Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 7/1/2025
Item Status: New
From: Roger H. Rendleman, County Administrator
Submitted by: Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Request from Fort Mims Restoration Association, Inc. for Support Services for 2025 Fort Mims Living History and Re-enactment Event
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
As it relates to the 2025 Fort Mims Living History and Re-enactment Event, take the following actions as requested by Fort Mims Restoration Association, Inc. (FMRA):
1) Approve to utilize Baldwin County Regional Area Transit System (BRATS) for transportation on August 30, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the donated cost of $594.88; and
2) Approve the Parks Department to continue bi-weekly site maintenance as currently scheduled; and
3) Approve the Highway Department to assist with striping temporary parking spaces as requested with any associated expenses to be covered by funds in the amount of $10,950.00 allocated to the FMRA by Resolution #2025-117, adopted on May 6, 2025.
4) Due to current project demands, existing resource allocations, and limited staffing availability, the Parks and Archives and History Departments are unable to provide additional support or staffing for this event.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: Archives Staff received a request from Claudia Campbell, President of FMRA, seeking interdepartmental assistance for the 2025 Fort Mims Living History and Re-enactment Event. The request includes:
• BRATS Transportation Services: The use of one (1) BRATS bus on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at a total cost of $594.88, based on a rate of $74.36 per hour for 8.0 hours (including commute, pre-trip, and post-trip inspections). The BRATS department seeks Commission authorization to provide this service as a donation, in compliance with federal charter regulations.
• Solid Waste Management: Coordination is ongoing between FMRA and the Solid Waste Department for the provision of rolling garbage containers during the event.
• Parks Department: Parks will continue its regularly scheduled bi-weekly maintenance of the Fort Mims site, as requested by Ms. Campbell and consistent with current operations.
• Highway Department: FMRA has requested assistance with striping temporary parking spaces in the grassy area and along the road near the site. As this is outside routine maintenance, it is recommended that any associated expenses be covered through the funds previously allocated to FMRA under Resolution #2025-117.
• Archives and History Department: While Archives and History is a valued partner of FMRA, the department is currently engaged in preparations for Commission-approved fall programs. Due to limited staffing and other commitments, Archives and History is not able to commit personnel or resources to support the 2025 Fort Mims Event.
The Fort Mims Re-enactment and Living History is a long-standing event that draws participants and visitors from across the region. Staff supports continued collaboration across County departments where feasible and within existing resource parameters.
Previous Commission action/date:
May 6, 2025 - Adopted Resolution #2025-117 appropriating $10,950.00 from the Historic Parks Fund to the FMRA for the Fort Mims Re-enactment and Living History Event on August 29-31, 2025, and Resolution #2025-115, appropriating $13,500.00 from the Historic Parks Fund to the FMRA for infrastructure improvements and maintenance projects.
June 16, 2024 - Approved donated transportation services for the 2024 Fort Mims Re-enactment held on August 24, 2024.
March 5, 2024 - Adopted Resolution #2024-080, appropriating $15,000 from the Historic Parks Fund to the FMRA for the Fort Mims Re-enactment event held on August 24, 2024.
July 18, 2023 - Adopted Resolution #2023-154 appropriating $15,000.00 from the Historic Parks Fund to the FMRA and donated transportation services for the 2023 Fort Mims Re-enactment event held on August 26, 2023.
June 21, 2022 - Approved the Baldwin County Highway Department Maintenance Crew to mark/paint the parking lot at the Fort Mims State Historic site just prior to the event at a cost of $1,837.72, with said cost to be invoiced to the FMRA; and approved four (4) Parks Department employees, two employees working eight hours each and two employees working four hours each, to clean up at the Fort Mims State Historic Site just prior to the event and immediately following the event at a cost of $390.20, with said cost to be invoiced to the FMRA; and approved the use of thirty (30) large rolling garbage carts from the Solid Waste Department, for use throughout the Fort Mims Historic State Site on Friday, August 26, 2022, and removed on Monday, August 29, 2022, at a cost of $40.00 ($10.00 delivery fee and $1.00 per cart) with said cost to be invoiced to the FMRA; and authorized the Archives Department to facilitate the rental from A&M Portables, Inc., of four (4) handicap portable toilets equipped with toilet paper, hand sanitizer and a sink outside for handwashing to be delivered to the event at a cost of $1,028.00, with said cost to be invoiced to the FMRA. Adopted Resolution #2022-105 for $3,295.92, an appropriation from the Historic Parks Fund to FMRA and donated transportation service for the 2022 Fort Mims Re-enactment held on August 27, 2022.
June 1, 2021 - Adopted Resolution #2021-079, appropriating $4,148.00 from the Historic Parks Fund to the FMRA and donated transportation service for the 2021 Fort Mims Re-enactment event held on August 28, 2021.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: BRATS - $594.88
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow-up: Administration Staff to notify persons listed below of Commission decision. BRATS staff to schedule and coordinate transportation.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Admin - Send Correspondence to:
Ms. Claudia Slaughter-Campbell
Fort Mims Restoration Association, Inc.
64960 Slaughter Lane
Stockton, Alabama 36579
cc: Claudia Campbell (claudia_cmpbll@yahoo.com), Frank Lundy, Roger Rendleman, Ann Dubose-Simpson, Felisha Anderson, Tara Hazelbaker
Additional instructions/notes: If approved, costs associated with labor, materials, and equipment shall be invoiced to the FMRA. The Highway Department shall coordinate directly with the FMRA regarding scheduling, layout, and any site preparation needed.