As the first anniversary of the April 27 storms approaches, people remember the loss of life, honor the heroes who tirelessly to saved lives and property and continue the rebuilding process.

The county commission passed a resolution declaring April 27, 2012 a day of remembrance to honor individuals who devoted countless hours to recovery efforts.

County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon commended the county’s government agencies and first response teams on their efforts in working together  and getting in disaster areas immediately to provide relief and help save lives.

“Everybody worked well together. It was a learning experience and a very humbling experience,” Batemon said, reminding people of the importance of government agencies working together to help people when they can’t help themselves.

Batemon said after such a devastating event, people are still suffering and recovery is an ongoing process.

A year later the county continues debris cleanup in Shoal Creek and Kelly Creek.  With a grant from the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the county will remove the large debris still in the creeks.  Last Friday the county engineer held a mandatory pre-bid meeting for the project where approximately 15 companies were given information about what would be required while undertaking the project.

According to the county engineer, Dan Dahlke, the creek clean up is approximately a $1.7 million project.  The NRCS told Dahlke there has not been such a large project like this in the recent history of the state.

To meet their July 31 deadline the county will hire temporary inspection workers for the project.  The county approved creating five positions at a pay rate of $12 per hour.  The county also approved sending out a rental bid for heavy equipment for the engineering department.

In other actions the County Commission:

—Approved the application for a Community Development Block Grant for the expansion of a water line in Pinedale Shores and pledging the county will match funds up to $25,000.

—Approved a bid by Alabama Guardrail in the amount of $45,700 to install guardrails on Co. Road 9.  The county will match costs at 10 percent.

—Approved the request of the Probate Judge to increase the Change Fund in the Pell City Probate Office from $450 to $1,050.

—Approved the request of Judge Robert Minor for  a $2,500 appropriation to St. Clair County Children’s Policy Council to be paid from Juvenile Court Services Fund.

—Approved the City of Springville’s request for $1,000 appropriation for the annual “Take Your Kid Fishin’” event at Big Springs Park May 26.

—Approved the request of Judge Alan Furr for a $750 appropriation for Moody Library’s Imagination Library program to be paid from Juvenile Court Services Fund.

—Approved  the request of the county engineer to contract out certificates for the Floodplain area.

—Approved the transfer of four FEMA trailers purchased from ADECA from the county’s inventory to the St. Clair Baptist Relief Team.

—Approved creating a position and posting a vacancy for a part-time laborer at pay grade six, to be assigned to maintenance.

—Approved creating a position and posting a vacancy for a part-time clerk at pay grade 11 in the Sheriff’s office and eliminating the position of Occasional Clerk.

—Approved filling the vacant Road Worker II position.

—Approved agreements with municipalities to borrow the county’s HAVA voting machines for the 2012 municipal elections in August.

—Appointed Pat Fouts to the St. Clair County Health Care Authority.

—A public hearing will be held on May 8 at 9 a.m. in Ashville regarding the NuFab Rebar, LLC development in Riverside.