Category: City Council meeting

Oak Grove Mayor and Town Council will skip an upcoming election without opposition for any sitting officials

A series of six Resolutions, 624 through 629, were approved declaring that the Mayor and all five town council members have been re-elected without opposition and issuing Certificates of Election for all.

In Old Business, the Council authorized a $1,600 payment to Nelson Motors for work done on the east side well. The new invoice copy boke down labor and material costs.

A “No Action” motion was approved in regard to a Nuisance Ordinance revision, after a report from Susie Wimmer indicated that she found no issues concerning a recent resident complaint concerning an animal rescue operation.

Under New Business, David “Luke” Lunsford was appointed as the new Chief of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department. In a related matter, three applications to join the department were tabled while Chief Lunsford studies the applications.

The Council approved a pair of requests from Chief Lunsford for his department. The purchase of five new radios was approved at a cost of $2,000 each. Also approved was up to $32,000 for as replacement brush fire truck, as well as an EMS Quick Response sport utility vehicle. The current brush truck had been used for both functions and had gotten old with expensive repairs pending.

In other business, the Council approved Resolution 630, which authorized the purchase of a vehicle lift at a cost of $9,499, plus an additional $500 freight charge.

The Council approved the purchase of a 12 x 20 foot standard carport for the sewer pump stations. In a related matter, approval was given to Resolution 631, which authorized the purchase of a sewer pump at a cost of $6,650. That allows for an installed pump and an emergency spare at both the east and west town pump stations.

Also concerning the west pump station, the Council authorized the purchase of 25 tons of gravel for the pump station and driveway. The cost is $725.50.

With the state making changes in the taxation of vape products, the Council agreed to take advantage of the state-run revenue sharing program, which required passage of a “No Action” motion.

In pre-meeting reports, Mayor Tony white said that land clearing across from Town Hall will begin soon. The City Clerk’s office will prepare information on new operational software from CSA, which is geared specifically toward government operations use. Also, for future consideration, the City Clerk’s office will prepare a Resolution for consideration that could create a Park Committee to address new family activities for Oak Grove Park facilities.

One of the park’s largest annual events, the Oak Grove Fall Family Festival, was the subject of another report. The festival has been scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Councilman David Harris said that their first festival meeting went well and plans are progressing. He reported that inflatables have been confirmed alons with several key activity vendors, including Home Depot’s kids crafts under the pavilion.

With Sewer Board member Frank Young getting married and moving to Birmingham, it was discussed dissolving the Sewer Board. Mayor White said, “The Council has to handle approval of all sewer-related actions, so it might be time to dissolve.

The City Clerk’s office was assigned the duty of researching the ramifications of dissolving the Sewer Board. If no major issues are discovered, a proposal resolutions will be prepared for the August Town Council meeting.

Gerald Wallace has been certified as the new Ward C Councilman in Childersburg for the coming term of office

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

With only one candidate for the Ward C seat on the Childersburg Council, Resolution 2025-12 issued a Certificate of Election for Gerald Wallace during the Tuesday, July 1, 2025 regular meeting.

Resolution 2025-13 also gained approval, authorizing Ken Wesson in his capacity as Mayor to enter into an agreement with Advanced Integrated Security for the purpose of monitoring the fire system at the new Police-Judicial Building at 34011 US Highway 280.

Passage of Resolution 2025014 allows the City of Childersburg to proceed with the abatement process for three vacant lots on Parkdale Lane in Minor Terrace.

In other new business, the Council approved a request to transfer Terrie Sprayberry to the Police Department as a full-time permanent Records Clerk at a pay rate of $14 per hour.

Approval was given for Johnny Swain to perform curb and concrete work at the Police-Judicial Building in the amount of $7,150.

Payment of invoices in the amount of $72,018.22 was approved.

The Council adjusted the pay rate of transportation drivers to $12 per hour, effective with the next pay period.

The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Mayor Wesson said that the hope is that the Council will be able to hold that meeting in the Municipal Courtroom of the Police-Judicial Building on Highway 280.

Childersburg has selected a new Library Director ahead of current Director’s retirement

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

The Childersburg City Council voted to approve Cindy Wideman as the new Library Director, effective July 1, 2025. Wideman replaces Susan Carpenter, who is retiring at the end of June.

Wideman, who has been employed at the Rainwater Library for the past year, will transition to training mose from June 18 through the 30th at a pay rate of $12.50 per hour. She will serve a 6-month probationary period at a pay rate of $14.75. Upon completion of the probationary period her pay rate will increase to $15.25 per hour.

In other new business, the City council approved Fierce Athletics to provide cheerleading and tumbling instructor services. That decision came via approval of Resolution 2025-11.

The State of Alabama has made training for elected municipal officials mandatory. The City Council voted to approve registration for the Mayor and Council to complete the required hours of training. It will include a combination of on-line and in-person training sessions.

Approval was given for the City to advertise with the Childersburg Quarterback Club in the amount of $300, paid from Fund 23.

The Childersburg Street Department was approved to replace a large tractor used in providing large scale grass cutting duties. They will be getting a Kubota V2403 Tractor from Beshears Tractor and equipment through the Sourcewell Cooperative at the state bid list price of $29,961.68, including a roof canopy addition.

The City Council added a pair of late year dates to the Municipal Court schedule on November 19 and December 17, 2025

Invoices were approved for payment in the amount of $375,286.50.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1st at 6:00 p.m., but the meeting location is still up in the air. Mayor Ken Wesson said that if the new Municipal Court/Police Complex is completed, the meeting will be held at the new Highway 280 location.

Childersburg prepares for August Municipal Election with three resolutions

Read the accounts of the June 3, 2025 meeting of the Childersburg City Council &/or watch the meeting video below the story:

The Childersburg City Council approved three resolutions necessary for the operation of the August Municipal election. The first, Resolution 2025-08, appoints the City Clerk to handle the 2025 Municipal Election and Absentee Manager.

Resolution 1025-09 approves the various electronic devices to be used in the voting process. Resolution 2025-10 appoints a slate of Election Officials as follows:

Chief Inspector – Candy Mahaffey
Assistant Chief Inspector – Eugene Marbury

Ward A Assistant Clerk – Terry Kaye Cleckler
Ward A Assistant Clerk – Donna Jones

Ward B Assistant Clerk – Anita Mahaffey
Ward B Assistant Clerk – Teresa Martin

Ward C Assistant Clerk – Nina Marbury
Ward C Assistant Clerk – Mildred Whetstone

Ward D Assistant Clerk – Debbie Hamilton
Ward D Assistant Clerk – Tammy Salter

Ward E Assistant Clerk – William (Slim) Milam
Ward E Assistant Clerk – Kaye Hernandez

In other New Business, the Council approved Ordinance 1149, which approves the sale of 60 +/- acres at the Industrial Park to Cooper Steel for $360,000 for an expansion project. It also names Mayor Ken Wesson, as the Chairman of the Local Redevelopment Authority to execute the agreement and associated documents for the transaction.

Approval was given to hire Matthew Griffin as a full-time permanent Transportation Driver at a rate of $10 per hour.

The Council approved moving Council Meetings and Municipal Court to the new Judicial/Police Complex at 34011 US Highway 280 upon completion of the renovation project.

Approval was given for the Street Department to hire Rick Wallace as a part-time temporary CDL Driver and Equipment Operator at a rate of $12 per hour.

The Council approved a Senior Center request to purchase a replacement ice maker from KaTom Restaurant Supply in the amount of $1,697.50.

Payment of invoices was approved in the amount of $65,237.92.

Prior to the meeting, Mayor Ken Wesson reported that ALDOT wants to move ahead with a project to repave State Highway 235 (Coosa Pines Drive & Plat Road), while changing it from a 4-lane highway to two-lanes with a left-turn lane. The Mayor told ALDOT that the Council opposes the change. He also made certain that ALDOT representatives met with all of the industries along the road, with all of them expressing displeasure to the change as disruptive to efficient industrial traffic.

The Mayor asked the public to go to the ALDOT website to make public comments at dot.state.al.us/news/pi_schedule.html. However, the link labeled as “Resurfacing/Road Diet on AL-235” went to a comment section on a different project.

Mayor Wesson also reported calling on Congressman Mike Rogers for his assistance in addressing the issue of addresses in the new College Park development being listed under the Sylacauga Post Office for delivery and Post Office Service.

Also prior to the Council meeting new Childersburg Police Cadets, Kristian Glenn and Christian Blair, were sworn in before heading to the Anniston Northeast Law Enforcement Academy in August.

Mayor Wesson reported that he had met with a representative of the Long-Lewis automotive group in Birmingham about a proposal to create a new used car supercenter along Highway 280 in Childersburg. He told the Council that an undisclosed Childersburg location was one of two locations in the area under consideration.

The next regular meeting of the Childersburg City Council will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

Childersburg weathered the weekend storms – Preparation was the key

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

Mayor Ken Wesson reported that all City departments were proactive in preparing for this past weekend’s storms, “They inspected their facilities, collecting and storing all items that might be subject to problems from the expected high winds. With over four-inches of rain in a very short period of time, we did experience a few short-term flooding issues, but we were pleased at how quickly the excess rain subsided. We were fortunate that we did not experience what our neighbors in Winterboro dealt with.”

Wesson reported that the City storm shelter housed 35 people during the evening on Saturday, March 15th, while 52 took advantage of the safe zone at the Limbaugh Community Center, “We got the all clear at 11:00 p.m. and allowed our emergency visitors to go home.”

The Childersburg City Council opened their Tuesday, March 18th regular business meeting by revisiting an item from the last meeting, when they approved ABC Beer and Wine Retail licenses for Quik Sak (32522 US Highway 280, Childersburg. This meeting, the Council also approved a Retail Liquor Class C license, added by the ABC Board.

Having completed his certification, Joseph Lide was approved for a classification change to firefighter/paramedic at an hourly pay rate of $16 per hour.

The Council approved a hole sponsorship for the scheduled April 14, 2025 golf tournament for Elks Lodge 2295 for $100, paid from Fund 23.

Payment of invoices was approved in the amount of $844,125.84, including a $400,000+ payment on the construction project for the new Police-Judicial Complex on Highway 280.

Wesson also announced receipt of approval of ADECA grant funds for the Childersburg Police Department in the amount of $23,540.

After the meeting Chief Kevin Koss said that the grant funds will be used in a variety of projects inside the new Police-Judicial Complex, “The funds are to address gun violence, and the terms will allow a wide range of uses that meet the standards. It will be difference-making.”

The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday April 1st, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

The Oak Grove Town Council to seek an independent assessment of Gantt’s Junction Road paving work

With conflicting assessments by the companies involved, the Oak Grove Town Council has voted to seek an independent assessment of the Gantts Junction paving project which has shown signs of premature breakdown in spots.

In making the proposal, Councilman David Harris said, “I think we need to get ahead of this, to have an outside expert make an independent assessment of exactly what we’re looking at, what’s behind the road surface breaking down in spots, and what our options might be going forward.”

The Council voted to spend up to $5,000 to make the independent assessment.

In other new business, a draft agreement with Talladega County for responsibilities and duties during the upcoming municipal election was presented for study. A vote on the agreement is expected to be on the April meeting agenda.

Mayor Tony White reported his plans to attend the Alabama League of Municipalities Convention in Huntsville, May 13 – 16. Several Town Council members were not certain of their plans at the moment. A vote was tabled on the Voting Delegate Authorization form selections, along with authorization of expenses for attendance.

Following discussion of a proposal from Rock Solid Operations, LLC for curbside pick-up of debris, the Council voted to authorize Mayor Tony White to confirm the length of the proposed agreement, which would greatly reduce the cost for providing twice per month service on the first and third Mondays of each month.

A proposal from Republic Waste to provide dumpster service for the Town of Oak Grove was tabled while the Town Clerk’s office solicits bids for service from other providers.