MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 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
Council Members |
John Hammock
Jeremy Taunton |
John Smith was present as city attorney and City Clerk Barbara Garnett was clerk for the meeting.
The minutes of the council work session held on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 were approved unanimously upon motion of Council Member Taunton and a second by Council Member Hill. No changes were made to the minutes as drafted.
The minutes of the regular council meeting held on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 were approved unanimously upon motion of Council Member Hill and a second by Council Member Brown. No changes were made to the minutes as drafted.
Item 1: Mayor Hammock presented the 2018-2019 city holiday calendar. He stated that the extra day for December 31, New Year’s Eve, was included for this year only. Council Member Godwin made a motion to adopt the calendar with the extra holiday for this year only. Council Member Carr made a second. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Hammock presented the 2018-2019 General Budget and asked for any questions. There were none. Council Member Godwin made a motion that the 2018-2019 General Budget be adopted, seconded by Council Member Wilson. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 2: Mayor Hammock recommended that the mapping system project for the public utilities of water, sewer and gas be approved. He stated that the project would cost approximately $187,100.00 and that it could be funded using bond funds. Council Member Brown made a motion to approve the project, seconded by Council Member Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 3: Mayor Hammock stated that the replacement of the air condition at the Community Library had been approved at the last council meeting contingent upon funding. He recommended that the 2018 budget be amended to transfer $8,600.00 from account 501-5294, Seven Gables expense and $1,900.00 from 501-5236, Capital Improvements to cover the cost of the project. Council Member Godwin made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Council Member Hill. Upon a roll call vote, the following was recorded: Voting yay — Council Members Taunton, Hill, Carr, Wilson, Brown, Godwin, Stough and Mayor Hammock. Council Member Godwin made a motion to approve the transfer of funds, seconded by Council Member Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 4: Mayor Hammock presented a proposal from A T & T concerning their lease on the down town water tank. The proposal included the following options: 1) a monthly payment of $986.00 beginning November 1, 2018, with a 5% increase every 5 years and the extension of the lease through October 31, 2048 or a lump sum payment of $179,000.00 and a 50 year easement. Council Member Taunton made a motion to accept the lump sum payment of $179,000.00, seconded by Council Member Hill. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 5: Mayor Hammock presented a resolution concerning the petition of the Tallassee City Board of Education to vacate a portion of Preer Street, King Street and the public alley rights of way. Council Member Godwin made a motion to adopt the resolution, seconded by Council Member Hill. Upon a vote, the motion passed, Council Member Brown abstained. Resolution #2018-593 was adopted.
City Attorney John Smith recommended that the Council also declare the property surplus and and transfer ownership by Quit Claim deed to the Board of Education so the Board would have complete control of the property. Council Member Hill made a motion to declare that property in the rights of way as surplus, seconded by Council Member Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed, Council Member Brown abstained.
Council Member Wilson made a motion to approve a Quit Claim deed to transfer ownership to the Tallassee City Board of Education. Council Member Taunton made a second. Upon a vote, the motion passed, Council Member Brown abstained.
hem 6: Mayor Hammock presented a resolution concerning an application for funding assistance through the Appalachian Regional Commission to assist with funding for the sanitary sewer improvement project. Council Member Stough made a motion to adopt the resolution, seconded by Council Member Hill. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Resolution #2018-594 was adopted.
Item 7: Mayor Hammock presented a resolution to declare a public nuisance located at 305 Jordan Avenue. Building Inspector Andy Coker explained that the owner has failed to sign for the certified mail concerning this property. Council Member Carr made a motion that the resolution be adopted, seconded by Council Member Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Resolution #2018-595 was adopted. Council Member Taunton made a motion for the property to be cut 3 times and a lien be placed against the property for the cost of the maintenance. Council Member Carr made a second. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 8: Mayor Hammock presented a resolution to declare a public nuisance located at 1 Gilmer Parkway. Mr. Coker explained that the owner was a pastor at a local church but has moved away from Tallassee. He has tried numerous times to contact the owner but has not received any response. Council Member Wilson made a motion to adopt the resolution, approve the property to be cut 3 times and a lien be placed against the property. Council Member Taunton made a second. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Resolution #2018-596 was adopted.
Item 9: Mayor Hammock introduced an ordinance to declare the Guest House property as surplus property and authorize the sale of the property. The Council agreed that since this had been discussed in the past that they needed to move forward with this at this time. Council Member Wilson made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Council Member Hill. Upon a roll call vote, the following was
recorded: Voting Yay — Council Members Taunton, Hill, Carr, Wilson, Brown, Godwin, Stough and Mayor Hammock. Council Member Taunton made a motion to adopt the ordinance that would declare the Guest House property as surplus and authorize the sale of the property. Council Member Brown made a second. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Ordinance #2018-554 was adopted.
Item 10: Mayor Hammock stated that there were several vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Board. He asked the council members to seek out individuals who might be interested to serve on this board. This will be discussed at the October 23rd council meeting.
Item 11 : Mayor Hammock explained that he had 2 conferences that he would need to attend in the month of October, one is scheduled the week of the first city council meeting and the second is scheduled the week of the second city council meeting. After some discussion, the Council Members agreed to cancel the October 9th council meeting and continue with the October 23″ council meeting. A special council meeting would be scheduled if something urgent came up before October 23′. Next, Mayor Hammock stated that the second council meeting in December would be on December 25th, Christmas day. Council Member Godwin made a motion to cancel the December 25th meeting, seconded by Council Member Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 12: Mayor’s Reports: Mayor Hammock presented a resolution regarding the birthday leave for the employees and asked the City Clerk to explain. Mrs. Garnett stated that this leave day was originally approved for the employees in 2001. A resolution was not adopted at that time. A resolution is presented at this time to be approved, if the Council wishes to continue the leave day or not. Council Member Godwin made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Council Member Brown. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Resolution #2018-597 was adopted.
Mayor Hammock reminded everyone about the “Addicted Brain” presentation that will be held on October 18, 2018 at the Tallassee High School.
Mayor Hammock asked Council Members who would be available to ride in the Tallassee High School Homecoming parade with him. Council Members Taunton, Carr, Brown, Godwin and Stough said they would.
Mayor Hammock gave a brief report on the chemical used for mosquitos. If the Council is in favor, we will continue to spray for mosquitos next year, unless this chemical is banned by the government.
Item 13: Council Reports: Council Members Taunton, Carr, Wilson, Brown, Godwin and Stough did not have any reports.
Council Member Hill expressed appreciation to City Hall staff for their assistance with the grant work. She also thanked the engineers and CARPDC for their assistance with the grant.
Item 14: There being no further business before the Council, upon a motion made by Council Member Hill and a second by Council Member Carr, the Council meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.