MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
JUNE 14, 2022
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Tuesday, June 14, 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
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 Monday, May 23, 2022. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Councilmember Carr and second by Councilmember Taunton, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Mayor Hammock presented the minutes of the special council meeting held on Monday, May 23, 2022. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Councilmember Hall and second by Councilmember Carr, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Items 1: A donation from the VFW of $450 for a new flag in the Veteran’s Park was discussed. Councilmember Hill made a motion to accept the $450 into line item 501-5026, seconded by Councilmember Godwin. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 2: Erik Tsekouras with Alabama Auto Culture discussed possibly using the airport either around October 8th or March 11th. Erik, an event coordinator, wants to do a car show at the airport. Possibly have business from Tallassee showcase their work, fire trucks for the kids to see, vendors from different areas, and food trucks. This would be from about 10AM-2PM. Councilmembers were very interested in this idea. John Smith said that he would get a draft together for the Council and Erik to review.
Item 3: Corporal Mann was promoted to Sergeant Mann.
Item 4: Budget Adjustment-Whatley Drive loan-add $14,000 to 501-5370. Councilmember Hill made a motion to add $14,000 to 501-5370 for the loan payment, seconded by Councilmember Godwin. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 5: The approval to bid out materials for the gas main replacement for CDG was discussed at the last council meeting. Councilmember Hill made a motion to approve the bid out of materials for the gas main replacement for CDG, seconded by Councilmember Godwin. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 6: The WWTP bid was discussed at the last council meeting. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to officially decline the WWTP bid, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 7: ARSEA/APEAL’s Act #2022-229 was discussed. Councilmembers decided to table this until it could be discussed at the next finance meeting.
Item 8: Jerry Cunningham discussed using the city grounds for Summer Fest June 25th during the work session. Councilmember Hall made a motion to approve the use of city grounds on June 25th for Summer Fest, seconded by Councilmember Hill. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 9: Mayor’s Reports:
- Working with James Garner and Rodney Griffith on the Lakewood Drive water issues. Currently there is a 2 inch line that has been in the ground since the 1960s. ADEM says we need to replace the line. Rodney Griffith will pay the difference in a 2 inch pipe to get a 6 inch pipe so that he can provide water for 12 houses he’s wanting to build. 400 feet total in pipe. Rodney’s crew will fix the problem for $35,800 total for the City. Councilmember Godwin asked if we could buy the $800 in supplies/pipe and hold off until July when we meet to discuss the Katie Lane issue. Councilmember Hill said that we could go ahead and fix the problem with the money from the economic development line item. Councilmember Hill made a motion to use $35,800 from the economic development line item to let Rodney Griffith fix the problem on Lakewood Drive, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
- Mayor gave Laurie Rygiel and any other home owners the opportunity to speak to the council. Laurie wants 2 owners to go ahead and get meters so that they can start building. John Smith recommended that the Council take no action. Councilmember Taunton said absolutely not, that would require the city to service them. Councilmembers agreed that we needed to let James Garner and Jeff Harrison get together and see what our options are.
- In talks with 3 people about the mill site. They are interested in cleaning it up at their expense if the city will give it to them. The City will keep a portion for the Filter Plant. The Council is interested.
Item 10: Council Reports:
- Councilmember Brown-They have been trying to fill the Rec Board and have some interested people. Councilmember Brown made a motion to nominate John Stonaker for the Ward 6 position, seconded by Councilmember Hall and a vote in favor by all. Councilmember Hughey made a motion to reappoint Johnathon Creamer for the Ward 7 position, seconded by Councilmember Hall and a vote in favor by all. Councilmember Brown made a motion to nominate Heather Weldon for the at large position, seconded by Councilmember Godwin and a vote in favor by all.
- Councilmember Godwin made a motion to hire Eric Jones for the Code Enforcement position, seconded by Councilmember Hill. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Hammock has turned in his resignation effective June 30th at 4PM. Councilmember Godwin thanked Mayor Hammock for all that he has done. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to accept Mayor Hammock’s resignation effective June 30th at 4PM, seconded by Councilmember Hughey. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
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 6:56 p.m.
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SARAH HILL, Mayor
ATTEST:
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WHITNEY PITCHFORD, City Clerk