BALDWIN COUNTY COMMISSION
MINUTES
JANUARY 20, 2009
BALDWIN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
BAY MINETTE, ALABAMA

Members present were, Frank Burt, Jr., Charles F. Gruber, Wayne A. Gruenloh, and David E. Bishop, Chairman.

Also present were Michael L. Thompson, County Administrator and J. Scott Barnett, Chief Counsel.

(J1 REPLACEMENT) - LETTER TO GOVERNOR BOB RILEY

County Administrator Thompson said the Baldwin County Commission’s congressional lobbyist believes it would be beneficial if the Baldwin County Commission conveyed to the Governor of the State of Alabama, the Honorable Bob Riley, the projects listing of proposed infrastructure stimulus funding requests related to the U.S. Congress’ current consideration of a massive economic stimulus package. The economic stimulus package has been discussed as a remedy to the current economic climate in the nation through the restoration of the national economy through infrastructure projects which create jobs.

At this time the economic stimulus proposals being reviewed by the U.S. Congress give no firm criteria; however, the following projects booklet entitled Baldwin County Commission – Baldwin County, Alabama – 2009 Infrastructure Stimulus Funding Requests provide a myriad of projects dealing with roads, bridges, highways and other capital infrastructure projects which may benefit the county, state and nation if funded and constructed: This booklet is intended to be a resource for the Governor’s office and his executive departments for their review should the economic stimulus package be adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by the President providing funding to the State of Alabama for its dispersal to deserving entities within.

The letter to Governor Riley will also be copied to Congressman Jo Bonner, Senator Richard Shelby, Senator Jeff Sessions and the Baldwin County Legislative  delegation.

Mr. Thompson said the issue here is that the County does not know how the actual disbursement of any dollars may occur. It is likely that a portion of the dollars would be processed through the State. In an effort to bring the State to be more familiar with what Baldwin County is trying to do, this information will be passed to the County’s Representatives in Congress as well. The actual Stimulus Funding Request will be going to Senators Shelby and Sessions, and Representative Bonner on the County’s behalf. Staff has worked very hard on this document in the past few months, and particularly Assistant County Administrator Brewer who organized the consolidation of the document.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GRUENLOH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GRUBER TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A LETTER TO GOVERNOR BOB RILEY INFORMING HIS OFFICE OF THE BALDWIN COUNTY COMMISSION’S 2009 INFRASTRUCTURE STIMULUS FUNDING REQUESTS, WHICH ENTAILS HIGHWAYS, ROADS AND BRIDGES AND CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AS A PREPARATORY MEASURE FOR STATE REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION IN THE EVENT THE U.S. CONGRESS ADOPTS AN ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES FUNDING TO STATE GOVERNMENTS IN AN EFFORT TO ASSIST IN THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY OF THE NATION.

UNANIMOUS.

[Included in the booklet was the following...]