Author: Tom Roberts

The Town of Oak Grove reappoints Sewer Board members

During their February 2025 regular meeting, the Oak Grove Town Council reappointed Rick Morgan and Frank Young to their Sewer Board for terms ending in 2028 and 2030 respectively.

In other new business, The Council voted to indemnify the Town Clerk and Volunteer Fire Chief against legal liability in the course of carrying out their required duties.

The purchase of an Off-Road Tracker for town use was approved at a cost of $16,174 from Sylacauga Marine & ATV.

Repair expenses were approved to install new lighting for a Street Department vehicle to meet legally-required standards. The cost of the work by Dana Safety Supply is $1,559.34.

The Oak Grove VFD reported 59 total calls in January. There were five structure fires, fifteen property fires, thirty-six EMS-only calls, and three non-fire, non-EMS calls. Aid was given to other departments on seven calls, and aid recieved on ten calls.

Six of the calls for service were inside the town limits, with the other 53 calls outside, but still within the departments assigned service area.

The Childersburg Council makes Water Board appointments

Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video below:

The Childersburg City Council opened it second February meeting with a pair of reappointments to the Childersburg Water-Sewer-Gas Board. Billy Atkinson, Jr. will serve through 9/30/2030. Ron Websters term extends to 1/26/2031.

With Mayor serving as the Voting Delegate during the 2025 Alabama League of Municipalites convention in Huntsville, the Council selected Tommy Ivey as 1st Alternate, and Angie Twymn will serve as 2nd Alternate.

The Council approved a pair of grounds mainenance expences. The Street Department will have four (4) new Echo weed eaters from Russell Building Supply at $359.99 through the state bid list, with a fifth going to the Parks and Recreation Department. That total is $1,799.95, paid from Fund 23.

Approval also went for a Parks and Recreation requet for a Kubota Zero Turn Mower from Lincoln Tractor, priced at $11,798.72 on the state bid list, also paid from Fund 23.

The Council approved expense for the emergency replacement of a wooden trellis at the Rainwater Museum. It will be replaced by Yarnell Construction at a cost not to exceed $5,800.

Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $623,628.13 with $353,000 representing the latest payment on the construction work at the new Judicial Complex on US Highway 280.

The next regular meeting will be held on March 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

Childersburg’s new Judicial Complex is progressing on schedule for April debut

Watch the meeting video below &/or read the accounts of the meeting.

A short-handed Childersburg City Council handled a short agenda on Tuesday, February 4th and turned it’s attention the new Childersburg Judicial Complex. Council members Angie Twyman and Wes Allen were absent.

Renovations on the building that will house both the Childersburg Police Department and the Municipal Court was reported as making significant, on-schedule progress. Mayor Ken Wesson reported that plans for the phone system and security cameras is ready for implementation, “ It will include a ‘safe exchange zone’ close to the front door with 24/7 surveillance camera to record child custody exchanges as well as online commerce meet-ups in a safe, recorded environment.”

During their pre-meeting work session the Council discussed plans being developed for an impressive sign at the new Judicial Complex. A 60-foot flagpole will be included as a separate project as soon as it is clear that the placement will not disrupt construction activity of the contractor.

In New Business, the Council approved the purchase of a Zebra evidence management system from Souther Software at a cost of $3,105, paid from Alabama Trust Funds. The new state-of-the-art system will use a bar code identification of pieces of evidence that attaches all the relevant paperwork necessary for court.

Approval was given to pay expenses for the Mayor and Council to attend the annual Alabama League of Municipalities Convention in Huntsville from May 13th to the 16th, including registration, lodging, per diem, and travel expenses. Officials will take advantage of the League’s Municipal Official training session, which are now required per a new state law.

The Council approved advertisements with the Childersburg High School boys and girls soccer teams at $300 per team.

Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $417,864.16. That includes a $104,000 semi-annual City bond payment.

The next regular meeting of the Childersburg Council will be held on Tuesday, February 18th at 6:00 p.m.

Childersburg resolutions paves the way for Cooper Steel expansion

Read the accounts &/or scroll to the bottom & watch the meeting video:

The Childersburg City Council set in motion a plan for Cooper Steel South, LLC to expand their Childersburg facility and increase their production employment.

To open their Tuesday, January 21st meeting, the Council approved Resolution 2025-03, which authorizes Mayor Ken Wesson to sign a letter of intent on behalf of the City of Childersburg and the Industrial Development Authority with Cooper Steel South. That agreement is for an option to purchase 60 +/- acres located in the Industrial Park for the amount of $6,000 per acre.

In other new business, the Council approved payment of expenses for Mayor Wesson to attend the Alabama League of Municipalities 2025 Advocacy Day, where he will work alongside other municipal officials from around the state to help set the League’s advocacy agenda for the upcoming session of the Alabama Legislature. There is a $195 registration at Renaissance Montgomery on February 12, 2025.

The Council also approved Rachel Carlson and Aimee Burnette to attend the Regional Alabama Judicial College Conference on April 3, 2025 in Birmingham. The registration is $240 for each applicant.

Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $512,348.36. That includes a $95,000 installment for the City’s liability insurance premiums, along with a $213,000 payment on the new Police and Judicial building construction.

Mayor Wesson thanked the Elks Lodge for hosting this month’s Greater Coosa Valley Chamber Coffee, “You had a great crowd, a wonderful breakfast, and gave us a lot of information on your lodge’s community involvement. We are fortunate to have you as a community partner.

Though the weather hasn’t exactly cooperated, Wesson also reported that the citywide leaf collection program is moving along well and will hopefully be completed in the next few weeks.

The next regular meeting of the Childersburg Council will be held on Tuesday, February 4th at 6:00 p.m.