The Morgan County Commission authorized Chairman Ray Long to advertise for bids to replace fencing around three of the four ball fields at West Park and install a new fence at the District II Shop at its regular meeting on Thursday.

District 2 Commissioner Randy Vest said the fencing at fields 1, 3 and 4 is in need of replacing because of normal wear and tear. It will be replaced with six-ft. fencing as a safety measure. Field 2 was fenced in 2010.

“Youth league baseball and softball seasons will begin soon,” Vest said, “and it may be late summer or early fall before work can be done.”

“A new fence, six feet high and approximately 500 feet long, is needed to separate the District 2 shop from a firing range,” Vest said. “At present, the entrance to the firing range is through shop property and security is a concern when the shop is closed and the firing range is open. The new fence will provide a separate entrance to the firing range and will result in improved safety.”

In another matter, the chairman was authorized to seek bids for the construction of a 32-foot by 36-foot concrete block and metal storage building at the Danny Ray Huskey Park.  The building will be erected between two ball fields and will have a 10-foot overhang on each side and a 12-foot overhang in front. These overhangs will provide a shaded area for fans to sit and watch baseball and softball games. The storage building itself will provide ample space for the storage of athletic field equipment and supplies and team equipment.

The commission acted on other matters as follows:

• Approved checks totaling $5.05 million for the month of January 2011.

• Approved payments out of the tourism, recreation and convention fund as follows: Alabama National Fair, $100; Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau, $2,500; Hartselle-Morgan  County Chamber Map, $900; and Decatur-Morgan County Chamber Directory, $2,980.

• Approved payment of $1,030 to S.S. Nesbitt & Co. for notary bond renewals for Kathy Brewer, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, effective Feb. 15, 2011, through Feb. 15, 2015.

• Authorized the chairman to issue a purchase order in the amount of $25,660 to Hometown Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep of Opelika for the purchase of a 2011 crew cab 4×2 XLT cab service truck for the Morgan County Area Transportation Service. Of that amount, $20,000 will be paid by the 2009 American Retirement and Recovery Act administered by the Alabama Department of Transportation and the remaining $5,660 will be paid out of MCATS vehicle procurement funds.

• Authorized the chairman to execute a software license and software agreement between RouteMatch Software and the Morgan County Commission for the benefit of MCATS, effective March 10, 2011.

• Declared as surplus property a 1996 Fort LNT 8000 truck for the inventory of the Morgan County Environmental Department and authorized it to be offered for sale on govdeals.com, with proceeds to be returned to the environmental department.

• Passed a resolution authorizing the commission to call upon the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) along with Gov. Robert Bentley to continue the day-to-day operations of the State Surplus Warehouse property facility in Eva.