By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Council honored the Hewitt-Trussville High School Boys and Girls 7A Indoor Track & Field Champions during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021.
When the teams won the 51st AHSAA State Indoor Track and Field Championships earlier this month, it was the first time in history both Girls and Boys Indoor track teams won the top prize at the same time.
The resolution passed by the council congratulates “Hewitt-Trussville High School, Head Coach Tom Esslinger, Assistant Coaches David Dobbs, Jamey Curlee, Rachel Higginbotham, Mike Dilbert, Jihan Loving & April Howell, the entire team and their families on both teams’ successful seasons.”
The championships were the 15th and 16th in the school’s history. Head Coach Tom Esslinger thanked his assistant coaches and the athletes.
“It’s been a long journey for sure and they’ve worked extremely hard,” Esslinger said.
Council President Alan Taylor pointed out the success of all athletic teams at Hewitt-Trussville High School.
“Our entire athletic department is just incredible,” Taylor said. “What we’re doing in softball, baseball, basketball, all of the sports is incredible. Lance Walker is our AD and he’s done a great job, so I want to thank him tonight for what he’s done to make our athletic program what it is.”
Walker said the success of the programs at HTHS is in part because of the community and the support of organizations in the community.
“This is an honor for all of us coaches and athletes to be here,” Walker said. “It takes a team of people to make this happen.”
ALCOHOL LICENSES
The city council passed a resolution approving an alcohol license for Logan’s Roadhouse, in Pinnacle Square.
The restaurant has been in Trussville but is now under new ownership. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, the former company filed for bankruptcy and SPB bought the company. The restaurant is still under the same management.
Danny Hall, the General Manager with Logan’s Roadhouse, in Trussville, answered questions from the council during a public hearing on the issue. He said the restaurant has not been cited for serving anyone underage since he has been with Logan’s in Trussville, which has been seven years. He said the company is part of a responsible vendor program.
El Patron Mexican Restaurant was also given approval for an alcohol license after a public hearing and a resolution passed by the council.
Arturo Cabrera, the owner of the new restaurant, said this one will be his fourth. It is in the Trussville Shopping Center, off Chalkville Mountain Road. Cabrera added that anyone who is served alcohol at the restaurant will be carded.
TENNIS COURTS
The city council approved a resolution to improve the surface of two tennis courts at the Trussville Racquet Club. Parks and Recreation Director David Vinson said the project will add an overlay to the two courts in the worst condition. This will be the first time the city has used premium courts, Vinson said.
“If we used the old way they would be back in bad shape in no time,” Vinson explained. “This way, with the premium courts, it will be better in the long-run.”
OTHER BUSINESS
The council also approved a resolution allowing the mayor to enter negotiations concerning a piece of property, pending approval from the council. Mayor Buddy Choat said the deal would benefit the city.
The following items were approved as part of the consent agenda:
- Accounts payable
- Registration for TPD Officers Scotty Bates and Robert Antonio at the NASRO Conference, July 11-16 in Orlando. $500 each.
- Registration for TPD Sgt. Joe Dunn; Officers Casey Davis and Stanley Kennedy for Emerald Coast Motorcycle Training, May 11-14 in Fort Walton Beach. $65 each.
- Registration for TPD Sgt. Josh Payne for Supervising Patrol Critical Incidents, June 17-18 in Smyrna, TN. $294.
- Reappoint Tommy George to Zoning Adjustments Board; term expiring Feb 15, 2024
- Reappoint Colin Sears to Parks & Recreation Board; term expiring Feb 28, 2025
- Hire Shelby Smothers as part-time P&R unclassified laborer (Grade 7 – Step 1), effective Feb 27, 2021
- Hire DeRico Tilley as part-time seasonal P&R track-&-field coach (Grade 7 – Step 4), effective Feb 27, 2021
All measures were approved unanimously, with the exception of Councilor Perry Cook, who was not in attendance at the meeting.
COUNCIL/MAYOR REPORTS
During council and mayor reports, Councilor Lisa Bright, who serves as the liaison to the Trussville City Schools Board of Education, updated the council on the latest in the search for the next school board member. A five-member committee has been reviewing resumes and conducting interviews for the next member, who will take the place of Stan Garrett at the end of his term this year. Bright said the council should have a candidate to appoint by the next council meeting.
Mayor Buddy Choat recognized Garrett, who was in attendance at the meeting.
“I don’t know if many people know this, but Stan is the longest-serving school board member in TCS history,” Choat said. “He will be missed. Stan, I know you served well and I know you put your time in, so we thank you for that.”
Choat also spoke about the COVID-19 vaccine, saying he and Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight have been trying to get vaccines into Trussville.
“We were unsuccessful but we have tried,” Choat said.
Choat said people in the Trussville area can contact Christ Health Centers in Woodlawn and in Chalkville for information on scheduling an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Council President Alan Taylor gave an update on the city’s budget, after a meeting with the Finance Committee. As of Dec. 20, the city’s sales tax receipts were up 2% and internet sales receipts were up 52% from the budgeted amount. Total operating expenses were also down 4% from the budget.
The next Trussville City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.