By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
MOODY – Members of the Springview Homeowners Association spoke during a meeting of the Moody City Council on Monday, Sept. 12, where they addressed questions about maintenance responsibilities of streets and sidewalks.
Brenda Reid from the association said that the responsibility of paying for the maintenance of the 10-year-old streets and sidewalks in the Springview subdivision was being turned over to the residents.
“Each of us bought our homes on good faith of the covenants that we currently have,” she said. “And in those covenants, there’s nothing about maintaining streets and sidewalks.”
Reid said that many residents live on social security and are in one-income households, which may present problems if paving or repair jobs have to be done. She then asked why the responsibility falls on the homeowners. She also requested that an engineer inspect the streets and that a report be made of their conditions.
Mayor Joe Lee replied that he had been in the subdivision to see the streets and that they were “not that bad,” though an engineer had not been there.
“We don’t mind taking the streets,” Lee said. “But we would need our engineer to look at the streets and bring the up to standard, which I think they are pretty close to city standards right now, so I feel like the city council is willing to do that.”
He added that the subdivision developer never sent a request to have the streets accepted by the city. Although the city government can accept the streets, they have never accepted sidewalk responsibilities.
During the following discussion City, Attorney James Hill recommended that the association send a letter to the city to request acceptance of the sidewalks.
Later the council approved the 2022-2023 budget. Councilman Lynn Taylor reported that the budget was $29,043,965, with an annual expense of $15,617,681. Capital requests were $593,035, with $250,000 due to new radios for the police and fire departments.
There was $1,686,221 in debt service. Capital projects were $450,000. A step raise for all city employees was implemented based on yearly evaluations and budget constraints.
“All in all, it’s a very good budget,” Taylor said. “We were able to put back the 10% accounting – people asked us to put back for reserve $1,565,460. Like I said, it’s a very good budget. I feel good about it.”
Reports from department heads were heard, with the police department reporting 1,411 calls for service, 35 arrests, wrote 119 citations, took 87 reports, 110 misdemeanors (82 closed), 38 felonies, and police vehicles drove 15,487 miles. In addition, $1,908 were spent on vehicle maintenance.
The fire department reported 182 responses, four fires (one residential, two vehicles, one woods, grass, or rubbish), 101 emergency medical calls, 10 wrecks, 19 public services, 35 lift assists, 13 false alarms, and one mutual aid (one received). The average en route to dispatch time was 1:56, and the average dispatch to arrival time was 6:49.
There were 45 annual inspections, 15 re-inspections, and one fire pump inspection.
In other business, the council:
- Heard from Moody Band Booster President Michael Spence, who requested funding for additions and was referred to the finance committee,
- Approved a request from Police Chief Thomas Hunt to spend $500 for giveaways at Oktoberfest,
- Approved Hunt’s request for Officer Will Simpson to attend Taser Instructor recertification for $375,
- Approved Hunt’s request to purchase two front tires on Car #349 for $305,
- Approved Hunt’s request for him to attend Homeland Security Academy in Glyncoe, GA, for $1,000,
- Approved a request from Parks and Recreation Director to attend the Alabama Recreation and Parks Foundation Fall Workshop in Orange Beach on Sept. 27-29, not to exceed $1,250,
- Approved a request from Library Director Sara Roberts to renew website hosting and maintenance for October 2022 to September 2023 for $2,025,
- Approved a request from Roberts to pay for replacement of faulty phase monitor on main A/C unit for $365.45,
- Approved Resolution R2022-09-12, or City of Moody Holiday Resolution 2022-2023,
- Approved Resolution R2022-09-12A, a resolution adopting the City of Moody 2023 Transportation Plan Pursuant to the Rebuild Alabama Act,
- Approved the 2022 – 2023 Fiscal Year contract with St. Clair County Commission for Central Dispatching for $108,432.19,
- Approved the 2022 – 2023 yearly payment of $6,500 to the St. Clair County Commission for the Emergency Management Agency,
- Approved the 2022 – 2023 Fiscal Year contract with St. Clair County Commission for Drug Enforcement Unit for $15,000,
- Renewed the Pell City Animal Facility user agreement for October 2022 through September 2023 for $10,000,
- Approved an ABC Board 140-Special Events Retail License to OH Sherri Pub for a Charity First Responders Bike Ride on Sept. 24,
- Approved an ABC Board 140-Special Events Retail License to OH Sherri Pub for a Charity Show and Shine Jeep and Breast Cancer Awareness on Oct. 8,
- Donated $25,000.00 to Moody High School to help with the replacement of the football field and amenities (including infrastructure, ramps, sidewalks, etc.) Funded from American Rescue Plan Act funds, and
- Approved Council members Linda Crowe Ellis Key to attend the AARC Annual Training Conference on Oct. 23 – 26 in Orange Beach for $2,231.55.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave.