September 11, 2018
Lee Fuller
City Council Work Session
1 – Call to order
2 – Roll call – all present
3 – Acceptance of minutes and two typo corrections.
4 – Casey Rhodes of Bantam Consulting Groups presented for VeoRide Bike sharing. This will be a regional project between the cites of Jacksonville, Oxford, and Jacksonville State University. VeoRide operates as an app based system that is 50 cents to secure a bike and then 50 cents for every 15 mins. That comes out to $2 an hour but there are also monthly and annual plans for frequent riders for unlimited rides. VeoRide is focused on small to medium size areas and are very community oriented. The bike itself is lightweight and easy to maneuver. Councilman Harrell asked how the enforcement of helmets would be handled and Ms. Rhodes stated that because this is not a state law VeoRide could not actively enforce helmet regulations. The city could choose to make their own rules and regulations. The city would then be responsible for enforcing their own requirements, if any, but safety procedures will be a big push upon launching. All bikes have GPS and VeoRide will work with the city to determine parking areas and, if the bikes are left in a non-parking area, the rider is charged and VeoRide is notified to go and retrieve the bike. This has not been an issue in smaller cities where there tends to be more community acceptance in and support. Council President Suddeth asked what determines how many bikes are placed in a city and Ms. Rhoades stated it was based on population and density. 180 bikes will initially be placed but this can be increased if a greater need is felt. Councilman Harrell asked how the numbers would be distributed and Ms. Rhodes explained that 20 bikes going to Choccolocco Park, 80 to JSU, and 80 to the City of Jacksonville. The VeoRide staff will re-balance the bikes daily both in the morning and evening. The city will also have data available them to how many bikes are being used, how many miles are being ridden, and what the impact is on the ecosystem. Mayor Smith asked if Piedmont and Weaver were approached and learned they were approached, but chose not to be a part of the initial phase. Councilwoman Suddeth asked if a contract was required and was informed the council has he contract form currently.
5 – Budget work session scheduled for 9/18 at 5:00 pm. Council will meet to see the requests.
6 – Councilmen Harrell brought up from last meeting taking a tour of the Metro Crime Information Center. They are available on 9/13 at 10 am. Many of the council members had conflicts with that time so they are going to reach out to Chief Partridge to see if another date was available. Tentatively going to try the next Tuesday 9/18 at 10 am.
7 – Councilman Taylor wanted clarification on board vote tonight. Currently it appeared to him that each individual appointment will receive a nomination and then vote. Some council members wanted secret ballot per the discussion last week and others wanted a public vote to make it a more streamlined system and for transparency. Consensus was reached to do it publicly.
8 – No other business
Council Meeting
1 – Call to order
2 – Invocation: Elder Lin Veasey form the Presbyterian Church
3 – Pledge of Allegiance
4 – Roll Call – All present
5 – Adoption of minutes – Unanimously Passed
6 – Adoption of Agenda – Two additions one personnel and one consent purchase – Unanimously Passed
7 – Proclamation – no proclamations
8 – Public Comments concerning agenda items – no comments
9 – Consideration of Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Agreement with CDG Engineers & Associates for JPWP#16-101, Resurfacing Church Ave from 11th Street to SR-21. Councilman Taylor asked if this was to be scheduled this calendar year and received confirmation that is will be done in 2019 because changes need to be made. – Unanimously Passed
10 – Consideration of Resolution Extending the Moratorium on the installation of Billboards in the city. Councilman Harrell asked how long the extension would be and it was confirmed that extension would be for 180 days and would run out 9/13 without extension – Unanimously Passed
11 – Consider Action authorizing the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for Bike Sharing Services with VeoRide. – Unanimously Passed
11a. Consider Action to appoint Michael Cole to the Waterworks, Gas, and Sewer board. A term ending January 2024. – Unanimously Passed
12 – Consider action to approve the appointment of one of the following persons to the Industrial Development Board to fill the unexpired term of Scott Exum, with term ending September 2021:
- Andrew Carden
- Jay Dill
- Jamie “Red Etheredge
- Paul Hathaway
- Mike Hindman
- Don Killingsworth
- Angela Sandberg
- Tyrone Smiley
Councilman Harrell made a motion for Andrew Carden and it was Unanimously Passed
13 – Consider action to approve the appointment of one of the above persons to the Industrial Development Board to fill the expired term of Jamie “Red” Etheredge, with term ending September 2023.
Councilman Parris made a motion for Jamie “Red” Etheredge and Councilwoman Suddeth seconded. Yay’s were Parris and Suddeth Nay’s were Harrell, Taylor, and Galloway. The motion was not carried.
Councilman Harrel then made a motion for Paul Hathaway. Nay’s Parris Yay’s Harrel, Galloway,and Taylor. Passed with Councilwoman Suddeth abstaining
Councilwoman Suddeth made a speech stating that “Red” has helped the development of Jacksonville and has done quite a bit both behind the scenes and in public. She felt not reelecting him was a disservice to Jacksonville.
14 – Consider action to approve the appointment of one of the above persons to the Industrial Development Board to fill the expired term of Jay Dill, with term ending September 2023.
Councilman Taylor made a motion for Angela Sandburg – Nay’s Parris and Suddeth Yay’s Taylor, Harrel, and Galloway. Motion Passed
15 – Consider action to approve the appointment of one of the above persons to the Industrial Development Board to fill the expired term of Don Killingsworth, with term ending September 2023.
Councilman Harrell made a motion for Don Killingsworth – Unanimously Passed
16 – Purchases over $5,000. – Consent Items Unanimously Passed
17 – Disposition of Surplus Property – Consent Items Unanimously Passed
18 – Other Personnel Issues – Consent Items Unanimously Passed
19 -Public Comments for general items – no comments
20 – Council Members Remarks – Councilmen Taylor took a moment to thank all Industrial Board members, past and present, and to explain the decisions were not personal. He and the other council members are simply trying to do what is best for the City of Jacksonville.
21 – Mayor’s report:
- 9/11 Ceremony moved to the FBC of Jacksonville due to weather
- 9/12 McDonalds Grand Reopening
- 9/16 150thAnniversary of the Train Depot
- 9/26 Alabama concert for disaster recovery – gates open at 4:30 pm and the concert begins at 6:00 pm.
- JSU Homecoming at 10:30 am
- Mayor Smith also took a moment to thank Jay Dill for all his hard work on the Industrial Board. Smith is glad that Lamar Sims is still on the board and that Don Killingsworth with be staying. He also welcomed the new members.
22 – Any other Business – none
23 – Adjourn into Executive Session under the provisions of the Code of Alabama Section 36-25A-7(a)(6) to discuss consideration for the purchase and/or lease of real property.
Editors Note: Corrections were made to the voting counts and motions on items 13, 14, and 15 of the council meeting.
