The Sylacauga City Council met on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Watch the meeting video, brought to you by the Things Going on in Sylacauga Facebook Group & the Things Going on in Sylacauga youtube channel.
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Watch the video of the Sylacauga City Council meeting, held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024:
Watch the meeting video &/or read the accounts of the meeting below:
With approval of Ordinance 1147, the Childersburg designated the R.S. Limbaugh Community Center as the municipal polling site for all qualified electors within the corporate limits of Childersburg.
The vote removes the Ward C Pleasant Valley polling place and sends those voters to the Limbaugh Center. Mayor Ken Wesson noted, “The only elections we use that polling place are municipal elections. All voters in our community and beyond vote at the Limbaugh Center for every other election.”
No cost transportation will be available for any voter needing the service, via the Childersburg transportation system.
In other New Business, Resolution 2024-26 approved an agreement with Misti Martin for gymnastics/cheer instruction at the Rec Annex adjacent to John Cox Stadium.
Passage of Resolution 2024-27 approved a local match of $51,367 for FY2026 for the East Alabama Commission 5311 rural transit program.
Outdoor lighting is coming to the newly-built Pickleball Court. Resolution 2024-28 awarded the installation contract to Pearson Electric in the amount of $4,656.05 from Fund 65 – Direct Support. Mayor Wesson noted that existing supports for much of the lighting re already in place.
The Council approved Resolution 2024-29, which means a new state-of-the-art Theromplastic Polyoletin roof system as part of the new Police & Judicial Building renovations on Highway 280. The bid was awarded to Mitchell Roofing LLC in the amount of $69,250 under public works bid law. Mayor Wesson was authorized to execute documents for the agreement.
Approval was given for the purchase of a Kyocera Ecosys Copier/Scanner for the Municipal Court Office in the amount of $1,050 from Fund 11, along with a maintenance agreement of $15.30 monthly.
Firefighter Brett Lunsford was approved to move from full-time permanent to part-time temporary as needed with no change in pay rate.
The Council approved payment of invoices in the amount of $70,959.96.
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video:
In the pre-meeting work session Jessica Smith and Zach Lightsey of Legacy Insurance presented a new liability policy to the Childersburg Council.
Smith told the Council in summary, “You have new properties to insure – new vehicles and the new police building on Highway 280. Beyond that, there were no significant changes in either your coverage or premiums, which is trending in the right direction.”
Approval was then given to that proposal in the amount of $284,601.
The Council acted to reappoint Rita Stephens to the Library Board for a term ending October 1, 2028.
Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $369,705.12. This amount includes the demolition portion of the new Childersburg Police Department building on Highway 280. In a related matter, Mayor Ken Wesson announced that the target date for completion of that project is April, 2025.
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., due to the annual Christmas Tree Lighting event for Childersburg on the regular Tuesday, December 3rd date.
The Oak Grove Town Council met at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12th at 6:00 p.m.
Councilman David Harris reported that the recent Oak Grove Fall Festival essentially broke even in terms of expenses and sponsorship revenues, “It was our smoothest and most successful festival, thanks to everyone joining in and working together.”
The Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department made their monthly report to the Town Council for October 2024:
Total Calls – 54
Structure Fires – 6
General Fires – 5
EMS-Only Calls – 41
Non-Fire, Non-EMS Calls – 2
Aid Given Calls – 4
Aid Received – 6
No-Aid Required – 44
Calls Inside Town Limits – 14
Calls Outside Town Limits – 40
The following are action items from their agenda:
William L. Taylor was approved to joing the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department.
The Council approved the 2025 Town holiday schedule for Town Hall and employees. The only change in the traditional schedule is for the Christmas holiday, with Friday (12/26) added to the schedule , along with Wednesday (12/24) and Thursday (12/25).
Repairs to the bumper of the Street Department’s 2022 Ford F-250 were approved at a cost of $1,700 by Collier Motors.
The Town Council approved the purchase of 2024 Gooseneck Trailer ($9,500) and hitch ($699). The 8.5’ by 30’ trailer will allow the Street Department to transport all three lawn mowers to job sites.
Resolution 617 approved declaring the 15-passenger Transportation bus as surplus and authorized disposal of the 2017 E350 Cutaway Bus.
The Council discussed a proposed 2.5-percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for town employees. The proposal will be formalized with a Resolution during the December regular meeting.
The Town of Oak Grove voted to approve Resolution 616, which joins the State of Alabama in approving a Sales Tax Exemption for Agricultural Fencing, up to $25,000.
A revision of the National Flood Insurance Ordinance had its first reading and will be considered during the December regular meeting.
The required Oak Grove Annual Safety Meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, November 27th at 2:00 p.m.
A contingency budget of $500 was approved for the annual Oak Grove Christmas Tree Lighting event, which is scheduled for Monday, December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in Oak Grove Park.
The Sylacauga City Council held their first regular meeting of the month on Thursday night, November 7, preceded by a work session. Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video below.
The Council opened their meeting with a pair of public hearing on property rezoning requests. Hearing no opposition, property located on Coaling Road was rezoned from AG-2 (Agricultural District) District to a RT-1 (Zero Lot Line Residential District) District. Property located on Talladega Highway was rezoned from MX-2 (Limited Mixed Use) District to a B2 (General Business) District.
A public hearing for the Development Reimbursement Agreement with Cabash Investments, LLC was scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Approval was granted to Wharf Casual Seafood, LLC for a thirty-day extension for opening, until January 31, 2025.
The Council approved a series of budget amendments from FY2024 to FY2025 to account for open invoices that stretched between the two budget years. They were approved as follows:
a) General Fund encumbrances, totaling $749,599.01.
b) Improvement Project Fund encumbrances, totaling $623,020.55.
c) Airport Fund encumbrances, totaling $87,996.24.
Approval was given to hire Reams Custom Homes to seal cedar roofs at the Marble City Cemetery, totaling $1,247.75. (Funding from Marble City Cemetery Fund.)
The Council approved Building & Earth to provide engineering consultation and construction materials testing services for project site located at 799 N Norton Ave., totaling $18,100. (Funding from Capital Improvement Fund.) This piece of property is proposed for a new Recreation Center, adjacent to the E.A.R.T.H. Job Development Center from Safe Family Services.
The Fire Department was approved to purchase Thermal Imaging Cameras, totaling $35,315, plus shipping charges. (Funding from Capital Improvement Fund.)
The Council gave approval for the reimbursement of an overpayment to Gail Vick, case # MC23-0000856, totaling $60.
The Acme Sandwich Shop, Inc, located at 108 North Broadway Avenue was approved for an 020 – Restaurant Retail Liquor License, pending approval from the ABC Board and all required documents.
Approval was granted for payment Fiscal Year 2024 Accounts Payable invoices totaling $134,637.76; as well as Fiscal Year 2025 Accounts Payable invoices totaling $352,432.63.
Tiffany Nix was re-elected as the City Council President for the next twelve-month period, and Nate Brewer was elected to serve as the City Council President Pro-Tempore for the next twelve-month period.
The Council approved a new job description for the vacant position of Accounting Manager in the Administration and Finance Department, effective November 7, 2024.
The next regular meeting of the Sylacauga City Council is set for Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., preceded by a work session at 5:00 p.m.
Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video below.
A major flooding issue that has plagued Childersburg’s Pleasant Valley area is a step closer to resolution as a project that has created better darinage is nearing completion.
Approval of Resolution 2024-22 authorizes Mayor Ken Wesson to execute a change order for the Storm Drain Northwest Project #CS010832-03 that approves Civil Contractors to complete the project using available SRF funding. Residents have reported great improvement already, draining flood waters in a matter of hours instead of days.
Resolution 2024-23 approves Lincoln Excavating and Construction a one-year road and sidewalk repair contract. It includes more than a dozen projects for the Water Board, as well as ten for the City itself.
A pair of Resolutions, 2024-24 & 2024-25, gained formal approval on behalf of the Childersburg Water Board. The first amends a 2023 Community Block Grants and Appalachian Regional Commission funds to include an increase of local matching funds by ten-percent and authorize the Mayor to submit and sign required documents.
The second accepts funds through the same grant programs to provide sewer system improvements and awarding the construction contract to Baird Contracting.
The Council approved a JAG Grant expense for the purchase of two (2) Axon Fleer Dash Cameras with License Plate Readers. The total amount is $30,548.40, with $20,939.64 from the JAG Grant balance, and a city match of $9,608.70 from Fund 10.
The first regular Council meeting in December has been moved from Tuesday, December 3rd to Monday December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. to avoid a conflict with the planned City Christmas Tree Lighting and related events on the regular meeting night.
Approval was given to advertise with the Childersburg High Tip-Off Club in the amount of $300 from Fund 12-LRA.
The Council approved an 011-Lounge Retail Liquor Class II (Package) License for TCB Package Store owner Walter Blackmon. It is located at 6 9th Avenue SW.
Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $211,248.85.
And in an item added to the amended agenda, the Council approved a $2,450 payment to Misty Thacker for gymnastics class service provided through the Childersburg Parks & Recreation Department. All of the funds were generated through participation fees collected by the Recreation Department. There is a formal agreement for the classes under development.
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video below.
The Childersburg City Council approved Resolution 2024-20 for a FY 2025 Operating Budget that includes a pay raise and an increased health insurance contribution.
The budget approval calls for $5,797,150 in projected revenues; $5,765,867 in expenses; and a surplus of $31,283. Employees will receive a one-time longevity increase, a three percent wage adjustment, along with an increase in the City’s contribution to health insurance premiums to 85%. The budget also set the new year’s holiday schedule.
In other new business, Bruce Hunt was appointed to the Boards of adjustments and appeals for a term ending 11/15/2027.
The Council gave approval for the Rural Transportation System to hire a pair of temporary, part-time drivers on an as-needed basis, paying $10 per hour.
Approval was given to adjust the salary of the Senior Center/Transportation Director, Demetra Reynolds to $27,500.
It was announced that the Childersburg Police Department has been awarded an ADECA Traffic Grant of $3,000 per month. CPD officers received training in 1st Amendment Auditors, 2nd Amendment Activists, new laws, new drug trends, along with firearms qualifications.
Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $298,453.22.
The next regular meeting of the Childersburg Council will be held on November 5th at 6:00 p.m.
The Childersburg City Council held their 2nd June regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18th at 6:00 p.m.
In New Business, the Council approved Resolution 2024-07 to accept $200,000 from the Childersburg Industrial Development Board and designating those funds to the City Commercial Development Authority. The funds will be used for the purpose of downtown rehabilitation and economic growth.
The Council took care of regulatory paperwork with the passage of Resolution 2024-08, which approved the FY 2025 Rural Transportation grant operating budget.
Training was approved for Childersburg Police Chief Keven Koss to attend the AACOP Summer Conference at Orange Beach from July 28th through August 1st. The cost includes $200 registration, 4-nights lodging at $1,076, and per diem.
Approval was given to repair a 2021 Ford Police Interceptor, performed by Collier Motors at a cost of $2269.21.
The Council also approved payment of Invoices in the amount of $210,920.05.
The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd at 6:00 p.m.