Happening Now

August 13, 2018
Jim Evancho

A very anticipated City Council meeting happened on Monday. During the work session that precedes the actual meeting City Council members discussed item six on the agenda, which was a requested moratorium on R-2 and R-3 zoning. During the initial discussions one member made an inquiry as to who put the line item on the agenda. Mayor Johnny Smith spoke up and told the council that he had requested the agenda addition after meeting with JSU President, John M. Beehler.

Don Killingsworth, a representative from JSU, addressed the council to discuss the needs of the school and how the zoning change may assist the student population with housing concerns. When asked by the council about the incoming student body enrollment, Killingsworth was unable to provide specific numbers.

The council discussed the zoning change request and determine, during the work session, that no changes needed to be made to any of the current City of Jacksonville zoning ordinances.

Also discussed during the work session was line item four which was a moratorium regarding Requirement of Concrete Slab under Mobile Homes &
Buffer Areas. After a discussion the council decided on an amendment to the moratorium and set it for the meeting agenda.

Keith Kadle addressed the council regarding the EMS fees and budget concerns. The council received the written information and will be looking it over in the future

The bike sharing service was discussed and it was determine that the company Limebike was not interested in operating in this area as they were looking for a larger population. It was later presented to the council that Veobike is currently interested and is putting together a proposal for the City to review.

The Meeting 

Item 9. Consideration of Resolution Imposing a Moratorium on the Requirement to Provide a Concrete Slab or Apron Under a Mobile Home in the City of Jacksonville – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

Item 9-A.  Consider action to approve JPWP#18-106, WWTP Fence repair – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

Item 9-B. Consider action to approve JPWP#18-107, WWTP HVAC replacement – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

Item 10. Consider action to approve JPWP#15-100, WWTP Upgrades, Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $103,637.26, per the attached – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

Item 11. Consider action to approve the FY2019 Grant Agreement for Services for the Elderly with East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission Area Agency on Aging, and authorize the Mayor to sign said agreement – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

Item 12. Consider action to accept the Home Energy Supplier Agreement for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Fiscal Year 2019 with the State of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for the period October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019, and authorize the Mayor to sign any necessary documentation – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

Item 13. Consider action authorizing the Mayor to sign the Utility Easement with Alabama Power Company across Landfill Property, per the attached – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

Item 14. Consider action to approve a Budget Addition in the amount of $2.7 million for Storm Related Debris Removal and Cleanup – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

Item 15. Consider action to authorize the payment of $2,653,060.03 for Debris Removal/Monitoring to the Calhoun County Commission – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

Item 16. Consider action to approve the Ambulance Billing Write-off’s for FY2018, for a total cost of $107,807.09 – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

17. Purchases over $5,000.00 – Motion and unanimous vote to approve

The general public was then allowed to address the Council with personal concerns or issues.

The meeting was then concluded.