Due to a scheduling conflict with the 2025 Alabama League of Municipalities Convention, the May meeting of the Oak Grove Town Council was postponed to Tuesday, May 20th with the following items covered.
In Old Business, the Senior Center and Pavilion Rental Agreement was revised, combining the revisions and the policy on standing reservations into one new rental agreement form, and pending review and approval from the town legal counsel.
Under New Business, Kevin Couch advised the council that the Global Atlantic account had reached the time limit for the guaranteed rate, and the interest rate would decrease to 0.5% for the next year. Couch offered options for investment. After discussion, the council opted to remove the funds from the Global Atlantic account and open a new Athene account and add an additional amount to bring the total investment to $400,000. The rate for investment is 5% for 5 years.
In other business, The council reviewed two quotes received regarding testing the work done on Gantts Junction Road. Legal counsel provided guidance on moving forward. After discussion, no action was taken on the quotes, and the contractor will be permitted to make repairs as needed to the pavement.
The Council discussed the Town Hall HVAC unit and recent repairs. The decision was made to wait until the unit breaks to order new replacement unit, with no action taken.
The Council discussed options presented on an Arete renewal. The decision was made to renew for 36 months at $25 per endpoint versus $26.50 for a 12-month renewal.
The Council unanimously agreed to make no changes to participation in the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday, so no action was necessary.
Separate motions were approved to pay expenses for sewer force main repair, as well as electrical costs for sewer flow meter disconnect and reconnect.
An item to approve payment of electrical costs to replace existing electrical panel on the East Side Well was tabled over the lack of detail in the invoice.
Town Attorney, Faith Adam stated they were preparing to enforce the order against the Campbell property for zoning violations again. The property was cleared on April 1, but he has started accumulating junk vehicles again and working on vehicles, thus operating a business without a license.
Ms. Adam then gave the council an update on property owned by Samuel Webb, who is receptive to giving the property to the town in exchange for tax credits/benefit. His only stipulation so far is an easement for access to properties in his control located behind the property to be transferred to the Town of Oak Grove.
Councilman David Harris provided a review of the AL League of Municipalities Conference held in Huntsville May 13 through 15. Harris said he met with a vendor called Southcon Lighting, about LED lighting for the park. He also met with a representative from Safeguard and discussed festival fundraising and committee membership with the representative, suggesting setting up a festival meeting. Harris also brought up the concept of the town proactively adopting an ordinance to exempt certain items from sales tax, mentioning that the move could be used as a marketing tool to attract grocery stores.
Council member Mary Carter asked about paving over the road where the sewer pipe caved in. The road will be paved once the earth settles for a stable bed for the pavement.
Frank Young of the Sewer Board reported that disconnect notices were being reviewed by the town’s legal counsel.
