MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
JUNE 23, 2025
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tallassee Municipal Complex. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hill and the following were recorded as present:
Mayor Sarah A. Hill
Council Members Jeremy Taunton
Linda McNeal Mosher
Damian Carr
Bill Hall
Bill Godwin-absent
Terrel Brown
Fred Randall Hughey
John Smith was present as city attorney and Whitney Pitchford as secretary for the meeting.
Approval of minutes: On motion of Councilmember Hughey and a second by Councilmember Taunton, all councilmembers present voted to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2025 work session. On motion of Councilmember Hughey and a second by Councilmember Brown, all councilmembers present voted to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2025 regular city council meeting.
Mayor Hill then called the council’s attention to the agenda and the following occurred.
Item 1. Mike Griggs told the Mayor and Council that he was retiring from private practice and had accepted a job with the State. He asked Mayor Hill and Council to consider making his partner Ashleigh Hughes the Public Defender to finish his term. Councilmember Brown made a motion to approve Ashleigh Hughes as the Public Defender to complete the term of Mike Griggs, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 2. Parks and Rec Director Eric Phillips discussed the park review reports that we received from ADECA. Councilmember Hall suggested coming up with a 3-year plan. Eric noted that he was talking with ADECA to come up with a plan.
Item 3. The application for the FY26 Section 5310 was discussed. We’re looking to hire a grant writer to help with this application. CARPDC can’t write this for us. We will use some of the economic development funds to cover this.
Item 4. Mayor Hill explained the pre-pay agreement with SEAGAS. We will now save 0.42 per mmbtu for at least the next 10 years.
Item 5. Mayor Hill is discussing options for resolution with Three Notch Group for the work the Equix has done. Very displeased with some of the work. We will not be using Equix again.
Item 6. A CDBG grant option was discussed regarding replacing some water transmission lines in some of our most needed areas. This would include the Riverside area.
Mayor’s Reports:
*Mayor Hill and Council discussed the July 14th Council Meeting. Councilmember Carr made a motion to cancel the July 14th meeting, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
*TRA-Jerry Cunningham and Patrick Jones will be rolling off in July. Steve Burak would like to see seat 4 filled by Leigh Ann Butler and seat 5 filled by Dylan Carr. Steve Burak is interested in being reappointed for seat 7. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to appoint Leigh Ann Butler to seat 4 in the TRA, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Carr made a motion to appoint Dylan Carr to seat 5 of the TRA, seconded by Councilmember Brown. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Brown made a motion to reappoint Steve Burak to seat 7 of the TRA, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Councilmember Hall made a motion to go into executive session to discuss contracts and legal issues, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to exit executive session, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Brown made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Brown made a motion to sell the airport for the highest appraised value of $615,000, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Council Reports:
Ward 1: Equix work is a disaster. The have not done their part in repairing what they messed up.
Ward 2: Agree with Jeremy regarding Equix.
Ward 4: Noble Road looks great!
There being no further business before the council, and upon a motion by Councilmember Taunton and a second by Councilmember Carr, will all councilmembers voting in favor, the council meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.
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SARAH HILL, Mayor
ATTEST:
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WHITNEY PITCHFORD, City Clerk