By Erica Thomas, managing editor AND Joshua Huff, sports editor
TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Council convened on Tuesday, March 24, in a virtual meeting, due to social distancing guidelines enacted by the Alabama Department of Health in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The purchase of body cameras and Tasers for the Trussville Police Department was approved by the council. The city will enter into a contract with Axon Enterprises. The department demoed the equipment for around six months and decided the body cameras would be a vital component to continuing to establish public trust and to maintain safety throughout the police force.
The cameras, which would be on the vehicles and on the officers, can be activated through multiple triggers: siren activation, weapon withdrawal, door opening, etc. The pricing, Police Chief Eric Rush said, comes out to be about $199 per officer, per month. That’s over a five year period. “It’s pricey,” Rush said. “But, it’s worth it. These cameras are amazing … These, we had zero problems with it.”
The contract is for five years; however, the police department cannot enter into contracts of five years, so it would run for three years with the final two years on a year-by-year basis.
Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the city council passed a resolution suspending several committee meetings until further notice. Committees impacted are the Beautification Committee, the Park and Recreation Board, the Historical Committee, the Tree Commission, the Public Safety Committee, the Design Review Committee and the Senior Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
Also in the meeting Tuesday, the council approved a resolution to place a traffic signal on Highway 11 at Hamilton Place. The property is being redeveloped to include commercial property and the new Trussville City Schools Board of Education building.
The council also approved the acquisition of a parcel of property at 109 Glenn Avenue to continue to loop road project, which will allow drivers to easily access the downtown area. The city will pay the owner $22,400 for the property needed and for a temporary construction easement. Councilman Alan Taylor abstained from the vote on the matter because he is employed by First Baptist Church Trussville, which is also included in the loop road project.
The city council approved ordinances relating to the widening of Highway 11 between Chalkville Road and the Cahaba River. The city is allowing the state to take the property in front of City Hall in order to widen the roadway. The Alabama Department of Transportation now has the ability to complete that project. There is no word on when the ALDOT will begin.
Also on the agenda, the property at 4524 Martin Wilson Road was annexed after a request from the property owner to become part of the city.
The items below were approved as part of the Consent Agenda.
Accounts payable
NOTE: Approval of the training below is contingent upon the lifting of the employee travel ban due to the Covid-19 virus.
NASRO – Montgomery, Filetti – Orange Beach – May 31- June 5- $990 ea plus lodging & expenses
TAASRO – Bates, Antonio,Bowen. Smith, Dillon, Rush – Orange Beach- May 31- June 5- $ 200 ea (Filetti & Montgomery comp) plus lodging & expenses
Administrative lnvestigation of Jail/Correction Officer Misconduct-Morrette, Posey- Cullman- May 19-20 $550.00
Approve Full Moon as Civic Center Vendor
Accept transfer for David Lee Maddox to PD effective 3-28-2020, Grade 17, Step 5
You can watch video of the city council meeting below.