From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council met for the last time before the new council is sworn in. The meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, ended on an emotional note.
Councilman Zack Steele, Councilman Jef Freeman and Councilman Brian Plant are the outgoing council members. Councilman Alan Taylor and Councilman Perry Cook will remain on the council.
During the meeting on Tuesday, Councilman Alan Taylor offered words for the outgoing council. He said he wanted to point out contributions the councilmen have made during their time serving. He pointed to the Trussville Entertainment District as an example of the work done by the council.
“Wow, we did it! Taylor said with tears in his eyes. “It’s incredible. We really have.”
Councilman Jef Freeman listens as Brian Plant offers thanks to the citizens of Trussville on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020.
Freeman, who was also emotional at the end of the meeting, said he has seen great changes in the city of Trussville over the years. He thanked Mayor Buddy Choat for his work making the council’s dreams of a better downtown come true.
“Thank y’all,” Freeman said. “Thanks for the citizens. I am going out undrafted though, I didn’t run again so I am undefeated.”
Plant announced he and his wife are moving to Phoenix, Arizona, to move closer to his mother. He has served on the Trussville City Council for 20 years. He spoke to department heads about their work for the city.
“It has never been lost on me in police and fire and I always tried to stand with you guys,” Plant said. “I know what you do and I know you put your lives on the line and I tried to always be there for you.”
Plant said he is thankful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Trussville for two decades.
“Everything I have done down here has been a labor of love,” Plant continued. “I have enjoyed this. It is an honor, it is a privilege.”
Councilman Brian Plant thanks outgoing City Clerk Lynn Porter for her service.
Plant also turned to outgoing City Clerk Lynn Porter and thanked her for her 38 years in the city of Trussville.
Steele said the development of the Trussville Entertainment District put things into perspective for him, thinking about his first campaign in 2016.
“I was walking down Morrow Avenue with Councilman Freeman and I remember him grumbling about what a mess it was,” said Steele. “It’s pretty interesting to sit here over the past few years and see all of the new buildings and what has been accomplished. I can say on leaving that I have been on opposite ends of heated discussions with just about every member of this council. But I respect every member immensely and I respect our mayor immensely.”
Steele also thanked City Clerk Porter.
COUNCIL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
In the city business, the city council approved a bid to replace the Fire Administration Building roof. Gamer & Associates Roofing & Facility Services will replace the roof of the building at 427 Cherokee Drive, for $397,800.
Other items approved were a $27,940.50 tilt/ramp trailer for the Public Works Department and two crew cab ATV’s for the Police Department to use around the entertainment district. The cost of the 2021 model ATV’s will be $42,768.80.
A resolution approving negotiations with contractors for the installation of a projector at the Exhibition Hall at the Civic Center was also approved. No bids were received at City Hall after the project was put out for bid.
A property at 2892 Queenstown Road could soon be annexed into the city. The city council approved the annexation, which was recommended by the city’s Planning and Zoning Committee. The property is zoned Agriculture-1 and will remain Agriculture-1 upon completion of the annexation.
An ordinance was passed that will allow the city to swap property with Birmingham Realty Co. Mayor Buddy Choat said the city is swapping the small piece of land off Linden Street and North Chalkville, to allow Birmingham Realty to have the option of renovating the old bowling alley. Choat said the property owner is looking into options for a mixed-use strip development.
The pouring contract for the Civic Center and the Trussville Sports Complex was extended for 60 days, due to COVID-19. Because the pandemic caused the closure of city facilities, depriving Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company of selling products, the company will remain on the contract.
Other items approved include:
Police Department resignations and retirements
l. Benjamin Short – effective November 1, 2020
2. Steven D. Brown – Effective January 1, 2021
3. Lisa Cline, records, Effective January 1, 2021
4. James J. Morris – Effective January 1, 2021
PD-Promote Clint Riner to Lieutenant -Grade 24, Step 7, plus 10% effective Nov 7, 2020
Police Department Hires effective November 7, 2020
1. Hire Police Officer Rodney Pierce -Grade 17, Step 5 (Transfer from Hueytown)
2. Hire Police Officer Brian Matthew Williams – Grade 17, Step 5 (Transfer from JCSO)
3. Hire Givonne Halbert – Administrative Clerk -Grade 13, Step 4 (Transfer from Birmingham)
Also approved as part of the Consent Agenda:
– Approve quotation security system fiber, installation & networking Entertainment
District – TSA, Inc. Birmingham – $20,326.80. (34 cameras to be installed)
– Accept quotation from Massey Asphalt Paving – Poston Road – $15,323.70
