MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE

CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA

JANUARY 10, 2023

 

 

 

 

The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tallassee Municipal Complex. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hill and the following were recorded as present:

 

Mayor                          Sarah Hill

Council Members         Jeremy Taunton

Linda McNeal Mosher

Damian Carr

Bill Hall

Terrel Brown

Bill Godwin

Fred Randall Hughey

 

John Smith was present as city attorney and Whitney Pitchford as secretary for the meeting.

 

Approval of minutes: On motion of Councilmember Hughey and a second by Councilmember Godwin, all councilmembers present voted to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2022 work session. On motion of Councilmember Hughey and a second by Councilmember Carr, all councilmembers present voted to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2022 regular city council meeting.

Item 1. The 2023 Severe Weather preparedness tax holiday was discussed. Councilmember Carr made a motion to pass the 2023 Severe Weather preparedness tax holiday, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Item 2. Mayor Hill announced the Public Hearing to ask for a change regarding the CDBG grant amendment. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to open the Public Hearing, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. There were no comments. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Item 3. The TAPS project bid was discussed during the work session. CDG recommends the City approve the base bid plus additive alternative numbers 1-3 to Lewis General Contractors, Inc in the amount of $1,884,752.40. The estimated construction and engineering and inspection (CE&I) fees of $187,184.70 will need to be included. Total projected amount will be $2,071,937.10. We currently have a grant for $520,000. We applied for another grant totaling $580,682.16. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to accept CDG’s recommendation with the contingency that we get additional funding from ALDOT in the amount of $580,682.16, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Item 4. The Fire Department requested permission to submit grant applications for AFG-SCBA packs, firehose and a brush truck. David Rogers discussed the process and asked for Eric Jones to be authorized as a signer on behalf of the City of Tallassee. Councilmember Hughey made a motion to allow the Fire Department permission to submit the grant applications for AFG-SCBA packs, firehose and a brush truck, and also to give Eric Jones permission to be authorized as a signer on behalf of the City of Tallassee, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Item 5. The purchase of trucks for the Police Department SROs was discussed. The trucks are $23,690 each, totaling $47,380.00. This is in the Police Department’s budget. Councilmember Hall made a motion to approve the purchase of 2 trucks for the SROs for $47,380.00, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Item 6. Mayor Hill recognized the following employees from the Filter Plant and the Public Works Department for all of their hard work in freezing temperatures during the holidays: Bobby Ingram, Barnes Lockett, Michael Eaton, James Garner, Troy Wallace, Chris Worthington, Austin Keller, Ben Jones, Jermarcus Owens, Herman McKenzie and Corey Bruner. Thanks also to the Fire Department for their help on getting the pump set up.

Item 7. Hotel Talisi demolition was discussed. Interested in taking it down with City funds. Jeff Harrison will be here at the January 24th meeting to discuss our options.

Item 8. Tabled for now.

Item 9: Ordinance regarding debris pickup was tabled. Mayor Hill instructed the limb trucks to start picking up larger items until we ca get the ordinance passed to start a fee for this service.

Item 10: City Hall and the Senior Center repairs were discussed. The Senior Center-painting inside and outside and repairing walls-$6000. The paint for this will be almost $1000. City Hall repairs-materials $400, includes sink and faucet, commode, pipe, post and blocking. Labor $1200-includes roof repair, jacking and blocking underneath the building and repairing the floor in the restroom and plumbing the hot water for the sink. Total for everything $8600. Councilmember Hall made a motion to approve Farren Worthington to make these repairs to the Senior Center and City Hall and use line item 501-5014, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Item 11: Appoint Library board members. Councilmember Hughey made a motion to appoint Bob Reed to the Library Board, seconded by Councilmember Godwin. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Mosher made a motion to appoint Jahazel Hooks to the Library Board, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Item 12: The committees were discussed during the work session. Councilmembers agreed to put Councilmember Mosher into Mayor Hill’s former committees.

Item 13: Adding to the February 13th meeting.

Mayor’s Reports:

  1. Valentine’s Day is the next council meeting. Mayor Hill asked what the Council thought about moving it the February 13th. Councilmember Hall made a motion to move the February 14th meeting to Monday, February 13th, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
  2. Strategic Plan (free-ACE funded)-we need someone to be the advocate. Councilmember Brown volunteered.
  3. Andy Gantt is retiring. Possibly restructuring the cemetery department.
  4. MLK Day- Monday, walk at First Methodist Church at 10AM.
  5. Project progress report update.

 

Council Reports

Ward 2. The Mill updates look wonderful!

Ward 3. Thanks so much to the city workers for all of their hard work!

Ward 4. To the city workers-be sure to tell your families thank you for letting you work for the City. You are appreciated.

Ward 5. Thank you for everything that you Mayor and the City employees do!

Ward 6. Thanks to our public works department. Yall do a tremendous job!

Ward 7. The media never got the story straight. We know what our guys did to get the issues fixed. Mayor did a great job on the radio!

There being no further business before the council, and upon motion of Councilmember Godwin and a second by Councilmember Taunton, all councilmembers present voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:27 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________________

SARAH HILL, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

 

_______________________________

WHITNEY PITCHFORD, City Clerk