By Michelle Key
Publisher

Lee County’s Veterans Resource Officer Jamie Popwell presented a flag to the Lee County Commission during Monday night’s meeting. The flag was found in the immediate aftermath of the March 3 tornadoes and efforts to find the owner were unsuccessful.
A framed sign underneath the flag read “This flag was found by rescuers buried in debris along Highway 51 near Lee Road 38 in the aftermath of Lee Count’s worst natural disaster on record. A devastating EF-4 tornado that claimed the lives of 23 people on March 3, 2019. This symbol is dedicated to them, Lee County Strong.”
Commissioner Johnny Lawerence recognized the 40 member equestrian team from Auburn University on their 2019 National Championship win. This is the schools sixth championship title.
County Engineer Justin Hardee informed the commissioners of a request from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for Lee County to provide the debris removal along state right-of-ways affected by the March 3 tornadoes. Hardee stated that he has submitted the memorandum of agreement (MOA) that would authorize the county to work on the ALDOT right-of-ways to FEMA for their concurrence that this work if performed by the county would be eligible for REMA reimbursement.
There are more than 30 miles of ALDOT roadways in Lee Co. that were impacted by the storms. The commission decided to postpone a vote on the MOA until further information is received from FEMA and questions pertaining to the MOA can be clarified byStan Martin, the county attorney.
In other business, the commission:
• voted to approved a motion to adopt the Feb. 19 Special Election for the tax renewal for the Lee Co. Board of Education and the Lee County Youth Development Center
• approved a motion to allow the county to request funding through a grant from Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to assist with the repair and replacement of approximately 50 septic tanks in the areas impacted by the March 3 tornadoes
• approved a Plat Approval for the Halawakee Ridge Phase II Subdivision.
Commission meetings are open to the public and are held the 2nd and last Monday nights of the month in the commission chambers of the Lee County Courthouse.
The next meeting will be held on May 13 at 5 p.m.