BY ANITA STIEFEL
ANITAS@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
LEE COUNTY — At its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 25, the Lee County Commission passed four resolutions dispersing federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The first resolution designates $1 million in ARPA Revenue Replacement Funds to the Refuse Disposal Fund 140. Chief Administrative Officer Holly H. Leverette explained these funds are needed to help offset the additional expenses incurred due to the significant volume increases at the collection sites during the pandemic.
The second resolution allocates $250,000 of ARPA Revenue Replacement Funds for design and construction of Loachapoka Park. The third resolution designates $3.4 million in ARPA funds to complete Phase II of the Lee County Broadband Expansion Grant Program. The fourth resolution designates $43,000 of ARPA Local and Tribal Consistency Funds and executes a contract with low bidder DPS Group to update the second-floor cameras at the Justice Center courtrooms.
In other action, upon recommendation of Sheriff Jay Jones, the commission accepted a low bid of just of over $148,000 from Mobile Communications America for emergency equipment for 14 plus Chevrolet Tahoes for the Sheriff’s Department.
The commission voted to approve updates to the Flood Damage Prevention Resolution, as recommended by Chief Building Official Eric Parten.
Environmental Services Director John McDonald informed the commission it is time to renew the county’s Solid Waste Management Plan, a 10-year plan required by ADEM. The commission authorized an agreement with CDG and Associates to complete this update at a cost of just under $9,700.
McDonald asked for community participation in the Alabama PALS “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” 2024 Spring Clean Up event, which lasts the entire month of April. For more information about participating, call (334) 737-7013.
McDonald also updated the commission on the Environmental Service Department’s participation in the Touch-A-Truck event at Smiths Station Elementary School. He and commissioners commended Recycling Facility Manager Harold Whatley for doing an excellent job coordinating the event.
Parks Department Manager Ryan Norris sent a report to commissioners, informing them the opening ceremony for spring sports at Beulah Park is upcoming on April 6. Smiths Station and Beauregard youth softball will begin on April 8, and Loachapoka recreation leagues will begin playing at the softball field during the first week of May.
In another matter, Norris asked the commission for direction on how to proceed with a request by a nonprofit organization for discounted rates to use county fields. The commission asked for additional information and tabled the matter pending more discussion.
Commissioners also tabled consideration of options for upgrading security technology in county facilities. They will hold a work session to discuss these and other matters at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 8, before the regularly scheduled meeting at 5 p.m.
Lee County Commission meetings are held on the second and the last Mondays of each month at 5 p.m. in the Commission Chamber on the second floor of the Lee County Courthouse, located at 215 S. 9th St. in Opelika. Community members wishing to speak should sign in prior to the meeting.