By Hannah Curran, Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council, at the regular meeting on Tuesday, February 8, approved a resolution to correct a nuisance and approved hiring several new Trussville firefighters.
Trussville City Council met on Tuesday, February 8, and approved several items on the agenda, including the hiring of new Trussville firefighters. (Photo by Hannah Curran)
The council authorized the city to lessen a safety nuisance and pursue options for corrective actions, up to and including the possibility of demolition and removal of a residential structure.
“There are several things that could fall into public nuisance; it’s the appearance of their properties,” Mayor Buddy Choat said. “They don’t meet city ordinances. So when the inspection comes out, they notify them about it and are given the time to correct them. Then they have to agree to do that. We have followed up with four of the five, and they’re in the process of doing what we have asked of them.”
The City Council has learned of a nuisance located at 221 Ash Circle within the city limits of Trussville.
An authorized city official has attempted to work with owner/assessee Conrex Residential Property Group 2013 4 Operating Company LLC to reduce said nuisance on several occasions, but with little success.
City officials have attempted repeatedly to communicate with the owner/assessee on February 1, 2021, April 19, 2021, August 11, 2021, and August 13, 2021, only to get no responses back.
The City Council learned that neither the owner/assessee or any contractor ever pulled a permit to repair or improve the residence.
Ongoing physical hazards, including but not limited to rotting porch and stairs as well as unsecured doorways, were discovered, which create an imminent danger to human life and safety.
A notice was provided to the owner/assessee stating the safety hazards and giving appropriate time to reduce said safety hazards; however, these safety hazards still exist.
The owner/assessee received legal counsel that listed all safety hazards and permit requirements around December 15, 2021.
Resolve to the problem was decided, and the appropriate city official is authorized to take any one or all of the following actions:
- Revoke any certificate of occupancy;
- Board the building up;
- Enter the dwelling to determine if repairs and/or demolition are required;
- Order said repairs or demolition to be completed in 45-days, or city will undertake said repairs or demolition and assess land with costs thereof; and
- Take any other actions to protect the health and safety of the public.
Councilmembers also approved new hires in the fire department.
“We have some hires in our fire department,” Councilmember Taylor said. “These are some good guys. We’ve hired Malachi Callaway as a firefighter/paramedic. Daniel Bailey and Trevor Brown as firefighters. Also hiring Luke Bonner as a firefighter.”
Leadership Trussville at the high school is doing a Bingo Night through the Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, February 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m at the Civic Center.
“They’re gambling to try to raise money, but it’s $10 for 10 Bingo cards this Thursday night, and it will benefit their trip their leadership trip to Disney,” Councilmember Lisa Bright said.
Choat mentioned during public comments that Norfolk Southern representatives met with him and discussed the problems that Trussville has faced with train crossing blockages. Choat said he looks forward to seeing the progress and what will happen in the future.
“We talked about our issues with trains,” Choat said. “I was a very, very good meeting. They understand the problems. They have problems. We have problems. A lot of people have problems. It was probably one of the better meetings we’ve had with them in a long time. So there are some things in the works that involve not just Trussville but a lot of other cities from Mobile, all the way up to Illinois and Chattanooga, and Trussville and everything else.”
In other matters, the Council approved:
- Hire Malachi Callaway as Firefighter Paramedic (FF Grade 19 – Step 2), effective February 26, 2022
- Hire Daniel Bailey and Trevor Brown as Firefighter (FF Grade 17 – Step 1), effective February 12, 2022
- Hire Luke Bonner as Firefighter (FF Grade 17 – Step 2), effective February 12, 2022
- Hire Rebecca Owen as Adult Services Librarian (Grade 18 – Step 1), effective February 12, 2022
- Approve 5% education premium for Firefighter Paramedic Patrick Blom, effective February 12, 2022
- Approve the amendment to the jail health care services contract extension
- Authorize payment, up to $40,000, to Moore Oil Company to settle an agreement regarding Husky Parkway
- Proclamation Declaring February 2022 as Alabama Career & Technical Education Month
- Resolution to Abate a Nuisance located at 221 Ash Circle
- Public Nuisance Status Updates from Chief Building Inspector J.R. Malchus
Auditing Accounts
- Accounts payable
- Police Motorcycle Instructor Recertification for Police Sgt. Joseph Dunn, March 10 in Nashville, Tenn. $350 registration fee
- Emerald Coast Motorcycle Challenge for Police Sgt. Joseph Dunn, Officer Casey Davis, Officer Stanley Kennedy & Officer Tony Armstrong, May 11-13 in Okaloosa Island, Fla. $65 registration fee per person + accommodations
- Drone Programs & SWAT Capabilities for Police Det. James McCool, via webinar on March 25. $25 registration fee
The next Trussville City Council workshop will be on Tuesday, February 22, beginning at 6 p.m.
