By Tanna M. Friday
Editor
TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Council approved amendments to the Trussville city animal ordinance on Tuesday, Nov. 27, that aim to penalize offenders of animal cruelty and protect the welfare of animals in distress.
The council discussed three changes that were amended on the city’s current animal ordinance.
“There have been a few changes to our existing ordinance,” Councilor Alan Taylor said. “These would allow an officer to write a non-traffic citation for violations they observe. It will also allow the magistrate to take pleas, and address officer discretion for breaking car windows for animals in distress.”
Taylor added that the current ordinance did not address these items.
“These amendments to our existing animal ordinance provide a little more clarity,” he said.
Amendments 10-52 and 10-54 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Trussville does three things: sets certain requirements for maintaining animals and pets within the corporate limits, provides the procedure for prosecution of any violation with the use of a non-traffic complaint, and in the event a law enforcement officer observes an animal in distress, an officer can use his discretion to save the animal from distress using his experience, training, policy and applicable law.
In other matters, the council approved:
- Minutes from Nov. 13;
- Resolution to add signature BBVA General Fund money market;
- Resolution to add signature BBVA General Fund checking card clearing;
- Resolution to add signature Bryant Education Fund checking;
- Resolution to add signature Bryant Education Ad Valorem checking;
- Resolution to add signature Bryant General Fund Capital Projects Checking;
- Resolution to add signature Bryant TUB LOC account;
- Resolution to add signature Regions Bank Vehicle Tag account;
- Resolution to add signature Regions Bank Local Drug Confiscation;
- Resolution to add signature Southpoint General Fund money market;
- Resolution to add signature Synovus Captial Improvement Fund;
- Resolution to add signature Synovus 2018 Warrant Construction Fund;
- Ordinance amend 6982 Roper Road;
- Resolution to surplus Taurus – Parks;
- Ordinance to amend Animal Control Ordinance;
- Consent agenda;
- Promote Justin Ferguson to Construction Equipment Operator effective Nov. 25, Grade 17, Step 2;
- Promote Robby Pruitt to Heavy Equipment Operator effective Nov. 24, Grade 15, Step 4;
- Merit increases effective Nov. 24 for dispatcher and police, Dec. 8 for police;
- Auditing accounts:
- Accounts payable;
- Field medical training for Middleton – PD- no cost except lodging;
- Governmental and accounting forum for Salter, $300; and
- Surveying Standards of PracticeProfessionalnal Ethics for Sullivan, $175.
The next council workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 6, and the next council regularly scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, Dec. 11.