By Nathan Prewett
For the Tribune
SPRINGVILLE — Before the regular meeting of the Springville City Council began, Mayor William Isley updated on his son, Tim Isley’s, condition since being hospitalized after he was wounded during a shooting at UAB Hospital on March 14. Isley said that his son is now home and continues to recover.
Isley thanked everyone who prayed for him and his son. He said that Tim Isley will give a statement “in the near future” about the incident and what transpired.
The shooting at UAB Hospital took the life of 63-year-old Nancy Swift. The gunman, Trevis Deron Coleman, later committed suicide in an emergency room. Isley said that his son attempted to save Swift.
“There’s video evidence to show that he did everything he could to save the life of that other lady,” Isley said. “He got shot trying to do that. He got shot three times – once trying to do that and twice as he tried to leave. But he lived and he lived for a reason.”
Afterwards, the council approved several expenditures for the police and fire departments. The first was for newly appointed Police Chief Belinda Crapet to attend a Police Chiefs conference on July 28 to Aug. 2 for $200, including travel expenses.
Expenditures were approved for the fire department, including AED defibrillators for the community shelter for $1, 241. Among others approved were $610 for medical supplies at the shelter, $2,099 for ESO software at the fire station, and $1,036 on electric service for the hazmat building.
The council approved a request by Public Works Director Earl Peoples for $2,739.51 for football helmet re-certification. The certification of helmets occurs every two years, Peoples said.
$245 was approved for Isley, Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Tucker, and City Clerk Kelli Lee to attend a conference by the Alabama County/City Management Association.
Resolution 2018-10 was passed to award the contract to B&B Construction for a maintenance building at the sports park. The park has yet to be named, but Isley said that there are a list of potential names which will be selected in the future. The structure will also be a place for the fire department, as well as housing equipment for the park when it opens.
The council also unanimously approved resolution 2018-09 to authorize Islely to renew the city’s contract with Waste Management.
The council then approved a request by City Attorney James Hill to authorize the Springville Municipal Court to begin using a “Pretrial diversion program” that he said is an alternative for judges and prosecutors to give to defendants with “certain” charges. The program is aimed at rehabilitating some offenders, particularly first-time offenders.
The judge and prosecutor have to authorize the program for defendants who, if they finish it, will either not be charged or have charges dismissed. The resolution was passed unanimously.
In other business, the council made two appointments to the library board. Carol Mills was appointed to the board to fill the unexpired term of Renate Dauser, who passed away last year. Tabitha Hanner was appointed to the board to fill the term of Beth Walker, who stepped down.
The next Springville City Council meeting will take place on April 16 at 6 p.m. A special-called council work session has been scheduled for April 6 to discuss “annexation and residential development of Wright Farm Property.”