Jacksonville City Council Meeting Addresses Public Concerns on Hate Propaganda, Square Lighting Issues, and Upcoming Events – January 31, 2025

Jacksonville, AL – The Jacksonville City Council convened for its rescheduled meeting at 6:00 p.m. on January 31, 2025.

1. Call to order.
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Roll call. – All Present
5. Proclamation. – None
6. Work Session:
   1. Acceptance of Minutes. – No discussion 
   2. Any other business. – The council discussed the process for appointing a new Council President Pro Tem, agreeing to add the nomination and vote to the agenda. A nomination was made for Terry Wilson, with clarification on procedural steps. This was then voted on. – Unanimously Approved 
7. Adoption of minutes. – Unanimously Approved 
8. Adoption of agenda. – Unanimously Approved 
9. Public comments concerning agenda items. – None
10. Consideration of Ordinance No. O-665-25 to Rezone Certain Property Located at the West End of Eighty Oaks, SW (133 Eighty Oaks, SW) – Unanimously Approved Jacksonville, Alabama, from R-2 (Two-Family Residential District) to B-2 (General Business District).  (Received First Reading January 13, 2025)
11. Consider action to accept the Bid Report for Bid No. 25-02 and approve Resolution No. R-2238-25, to Award Bid No. 25-02 for JPWP#25-132, Filter Tanks Media Replacement at Big Springs, to Robin & Sons Construction Service, Inc. – Unanimously Approved 
12. Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Fireworks Display Agreement with Pyrotecnico Fireworks, Inc. – Unanimously Approved 
13. Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the three (3) year Memorandum of Understanding with KultureCity – Unanimously Approved 
14. Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the three (3) year Facility Services Rental Service Agreement with Cintas for the Community Center – Unanimously Approved 
15. Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the three (3) year Facility Services Rental Service Agreement with Cintas for the Public Safety Complex – Unanimously Approved 
16. Consider action to approve the amended Jacksonville Public Safety Complex Community Safe Room Operations Plan, – Unanimously Approved 
17. Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved 
    1. Budget Amendments.
    2. Purchases over $7,500.00.
    3. Requests to Attend Conference/Training Session with Costs Exceeding $1,000.00.
    4. Records Destruction.
    5. Boards/Committees.
18. Public comments for general items.
    1. Wesley Bishop, a historian at Jacksonville State University and county resident, addressed the council about the presence of neo-Nazi, anti-Semitic, and white supremacist propaganda being placed around the county. He provided examples of posters and stickers affixed to public property, including historical markers, with messages threatening violence. Bishop noted the difficulty in removing the materials and suggested that city groundskeepers handle their removal to prevent damage. He also proposed installing markers in the city square to recognize the county’s civil rights history and Jewish community. The council acknowledged the issue, stating they were previously unaware, and expressed interest in Bishop’s expertise for further action.
19. Council Member Remarks.
    1. Council members discussed issues with the square’s perimeter lighting, noting that several streetlights on the east side were pulsating, creating a distracting effect. The lights, which have a cool blue hue, appeared to be reaching the end of their lifespan. There was speculation about whether recent damage to a pole contributed to the issue. While some joked about the lights giving the square a “rave aesthetic,” the council agreed to have the matter addressed, suggesting that maintenance staff be notified.
20. Mayor’s report.
    1. Upcoming events include Preschooler Story Time every Thursday at 10 a.m. at the library. A community event is scheduled for Sunday, February 16, at 2 p.m. at the Jacksonville Community Center. City offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of President’s Day. Additionally, the Jacksonville Public Library will host a Black History Program every Tuesday in February from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., featuring different activities for children with volunteer support.
21. Any Other Business. – None
22. 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, lease or market value of real property and under Section 36-25A-7(a)(7) to discuss matters of economic development. – Unanimously Approved