MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
APRIL 27, 2021
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Tuesday, April 27, 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
Bill Godwin
The city council of the City of Tallassee met in a regular council meeting beginning at 6 p.m. on April 27, 2021. In the absence of City Clerk Whitney Pitchford, City Attorney John Smith acted as secretary for the meeting. The Mayor and all Councilmembers, except Councilmember Hughey, were present. Upon the meeting being called to order, the following matters were discussed.
Item 1: The council deferred actions on the minutes of the work session and city council meeting of April 13, 2021 because the minutes of those meetings had not been finalized. Those minutes well be considered at the May 11, 2021 city council meeting.
Item 2: Tallassee resident Donald Barnes was recognized and requested the city consider making October 20th each year a city holiday in honor of musicians and service members who hail from Tallassee. Councilmember Hill stated that the recommendations about the city holiday are often made by the city council’s budget committee as part of the budgeting process. She indicated that this request would be taken under advisement as the budget committee worked on the city’s 2021-2022 fiscal year budget and calendar.
Item 3: Mayor Hammock reported that he had been contacted by representatives of the Tallapoosa County Commission concerning work to Gammill’s Store Road and South Tallassee Drive. Tallapoosa County is preforming repair and resurfacing work to those roadways outside the Tallassee City limits and asked whether the city would be interested in the commission preforming similar work to those portions of those roads within the city limits. The cost to the city would be $28525.33. This money is not in the budget and could, if the project is approved, be taken from the infrastructure account. Councilmember Brown moved to suspend the Rules. This motion was seconded by Councilmember Hall. On a roll call vote, all councilmembers present and Mayor Hammock voted in favor of the Rules being suspended. On motion of Councilmember Brown and a second by Councilmember Hill, the city council unanimously voted to proceed the project at a cost to the city of $28.525.33 with the sum being taken from the infrastructure account.
Item 4: The council next addressed replacement of the pipe through which waste from the Laney Lift Station is transferred to the city’s sewer lagoon. As reported by City Engineer Jeff Harrison during the work session preceding the city council meeting, bids had been solicited for this proposed project and 3 bids were received. The low bid of $153,600.00 was from Faulk Constructors, who are currently preforming work on the lift station itself. Money for this project has not been budgeted and could, if the project is approved, be taken from the infrastructure account. Councilmember Hill moved to suspend the Rules. This motion was seconded by Councilmember Carr. ON a roll call vote, all councilmembers present and Mayor Hammock voted in favor of the Rules being suspended. On a motion of Councilmember Hill and a second by Councilmember Godwin, the city council unanimously voted to proceed with the project and accept the bid from Fault Constructors at a cost to the city of $153,600.00 with this sum being taken from the infrastructure account.
Item 5: The council net took up the issue of whether to adopt a revised nuisance abatement ordinance. This ordinance had been introduced at the April 13, 2021 city council meeting. On motion of Councilmember Taunton and a second by Councilmember Hill, the council unanimously voted to adopt the ordinance, which is designated as Ordinance No. 2021-566.
Item 6: City Building Inspector Andy Coker reported on the status of demolition work to nuisance buildings within the city. There are currently 7 buildings that ae slated to be demolished with this cost being taken from the CDBG grant for this purpose. The cost to demolish these buildings total $8,650.00. On motion o Councilmember Godwin and second by Councilmember Hall, the city council unanimously approved the demolition of the buildings at a total cost of $8,650.00 to be taken from the CDBG grant.
Item 7: Mayor Hammock discussed that there are many open spots on the Tallassee Redevelopment Authority Board. The city council is to consider possible appointments to the TRA at upcoming council meetings.
Item 8: Mayor Hammock asked for an executive session to discuss both economic development prospects and pending litigation. On motion of Councilmember Godwin and second by Councilmember Hall, the city council unanimously voted to convene into executive session. Immediately thereafter, an executive session occurred. On motion of Councilmember Taunton and second by Councilmember Hall, the city council unanimously voted to adjourn the executive session.
Item 9: Mayor Hammock next brought certain reports to the council’s attention. These include the following:
The Mayor thanked those who participated in Tallassee’s Earth Day activities last week.
Mayor Hammock provided an update on several infrastructure projects that are in progress in the
City.
Mayor Hammock reported on the Elmore County EMS meeting the he, Chief Higgins and Chief
Jones attended last week in order to express the city’s continuing frustration with the poor service provided to city residents by Haynes Ambulance. The city will continue to press the county and EMS board to greater accountability from Haynes Ambulance.
Item 10: Mayor Hammock asked for any reports from the council. Councilmember Hall expressed his appreciation to the Mayor for working to ensure the repaving in Noble Subdivision was completed. There were no other council reports.
Item 11: On motion of Councilmember Hill and a second by Councilmember Taunton, the city council unanimously voted to adjourn the council meeting at 7:05 p.m.
_____________________________________________
JOHN HAMMOCK, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
WHITNEY PITCHFORD, City Clerk