Playground proposed for North Sand Mountain
Story by Emily Kirby
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County Engineer Jonathan Campbell updated the Jackson County Commission on Monday with the plans for County Road 38.
“We did receive word last week that our project was funded, and we signed the official funding agreements,” Campbell said.
The total project is expected to cost upwards of $2.7M, and FEMA will reimburse the county 87% of the cost.
The long-awaited update to this mountain road has some environmental constraints that the county is working with to complete the project.
The county must complete an agreed upon tree-clearing project by the end of March to avoid three species of bats in the area that could seek summer nesting in the trees.
A survey was also requested by an adjoining landowner who is allowing the county to use property for easements while the project is underway. Campbell said the survey was part of the agreement between the county and the landowner.
Jackson County is also waiting to receive proposals from FEMA for County Road 93 and hope to hear back in the coming weeks.
Commission Chairman Bill Nance also asked Campbell to provide the commission with suggestions for County Road 33 and the issues surrounding 18-wheelers often getting stuck, blocking the road. Campbell said new signage has been ordered for the upper and lower stretches of the mountain. He will provide the commission with repair suggestions at the next meeting.
North Sand Mountain Park
Parks and Recreation Director Steven Pereira presented the Jackson County Commission with community proposals for the North Sand Mountain Park during Monday night’s meeting. Pereira said he’s had many requests for updates to the facilities.
“Since my hire, there’s been several inquiries if more can be done for the park out at North Sand Mountain,” Pereira said. “It’s a great park, it’s a great asset to the community out there, but it needs a lot of work.”
Pereira said citizens have requested a playground be installed, along with updates to the bathrooms and outdoor lighting.
“The bathrooms are in dire need,” he said. “We’re doing what we can right now to get it back up to usable conditions but it’s a lot of thrown together stuff in there.”
Pereira said the electric and plumbing are “all over the place” and need attention.
The proposed playground would be near the walking track, to allow families to use the track while their children play. Pereira said the playground would not interfere with the two ball fields and suggested the commission also think about a future field for T-ball teams to utilize.
The commission asked Pereira to present an outline of all the work needed with estimates of repairs so they can see the full scope of the project.
Pereira also presented bids for a new roof on the KC BBQ building located in the Jackson County Park.
During heavy storms, the roof is leaking in the kitchen and dining rooms. Three separate contractors said the roof needed to be completely replaced and suggested a metal roof. The commission will review the bids and vote at a later date.
The commission also:
- approved an agreement between Jackson County Solid Waste and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
- approved the request from the Scottsboro Jackson County Rescue Squad for help in purchasing a new transport vehicle for a total of $35,000. For the full story, see the March 1, 2024 issue of the North Jackson Press or visit northjacksonpress.com to access free online editions.
- approved a budget amendment for the Jackson County Jail. Since he is a member of the rescue squad, District 1 Commissioner Chris Gulley abstained from the vote. Also see the March 1, 2024 edition for more details.
- approved to change the Hytop polling location from Hytop Town Hall to the Hytop Community Center.
- approved Resolution 24-02, revising the position of pistol permit clerk to a clerk II position at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
•approved an organizational chart for the JCSO.
- approved to hire a nutritional manager at the Paint Rock Council on Aging.
- approved to hire a driver/collector for the Jackson County Solid Waste Department at Grade 2, Step 1.
- voted in favor to approve the appointment of Ashley Colon to the Healthcare Authority Board.
- voted in favor to approve the appointment of Lydia Pennington to Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers & Valleys Resource Conservations and Developments Council.
- heard a JMR+H update on the courthouse and Liberty Lane Building renovations. See the March 1 edition of NJP for more information.
- voted to set aside the rules during the work session and approved to revise the hiring process for county employees. This change would allow department heads to fill positions between commission meetings, which in turn can help speed up the hiring process and encourage internal promotions, according to the commission.
- voted to set aside the rules during the work session and approved to change the county’s sick day policy. Since the start of COVID-19 in 2020, Jackson County has followed the CDC guidelines as they have changed and updated. The CDC now recommends COVID work-related absences be treated like the flu, if an employee has a fever, they will go home, and can use two sick days. If more than two days are needed, a doctor’s note may be required from department heads.
