Hyatt, John Sanders and Bert Spearman. Also present was Ambulance Director Scott Storey and Budget Director Teresa Purcell.

The purpose of the meeting was to address several issues regarding the ambulance service.

A representative from Zoll spoke to the committee regarding an Auto Pulse machine and monitor system. The equipment was demonstrated for the committee.

Mrs. Purcell next addressed the committee on the need for a policy for self-pay discounts and low income patients.

A motion was made by Bert Spearman, seconded by Sandra Hyatt to ask the Budget Office to devise a policy for payment options for ambulance service accounts for self-pay and low income situations. The motion was approved with all ayes.

Mrs. Purcell informed the committee that other medical service providers often provide a percentage discount to patients without insurance coverage. The committee next reviewed a list of charity and hardship requests on ambulance service accounts.

A motion was made by John Sanders, seconded by Sandra Hyatt to approve the various reductions and write-offs for the listed accounts as discussed. Motion was approved with all ayes.

The committee next discussed unpaid ambulance service accounts from the years 2004 to 2007.

A motion was made by John Sanders seconded Sandra Hyatt by to write-off $620,718.18 in uncollected debt for the 2004-2007 period and for this recommendation to be presented to the full county commission. Motion was approved with all ayes.

With no further business, the meeting adjourned without objection.

The Lawrence County Purchasing Committee convened on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Lawrence County Administrative Center.

Members present were Paul Rosson, Jerry Dryden, Rick Hill and Alan Keener. Also present were Budget Director Teresa Purcell, Road Superintendent Donnie Brown and others.

The purpose of the meeting was to open bids for a reclaimer for the Highway Department.

The following bids were opened for the equipment:

Nashville Tractor & Supply presented a letter of intent not to bid.

Thompson Machinery submitted a bid in the amount of $367,000 with a delivery date of 2-4 weeks.

Mr. Brown recommended the bid from Thompson Machinery be accepted.

A motion was made by Alan Keener, seconded by Jerry Dryden to accept the bid as presented. The motion was approved with all ayes.

The following bids were then opened for the financing options:

First Farmers with a first payment of $80,905.39 and an interest rate of 4.45%

Wachovia with a first payment of $78,479.30 and interest rate of 3.42%

Suntrust with a first payment of $65,851.14 and interest rate of 3.05%

Republic 1^st National with a first payment of $67,908.30 and interest rate of 4.38%

Thompson Machinery with a first payment of $65,699.07 and interest rate of 2.952%

After a period of discussion, Mrs. Purcell recommended accepting the lowest bid on the financing.

A motion was made by Alan Keener, seconded by Rick Hill to accept the financing option from the low bidder of Thompson Machinery. The motion was approved with all ayes.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned without objection.