Jacksonville, AL – The Jacksonville City Council met for their regularly scheduled work session and City Council meeting on Monday, April 24th.
Work Session
- Call to order.
- Roll call.
- Tony Taylor – Present
- Sherry Laster – Absent
- Coty Galloway – Present
- Andy Green – Present
- Terry Wilson – Present
- Acceptance of minutes. – No discussion
- Discretionary Fund Information.
- Councilman Andy Green discussed the possibility of creating an account of shared money that any council member could pull from upon request from individuals and organizations. It was discussed that to use these funds the council would have to vote on the usage. This would create transparency and a public record of fund disbursal. The council also reviewed other local municipalities that had similar systems. This would not go into effect prior to the next budget so there is time for further research and discussion.
- New Police Corporal position dedicated as School Resource Officer – Marcus Wood.
- In February of 2023 the City Council voted to add an additional SRO for the city schools. Chief Wood presented that a Corporal position should be created to allow a direct chain of command and someone that would oversee all the SROs and could direct and coordinate them as needed. The Board of Education has agreed to pay the salary for this position of the city covers the benefits. This position would be open for any officer to apply for.
- Public Safety Pond Discussion.
- Assistant Police Chief, Jason Oden, spoke about the algae problem at the Public Safety Pond. After speaking to various experts it was determined that the best course of action was to add tilapia and grass carp to the pond. This will naturally balance the ecosystem. The tilapia will die out when the weather gets colder, but the grass carp should live and be self-sustaining. The well is still being constructed and is two – three months out from completion.
- 50 lbs. Tilapia $350; 30 Grass carp $270; Delivery Fee $95; Total: $715
- Assistant Police Chief, Jason Oden, spoke about the algae problem at the Public Safety Pond. After speaking to various experts it was determined that the best course of action was to add tilapia and grass carp to the pond. This will naturally balance the ecosystem. The tilapia will die out when the weather gets colder, but the grass carp should live and be self-sustaining. The well is still being constructed and is two – three months out from completion.
- Kiwibot Discussion.
- Kiwibot has asked the city for permission to deliver outside of the JSU property and to cross city streets. This request was initially denied, but they have now asked to meet with the city to present what they are looking to do. While the council and Police Chief raised concerns over traffic safety the council did agree to meet with a company representative at a future work session.
- Any other business.
- The Board of Education elections are being voted on to coincide with the city’s municipal elections. Three of the spots would be at the same time as council elections and the other two spots would be every two years after that. This will save money for the BOE and city and also falls in line with voting practices to not hold local elections at the same time as presidential elections.
- Joy Seijo, Human Resource Director, spoke regarding concerns she has been approached with about the change to the grievance procedure for Jacksonville employees. She felt that it would be best if the employees or their representative spoke.
- Seth Brown with the Jacksonville Professional Fire Fighters Association spoke about concerns with the procedural changes made to the grievance process. He noted that now employees would have to bring complaints to department heads instead of an HR representative. He also noted that even with the appeals process being suggested randomly selected jury members would potentially side with the Mayor trying to earn favors or out of fear of retaliation. He also noted that there were currently 46 pages dedicated to employee procedures were now condensed to three. The council did note that the changes made were the changes that had been discussed and agreed upon previously.
- Eastwood School is an area that the city is actively trying to improve and build up. To this end it was presented that there should be a few cleanup days scheduled to help get the old school cleaned up and then to get quotes to repair the roof and windows. The goal is to maintain as much of the school as possible and to allow the facility to be used by the community. It was also notes that PARD is working with athletes and others to help promote and build up this area. Ultimately the city hopes to reopen the basketball court and baseball field as well.
- Chief Wood spoke about a request for $160,000 that would allow the purchase of supplies for ammo and other equipment to create a SWAT team. This team would be the to parent organization that would also include members of the University Police, Piedmont Police, and Weaver Police. This would help promote community support and allow Jacksonville a faster response time when dealing with emergencies. This unit would also include a 3-4 person tactical EMS team. All participants would be volunteering for this position so there would not by any salary increases. This item will be voted on at the next city council meeting. It was also requested by Councilman Terry Wilson that the K9 officer be equipped with a bullet resistant vest.
City Council Meeting
- Call to order.
- Invocation: Rev. Steve Johnson
- Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
- Pledge of Allegiance.
- Roll call.
- Tony Taylor – Present
- Sherry Laster – Absent
- Coty Galloway – Present
- Andy Green – Present
- Terry Wilson – Present
- Adoption of minutes. – Unanimously Approved
- Adoption of agenda. – Unanimously Approved with changes noted below
- Add – 11a: Consideration of Resolution No. R-2176-23 Requesting the Alabama Legislature to Amend Title 45, Chapter 8A, Sections 45-8A-70 Board of Education; Terms; Elections of the City of Jacksonville, Alabama.
- Add – 13a: Consider Action to approve JPWP#23-117 Emergency/Clarifier Repairs at WWTP.
- Add – 13b: Consider Action to approve JPWP#23-118, Well on Nisbet Lake Road. (DWSRF/ARPA Fund Project)
- Add – 14a: Consider action to approve the City of Jacksonville Grievance Policy
- Add – 18: Consider action to approve the employment of the following:
- Robert Allen Foster, Assistant Building Inspector, Range 18 effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273.
- Proclamations. – None
- Public comments concerning agenda. – None
- Public Hearing regarding Vacating a Portion of an Unimproved Alley that Lies North of 9th Street, NE and South of 10th Street, NE and East of 9th Avenue, NE and West of 10th Avenue, NE. – No Comments
- Consideration of Resolution No. R-2166-23 Vacating a Portion of an Unimproved Alley that Lies North of 9th Street, NE and South of 10th Street, NE and East of 9th Avenue, NE and West of 10th Avenue, NE. – Unanimously Approved
- Consideration of Resolution No. R-2175-23 regarding Dedication of Property for Use by the Public as Right-of-Way for Minnesota Street, SW. – Unanimously Approved
- Consideration of Resolution No. R-2176-23 Requesting the Alabama Legislature to Amend Title 45, Chapter 8A, Sections 45-8A-70 Board of Education; Terms; Elections of the City of Jacksonville, Alabama. – Unanimously Approved
- Consider action to approve the Retail On-Premise Malt/Brewed Beverage License of Gary Masons BBQ, LLC, d/b/a Mason’s BBQ located at 208 Mountain Street, NW. – Unanimously Approved
- Consider action to approve JPWP#23-116, Hospital Life Station and Sewer Line Repairs. (CWSRF Project) – Unanimously Approved
- Consider Action to approve JPWP#23-117 Emergency/Clarifier Repairs at WWTP. – Unanimously Approved
- The Mayor spoke to note that one of the clarifiers is down and they are relying on only one so it is important to get a replacement ordered.
- Consider Action to approve JPWP#23-118, Well on Nisbet Lake Road. (DWSRF/ARPA Fund Project) – Unanimously Approved
- Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Master Service Agreement, Service Order No. 1 and BCM One SIP Service Level Agreement with BCM|one for telephone and internet services at the Public Safety Complex and Fire Station No. 2. – Unanimously Approved
- Consider action to approve the City of Jacksonville Grievance Policy – Unanimously Approved
- Consider action to authorize the Mayor, on behalf of the Water Works, Gas and Sewer Board, to sign the Contractor Agreement with Leak Detection Service, Inc.. – Unanimously Approved
- Consider action to approve the Water Works, Gas and Sewer Board Charged Off Accounts for the period 8-10/2022 – 1/10/2023. – Unanimously Approved
- Consider action to approve an additional position of Police Corporal, Range 20, to be dedicated as School Resource Officer with the Jacksonville City School System. (Salary to be paid by the Board of Education; benefits to be covered by the city.) – Unanimously Approved
- Consider action to approve the employment of the following: – Unanimously Approved
- Joseph Elijah Phillips, Utility Maintenance Assistant, Range 10, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the resignation of Dylan Peters.
- Nicholas James Lamb, Police Officer, Range 18, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the resignation of Andrew Roden.
- Caden Drake Shew, Firefighter, Range 9, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the resignation of Griffin Logan Guy.
- William Skyler McLeod, Firefighter/EMT, Range 11, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the pending promotion to Fire Engineer.
- Robert Allen Foster, Assistant Building Inspector, Range 18 effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273.
- Nicholas Lamb was present and Chief Wood introduced him.
- Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved
- Budget Amendment Requests.
- Fire
- Increase Account No. 10-02-6102-00-60175 in the amount of $500.00 for Columbia Southern University Sponsorship.
- Police
- Increase Account No. 10-02-6101-00-60125 in the amount of $10.46 for restitution
- Increase Account No. 10-02-6101-00-60203 in the amount of $328.83 from Balistic Vest Reimbursement Program.
- Increase Account No. 10-02-6101-00-60144 in the amount of $9,479.00 for insurance reimbursement for repairs to 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe #5782.
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- Fire
- Purchases Over $7,500.00.
- $9,704.00 Howell Body Shop, LLC, for repairs to 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe #5782.
- Disposition of Surplus Property.
- Fire
- Decal No. 7650 – 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD, VIN 1GNSKFKS1LR231624 – sell on govdeals.
- Fire
- Budget Amendment Requests.
- Public comments for general items. – None
- Council Member Remarks.
- Councilman Andy Green wanted to remind all of the commencement ceremony at JSU. Traffic will be heavier so please be mindful.
- Councilman Tony Taylor wanted to thank everybody who was a part of locating and hiring the Assistant Building Inspector. This was a journey, but well worth it.
- Mayor’s report.
- The Mayor provided an update on the Take Pride in Jacksonville Day
- Any Other Business.- None
- Adjournment. – Unanimously Approved
