By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council met for a joint workshop and regular meeting on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. During the meeting, a new school board member was appointed, the city approved improvements on Highway 11, and several other measures were approved.
BOE MEMBER APPOINTMENT
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved to appoint Sherrye Tolbert to the City Board of Education. Tolbert will replace Stan Garrett, whose term expires in May 2021.
The appointment came after a new selection process led by Councilor Lisa Bright. A five-member committee, which consists of two city council members (Bright and Alan Taylor), Mayor Buddy Choat, City HR Director Mandy Dixon, and BOE President Kathy Brown, reviewed applications. The committee selected the top two candidates and shared information with council members. Council members then gave their preference to the mayor and the candidate with the most preferences, Tolbert, was put on the agenda.
Bright said the process went smoothly and helped the council pick the most qualified candidate.
“She just shines in all of her community service,” said Bright.
Also attending the council meeting in support of Tolbert were BOE President Kathy Brown, BOE Member Steve Ward and BOE Member Mark Sims.
“We are so excited and we’re looking forward to working with you,” said Brown. “I just want to echo what Mrs. Lisa Bright said. Thank you for your volunteerism. That’s the spirit that we need and as a citizen I thank you for that.”
Tolbert stood before the council and thanked members for their support.
“I just wanted to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as the new member of the Trussville City School Board,” said Tolbert. “I am so excited.”
Tolbert will join the board on May 25, 2021.
LOOP ROAD PROPERTIES
The council approved a resolution for the city to acquire two properties for public purposes. The properties include parts of 173 Will Street and 116 Glenn Avenue.
The properties will be used for the city’s Loop Road project. The city contracted with Tillman Consulting LLC to handle negotiations, appraisals and services in attempting to obtain the right-of ways-on these properties and 40 others in order to complete the Loop Road project, which will divert traffic off major thoroughfares throughout Quadrants two and three.
However, for these two right-of-ways, the city was unable to acquire the properties, so the law firm of Massey, Stotser & Nichols, P.C., has now been authorized to file a condemnation action and conduct condemnation proceedings on behalf of the city for the acquisition of the properties, by the exercise of the right of eminent domain.
For one property, Mayor Buddy Choat said the owners died without a will, so the issue has to go to Probate. For the other property, the mayor said negotiations were unsuccessful with the heirs of the property.
“We have just exhausted a lot of time and energy and people have tried,” said Choat.
Choat said the property owners have stopped communicating with the city, so it is necessary to move forward by exercising the right of eminent domain.
ANNEXATIONS
The council approved the annexation of a property at 8761 to be annexed into the city, after the request of the landowner, Larry Odell Bailey. The property will be zoned A-1, with the stipulation that the parcel never has any kind of mobile or manufactured home.
A property at 317 Mobile Avenue was also approved for annexation into the city. Owners Larry K. Smith and Regina G. Smith requested the annexation. The property will be zoned A-1, with the stipulation that the parcel never has any kind of mobile or manufactured home.
Both property annexations came to the council recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board and were unanimously approved by the council. The property owners will now have to pay annexation fees and the land will become part of the city of Trussville.
CEMETERY BOARD
The council approved an ordinance establishing the City Cemetery Rehab Authority Board of Directors. The council has been discussing the importance of having an authority to keep watch and maintain cemeteries in the city. In January, the council formed the authority, which will have a five-member board, nominated by the mayor and approved by the council.
The term of the board member will be one to four years, depending on the place they hold:
Board Member One – Term of one (1) year;
Board Member Two – Term of two (2) years;
Board Member Three – Term of three (3) years; and
Board Members Four and Five- Term of four (4) years.
Mayor Choat nominated the following members, and they were approved by the council:
(1) Pat Glenn – term expires April 2022
(2) Eric Frederick – term expires in April 2023
(3) John Patterson – term expires April 2024
(4) Jaime Melton Anderson – term expires April 2025
(5) Gary Lloyd – term expires April 2025
PATROL CARS
The council also approved a resolution authorizing invitations to put out for bid the upfitting of 10 police patrol cars. The 10 new Chevrolet Tahoes will need lights, sirens, radio consoles, computer mounts, rifle racks, graphics and other emergency equipment. The cost of the work is estimated to be well over $15,000, so the city is required to put the contract out to bid.
HWY 11 RESURFACING
The city council discussed and approved a resolution endorsing roadwork planned for Highway 11, by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). The plan includes improvements to Highway 11, including resurfacing from the south end of the Cahaba River bridge to the St. Clair County line. In order to receive federal aid for the project, the city has to agree to requirements by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The resolution outlined those requirements and approved alignment, profile, grades, typical sections and paving layouts.
BUDGET CHANGE
The city’s finance department requested a rearrangement of the FY2021 Budget in order to reallocate funds to separate accounts for the Parks and Recreation Department. No additional funds are required but the move will help the city keep up with items in a more organized manner.
Trussville Fire & Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Keith McLaughlin (right) welcomes Firefighter Jacob Carr as a paid employee during the March 9 City Council meeting.
FIREFIGHTER HIRED
A firefighter that has been a volunteer for many years is now an official member of Trussville Fire and Rescue. The council approved the hiring of Jacob Carr, as part of the consent agenda.
He’s really a special hire for us,” said Choat. “He came up through the ranks through our volunteer fire department.”
Many people in the community have seen Carr working with the department and many said they thought he was already a paid employee. Assistant Fire Chief Keith McLaughlin said it is that dedication that will make Carr a great employee.
Carr has been with the department as a volunteer for over seven years.
OTHER BUSINESS
Councilor Jaime Anderson asked the council if the city could give ACTA $5,000 to pay for storage if items. Anderson said storage is one of the greatest needs of the theater organization.
“That would allow them to do more summer programs and more shows,” said Anderson.
The council added the item to its agenda and passed the measure unanimously.
Mayor Choat said he supports the idea and Council President Alan Taylor agreed.
“It’s a hidden jewel in our city and we need to help it,” said Taylor.
Other items approved on the consent agenda were:
- Designating Mayor Choat as Voting Delegate to the annual Alabama League of Municipalities business meeting; Council President Alan Taylor, 1st Alternate
- Promote Circulation Supervisor Brittany Roberts to Teen Services Assistant (Grade 16 – Step 5), effective Mar 13, 2021
- Hire Ashley Oliver as Revenue Examiner (Grade 18 – Step 7), effective Mar 27, 2021
- Hire Chase Ramsey as Police Officer (Grade 17 – Step 9), effective Mar 13, 2021
- Promote TPD K9 Officer Nate Holloway to Sergeant (Grade 20 – Step 8 with 10% education premium), effective Mar 13, 2021
- Accounts payable
- Registration for TPD Officer Wesley Hassett in Basic SWAT School, April 19-23 at Northeast Law Enforcement Academy in Anniston. $385 fee. Accommodations TBD
- Authorizing Mayor Choat to Enter into a Public Safety Services Contract with Alabama Power Company for the Installation & Maintenance of Surveillance Cameras, at a cost of $304.86 per month (video cameras on Glenn Avenue and Parkway Drive)
- Installment payment to Garner & Associates Roofing & Facility Services LLC for re-roofing the Fire Admin & Training Facility (City already received insurance proceeds after the storm damage). $273,511.17
- Authorizing Mayor Choat to Enter into a Lease Agreement with Alabama Power Company for the Installation & Maintenance of Pole, Wire & LED Lights at Valley Road & Linden Street, at a cost of $56.39 per month. (Considered after complaints from citizens)
- Conference Registration & Hotel Reservations for City Clerk Dan Weinrib, June 30 – July 2 in Point Clear for the AAMCA summer convention. $TBD for conference, $636 for lodging
- Authorizing the Purchase of a 2022 Freightliner Truck & Related Equipment for Public Works. No bidding required since Sourcewell is national governmental purchasing cooperative; thus it’s a permitted exception within the state bid law. $156,791.90 payable during FY2022 when City anticipates taking delivery
The council went into an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss trade and commerce.
On a side note, Trussville resident Richard Epstein brought the council donuts since they had a workshop and council meeting together. He told them he didn’t want anybody to get hungry.
