The City Council approved a $42,000 disbursement, with stipulations, to control aquatic nuisance species around private boat docks.
Tonight a joint session was held, first a work session then a regular council meeting.>
1) Name change of Island Drive on Goosepond Island to Goose Pond Island Drive, approved. 2) Surplus Property declaration at Street Department, 2 John Deer Tractors, approved. 3) Resolution with State Department of Transportation concerning access road north of Deals on Wheels, approved. 4) Road block request from Shriner's for the period of April 5 for the area of County Park Rd. and Hwy 72. 5) Bid opening for Animal Shelter kennels and runs for $95K and some change, tabled awaiting county Commission input. 6) Approval for transfer of $300,000 into Street Department Paving Account. 7) Additional funds for Planning Department approved in the amount of $7500. This money will be utilized for the hiring of a City Engineer. (Mr. Curtis Davis, City Planner, last day at work was last Wednesday.) 8) Surplus property declaration for Planning Department. 9) Pharmacy Card Program approved for the citizens of Scottsboro allowing for 20% off prescriptions for all citizens who do not have insurance. This is a no cost program for the tax payers. This program was brought home from the League of Municipalities meeting in Washington last week. 10) A Cost of Living Increase was approved at 2% for City Employees effective April 1. 11) Roseberry Rescue Group requested $42,500 from the City of Scottsboro for the cleanup of aquatic weeds around their private boat docks. The Council approved this request with the stipulation that other sources must equally fund this project. The County Commission did not fund the requested $42,000. It was reported by the group the Jackson County Legislative Delegation will receive a request for this project. The Roseberry Group and the council stated that most citizens support the city utilizing taxpayer money to clean up aquatic weeds around private boat owners docks. That is not a true statement. I have discovered that the City Council did not consult with any State Department of Conservation Biologist or Fisheries Specialist prior to approving this project. The City Council President was given information concerning the Alabama Aquatic Nuisance Task Force and other information concerning Aquatic Nuisance Species, http://www.outdooralabama.com/education/generalinfo/ans/plan/AlANSPlan200812.pdf other council members indicated to me they have never heard of the Alabama Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.
Story from Huntsville Times on Roseberry Rescue Group. http://blog.al.com/breaking/2009/03/roseberry_scottsboro_roseberry.html