Jacksonville City Council Work Session and Meeting Summary: August 26, 2024

Jacksonville, AL – The Jacksonville City Council held a regularly scheduled work session and city council meeting on August 26th, 2024.

City Council Meeting and Regular Work Session

• Call to order.
• Invocation.
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Roll call.
  • Tony Taylor – Present
  • Sherry Laster – Present
  • Coty Galloway – Present
  • Andy Green – Present
  • Terry Wilson – Present
• Proclamation. – None
• Work Session:
  • Acceptance of Minutes.
  • Fishing Rodeo – Marcus Wood.
    • Chief Marcus Wood discussed the funding for the upcoming Fishing Rodeo, emphasizing the need for $5,000 to purchase fish, the same amount spent the previous year. He noted that last year’s event had a great turnout, making the investment worthwhile. To accommodate more participants and avoid crowding, they plan to buy smaller fish, which will allow more pounds of fish to be stocked around the entire lake. The fish have already been reserved with Davis Fish Farms, ensuring they won’t miss out on securing them for the event.
  • Alabama Power Grant – Patricia Daigle.
    • Patricia Daigle discussed securing an $1,800 grant from the Alabama Power Foundation to update and replace the welcome signs in Jacksonville. The initiative was prompted by Councilman Greene’s earlier concerns about overgrowth and outdated signage. Daigle has reached out to Jacksonville State University (JSU) to collaborate on the restoration, as the signs also introduce visitors to JSU. They plan to update signs on Highway 21 South, relocate the sign on Highway 21 North due to interference with a new fire department, and address the sign on Highway 204 damaged during construction. A meeting with JSU is scheduled to finalize the plans.
  • Any other business.
    • Chief Keith Kadle explained that the city had budgeted $230,000 for a new ambulance, which ended up costing nearly $234,000. However, they were offered $35,000 as a trade-in for an old, unused ambulance with a rotten floor, reducing the final cost to around $199,000. This adjustment means no additional funds will be needed. The new ambulance, currently in Michigan, will be inspected in North Carolina before the purchase is finalized. The plan is to place earnest money to secure it before making the final decision.
• Adoption of minutes. – Unanimously Approved
• Adoption of agenda. – Unanimously Approved (with changes)
  • ADD: Consider action to approve the FY2024 Ambulance write-off list.
  • ADD: Consider action to approve the employment of the following. Bo Anthony Cusey, automotive mechanic trainee, range seven, effective August 28, 2024. This is a new position. Mr. Cusey is currently a laborer in the street department. And then item D is Audrey Rance Kirk, equipment operator 1A, range seven, effective August 28, 2024. Due to the promotion of Justin Couch, Mr. Kirk is currently a laborer in the street department.
  • ADD: Consider action to accept the resignation of the following. Cole Centers, utility maintenance assistant, effective September 2nd, 2024.
  • REMOVE: Consider action to accept the resignation of the following. Michael Shane Millwood, equipment operator 1A, effective August 27th, 2024.
  • ADD: To the consent agenda, add to item 24, purchases over $7,500. $199,554.05 to Elite Ambulance Sales for the purchase of a 2024 Ford E450 Ambulance, the VIN number is 1FDXE4FN3RDD08369.
  • ADD: To consent agenda, disposition of surplus property decal number 7329, 2016 Ford F450XLT Ambulance, VIN number is 1FDUF4HT7GEB. 18691 and is traded in a credit of 35,000 toward the new ambulance.
  • AMEND: Consider action to adjourn into an executive session under the provisions of the code of Alabama under section 36-25A7 to discuss matters of economic development.
• Public comments concerning agenda. – No Comments
• Public Hearing regarding the granting of public funds and incentives for JAX Hotel II, LLC. – No Comments
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Development Agreement with JAX Hotel II, LLC. – Unanimously Approved
• Consideration of Ordinance No. O-660-24 Amending Chapter 2 – Administration, Article 1. In General, by Adding Section 2-3. Public Records Requests of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Jacksonville, Alabama. (First Reading) – No Action Required
• Consideration of Ordinance No. O-657-24 that Completely Amends and Replaces Section 24- 281(13) – Motels and Hotels, to Chapter 24 – Zoning, Article IV – Off-Street Parking and Loading, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Jacksonville, Alabama. (Received First Reading August 12, 2024) – Unanimously Approved
• Consideration of Ordinance No. O-658-24 that Completely Amends and Replaces Section 24- 101(C)(5) – Minimum Dwelling Size, Section 24-102(C)(5) – Minimum Dwelling Size, and Section 24-103(C)(6) – Minimum Dwelling Size, to Chapter 24 – Zoning, Article III – Zoning District, Planned Unit Development, and Overlay District Regulations, Division 2 – Residential Districts, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Jacksonville, Alabama. (Received First Reading August 12, 2024) – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Professional Services Agreement with TTL, Inc., for Well Installation and Development at the Jacksonville-Piedmont Inert Landfill. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Professional Services Agreement with TTL, Inc., for the 2024-2025 Groundwater Monitoring and Reporting at the Jacksonville-Piedmont Inert Landfill. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement with Patricia Daigle for Grant Development, Application and Management. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to approve the Cybersecurity Governance Policy for the City of Jacksonville General Fund Departments and the Water Works, Gas and Sewer Board and the Creation of a Cybersecurity Governance Team. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to authorize the Fire Chief Keith Kadle to accept the Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $32,761.90, with the city’s match of $3,276.10 and authorize the Mayor to sign any necessary documents. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to approve the FY2024 Ambulance write-off list. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to approve the employment of the following:
  • Adam Patrick Johnson, Firefighter/Paramedic, Range 11A, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273. (new position)
  • Eric J. Chapman, Firefighter/Paramedic, Range 11A, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273. (new position)
  • Bo Anthony Cusey, automotive mechanic trainee, range seven, effective August 28, 2024. This is a new position. Mr. Cusey is currently a laborer in the street department. And then item D is Audrey Rance Kirk, equipment operator 1A, range seven, effective August 28, 2024. Due to the promotion of Justin Couch, Mr. Kirk is currently a laborer in the street department.
• Consider action to approve the promotion of the following: – Unanimously Approved
  • Christapher Nicholas Deckard, Police Sergeant, Range 22, effective August 28, 2024, due to the promotion of Matthew Savage to Police Lieutenant.
• Consider action to approve the reclassification of the following: – Unanimously Approved
  • Matthew Hicks, Firefighter, Range 9 to Firefighter/EMT, Range 11, effective August 28, 2024, due to obtaining EMT-B License.
• Consider action to accept the resignation of the following: – Unanimously Approved
  • Matthew Walden, Public Safety Communications Officer, effective August 27, 2024.
  • Cole Centers, utility maintenance assistant, effective September 2nd, 2024.
• Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved
  • • Purchases Over $7,500.00.
    • Requests to Attend Conference/Training Session with Costs Exceeding $1,000.00.
    • Disposition of Surplus Property.
• Public comments for general items.
  • Pastor Thelma Thomas Snow, recently married, addressed the need for streetlights on the 300 block of Dennis, where there are currently none. She highlighted that many widows in the community rely on their house lights, which can be costly. As their pastor, she spoke on their behalf, requesting the installation of streetlights to provide necessary lighting for the area.
• Council Member Remarks. – None
• Mayor’s report.
  • Ladies Craft Nigh t is being held by PARD
  • Battle of the Badges on September 19th JFD vs JPD
  • Spirit on Mountain Street was a nice event.
  • City Hall will be closed on Labor Day.
• Any Other Business. – None
• Consider action to adjourn into an executive session under the provisions of the code of Alabama under section 36-25A7 to discuss matters of economic development. – Unanimously Approved

The post Jacksonville City Council Work Session and Meeting Summary: August 26, 2024 appeared first on Calhoun Journal .