From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14, began with a moment of silence in honor of the family of Paighton Houston and library employee Lindsey Kelley, who recently lost her battle with cancer. Councilman Alan Taylor then led the crowd in prayer, asking for comfort for the families of Houston and Kelly.
The police department celebrated a promotion and a new hire. Dispatcher Connie Watkins was promoted to a supervisor position. Chief Eric Rush said Watkins has been a dispatcher for the city of Trussville for nine years.
“It’s my honor to announce a promotion to a dispatch supervisor for dispatcher Connie Watkins,” said Rush.
Hollye Grosvenor was also recognized as the newest dispatcher for the city.
Mayor Buddy Choat, city attorney Rick Stotser and City Clerk Lynn Porter were in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting. The only council member who was not present was Briant Plant.
In other business, the city council passed a resolution declaring a house at 3584 Queenstown Road a public nuisance. The home on the property burned and was later deemed a public safety hazard. The family living in the home was issued a demolition permit in Dec. 2018, but continued to live in the home and did not demolish it, according to Mayor Buddy Choat.
“You’ve had a demo permit to tear that house down for over a year,” said Choat. “But it hasn’t been torn down. So, if the council passes this, we will take it down.”
One of the family members said they have been unable to afford a demo or get help to do it themselves. Mayor Buddy Choat said the city has done all it can do.
“I’m sorry you haven’t been able to get help,” said Choat. “But at this point, we don’t have a choice. We’re going to have to consider declaring it a nuisance and take it down.”
The property is currently for sale. There will be a lien placed on the property for the cost of demolition of the structure.
The council also passed an ordinance making one block of Morrow Avenue a one-way. According to the ordinance, the traffic on Main Street causes an extreme hazard to drivers trying to pull out of Morrow Avenue onto Highway 11.
Making the road a one-way for southbound traffic will mean people can only pull into Morrow Avenue from Highway 11, but will not be able to pull onto Highway 11 from Morrow Avenue.
The change will take effect once signage and installation of any traffic control devices indicating the directional change are complete.
Other items passed from the agenda included a new stormwater ordinance to protect the environment by establishing standards of erosion control and a proclamation to recognize School Board Recognition Month in January.
Councilman Alan Taylor abstained from voting on two measures on the right-of-way acquisitions of easements along the downtown loop road, which will divert some traffic off Highway 11. The acquisitions impact 110 Glenn Avenue, 112 Glenn Avenue, 114 Glenn Avenue, 207 Willow Street, 205 Willow Street, 110 Vann Circle. Remaining council members passed the resolutions.
The following items were approved as part of the consent agenda. These items were not discussed during the council meeting, but rather the work session that was held prior to the meeting on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Accounts payable
At-Scene Collision Reconstruction – Feb 3-14 – Calera – Davis – $800.00
Gov Finance Officers Conf – Hinson – Feb 18-20 – Mobile – $325 – no lodging
Alabama Transportation Conf – Sullivan – Feb 11-12 – Montgomery – $225 plus lodging &
expenses
AAMCA Conf. – Porter – Feb 18-20 – Hoover – $265 (??? don’t know yet)
Fire Chiefs Executive Conf – Chris Schmohl – Tuscaloosa – Feb 3-6 – $185.00, plus lodging Promote Connie Watkins to Public Safety Dispatcher III, Grade 19, Step 8, eff 1-18-20 Hire Hollye Grosvenor, Public Safety Dispatcher II, Grade 16, Step 1, effective Jan 18, Promote Katie Jones, Library, from part-time to full time circulation clerk eff 1-18-20 Hire Steven Paul Phillips, Firefighter, Grade 19, Step 2, effective Jan 18, 2020
Hire Matthew Gregory Williams, Firefighter, Grade 19, Step 1, effective Jan 18, 2020 Hire Kristie Scott, Fire Admin Clerk, Grade 13, Step 4, effective Feb 3, 2020
Hire Makeda Smith, Senior Center Director – Grade 18, Step 10, effective Feb 1, 2020 Reappoint John Floyd to Tree Commission through Feb 28, 2022
Approve Roadway Evaluation proposal by Sain & Assoc – $87,000