December 15, 2021
Lee Evancho
Work Session
The work session opened with the following members present:
- Councilman Spurlin – Present
- Councilman Waits – Absent
- Councilman Henderson – Present
- Councilwoman Hubbard – Present
- Councilman Gardner – Present
Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with Calhoun Meter Company to provide all materials required to complete the sewer system improvements at Spring Branch, Tower Road, and Elm Street was the first item; however there were no questions or discussions.
Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Calhoun County 911 for the upgrade of the P25 Motorola Communications System was discussed. This is for a commutations system with the Calhoun County 911. The total cost is $1.8764 million. These funds would be due in October of 2022. This system would allow communication between all neighboring cities. The cost is based on the number of radios. This type of system is critical, per Chief Partridge, during times of emergency such as a tornado.
Resolution approving the Holiday List for 2022 for City of Oxford employees was opened for discussion, but there were no questions or comments.
Madison Scott spoke next (pictured above). She is working toward earning her Gold Award. This is the highest award offered by the Girl Scouts. Her project is the Safe Haven Baby Box. This is a box that would be located at a public facility that a baby could be surrendered into. The box locks and alerts first responders. Only the first responders could retrieve the baby. This would be the first safe haven box located in Alabama. Mayor Craft stated that he had spoken to local EMS and DHR and they support the idea. They feel the best location be at the EMS building. Currently 13 babies have been surround utilizing a Safe Haven box in the country. Madison hopes this will give a legal and safe alternative to abandoned and unwanted babies in Calhoun County. If the baby is surrendered safe and unharmed, no questions are asked and the biological parent is not pursued. Councilman Spurlin congratulated Madison on her project and thanked her for the initiative.
Mayor Craft next spoke about the demolition project to include the O’Charlies parking lot, old Shoneys’s building, and the old hotel. The price was originally set at $300,000, but the new price is estimated at $450,000. The city council wanted to know if they could place a stipulation on a proposal being completed in one year or the full amount being paid back to them. They also wanted to ensure the area wouldn’t stay looking like a construction zone after the demolition. The city’s attorney will work on the language and present it to the landowner.
Councilman Henderson wanted to convey a request from the water department for a $1 million dollars out of the CARES money. They are asking for $100,000 of that to be disbursed immediately. This would be put towards water infrastructure.
Councilman Henderson also wanted to address a point of confusion. The sewer plant ownership is unclear. There was a bond issued in 1996 stating the sewer plant would be conveyed to the water department, but no papers were ever completed actually conveying the property. The sewer plant was originally titled in the city’s name in 1986. Currently neither the water department or the city can claim ownership due to the contradiction. The city’s attorney will do additional research and work with the water department.
Councilwoman Hubbard wanted to make note that a formal job description is being created for the recycling manager’s position. This could be for one position or two depending on the direction that the city wants to go. She also noted that she understood the Mayor wanted to create an office for Keep Oxford Beautiful, but stressed this job was for the recycling manager position. The Mayor also noted that the the EDC has many buildings and is willing to work with the city to find a location for a recycling building that is not in a residential area.
City Council 
- Call to Order
- Councilman Spurlin – Present
- Councilman Waits – Absent
- Councilman Henderson – Present
- Councilwoman Hubbard – Present
- Councilman Gardner – Present
- Welcome/Invocation – Minister Dell Kimberly, Betta View Hills Church of Christ
- Pledge of Allegiance –
- Approval of Minutes of November 23, 2021 – Unanimously Approved with Councilman Gardner abstaining
- Old Business – none
- New Business – None
- Presentation – City of Oxford Christmas Decorating
Contest Awards Presentation by the Oxford Arts Council. There were 11 awards given out by the Arts Council. The winners were announced on the Oxford Art Council’s Facebook. *Winners are shown below.
- Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved
- Resolution No. 2021 – 153 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with Calhoun Meter Company to provide all materials required to complete the sewer system improvements at Spring Branch, Tower Road, and Elm Street.
- Resolution No. 2021 – 154 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Calhoun County 911 for the upgrade of the P25 Motorola Communications System.
- Resolution No. 2021 – 155 – Resolution approving the Holiday List for 2022 for City of Oxford employees.
- Resolution No. 2021 – 156 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Pole Attachment Agreement with Alabama Power Company for Holiday Decorations.
- Resolution No. 201 – 157 – Resolution to appropriate $100,000 for the Water Works Department from CARES Funds. – Unanimously Approved
- Council Comments/Reports
- Councilman Henderson wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
- Councilwoman Hubbard wanted to thank everyone who helped with the Christmas Parade. She has heard wonderful things about the floats and also the number of people who attended. She also thanked Lorie Denton for promoting the parade.
- Lorie Denton also mentioned that the Festival of Lights has a 2 for 1 night on Wednesday. This can be cider, trips through the lights, or wristbands. Also Thursday will be a free picture with Santa.
- Councilman Henderson also wanted to mention that the widening of road will be starting soon. This project will be for the road from Home Depot to the ball field. This will take about a year to complete.
- Mayor’s Comments
- The mayor also mentioned the work on the roads. There may be temporary shutdowns of one lane at a time, but they shouldn’t be for more then 20-30 mins at a time.
- Visitors – None
- Motion to adjourn (next regular Council Meeting, December 28, 2021) – Unanimously Approved
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