Mask Mandate and Failed Succession Plan Discussed at Anniston City Work Session and Council Meeting August 3, 2021

August 4, 2021
Lee Evancho

Work Session

Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
1. Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
  1. This grant is for the Police Department.
Emergency Relief Funds
1. Presentation by Dr. D. Ray Hill, Superintendent, Anniston City Schools concerning use of Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER3) funds.
  1. All information will be posted on the school’s website. Dr. Hill does consider a relationship with the city a true partnership. He wanted to stress that any funds that are received cannot be used to build schools. He also can’t use them extracurricular activities. The funds have to be used in specific areas. The amount they are looking to receive is 12.5 million. The funds have to be spent by the school and then they get reimbursed. The funds do not come first. The rule of thumb is to prepare, prevent, and respond to any COVID related issues. The funds can be used to improve facilities and professional development. The funds can also be used to update processes. Funds can also be used to hire short-term staffing. Usage of money will be audited. – Councilman Jenkins asked what is missing or needed. He also acknowledged that he knew that many of the students live in areas without the best internet. Dr. Hill agreed that the biggest issues is internet and connectivity for students who don’t have access to high speed internet. Councilwoman Smith asked about truancy and if that was an issue more now with COVID. Dr. Hill stated that it was a concern, but hopefully it was being met with more access to distance learning. Councilwoman Smith offered to sit down and work on a crisis prevention project to address this. She also asked about the funding and using it for career tech programs. Dr. Hill stated it was absolutely being used for Career Tech. A copy of the do’s and don’ts for the funding will be sent to Councilwoman Smith at her request.
Professional Services Contract
1. Discussion of proposed Professional Services contract with General Informatics for managed IT Services
  1. City Manager Folks stated he felt this would really help the city with Cyber Security. There would be an assessment and then maintenance of the program. A packet was passed out with a proposal. There is a one-time fee and then there is a reoccurring professional service fee including a help desk. Questions were posed about potential additional fees if something were to happen such as a cyber breach.
FY2022 Proposed Paving Plan
1. Discuss the FY22 Proposed Paving Plan
  1. City Manager Folks has asked that the city council put something in place to start going out into the community and let the citizens know there is a plan in place. He wants to have a consistent plan and not just deal with paving on an emergency basis. He also stated there are grant applications that have been submitted. He is not trying to propose to take on all the streets. He just wants a plan in place. Councilman Jenkins said the city can do this, but money will come from other services. PARD may take a cut or the hours they can have people work may decrease. The city has to look at the true impact and not just the idea of paving roads. He encouraged the City Council to reach out to the County Commission Representatives to help with the strategic partnerships.
Memorandum of Understanding
1. Discuss a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Jacksonville State University and the City of Anniston to design a Master Trail Plan (MTP) at Anniston Museum and Gardens
  1. Councilwoman Harris stated she felt like this was a win win for JSU and the city. Councilman Jenkins wanted to know about the sustainability and the maintenance of the trail. He wanted to know if resources could be developed to teach and help sustain at the same time. Dr. Martin, from JSU, said there was a lot of information to learn and to be shared.
Councilwoman Smith discussion items
1. Discussion of reinstating mask mandates at city facilities.
  1. Councilwoman Smith stated it was “very obvious and evident” that we are going through another round of COVID. She noted the increased numbers of patients at RMC. She wanted to call upon people to lesson the spread of COVID. She wanted to encourage mask usage. She also stated she understood that some couldn’t get the vaccine for medical reasons and others due to personal choice. She stressed that she respected the right to choose not to. She stated this wasn’t about politics. This was about protecting the health of those we love. She acknowledged that masks are inconvenient, but she felt it was work the inconvenient to protect the health of others. Councilwoman Harris then showed her vaccination card and stated that she felt in the future to get into public places, people would have to show vaccination records. She stated that it is basic civil rights “your rights end when they infringe upon the rights of others.” She wanted to urge everyone to think of their fellow human beings and be considerate. She also stated she will support any employer or movie theater that says you must have had both vaccines and can show it to work there. She did also state that this was her opinion. Councilman Jenkins did state that per the state, an employer cannot require vaccination for employment. He did agree that the mask was the single best tool in fighting the virus. He also stated it was confusing following the CDC guidelines because it seems to be a “moving target.” He did agree that being considerate is important because we don’t know what issues the person next to us may have. He is not a big believer in government oversight, but he does think masks are important. Councilman Roberts said he understands the different stances, but he is also watching the numbers being vaccinated in Calhoun County. He also asked if we could put people in danger by not mandating masks. He also said his understanding is that Governor Ivey will not institute another mask mandate. He doens’t have a problem making it mandatory to enter city buildings. Councilwoman Harris spoke again and said that anybody not wearing masks are putting first responders in jeopardy. Councilmen Roberts and Jenkins said they both understand, but it is a hard decision to mandate. Councilwoman Smith said she felt the council would have to take the advice of the front-line workers such as the RMC leaders. City Manger Folks said they would continue to educate and promote vaccinations and masks.
Mayor Draper discussion items – These items were tabled since the Mayor was not present.
1. Proposed financing for City Hall site
2. Renaming “Veterans Parkway” to “McClellan Veterans Parkway”
City Manager Updates
1. Discussion of a Maintenance Agreement between ALDOT and City of Anniston for Maintenance of Passive Warning Devices on Clydesdale Avenue and on Glen Addie Avenue – City Manager Folks said this is not create additional costs. He just needs the mayor to sign the resolution.

City Council

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Call to Order
Roll Call
- Mayor Jack Draper – Absent
- Ward 1 Councilman Jay Jenkins – Present
- Ward 2 Councilman Demetric D. Roberts – Present
- Ward 3 Councilwoman Ciara Smith – Present
- Ward 4 Councilwoman Millie Harris – Present
Reading/Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
- July 20, 2021 Regular meeting
  - Motion to amend the minutes to identify Jay Jenkins as Councilmen and not list him as Mayor. – Unanimously Passed
Additions/Deletions to the Agenda – none
Adoption of Agenda – Unanimously Passed
Recognitions
- “Fast Feet Track Team”
  - This team was founded in 2006 and Councilwoman Smith wanted to celebrate what they are doing and their success. They are a travel track team that competes all over the US. Recently, in FL, they participated in Nationals. All the council members expressed their pride and appreciation for what this team is doing and what they stand for.
Public Hearing
- To receive public comments regarding the FY 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) – No comments
- To receive public comments regarding a certain economic development incentive for Tru-Wood Cabinetry, LLC, an Alabama limited liability company – No comments
- To receive public comments regarding the FY 2022 Proposed City Manager’s Recommended Budget
  - Finance Director Julie Borelli presented slides regarding the proposed budget. The full document can be found on the city’s website.
    - General Fund Trends – City is projected to receive 43.7 million in revenue. For 2022 42.25 million in revenue is the projected amount. Many budget considerations are COVID related.
Unfinished Business – None
Consent Agenda – Unanimously Passed
- Resolution authorizing an Agreement for Professional Services
- Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the State of Alabama Department of Transportation and the City of Anniston for maintenance of passive warning devices
- Motion to approve a Small Cell Tower Permit Application for AT&T New Cingular Wireless
Resolutions
- Resolution authorizing a Special Economic Development Incentive to Tru-Wood Cabinetry, LLC – Unanimously Passed
- Resolution adopting the budget for Fiscal Year 2022 – Motion to table the vote. – This motion unanimously passed
Ordinances
- An ordinance amending Chapter 3 Governing the License, Purchase and Sale of Alcoholic Beverages – 2nd Reading – Unanimously Passed
- An ordinance adopting Chapter 34, Article VI Governing Mobile Food Units – 2nd Reading – Unanimously Passed
Additional or Other Matters that May Come Before Council – no other matters
Public Comments
- David Baker
  - He wanted to speak about the City Council giving money to organizations that have no bearing on Anniston. He does not feel that the seniors that are needing work done on their homes are not getting service. The application process is online only, but is for seniors who are not a comfortable with this method. He stated that West Anniston needs help and council members should be coming to the areas that need help more directly.
- Joyce Clark
  - She purchased a home two years ago and asked for help with refurbishing her home. She stated that she has called Councilwoman Smith for help. She was directed to the website, but it was too hard to find, so assistance is being restricted. She also complimented the World Changers Organization for the work they did. She is not asking for a hand out, but if the assistance is available and can’t be found it isn’t really helping. They also are rejecting paper applications which is unfair.
Council Comments
- Councilmen Roberts
  - “We have a succession plan. We have this plan; we have leaders or former leaders who sat up here on the frontline, forever, but haven’t passed on any information. Now one of the hardest things to do is sit here or sit in this seat and look at facebook or go to the barbershop or other places and just hear yourself get beat down. Now my thing, is, I keep asking people if any of the problems in Anniston are just starting? No. Our children have it right. Anniston, White Plains, Donoho, Sacred Heart, pick one. Pick the elementary school. The succession plan has failed. Now when we have leaders that love our city and want to be proactive in helping our city to progress. I’ve only had one former leader that has come to me and had any conversation about what to expect or what we need to do, but starting off from scratch is hard, and the problem I have is the running around pointing fingers instead of picking up the phone and having a conversation. I’m begging anyone who has a problem with anything in Anniston to give us a try to have a conversation before you crucify us.”
  - Councilwoman Smith
    - She wanted to thank everyone for coming out and being a part of the meeting and especially, she thanked Mr. Baker and Ms. Clark. She wanted to stress that what she is hearing is a lot of miscommunication being put out there. There are paper copies that are out for applications. She then went on to point out that she has not received a call from Mr. Baker or General Jackson. She stated she can’t fix a problem she isn’t aware of. This could have been a conversation beforehand and started something. This is a community issue. This isn’t a council issue. She also stated she is a citizen first before a councilwoman. Please, moving forward always feel free to speak publicly, but also contact her directly.
  - Councilwoman Harris
    - She thanked Councilwoman and Vice Mayor Smith for doing a great job tonight. She also thanked the two public speakers as well.
  - Adjournment –Unanimously Passed