MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
FEBRUARY 12, 2019
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tallassee Municipal Complex. The meeting was called to order by Mayor John Hammock and the following were recorded as present:
Mayor John Hammock
Council Members Jeremy Taunton
Sarah Hill
Damian Carr
Darrell Wilson
Terrel Brown – absent
Bill Godwin
David Stough
John Smith was present as city attorney and City Clerk Barbara Garnett acted as clerk for the meeting.
Mayor Hammock presented the minutes of the council work session held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Council Member Taunton and a second by Council Member Hill, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Mayor Hammock presented the minutes of the regular council meeting held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Council Member Hill and a second by Council Member Godwin, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Item 1: Mayor Hammock presented a recommendation to amend the budget to increase the animal control expenses. This is the first year that it has been operated out of city hall and it was uncertain what should be budgeted. There have been expenses for training, necessary equipment and dog food used out of the $3,000 that was budgeted. Council Member Godwin made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Council Member Carr. Upon a roll call vote, the following was recorded: Voting Yay – Council Members Taunton, Hill, Carr, Wilson, Godwin, Stough and Mayor Hammock. Council Member Godwin made a motion that the budget be amended by $5,000. Council Member Taunton made a second. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 2: Mayor’s Reports: Mayor Hammock made the following comments:
As discussed in the work session, people are leaving vehicles in the parking lot near the Alabama Power Company. The owner of the parking lot has stated that he is going to put an ad in The Tallassee Tribune and put signs up stating that the vehicles will be towed. Mayor Hammock stated that he would review the business license ordinance to see how to address the owner of the vehicles for business license.
Mayor Hammock stated that Jason Benton was interested in purchasing the small parcel of property adjacent to the A.E.S property. He stated that Mr. Benton had the property appraised. The appraised value is $12,000.00. Council Member Hill made a motion to declare that property as surplus, seconded by Council Member Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Council Member Taunton made a motion to accept the appraised value of $12,000.00 and to authorize Mayor Hammock to execute the Quit Claim Deed. Council Member Carr made a second. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Hammock stated that he had received an estimate of approximately $14,973 from Home Integrated Solutions for a security gate with remote access and camera system for the city shop grounds. Council Member Wilson made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Council Member Carr. Upon a roll call vote, the following was recorded: Voting Yay – Council Members Taunton, Hill, Carr, Wilson, Godwin, Stough and Mayor Hammock. Council Member Wilson made a motion to approve the expenditure for the security gate at a cost of $14,937. A second was made by Council Member Godwin. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Hammock reported that the A.C.E. program recommended that a Tallassee Economic Development Committee be formed. It would be a nine member committee. He asked that any council member interested in serving on the committee send him an email explaining why they would be a good candidate to tackle issues such as tourism and economic development.
Mayor Hammock asked if any council member was planning to attend the annual convention of the Alabama League of Municipalities. It is less expensive if you register early. Council Member Wilson and Mayor Hammock are planning on attending the convention.
Mayor Hammock recognized Fire Chief Travis Jones. He presented the Fire Department Annual Report to the Council Members.
Chief Jones recognized David Rogers and Mayor Hammock presented him with a certificate for being named Fire Instructor of the Year by the Alabama Fire College.
Mayor Hammock stated that he would be attending an Eagle Scout Ceremony on February 18, 2019 recognizing John Lucas Burgess.
Mayor Hammock presented a resolution authorizing a new bank account for the funds from the $.005 sales tax on the Elmore County side that are earmarked for infrastructure. Council Member Godwin made a motion to approve the resolution. Council Member Taunton made a second. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Resolution $2019-609 was adopted.
Mayor Hammock reminded everyone of the Town Hall meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Mayor Hammock praised the Police and Fire Departments and the street and utilities employees for the outstanding job they did after the straight line winds that came through Tallassee that afternoon. They were out there working in severe elements of the weather.
Mayor Hammock stated that the Chamber of Commerce annual banquet was a success and the dinner was excellent. Over 200 tickets were sold.
Item 3: Council Reports: Council Member Taunton reported that the work on the concession stand at the Dixie Youth Baseball field was coming along. It looks really good.
Council Member Wilson requested that the surplus and sale of the timber at the airport be on the agenda for the next council meeting.
Council Member Godwin announced that a meeting of the Finance Committee is scheduled for Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Council Members Hill, Carr and Stough had no comments.
Item 4: There being no further business before the Council, upon a motion made by Council Member Hill and a second by Council Member Carr, all Council Members present voted to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
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JOHN HAMMOCK, Mayor
ATTEST:
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BARBARA B. GARNETT, City Clerk