By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — The city of Trussville honored Don Evans during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020.
Evans served 18 years as a board member for Trussville Utilities Board. During his time on the board, he served as Board Director, Vice Chairman and Chairman. He never missed a meeting in nearly two decades of service. Mayor Buddy Choat thanked Evans for being an example of a community servant.
The following items were noted as accomplishments by the board over the past 18 years:
- 18 consecutive years of satisfactory inspections of its natural gas system by the Alabama Public Service Commission
- 18 consecutive years of satisfactory inspections of its water systems by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management
- Fully Funding of Its Pension Obligations
- Completion of Its Operations Building on Green Drive
- The Successful Sale of Its Liquified Natural Gas Plant
- The Successful Hiring of a General Manager After the Retirement of Bill Wingate
- Keeping Rates Consistently Lower Than Surrounding Utilities
The city council passed a proclamation expressing gratitude to Evans. The only council member not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting was Perry Cook.
During public comment, a resident stood to speak about loud noise coming from the stage in the middle of downtown Trussville.
Mayor Buddy Choat responded by agreeing the column was excessive on Friday and that he has addressed the issue.
The city council also voted to amend two parts of the city’s zoning ordinance, No. 2000-034-PZ. The first amendment outlines the downtown overlay map and establishes boundaries. The amendment establishes the “Main Thoroughfare” of downtown Trussville as the area surrounding Main Street and Chalkville Road.
The second amendment outlines regulations for businesses in all commercial districts of the city, in reference to parking lots or vacant spaces. While the city does not allow business to be conducted in such areas, there are exceptions including food trucks, temporary facilities, construction trailers, festivals, Christmas tree sales. The amended ordinance also allows and some shopping center displays.
The council approved the annexation of a property at 425 Mobile Avenue. The property owner requested the annexation and the city’s Planning and Zoning Committee recommended its approval.
In other business, the council approved resolutions concerning all of the city’s bank accounts at Synovus Bank. Any withdrawal of funds must come at the requests of any of the two following signatories: Mayor Buddy Choat, Councilor Alan Taylor, Councilor Perry Cook, Finance Director Mike Hinson or City Clerk Dan Weinrib. The resolution passed unanimously, with the exception of Councilor Cook, who was not in attendance.
City employees will get an early Christmas present this year if they have worked for the city for five years or more. The council approved longevity pay to be distributed on Nov. 27. The one-time payment breaks down as follows based on years of service:
Zero (0) through Four (4) Years $ .00
Five (5) to Nine (9) Years $ 400.00
Ten (10) to Fourteen (14) Years $ 500.00
Fifteen (15) to Nineteen (19) Years $ 750.00
Twenty (20) Years and Over $1,000.00
The council also approved the following holiday schedule for the city of Trussville:
December 31, 2020 & January 1, 2021 New Years Holidays
January 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
April 2 Good Friday
May 31 Memorial Day
July 5 Independence Day (observed)
September 6 Labor Day
November 11 Veterans Day
November 25 & 26 Thanksgiving Holidays
December 23 & 24 Christmas Holidays (observed)
December 31, 2021 2022 New Year Holidays
The following dates were approved for city council meetings:
January 12, 2021 July 13, 2021
January 26, 2021 July 27, 2021
February 9, 2021 August 10, 2021
February 23, 2021 August 24, 2021
March 9, 2021 September 14, 2021
March 23, 2021 September 28, 2021
April 13, 2021 October 12, 2021
April 27, 2021 October 26, 2021
May 11, 2021 November 9, 2021
May 25, 2021 November 23, 2021
June 8, 2021 December 14, 2021
June 22, 2021 December 28, 2021
City Council dates can be changed if council members approve a change.
The following items were approved as part of the consent agenda:
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- Promote Heather Mathis (Inspections) to Accounting Assistant II. (Grade 16 – Step 1) effective Nov 21, 2020
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- Promote Mandy Dixon (Admin) to Human Resources Director (Grade 34 – Step 4) effective Nov 21, 2020
- Police Officers Keith Fuell, Bobby Tomlin, John Middleton and Casey Shelnutt becoming corporals with 5% Premium Pay as lead workers effective Dec 5, 2020
- Hire Joseph Williams (Public Works) as an unclassified laborer (Grade 7 – Step 3) effective Nov 29, 2020
- Reappoint Buddy Aydelette & Appoint Eddie Seal to Trussville Utility Board
- Reappoint Matt Phillips & David Morgan to Trussville Redevelopment Authority
- Parks & Recreation Board changing its monthly 6 pm meeting schedule to 3rd Tuesday from 2nd Monday
- Fire Department leasing Motorola equipment. Already budgeted for FY2021
Fire Chief Tim Shotts said the new radio equipment will allow for better communication from emergency vehicles.
“This will bring us into compliance with the national standards,” Shotts said. “This will improve our communications.”
