MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
JANUARY 12, 2021
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tallassee Municipal Complex. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hammock and the following were recorded as present:
Mayor John Hammock
Council Members Jeremy Taunton
Sarah Hill
Damian Carr
Bill Hall
Terrel Brown-absent
Bill Godwin
Fred Randall Hughey
John Smith was present as city attorney and secretary for the meeting.
Mayor Hammock presented the minutes of the council work session held on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Council Member Hill and second by Council Member Hall, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Mayor Hammock presented the minutes of the regular council meeting held on Tuesday, December 8, 2021. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Council Member Taunton and second by Council Member Hill, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Item 1: Building Inspector Andy Coker made a presentation concerning property located at 318 first Ave. He reported that, while there is no longer a structure on the property, it is overgrown with vegetation and has trash and other debris on it. He requested that the council approve a one-time cleanup of the property. Upon motion of Councilmember Carr and second of Councilmember Hill, the council unanimously a one-time cleanup of the property.
Item 2: Tallassee Police Chief Matt Higgins made a presentation concerning call and offense statistics in Tallassee for 2020. He requested that the council approve an additional dispatcher position given the call volume and issues related to dispatchers being unable to work. There was discussion whether the police department’s budget had sufficient funds allocated to cover the salary and benefits for a new dispatcher. It was ultimately determined that, if the council approved the new dispatcher position, Chief Higgins should attempt to find funds in the police department’s budget to cover that employee’s salary and benefits. If those funds were unavailable, upon request from Chief Higgins, the council would allocate additional funds for the position. Upon motion of Councilmember Hill and second of Councilmember Godwin, the council unanimously approved the creation of an additional dispatcher’s position and authorized Chief Higgins to locate and find a qualified individual to fill that position.
Item 3: Mayor Hammock reported on a number of issues. First, he reported on the progress of ALDOT in replacing the light poles on the Fitzpatrick Bridge. It is expected that those improvements will be completed in several days assuming fair weather. Second, He reported that the city was not awarded an ATRIP grant for improvements to the Fitzpatrick Bridge. Third, Mayor Hammock began a discussion about the State of Alabama’s decision to re-route CARES ACT funds directed to Alabama Municipalities such as Tallassee to the Alabama Department of Labor. The fact that those funds have been redirected could limit the city’s ability to pay employees who were unable to work due to exposure to the COVID-19 virus. The Mayor has been in touch with legislators representing the Tallassee area requesting that this decision by the state be changed. No decision was made during the council meeting other that the city would address this issue as best as it could.
Item 4: Council reports.
Ward 1: No reports at this time.
Ward 2: Councilmember Hill congratulated city clerk Whitney Pitchford on the birth of her son and commended the Tallassee Police Department on their good work.
Ward 3: No reports at this time.
Ward 4: Councilmember Hall commended city employees for their work during the pandemic. He also requested that an update regarding condemned structures within the city to be placed on the council’s January 26, 2021 council meeting agenda.
Ward 5: No reports at this time.
Ward 6: Councilmember Godwin made a motion that the council investigate improving its ordinances related to dilapidated buildings. Councilmember Hill seconded the motion and the council unanimously approved the motion.
Ward 7: Councilmember Hughey commended all city employees for their attitudes and engagement with their job duties.
Item 5: There being no further business before the council, and upon motion of Councilmember Hill and second of Councilmember Taunton, the council unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting.
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JOHN HAMMOCK, Mayor
ATTEST:
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WHITNEY PITCHFORD, City Clerk