Jacksonville City Council Discusses Farmers Market, FY2025 Budgets, and Upcoming Community Events

City Council Meeting and Regular Work Session

• Call to order.
• Invocation.
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Roll call.
  • Tony Taylor – Present
  • Sherry Laster – Present
  • Coty Galloway – Present
  • Andy Green – Present
  • Terry Wilson – Present

• Proclamation: New Hope Missionary Baptist Church 152nd Anniversary.
  • No representatives were present

• Work Session
  • Acceptance of Minutes.
  • Farmers Market – Jennifer Thrash.
    • Jennifer Thrash addressed the city council regarding the Farmer’s Market, emphasizing the need for a permanent location and an increase in her salary. She mentioned two potential sites: the area outside Bear Cutlery, which offers existing bathroom facilities, and Germania Springs, though the latter may conflict with baseball tournaments.

      Thrash proposed that a permanent structure, including pavilions and signage, could be funded through state grants, improving the market’s infrastructure. She also highlighted the need for a salary increase to hire an assistant, replace damaged banners, and better manage the market’s operations. A suggested salary increase of $10,000 would help cover these costs and compensate for her time managing the market.

      Currently, the market has 40 full-time vendors and a waiting list of over 65. The council expressed appreciation for her efforts and will consider the proposal further.

  • WWG&SB FY2025 Budget – Michael Rinker & Chris Patterson.
    • Michael Rinker discussed the FY2025 budget for WWG&SB. Rinker noted that the budget remains largely unchanged from the previous year, with no additional personnel requested. He highlighted increased costs for materials, insurance, and electricity, particularly for sewer operations, which require nearly $300,000 annually.

      Rinker mentioned ongoing projects, including a three-year grant-funded initiative to replace cast iron pipes with about one mile of replacement each year. This effort is essential for maintaining infrastructure and ensuring grant reimbursement.

      Council members discussed vehicle procurement, capital expenses, and the potential for automated meter reading in the future. They expressed gratitude for the team’s work and continued efforts.

  • Utility Field Technician Job Description – Micharl Rinker.
    • Rinker updated on job description changes for a utility field technician position, reflecting the shift towards digital work orders and the reduction in manual meter reading. The new job description includes capabilities for using tablets or laptops and removes the prior requirement for meter reading experience.
  • General Fund FY2025 Budget – Albertha Grant.
    • Albertha Grant presented the General Fund FY2025 Budget, summarizing key points and explaining the structure of the draft budget. The budget reflects discussions held over the past six weeks, with specific details found on pages 29 and 30 of the document, including a summary of funded projects.

      Notably, the numbers in the draft may not appear in consecutive order but correspond to the summary sheet provided. The pay scale information is not included in the current packet but will be available for the next meeting.

      Grant highlighted the available funds after project allocations, including a carryover of $225,000 from the previous year, which is incorporated into the current budget. For future expenditures, she identified three main accounts to consider: Fund 40 GW, GF Capital Projects, and Investment Funds.

      Grant encouraged members to review the details and reach out with any questions regarding the budget or the audit trail provided.

  • Agreement for Housing Inmates – Marcus Wood.
    • Police Chief Marcus Wood discussed a proposed agreement with the City of Gadsden regarding housing their municipal inmates. Gadsden, which currently only has a holding facility, is seeking additional space for inmates. The agreement, which has been mutually developed, is designed to be financially beneficial for both parties.

      Chief Wood noted that the financial arrangement would cover the costs of housing the inmates, with potential to generate some revenue for the local jail. The agreement includes provisions for monthly invoicing, with Gadsden required to pay by the 10th of each month.

      Key points include:

      • Gadsden will handle transportation of their inmates, relieving the local facility from this responsibility.
      • The local facility will have full control over the inmates, including managing medical emergencies.
      • Gadsden will consistently send about 25 to 30 inmates per month.

      The agreement ensures that all logistical and financial aspects are clearly defined and agreed upon by both parties.

  • Any other business.
    • Chief Marcus Wood expressed confidence in the agreement with Gadsden for housing municipal inmates, citing the well-trained staff at the local jail. He highlighted that over the past year and a half, his team of correctional officers has completed about 76 courses through the Dakota training program from the National Institute of Jail Operations, earning certification as corrections officers. Only 150 officers nationwide hold this certification, and four of them are on his staff.
      Chief Wood recognized these officers for their dedication and initiative, noting their commitment and completion of the training. The Chief Distinguished Service Award was presented to:
      • Dorothy Thrasher
      • David Tinker
      • Kennedy Lassner
      • Joshua Goodwin

      This award acknowledges their exceptional professionalism, job proficiency, and contributions to the department and city.

    • PARD Director Janis Burns
      • PARD Director Janis Burns discussed plans for improvements at Germania Springs and other parks. These include constructing sidewalks to connect areas like the dog park and a future pickleball court, ensuring handicap accessibility, and installing picnic table pads and bench pads. Some picnic tables are already ADA-compliant, and additional accessible seating will be added. Burns mentioned a donation of a bench from the Garden Club, which will be placed at Ladiga Garden Park.

        The project also focuses on securing items like tables and benches to prevent them from being moved, with concrete pads providing stability. The sidewalks will be laid at ground level for ease of mowing and to prevent erosion issues. Burns apologized for a late quote from a contractor, explaining the challenge of receiving timely responses.

• Adoption of minutes. – Unanimously Approved 
• Adoption of agenda. – Unanimously Approved with changes noted

• Public comments concerning agenda. – None
• Consideration of Ordinance No. O-660-24 Amending Chapter 2 – Administration, Article 1. In General, by Adding Section 2-3. Public Records Requests of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Jacksonville, Alabama. (Received First Reading August 26, 2024) – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to accept the bid report. The bid number 24-13, JPWP number 23-111, sidewalk improvement project along George Douthit Drive Southwest, James Hopkins Road Southwest. – Unanimously Approved 
• Approve resolution number R-2220-24 to award bid number 24-13, JPWP number 23-111 to CBNA Construction LLC and authorize the mayor to sign and the city clerk to attest any necessary documents. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to approve JPWP No. 24-128, New Fire Station No. 2. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to approve JPWP number 24-130, sidewalks and table bench pads for parks. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement for Housing Inmates for the City of Gadsden. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to authorize the mayor to sign the proposal for environmental consulting services with TTL Incorporated by MS4 support services for FY 2025. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to approve the Water Works, Gas & Sewer Board Charge Off Accounts for the period February 10, 2024 through July 10, 2024. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to approve the amended job description for Utility Field Technician, Range 11. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to approve the employment of the following: – Unanimously Approved
  • Alexander Rose, PARD Laborer, Range 1, effective September 11, 2024, due to the resignation of Jerry Bennifield.
  • Zach Kerr, PARD Laborer, Range 1, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due transfer of Jeff Johnson to Utility Department.
• Consider action to accept the resignation of the following: – Unanimously Approved
  • Nicholas McPeek, Utility Office Field Technician, effective September 18, 2024.
• Consent Agenda- Unanimously Approved
  • Budget Amendments.
  • Purchases Over $7,500.00.
  • Requests to Attend Conference/Training Session with Costs Exceeding $1,000.00.
• Public comments for general items. – None
• Council Member Remarks. – None
• Mayor’s report.
  • The Mayor’s report focused on the upcoming 9/11 remembrance event, which will be more reflective and quiet this year. The program will start at 8:30 AM with a presentation of colors by the JSU ROTC, followed by the laying of flowers at 8:37 AM to mark the time the Pentagon was hit. There will be the laying of the flowers, and taps will be played by Josh Henry. Police and fire departments will assist, with someone standing guard until 9:50 AM, when the Pentagon collapsed. The event will be a come-and-go format for people to pay their respects quietly. Additionally, there are plans for a Jacksonville Family Fun Night on September 19th, featuring a movie night, as part of ongoing community events.
  • The Mayor’s report also included reminders about several upcoming events:
    • Jacksonville High School Homecoming on Friday, September 13th (previously misquoted as the 15th), with various events happening throughout the day.
    • Battle of the Badges on September 21st at 9 a.m., where the police and fire departments will compete in a blood donation contest. The community is encouraged to participate and support both teams.
    • JSU Homecoming on September 21st, with a parade and various events, noting that tickets for the game are nearly sold out.
    • Annunal Fishing Rodeo Event on September 28th, with fish being delivered earlier in the week and registration open for the first 100 kids to sign up.

    These events highlight a busy and community-focused September.

• Any Other Business.
  • The Mayor also added a reminder that from September 1st to September 30th, 10 cents for every gallon pumped at pump number 9 at MAPCO will be donated to Jacksonville High School. He humorously noted, “If you’ve got to fill up, go to MAPCO and use pump number 9,” adding that it “sounded like a song—Pump Number 9.”
• Consider action to adjourn into an Executive Session under the provisions of the Code of Alabama under Section 36-25A-(a)(3) To discuss with their attorney the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated or imminently likely to be litigated and under Section 36-25A-(a)(7) to discuss matters of Economic Development. – Unanimously Approved