From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Council presented a resolution during a Thursday, Dec. 20, combined workshop/council meeting declaring January as Human Trafficking Awareness month.
Council Pro Tem Zack Steele, who read the city’s proclamation, noted that human trafficking is a problem nationwide. It’s a horrific crime that usually involves forced labor, mostly in the sex trade.
According to the Wellhouse in Birmingham, 40 percent of all U.S. human trafficking occurs in the Southeast and impacts children ages 12-14 years. Since September of this year, there has been 5,000 (60,000 a year) victims of human trafficking moved through Alabama each month, according to a 2018 Alabama Human Trafficking study led by researchers of the University of Alabama. To compare, that’s more than double the population in Trussville. Of those 60,000 last year, 617 were saved.
In other matters, the council approved:
- Dec. 11 minutes;
- Proclamation 2018-24 Human Trafficking Awareness Month January 19;
- Resolution 2018-073 budget adjustment;
- Announcing City offices, building closed on Dec. 24-25, Dec. 31 – Jan. 1;
- Consent agenda;
- Reappoint utility board members Teddy Gilmer (through Dec. 1, 2024), A.H. “Buddy” Wright (through Dec. 1, 2024);
- Merit increases effective Jan. 5, 2019;
- Andrea Downing, Municipal Court;
- Thomas Phillip Dillon, Police;
- Maria Duarte, Dispatch;
- Claire Jackson, PD Account Assistant II;
- David A. Morrette, Police; and
- Geovanny Valverde, Parks & Rec.
- Merit increases effective Jan. 19, 2019;
- Joe K. Rosetta, Police;
- Lakeisha N. Addie (Minor), Municipal Court;
- Brett Deloach, Police; and
- Karen P. Davis, Library.
- Hiring Police Officer Ana KilgoreMcCombs effective Jan. 5;
- Hiring Fire Fighter Matthew Joseph Fredrick effective Jan. 7;
- Copier/Printer contract with Dex Images (all city locations);
- Contract with Cintas (Civic Center) contingent on existing contract agreement;
- Auditing accounts;
- Training & Risk Management for SWAT, Riner on Jan. 14, 2019.
The next council meeting will be on Jan. 15, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. workshop and council meeting to follow at 6 p.m.