Jacksonville City Council Swears in New Councilmember, Marques Green, at March 10th Meeting

City Council Special Called Meeting and Regular Work Session

• Call to order.
• Roll call. – All Present
• Adoption of agenda.  – Unanmously Approved
• Consideration of Resolution No. R-2240-25 Appointing Marques Green to City Council, Place 5.
• Oath of Office for Marques Green, City Council, Place 5.

• Adjournment. – Unanmously Approved

City Council Called Meeting and Regular Work Session

• Call to order.
• Invocation.
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Roll call. – All present

• Proclamation. – None
• Work Session:
  • Acceptance of minutes. – – No Comments
  • Grant Writer Contract – Patricia Daigle.
    • The proposed grant writer contract for Patricia Daigle outlines a maximum of 40 hours per month at the same rate as her previous contract. The continuation of this contract is intended to provide cohesion in grant management for current grants while supporting research and applications for future funding opportunities.

      During discussions, it was clarified that this equates to approximately 10 hours per week. Daigle assured officials that she has a structured approach to managing multiple grants simultaneously and works alongside a director and an assistant at Jacksonville State University (JSU), where she is also employed. Her collaboration with JSU is seen as beneficial, particularly for potential grants that could serve both the university and the city—such as a busing grantaimed at improving transportation infrastructure.

      City officials expressed appreciation for Daigle’s commitment and noted the value of her expertise in securing and managing grants. The mayor supported the contract renewal, emphasizing the need to maintain progress on existing grants and explore new opportunities through cooperation between the city and JSU.

      Additionally, Daigle committed to keeping the city council informed about grant discussions and updates, confirming her attendance at city council meetings to provide regular reports.

  • JPWP No. 24-123 Community Saferoom (Eastwood) – Josh Barkley.
    • Josh Barkley provided updates on the Eastwood Community Saferoom project. Preliminary drawings have been received, and he sought confirmation on parking arrangements before presenting the preliminary package to planning. The proposed parking includes approximately 15 spaces, with accessible spots near the building. Some questioned if 10 spaces would suffice, given that people may park elsewhere during emergencies. There are no specific parking requirements for the storm shelter, and the project is moving toward finalizing electrical and mechanical engineering plans.
  • Mill Property Easement – Josh Barkley.
    • A realtor is facilitating the sale of the Calderas property behind the old mill, which includes roll-up doors near the property line. The city already has a 20-foot sanitary sewer easement and is considering adding a 10-foot extension to ensure access. There is no cost to the city for this adjustment. Additionally, concerns about a shared wall between the properties were discussed. A 2017 contract may have stipulated that the wall must remain if demolition occurs, but clarity in future contracts is necessary. The city also emphasized the importance of maintaining access due to a major sewer main in the area.

• • Commercial Development Authority request for funding.

    • The CDA is requesting $50,000 in funding, though they currently have less than $10,000 available. They did not request funding last year because they did not have a need, but now they have projects requiring support. The funding request is included in the 2024 budget. However, the council did not allocate funds for the CDA in the 2025 budget because they had unspent funds from the previous year.

      The council discussed whether a budget amendment is necessary for this year to provide the requested funds, with some members proposing a more conservative $25,000 allocation instead of the full $50,000. The CDA will only receive funds as needed, with the possibility of additional funds being provided later based on their project needs. The council agreed that they would discuss and possibly approve the funding at the next meeting, pending the required budget amendment.

  • Voting Delegates for ALM Annual Business Meeting, Friday, May 15, 2025.
    • The group discussed voting delegate arrangements for the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) Annual Business Meeting on May 15, 2025. There was confusion about voting privileges, as in the last meeting, they were not given a voting opportunity, and some delegates did not receive the appropriate materials in their packet. It was clarified that this meeting is separate from the AMIC (Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation) meeting and only pertains to the ALM league.

      The group discussed the meeting dates and agreed that the business meeting is on Thursday, May 15, 2025, not Friday as originally thought. The group decided that Terry would be the primary delegate to represent them, with Sherry as the secondary delegate.

  • Any other business.
    • Josh Barkley provided an update on the sidewalk project in front of the school, noting that the project is already 10 days past its 35-day timeline. Weather delays have contributed to the delay, and the contractor has been working under lights to keep progress moving. Barkley requested approval to extend the deadline to March 28. Council members expressed understanding, acknowledging the challenges faced by the contractor and agreeing to the extension. The issue may be formally added to the agenda for further discussion.
• Adoption of minutes. – Unanmously Approved
• Adoption of agenda. – Unanmously Approved with changes
  • Add: Consider action to approve the extension to CB&A Construction, LLC Agreement for JPWP#23-111, Sidewalk Improvement Project Along George Douthit Drive and James Hopkins Road.
  • Amend: Consider action to adjourn into an Executive Session under the Provisions of the Code of Alabama, Section 36-25A-7(a)(3) to discuss with the attorney the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation.
• Public comments concerning agenda items. – None
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Purchase Agreement with The Sutphen Corporation for the purchase of Sutphen Fire Apparatus. – Unanmously Approved
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement with Patricia Daigle for Grant Writing and Management. – Unanmously Approved
• Consider action to approve the extension to CB&A Construction, LLC Agreement for JPWP#23-111, Sidewalk Improvement Project Along George Douthit Drive and James Hopkins Road. – Unanmously Approved
• Consider action to approve the promotion of the following:
  • Theodore Copland, Police Corporal, Range 20, effective March 12, 2025, due to the promotion of Jacob Collins. – Unanmously Approved
• Consider action to approve the employment of the following:
  • Marquis Watson, Police Officer, Range 18, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the promotion of Theodore Copland. – Unanmously Approved
• Consider action to accept the resignation of the following:
  • Trinity Kirk, Laborer at SCP, effective March 6, 2025. – Unanmously Approved
• Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved (Andy Green abstained due to emplyment with Gadsden State)
  • Purchases over $7,500.00.
    • Fire
      • $9,650.84 to Gadsden State Community College for Spring 2025 tuition and books.
    • Police
      • $8,182.40 to Gulf State Distributors for ammunition.
    • Utility Maintenance
      • $119,645.62 to Alabama Tractor for the purchase of a Kubota Mini Excavator. (Sourcewell)
    • Utility Office
      • $12,785.93 to Burns Meter Repair for two (2) Gas meter sets for JSU West Village Apartments. (to be reimbursed by contractor)
  • Requests to Attend Conference/Training Sessions with Costs Exceeding $1,000.00.
    • $1,484.08 to Scott Calhoun to attend the ACCMA Summer Conference in Orange Beach, May 28- 30, 2025.
    • $1,167.00 to Brenda Long to attend ALM 2025 Convention in Huntsville, May 13-15, 2025.
  •  Boards/Committees.
    • • Jim Howard, The Housing Authority of the City of Jacksonville, with term to expire March 11, 2030.
      • Clara Valtorta, Commercial Development Authority, with term to expire March 15, 2029.
      • Leigha Cauthen, Commercial Development Authority, with term to expire March 15, 2029.
• Public comments for general items.
  • Wesley Bishop, a resident of Anniston, Alabama, addressed the city council to follow up on an earlier issue he raised regarding racist propaganda being placed around the city. He expressed gratitude to the council for their swift response, noting that both the police department and Parks and Recreation had reached out to him and that he had not seen any further instances of propaganda in town.

    Bishop also revisited a proposal he made in a previous meeting about installing new historical markers in the town square to highlight notable aspects of the county’s history. He suggested three potential subjects for the markers: Lily Ledbetter, a labor activist; Rick Bragg, a celebrated author; and Theodore Burke Fox, the first African-American elected to city government. Bishop has been in contact with some of the families involved, and they are generally in favor of the markers. He mentioned that he is also in touch with someone who can reach out to Bragg’s family.

    Bishop noted that historical markers typically cost between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on size and design, and suggested pursuing grants or private donations for funding. He proposed placing the markers in the town square due to its high foot traffic, but was open to further discussions with the city government. The council expressed support for the project and offered to meet with Bishop individually to discuss it further.

• Council Member Remarks.
  • Councilmember Wilson stated he was excited to have a new member.
  • Councilmember Andy Green expressed a strong desire to recognize and honor individuals who have contributed to Jacksonville’s growth and heritage, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging both past and present efforts that shaped the community. They mentioned being involved in the revitalization of the town’s signage, which highlighted historical figures, and reflected on the impact of those individuals who helped build Jacksonville, even without knowing the future significance of their work.

    He also celebrated recent achievements in education, particularly KittyStone Elementary School’s Science Olympiad victory, where they placed first for at least the third consecutive year. They suggested recognizing the students and their coaches in a more intimate setting, such as a smaller gathering at the council meeting.

    Additionally, the speaker highlighted an upcoming event called “Worlds of Work,” where Jacksonville City Schools’ eighth and eleventh graders would visit Oxford’s City Civic Center to learn about various career opportunities. The speaker expressed excitement about the event, noting the involvement of local law enforcement, first responders, and other professionals to help expose students to potential career paths.

  • Councilmember Taylor  speaker reflected on their experience working with multiple lineups since being elected in 2016, noting that each lineup has been different but positive in its own way. They expressed enthusiasm for moving forward with Mr. Green and thanked him for being a part of the current lineup.
  • Councilmember Laster emphasized the importance of voting daily for their college to be nominated as the best small town college by USA Today, as they are currently in third place. They encouraged everyone to spread the word and share it on social media to help secure the win.
  • Councilmember Marques Green expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and mentioned being ready to learn and contribute.
• Mayor’s report.
  • The Mayor welcomed Marques aboard and shared a lighthearted story about a previous council member’s swearing-in. He reminded the council about several important upcoming events and notices: there is a no-burn order due to recent fires, the “Take Pride in Jacksonville” event on April 19th, the Arts Council is seeking vendors for the Fair on the Square on May 17th, and there will be an election on August 26th, with a need for volunteers to work the polls.
• Any Other Business. – None
• Consider action to adjourn into an Executive Session under the Provisions of the Code of Alabama, Section 36-25A-7(a)(3) to discuss with the attorney the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation. – Unanmously Approved