MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
SEPTEMBER 22, 2025
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Monday, September 22, 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
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 September 8, 2025 regular city council meeting.
Mayor Hill then called the council’s attention to the agenda and the following occurred. Mayor Hill asked the council if we could move Item 1 to the last item. Council agreed.
Item 1. Carmen with the Chamber of Commerce discussed Trade Day events. Trade Day will be October 17th-18th. Asking permission to close the downtown streets. Mayor Hill suggested that Carmen get with the Police Department on the closing of streets. Councilmember Brown approved the Trade Day events for October 17th and 18th, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 2. Mayor Hill discussed an Ordinance repealing Ordinance 2025-695. This is the rental ordinance. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Ordinance 2025-700 was approved.
Item 3. The following IDB appointments were discussed. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to appoint Steven J. Turner to the IDB, seconded by Councilmember Brown. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Carr made a motion to appoint Miles Hathcock to the IDB, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Hall made a motion to appoint Steve Beasley to the IDB, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 4. David and April Fitu discussed land purchased at 675 Gilmer Avenue. They are proposing a 2000 sq. ft. warehouse that will be for a pickup and delivery laundry service. The facility will be closed to the public and will blend with the surroundings. Mr. Fitu asked if the city could assist with the water tap fees. Mayor Hill said that we would discuss this.
Item 5. Chris McWaters discussed the closure of downtown streets and using the green space October 18th for a breast cancer fundraiser. River Region Jeeps is the charity and all funds will be going to the Montgomery Cancer Center. Councilmember Brown made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 6. Mayor Hill mentioned the green space/old Hotel Talisi lot usage for events. We need to look at possibly requiring event insurance so the city is not liable if something were to happen.
Item 7. Mayor Hill introduced the 2025/2026 budget and calendar. This budget includes the 4.75% insurance increase and a 5% COLA for all full-time employees. Councilmember Hall made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to approve the 25/26 budget, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to approve the 2025/2026 calendar, seconded by Councilmember Brown. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor’s Reports:
*Mayor Hill discussed the police department’s body armor being recalled. Chief Buce got a quote to replace these for $12000. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to approve the $12,000 body armor purchase and to use the surplus money in the budget, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
*The following time donation to Wayne Casaday was discussed. Eric Phillips: 120 sick hours. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to approve the time donation, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
*Mayor Hill brought the council’s attention to the limb truck that was discussed at the last council meeting. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to approve the $130,000 purchase of the 2022 limb truck for the street department this fiscal year, seconded by Councilmember Taunton. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
*Mayor Hill discussed the need for a truck for the cemetery department. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Godwin made a motion to approve up to a $25,000 vehicle purchase for the cemetery department this fiscal year, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Council Reports:
Ward 1: October 13th is a holiday. Councilmember Taunton made a motion to cancel the October 13th meeting, seconded by Councilmember Brown. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously. Please pray for our country.
Ward 2: Thank you to our Fire Department and Police Department. We need to count our blessings.
Ward 3: Thank you to the River Region Jeeps for coming tonight. This is a great cause.
Ward 7: Dr. Burak with the TRA and Councilmember Hughey with the Historical Society are still working on the Brownsfield grant and the railroad bridge will be included in this grant.
There being no further business before the council, and upon a motion by Councilmember Taunton and a second by Councilmember Godwin, will all councilmembers voting in favor, the council meeting was adjourned at 6:27 PM.
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SARAH HILL, Mayor
ATTEST:
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WHITNEY PITCHFORD, City Clerk