MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
The Mayor Pro Tempore Godwin and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tallassee Municipal Complex. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Godwin and the following were recorded as present:
Mayor John Hammock-absent
Council Members Jeremy Taunton
Sarah Hill
Damian Carr
Darrell Wilson
Terrel Brown
Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Godwin
David Stough
John Smith was present as city attorney and acted as clerk in the absence of City Clerk Whitney Pitchford for the meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Godwin presented the minutes of the council work session held on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. There were no additions or changes. Upon motion of Council Member Hill and second by Council Member Carr, the minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
Mayor Pro Tem Godwin presented the minutes of the regular council meeting held on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. 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.
Mayor Pro Tem Godwin presented the minutes of a special council meeting held on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. 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: .As discussed in the work session preceding the regular city council meeting, item 5 on the agenda was considered first. Council Member Godwin introduced the proposed 2020-2021 budget. This will be considered for approval at the next regular Tallassee city council meeting.
Item 2: Mayor Pro Tempore Godwin opened a public hearing concerning amendments to the zoning ordinance. The sole point of contention concerned rezoning certain areas along Jordan Avenue. City residents Elizabeth Britt, Eddie Frank Britt, Linda Coppinger, Sandra Richardson, Billy Royal and William Howard opposed to proposed ordinance. Their complaints were that the proposed zoning detracted from the character of the neighborhood and increased traffic posed a potential safety risk. Linda Mosher and Heather Johnson spoke in favor of the ordinance denying that the character if Jordanville would be changed by the proposed zoning and arguing that the proposed zoning created additional opportunities for economic development in Tallassee. Mayor Pro Tem Godwin recognized Building Inspector Coker who explained what the proposed new zoning in Jordanville would and would not allow. There being no further comments, the public meeting was closed and the proposed revised zoning ordinance was introduced to be considered at the next regular city council meeting.
Item 3: Building Inspector Coker presented a proposed public nuisance located at 115 Ashurst Avenue. The grass is uncut and vegetation is growing unchecked. Upon motion by Councilmember Taunton and a second by Councilmember Hill, all members voted to declare the property a public nuisance and authorized the building inspector to take such actions as were necessary to abate the nuisance for the remainder of the grass growing season.
Item 4: Building Inspector Coker presented a proposed public nuisance located at 206 Ashurst Avenue. The grass is uncut and vegetation is growing unchecked. Upon motion by Councilmember Hill and a second by Councilmember Brown, all members voted to declare the property a public nuisance and authorized the building inspector to take such actions as were necessary to abate the nuisance for the remainder of the grass growing season.
Item 6: Upon motion of Councilmember Hill and a second by Councilmember Carr, all members voted to approve the proclamation concerning Family Day.
Item 7: Building Inspector Coker presented an update on the status of the work to repair the former Hotel Tallassee building. Building owner Wylie Troupe was not present but Mr. Coker, at Mr. Troupe’s request, reported that additional inspections were to be performed by a firm in Birmingham so that the property could be renovated to be re-opened as a hotel. There was no time frame provided for when this work would be completed. Upon Motion by Councilmember Hill and a second by Councilmember Taunton, all members present voted to declare the property as a public nuisance. City Attorney Smith reported that Mr. Troupe has 30 days to appeal this decision. If no appeal was filed, the city was then free to take all necessary actions to remedy the nuisance, up to and including demolition.
Mayor’s Reports. Mayor Pro Tem Godwin reviewed the Mayor’s reports discussed during the work session.
Council Reports:
Ward 1 had no report.
Ward 2 gave an update on the Tallaweeka water tank.
Ward 3 had no report.
Ward 4 asked whether the illnesses of certain city officials were COVID related. No one knew.
Ward 5 had no report.
Ward 6 had no report.
Ward 7 had no report.
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 6:42 p.m.
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JOHN HAMMOCK, Mayor
ATTEST:
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WHITNEY MOON, City Clerk