Jacksonville City Council Discusses Inmate Housing Agreement with Gadsden

City Council Meeting and Regular Work Session

• Call to order.
• Invocation. – Steve West First United Methodist Church
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Roll call.
  • Tony Taylor – Present
  • Sherry Laster – Present
  • Coty Galloway – Absent
  • Andy Green – Present
  • Terry Wilson – Present
• Proclamation:
  • Respiratory Care Week – October 20-26, 2024 – No One Present
  • Extra Mile Day – November 1, 2024 – No One Present
• Work Session
  • Acceptance of Minutes.
  • Inmate Housing Agreement with City of Gadsden.
    • During a recent discussion regarding the Inmate Housing Agreement between the City of Jacksonville and the City of Gadsden, several concerns were raised about the process and logistics of transporting inmates between the two municipalities. One of the main points of discussion was the confusion about how inmates are transported from Gadsden to Jacksonville, and how they return upon release. It was noted that once inmates are processed and released, Jacksonville does not provide transportation back to Gadsden. This has led to concerns about individuals being left far from home, with no way to return.The discussion highlighted that, by law, authorities cannot coerce or force released individuals to accept a ride back, making it a challenge to ensure they return safely to their home jurisdiction. There were suggestions about potentially modifying the agreement to require Gadsden to handle the return transportation for released inmates, as Jacksonville currently bears the burden of the initial transport and would like Gadsden to take more responsibility for their residents once released.Another issue raised was the high cost of EMS calls to the jail, which had occurred frequently since the agreement began. With over 60 EMS calls in just 28 days, concerns about the strain on local resources were expressed, especially when many of these calls did not result in actual medical emergencies. The financial and operational impact of transporting inmates for medical reasons, including the difficulty of recouping these costs, was also discussed.The contract itself, a six-month agreement, was scrutinized, with some council members questioning whether it was still beneficial for Jacksonville. There was a suggestion to renegotiate or potentially end the contract if the financial and logistical burdens outweighed the benefits. The conversation concluded with a decision to explore possible modifications to the agreement, including clarifying responsibilities for transportation and medical care, to better serve both municipalities.
  • Farmers Market Budget.
    • The discussion about the Farmers Market budget covered various points, primarily focused on the current salary of the market manager, who earns $32,100. There was a proposal to increase the budget by $10,000, possibly to hire additional help, though some members favored a smaller increase, such as $5,000, and questioned whether a significant jump in funding was necessary.Income from vendor signage fees was highlighted as a revenue source, with about 30 signages generating $300 each, helping to offset some costs. Concerns were raised about the manager’s need for assistance, as she cannot always be present at the market. There was a general agreement that the situation required further evaluation, and it was suggested that verbiage be prepared for the next meeting to review and discuss any potential budget increase. The possibility of adding an assistant was also raised as part of the long-term solution.
  • Alabama Municipal Official Training Act.
    • The Alabama Municipal Official Training Act requires all municipal officials, including mayors and council members, to complete 10 hours of training annually during their first term in office, regardless of prior experience. After the first term, the requirement drops to five hours per term. Officials already certified as Certified Municipal Officials (CMO), like one of the members mentioned, may have reduced requirements.The training can be completed through various channels, such as online courses, ALN conventions, the Municipal Leadership Institute, Advocacy Day, and other regional or national conferences. This new requirement begins on January 1, 2025, and it was advised that those planning to run for re-election start working on their hours in January. There was a question about whether training completed before January 2025 would count, and the answer was pending further clarification.
  • Mayor and Council Members Pay and Benefits.
    • The discussion about the mayor and council members’ pay and benefits highlighted that any potential increases must be passed through a resolution within a specific timeframe. It was noted that council member pay has not been increased since 2016, and the same is true for the mayor’s salary. There was talk of reviewing these pay structures and comparing them to other cities.There was also a consideration about offering cost-of-living raises for council members, though some members expressed discomfort with voting for such raises that would affect the next administration. The conversation also touched on the option of offering insurance benefits to council members, acknowledging that such benefits could be optional and subject to individual contributions. However, members emphasized that they were not in their roles for monetary gain but to serve the city.
  • Election Qualification Fees.
    • The discussion about election qualification fees revealed that the fee, currently set at $25, has not been changed since 1984. By law, it cannot exceed $50. There was a suggestion to potentially differentiate the fees for the mayor and council members, as some cities do. However, no immediate action was taken, and the council seemed content with leaving the fee as is, noting it was originally set as a nominal amount and does not significantly impact the city’s revenue.
  • Any other business. – None
• Adoption of minutes. – Unanimously Approved 
• Adoption of agenda – Unanimously Opposed
  • Councilmember Andy Green stated that he would abstain from voting on the consent agenda due to his employment at Gadsden State. Although he won’t personally benefit from the funds, he acknowledged that some are allocated for training at Gadsden State and expressed his approval of the quality of the training provided. Nonetheless, he chose to abstain to avoid any conflict of interest.
  • Also one of the items to be added to the Agenda was Clearview AI.
• Adoption of agenda. – Unanimously Approved with changes including removiing adding a vote on Clearview AI.
  • Councilmember Andy Green voiced his concern about adding the Clearview AI item to the agenda without sufficient review. He asked if the Clearview AI agreement was something they already had as an existing contract or if it was a new proposal, as he did not see it included in the meeting packet. Green emphasized the importance of giving council members the chance to review items before they are voted on, particularly when it comes to contracts like Clearview AI.While he acknowledged that sometimes decisions need to be made quickly to avoid missing opportunities, he stressed that it is essential for the council to be fully informed. He mentioned that though the mayor might sign off on contracts after they’ve been reviewed, the council should still have the opportunity to discuss and understand the details. Green reiterated that while he trusts department heads to bring important items to the council, they are the body responsible for ultimately approving contracts. He proposed not adding the Clearview AI item (referred to as 13A) to the agenda until the council has had the chance to properly review it.
• Public comments concerning agenda. – None
• Consider action to approve JPWP #24-129, Automated Gas Meter Reading. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to approve JPWP #25-131, Jacksonville Public Library Roofing (Item will be funded with Fund 40 GOW). – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Equipment Service Plan with Stryker for Fire Department equipment. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Traffic Enforcement Agreement with North Central Alabama Highway Safety Office, for the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the License Agreement with Cellebrite for Digital Phone Forensics Software. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to approve the employment of the following: – Unanimously Approved 
  • Corey E. Henderson, Laborer in Street Department, Range 3, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the promotion of Bo Cusey.
  • Jason RaShaad Prater, Utility Office Field Technician, Range 11, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the resignation of Nick McPeek.
  • Dalton Hunter Gilbert, Police Officer, Range 18 effective upon complience with Ordiance No. 273 due to the resignation of Dalton Crider.
• Consider action to approve the promotion of the following:. – Unanimously Approved 
  • Ethan McCain, Firefighter/EMT, Range 11, effective October 16, 2024, due to receiving is EMT State License.
• Consider action to accpt the resignation of the following: – Unanimously Approved 
  • Joshua Isaac Goodwin, Full-Time Corrections Officer, Effective October 24, 2024.
• Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved 
  • Budget Amendment Requests.
  • Purchases Over $7,500.00.
  • Requests to Attend Conference/Training Session with Costs Exceeding $1,000.00.
  • Disposition of Surplus Property.
  • Boards/Committees.
• Public comments for general items. – None
• Council Member Remarks. – None
• Mayor’s report.
  • In his report, the mayor highlighted several community events and initiatives. He noted the success of a recent fishing event, mentioning that despite poor weather, attendance was high and that it fostered a great sense of community. He expressed gratitude for the support in funding the event, which provided opportunities for kids to enjoy fishing, and praised the improvements made by a new pump that keeps the water level consistent in the lake.The mayor also mentioned upcoming events, including a double feature during fall break and a Halloween Market scheduled for October 26th. He encouraged residents to participate in these activities, emphasizing the importance of community involvement.Additionally, the mayor took a moment to pay tribute to Lilly Ledbetter, who recently passed away. He spoke of her tireless efforts to achieve equal pay for women and her significant role in the passing of the Fair Pay Act, which was the first bill signed by President Obama. He recounted his personal interactions with Ledbetter, noting her dedication to advocating for fair wages and her influence in raising awareness about equal pay across the country. The mayor expressed sorrow over her passing, recognizing the lasting impact she had on the fight for workers’ rights.
• 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)(6) to discuss the consideration the governmental body is willing to offer or accept when considering the purchase, sale, exchange or lease of real property. – Unanimously Approved