MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
MAY 23, 2022
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in special session on Monday, May 23, 2022 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-arrived at 6:19
Bill Godwin
Fred Randall Hughey
John Smith was present as city attorney and Whitney Pitchford as secretary for the meeting.
Mayor Hammock presented the minutes of the council work session held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Councilmember Carr and second by Councilmember Hughey, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Mayor Hammock presented the minutes of the regular council meeting held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Councilmember Godwin and second by Councilmember Hall, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Items 1 and 2 on the agenda were moved to the end of the meeting until Councilmember Brown could get to the meeting. Item 3 was removed from the agenda.
Item 4: The termination of the contract and release of EMD for airport property was discussed. Councilmember Hill made a motion to terminate the contract and to return the $5000 retainer, seconded by Councilmember Godwin. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 5: David Rogers discussed the Homeland Security Grant that the Police and Fire Department were interested in applying for. This would be for mobile and portable radios. The total is $131,700 with no match. Mayor Hammock mentioned that he could get letters of support from Senator Tubberville if that would help. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to approve applying for the grant, seconded by Councilmember Hill. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 6: Chief Buce presented Officer Lyles, Officer Rigsby, Officer Rutland, and Corporal Gray with lifesaving awards for saving two different subjects while on duty.
Item 7: Councilmember Hill discussed several items from the May 23rd finance committee meeting. We will add the following items to the next agenda: add $14,000 to 501-5370 for the Whatley Drive Loan payments, CDG asked us to approve bidding out the materials for the gas line replacement, and officially decline the WWTP bids as recommended.
Item 8: The Retail Strategies contract was discussed. The contract ends in June. Councilmembers asked Mayor Hammock to have someone from there office at the next meeting to answer questions about the contract.
Item 9: David Rogers was recognized for all of his help acquiring approximately $417,641.50 in grants for the Public Safety of Tallassee.
Item 10: Budget adjustment for the Rec Department to receive a donation of $500 from Tallassee Automotive for the opening of Funtastic Fort Park. Councilmember Hill made a motion to accept the $500 donation into line item 512-5277, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Councilmember Brown arrived to the meeting.
Item 1: The appointment of the Utilities Manager was discussed. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to make James Garner the Utilities Manager, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 2: The appointment of the Public Safety Director was discussed. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to make Todd Buce the Chief of Police and the Public Safety Director, seconded by Councilmember Hughey. Upon a vote, the motion passed with a majority vote. Councilmember Carr voted nay. Resolution 2022-864 was adopted.
Item 11: There being no further business before the council, and upon motion of Councilmember Hill and second of Councilmember Hughey, the council unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:23 p.m.
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JOHN HAMMOCK, Mayor
ATTEST:
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WHITNEY PITCHFORD, City Clerk