By Terry Schrimscher
SPRINGVILLE — The Springville City Council agreed to assist local students with the creation of a Teen Council during the regularly scheduled council meeting on Monday night, December 7. Springville student Shannon Lee presented the idea to the council and shared some of her experience working with a similar group in Argo.
Lee said the Teen Council would be a good way to engage students in city government by helping with community projects and organizing events such as a “night out” for local first responders. She asked for assistance from the council to organize the group and establish bylaws. Councilmember Sherry Reeves volunteered to assist.
The Council tabled two resolutions proposed by Mayor Thomas. One would create the position of Executive Assistant to the Mayor. The second would establish the mayor’s proposed Cityscapes department. Both resolutions were put on hold until the city’s new budget is complete so both positions can be funded properly.
The Council approved the purchase of a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado for the Springville Police Department. Chief Wayne Walton requested the new vehicle in the final work session in November. The purchase was approved for $31,675 with $15,000 in funds to come from an insurance settlement paid from a wrecked vehicle earlier in the year.
The Council also approved the sale of three existing police vehicles as surplus.
Fire Chief Richard Harvey was designated to work with Mayor Thomas to submit a grant request for additional CARES Act funding for the city. The State of Alabama must spend CARES funds by the end of the calendar year.
Chief Harvey also requested the use of previous CARES funds to purchase personal protection equipment and upgrades to equipment monitoring systems for the city. He requested the use of $150,126 received from the state to purchase the new equipment and to cover COVID-19 related expenses already incurred.
The Council also approved the appointment of Gayle Hammonds to the Springville Library Board through November 2023. Approval was also granted to list some miscellaneous fire and rescue equipment for sale as surplus on the website govdeals.com.
One new resolution was added to the agenda near the end of the meeting. Mayor Thomas and the council members moved the discussion into executive session for more than half an hour to privately discuss the resolution dealing with personnel issues.
