For the Tribune
By Tanna Friday
TRUSSVILLE — Several residents of the Crossings at Deerfoot, again, voiced their displeasure with the noise coming from Sheepdog Firearms and asked the Council the status of a solution, if any.
“The last time we came before the Council was back in August, and we wanted to see if you all could provide an update because the noise has not subsided,” said resident Armmon Carter, who was one among the residents who represented the neighborhood Tuesday evening.
“It has actually gotten worse,” said Carter. “As the season progresses and the leaves fall of the trees, the noise has gotten louder and louder.”
“We understand your frustration,” said Councilman Alan Taylor. “One of the things that we have to do is find out what jurisdiction we have as a city council to act on.
“We are doing some research as to what our options are. I know we have a nuisance ordinance, which is within our jurisdiction, but according to our city clerk, we have never used this ordinance.”
Taylor explained that the Council is not only researching the rights and actions that the group has to enforce the ordinance, but also how the ordinance applies to this particular situation.
“From our standpoint, that is really all we have,” said Taylor. “I will tell you this, I met with Sheepdog Firearms once before and I know that they are doing everything they can to find an answer.”
Mayor Buddy Choat added, “We have to look at it as two different things: what the city can do, what we can enforce and what we can do to protect the neighbors/neighborhood.
“And the neighborhoods have the right, also, to pursue on their end. We’re trying to work with Sheepdog. We have tried and offered a lot of time, patience and conversations.”
Jamie Stennis, another resident of Crossings at Deerfoot, expressed her concerns.
“I think, as a neighborhood, we are concerned that the longer this goes on we will become desensitized to it,” she said. “Including the Council, including Sheepdog, it’s been six months.
“Regardless of the value of your home, you should be able to sit out on your porch and drink a cup of coffee without hearing gunfire, and I’m a gun owner.”
Stennis says that there needs to be a timeline for Sheepdog to resolve the issue.
“So there is a sense of urgency from them to get it resolved,” she said.
Stennis empathizes with the new business owner’s issue of cost, but says it is costing neighbors too.
“Say someone wants to put their house up for sale, that’s a problem and money out of your pocket,” she said.
Councilor Taylor assured Stennis that this problem will not go unnoticed.
“I can assure you we are not going to be desensitized to it,” he said. “One, because we continue to have dialog with Sheepdog; and two, y’all aren’t going to let us and we appreciate that. We are trying to research within the law what rights we have or what responsibilities do we have as a city.”
The Council also:
- Approved the minutes from Nov. 14 regular council meeting;
- Acknowledged and confirmed Redevelopment Authority (RDA) officers Chairman David Morgan and Vice Chairman Ian Maddox;
- Approved extension per agreement on Edgar’s final development plan to Dec. 31, 2017;
- Approved RDA request for operational funding for $50,000;
- Approved RDA request for funding architectural design expenses for $34,500;
- Approved RDA Facade Improvement Grant request for $8,417.50;
- Approved library change order request #35 (landscaping) for $12,420;
- Approved library change order request #34 (replace existing mechanical registers and diffusers) for #6,135;
- Authorized Mayor to negotiate property purchases on Cedar Lane;
- Approved Ordinance 2017-046ANX to annex 7519 and 7515 Happy Hollow Road into Trussville;
- Approved lowest bid quote for Cherokee gym LED lighting from Energy & Light Supply for $4,770;
- Upgraded full time laborer effective Nov. 25 at Civic Center;
- Approved merit increase effective Dec. 9 for police officer;
- Acknowledged that Thomas Freeman completed police academy;
- Approved addition of signage on Veteran’s Monument; and
- Announced the reschedule of council meeting from Dec. 12 to Dec. 7 beginning at 5:30 p.m. (Workshop/Council)