Category: Childersburg City Council meetings

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.

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.

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.