Jacksonville, AL –The Jacksonville City Council held a regularly scheduled work session and city council meeting on September 23rd, 2024.
City Council Meeting and Regular Work Session
- Call to order.
- Invocation.
- Pledge of Allegiance.
- Roll call.
- Tony Taylor – Absent
- Sherry Laster – Present
- Coty Galloway – Present
- Andy Green – Present
- Terry Wilson – Present
- Proclamation. None
- Work Session:
- Acceptance of Minutes. – No Comments
- Farmers Market Budget.
- A discussion about the Farmers Market budget included a request for an increase in pay of up to $10,000 for the next season. The topic of moving the market was also briefly mentioned but set aside for later discussion. It was clarified that the pay increase would be “up to” $10,000, not an additional $10,000.
- Henry Farm Park Upgrades – Janis Burns.
- Janis Burns, the PARD Director, presented a proposed project for upgrades at Henry Farm Park, which currently features a high school baseball field, two recreational softball fields, a mountain bike trail, and a walking trail. The proposal includes adding a competitive-level disc golf course, which would attract visitors from outside the town and encourage them to stay and spend money locally. The current disc golf options in the area are suitable for beginners, but this course would cater to more advanced players, with support from the GSU Disc Golf Club and other volunteers.In addition, Burns mentioned creating a 5K cross-country trail for the high school team, which currently lacks an official course. This would require redesigning some of the existing mountain bike trails but would offer a valuable space for cross-country meets, attracting teams from outside the town and generating additional revenue through parking fees.The project is still in its early stages, with equipment costs for the disc golf course estimated at $12,000 to $14,000, with most of the labor provided through volunteer efforts. Burns and others involved believe that this development could significantly benefit the community by increasing tourism and local revenue. A master plan for the park’s future was also discussed to ensure a cohesive long-term vision for the upgrades.
- Any other business.
- Police Chief Marcus Wood shared that the city was approved for an $800,000 TAP grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation. The grant will be used for upgrades to the city square, with an 80-20 match requirement, meaning the city will contribute 20%. Preliminary drawings have already been completed, and the process should move forward soon. Communication with local storefronts and business owners will be prioritized to minimize disruptions. Additionally, Chief Wood reminded everyone about the upcoming fishing rodeo on September 28, with registration starting at 8:15 a.m. and fishing from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by lunch and prize giveaways.
- Adoption of minutes. – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Adoption of agenda. – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Public comments concerning agenda. – None
- Public Hearing regarding On-Premise Retail Liquor License for Apothecary Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Apothecary Draft House, located at 7 Public Square, East, Jacksonville, Alabama. – No Comments
- Consider action to approve the On-Premise Retail Liquor License for Apothecary Holdings, LLC, d/bas Apothecary Draft House, located at 7 Public Square, East, Jacksonville, Alabama. – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Consideration of Resolution No. R-2221-24 Committing Local Funds as Match for the Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) Grant Application. – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Consideration of Resolution No. R-2222-24 Adopting Amended Title VI Plan. – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Proposal for Professional Services with TTL, Inc., for Municipal Consultant/City Engineer services. – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission Area Agency on Aging Agreement for the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Consider action to approve a 2% COLA for all General Fund and Water Works, Gas and Sewer Board employees, beginning October 2, 2024. – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Consider action to approve the FY2025 General Fund Budget. – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Consider action to approve the FY2025 Water Works, Gas and Sewer Board Budget – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Consider action to approve the employment of the following: – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Madelyn Hope Lovell, Part-Time Public Safety Communications Officer, Range 12, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the resignation of Matthew Walden.
- Consider action to approve the demotion of the following: – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Jeffrey Graham Johnson, Laborer in Street, Range 3, effective September 25, 2024. (Mr. Johnson is currently a Utility Maintenance Assistant)
- Consider action to approve the promotion of the following: – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Austin Blake Turner, Police Corporal, Range 20, effective September 25, 2024, due to the promotion of Christapher Deckard.
- Consider action to accept the resignation of the following: – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Dalton Crider, Police Officer, effective September 22, 2024.
- Consent Agenda – Unanmoulsy Approved
- Purchases Over $7,500.00.
- Disposition of Surplus Property.
- Boards/Committees.
- Public comments for general items.
- Fire Chief Kadle expressed gratitude on behalf of the fire department to the city employees and council members for their support and investments throughout the year. He acknowledged that this has been a great city council. Chief Kadle also mentioned the improvement in job applicants, noting that they previously had nine applicants but now have 26, thanks to the council’s efforts. He believes these actions have helped attract and retain better-qualified individuals for the department.
- Dr. Michael Barber, Superintendent of Jacksonville City Schools, returned to thank the council for including the school system in the city’s budget. He expressed gratitude for the council’s investment in the children and assured them that the school system would be good stewards of the funds. Dr. Barber promised to return with updates on how the investment is benefiting the schools and thanked both the council and the mayor for their support.
- Councilmember Andy Green highlighted a new partnership between Jacksonville High School and MAPCO, where ten cents from every gallon of gas purchased at pump number nine, until the end of September, will be donated to the school. He encouraged people to support the initiative and post photos on social media. Green also mentioned a similar partnership with Kittiestone Elementary School starting in October.He and Dr. Michael Barber also shared updates on Jacksonville High School’s upcoming homecoming on October 11, with additional activities and a football game against Lincoln. New memorial plaques for Speedy Cannon and Joe Johnson have been added to the stadium, enhancing the connection to the school’s history. Green expressed appreciation for the class of 1972 for their contribution to these memorials. Lastly, he confirmed that there will be a homecoming parade, and the city will assist with organizing and traffic control.
- Council Member Remarks. – None
- Mayor’s report. – None
- Any Other Business. – None
- Adjournment. – Unanmoulsy Approved
