MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 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
Darrell Wilson
Terrel Brown
Bill Godwin
David Stough
John Smith was present as city attorney and City Clerk Whitney Pitchford acted as clerk for the meeting.
Mayor Hammock presented the minutes of the council work session held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Council Member Taunton and second by Council Member Carr, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Mayor Hammock presented the minutes of the regular council meeting held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Council Member Brown and second by Council Member Brown, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Item 1: The 20/21 Budget and calendar were discussed in the work session. Council Member Taunton made a motion to approve the 20/21 Budget, seconded by Council Member Carr. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Council Member Hill made a motion to approve the 20/21 calendar, seconded by Council Member Brown. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Item 2: A Resolution concerning Public Nuisance located at 294 South Tallassee Drive was discussed in the work session. The house is in foreclosure and we haven’t received anything from the bank that is responsible for the house. Council Member Taunton made a motion to make up to 3 cuts and adopt the Resolution, seconded by Council Member Hill. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2020-653 was adopted.
Item 3: A Resolution concerning Public Nuisance located at 703 West Patton Street was discussed in the work session. The house has a tree down and high grass. Council Member Taunton made a motion to make up to 3 cuts and adopt the Resolution, seconded by Council Member Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2020-654 was adopted.
Item 4: A Resolution concerning Public Nuisance located at 1610 Gilmer Avenue was discussed in the work session. The house is in foreclosure. Council Member Taunton made a motion to make up to 3 cuts and adopt the Resolution, seconded by Council Member Hill. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2020-655 was adopted.
Item 5: A Resolution concerning Public Nuisance located at 210 Redden Avenue was removed from the agenda in the work session.
Item 6: Halloween was discussed in the work session. Council Member Hill made a motion to have Halloween on October 31st from 5pm to 8pm, seconded by Council Member Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 7: Joely Stewart sent an email requesting that the city pool stay open for the swim team to use until December. Brock Nolin stated that the school would pay for the chemicals if needed. Tammy Merrett thinks the Rec Department might have enough chemicals to get them through December. Council Member Hill made a motion to keep the pool open until December and to only get money from the school if we deplete our current chemicals, seconded by Council Member Godwin. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 8: Part time temp help while City Clerk Whitney Pitchford is out on maternity leave was discussed during the work session. Council Member Taunton made a motion to approve the temp part time help, leaving the position open ended and to advertise immediately, seconded by Council Member Brown. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 9: Crystal Willis from Southern Girls Outlet wants to do a trunk or treat Halloween night from 5pm-8pm, blocking off the road during this time. Council Member Godwin made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Council Member Hill. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Crystal Willis requested the approval of a sidewalk sale every month. Council Members said this was okay for now. Crystal Willis said that after Halloween she wanted to let everyone know that she was going to different businesses to put boxes to collect toys, clothes, and gifts cards for all ages. There was no action needed by Council Members.
Item 10: Council Members discussed the zoning updates during the work session. Council Member Hill made a motion to approve the zoning update, seconded by Council Member Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed 5-2. Council Members Stough and Wilson voted nay.
Item 11: Mayor’s Reports.
Homecoming parade will go on as normal.
October 17th is the Downtown Tallassee Sidewalk Sale from 8am-1pm. Live music 7 pm.
Gas line project update. HDD has completed the 2 inch and 4 inch main installations in Grimes street area with some connections or splices at the bore pits. Made rock bore across the creek on N. Harper Street. Completed some work on N. Harper near the tie-in location on HWY 14. We are going to continue work on N. Harper area, make taps and tie-ins on Grimes and Preer, complete N. Harper area, and complete S. Tallassee area. The completion date is end of November.
Tallaweka tank project is coming along nicely. They are painting it now.
Whatley drive project-we are making some changes. We had it drawn up like it was on a state right of way which it is not. Specs are different in a neighborhood on city right of way. Should have it ready for advertising for bid soon.
Atrip II applications are due by October 30th. CDG and I are working on this.
Update on TAP project. It is not likely that the Federal Highway department will return any project approvals for duration of September because of their fiscal year close out procedures. We should be at a point sometime during October to advertise for bids. I will keep you posted.
Bid opening for Laney lift station is Wednesday at 2pm at city hall.
Newspaper advertising out of local economic development line item. 3380 for the year. Council wants to proceed.
Soccer grant decisions for Land Water Conservation Fund will now be January 2021.
Passed out information for traffic officer and vehicle. Review for the near future.
We have finished the phase 1 assessment at the east side mill. I had a conference call with ADEM last week and EPA is giving ADEM money to do a Phase 2 assessment at the east side mill. Phase 2 will take place in January and then if we have contaminants then we will write a Brownsfield clean up grant.
Thanks TFD, TPD, Public works, and Power Company for their work during the storm.
Item 12: Council Reports:
Council Member Taunton had no report.
Council Member Hill had no report.
Council Member Carr wanted to thank everyone and Rod for their help.
Council Member Wilson had no report.
Council Member Brown had no report.
Council Member Godwin had no report.
Council Member Stough had no report.
Item 13: There being no further business before the Council, upon a motion made by Council Member Hill and a second by Council Member Taunton, all Council Members present voted to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
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JOHN HAMMOCK, Mayor
ATTEST:
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WHITNEY PITCHFORD, City Clerk