By Terry Schrimscher, For the Tribune
ARGO – The Argo City Council met for the first regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Monday night, June 11. The first order of business in the regular meeting, which began immediately following the 5 p.m. work session, was the swearing in of the newest member of the council.
Rick Hopkins was appointed by Mayor Betty Bradley and the City Council during the May 22 regular meeting. The seat was declared open after the April 17 resignation of Dusty Stinson, who also served as Mayor pro tempore.
Hopkins is a long-term resident of Argo who currently works as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Springville. He also serves as Senior Pastor at Good Samaritan Baptist Church in Birmingham. He did not make any comments after the oath and resumed his position at the Council desk.
The Council welcomed members of the Springville High School girls soccer team to the meeting. The varsity girls recently won the 2023 5A state championship. Athletic Director Warren House introduced the team to the Council. Many members of the team are Argo residents.
The team clenched the title May 13 in Huntsville with a 9-4 victory over Gulf Shores. The Council voted to join the Springville City Council in making a donation to the St. Clair County Board of Education to provide championship rings for the players.
The Council approved a $1,000 donation for the rings, matching the amount donated to the softball team at a previous meeting. Springville made a donation of $1,700 toward the rings earlier in June. Argo citizens in attendance offered to collect the remaining $700 to match Springville’s donation.
In other business, Mayor Bradley announced the appointment of Luke Price to fill a supernumerary position on the zoning board of adjustments. The board unanimously approved the appointment to the position.
In other business, the Council approved a motion to advertise roofing bids in local newspapers.
In her report to the Council, Bradley announced the second public hearing on zoning plans at 6 p.m., on June 20. She also announced the city has turned in an application for a Hometown grant.
Bradley also announced the nomination of local businessman, and former councilmember, Corky Massey to the Board of Equalization for St. Clair County.
The Board of Equalization, as defined by the State of Alabama, acts as an arbiter for tax assessments based on property values. The board does not act as an advocate for the state or property owners but is charged with the duty of hearing complaints from property owners and determining proper tax rates based on a fair market value.
The next meeting of the Argo council is scheduled for June 26, at 5 p.m. A second public hearing on zoning is planned for June 20.