Talk of Witches Takes Center Stage at Jacksonville Work Session and City Council Meeting 11/8/21

November 9, 2021
Lee Evancho

Work Session

1. Call to order.
2. Roll call.
   1. Tony Taylor – Present
   2. Andy Green – Present
   3. Sherry Laster- Present
   4. Terry Wilson – Present
   5. Coty Galloway – Present
3. Acceptance of minutes.
   1. Councilman Galloway noted a numerical change that needed to be made that was a typo.
4. Spyglass Audit.
   1. Last meeting the City Manager presented an interim report. She is presenting the final report tonight.
   2. Item 2- changes from 2 to 4 items
   3. Recommendation was made from Spyglass to to change machine usage, but that was vetoed due to the Fire Department needing that service
   4. Summary – $18, 754. 20 in cost reduction. This amount is paid to Spyglass once all the changes are implemented. In 2023 the budget will be reduced to reflect the savings. No additional payment is made to Spyglass.
5. The Health Care Authority of the City of Anniston Appointment.
   1. The Mayor talked about  rescinding the initial  appointment and the City of Anniston has sent over three new names. These names are being reviewed.
6. 2022 Severe Weather Preparedness
   1. The Mayor presented this as a new opportunity to have a weekend or day of tax exemptions. He wasn’t sure if the city wanted to participate as there are a lot of items included that may not be beneficial to the residents of Jacksonville. No decision is needed now, but it was noted that this was an all or nothing plan. The city cannot pick and choose what items they want to include. Based on the education tax free weekend there has been no decrease of revenue for the city. The tax free weekends normally encourage sales. Councilman Green showed support for implementing. Councilman Wilson asked what other areas were offering this. If others aren’t this may bring more business. There are 14 local cities participating including Weaver, Anniston, Talladega, and Gadsden. After much discussion it appeared the council was leaning toward participation, but this is not a current agenda item. *A correction was noted that the city did participate in 2019 with no significant revenue impact.
7. Joy from Code Enforcement spoke about the Civil Service Board’s recommendations for the new positions discussed at the last meeting. The Civil Service Board would like to require five years experience versus the recommended three years. Code Enforcement would like to stay at three. The civil service board also wants the language used to determine qualification changed and there is no code enforcement objection. The civil service board would also like to remove the requirement for “English language skills” and change to the ability to communicate in verbal and written form. Code enforcement has no issues with this change. There were two other minor changes in language that there were no issues with. Chief Wood also spoke regarding the three year preferred requirement and explained that police officers are only required three years experience and they are range 18, this position is range 16, so three years is sufficient. If the council would like to reject the civil service board’s recommendations then the Mayor needs to write a letter to Civil Service and the council’s position needs to be approved on tonight’s agenda.
8. Any other business.
   1. The Mayor addressed the “Witch sign that was placed at the Mill Village.” He explained that he received a number of calls from residents of the building. One stated that their children wouldn’t go outside because they were scared of witches. Another caller stated they had lived there 72 years and people were now asking if she was a witch. Another stated they felt this was harmful to their family’s reputation. One caller felt this was yet another blow against the Mill Village. The Mayor explained this was simply a folklore sign and the intention was never to upset anyone. He has removed the sign and would like to consider moving it to a different location. A question was asked if this could be an educational piece where PIO explains what the sign is and the meaning behind it. Councilman Green stated that in the future a public hearing should be held before placing a sign like this and that is not technically a historical sign. The Mayor added that he had also received calls objecting to the signs removal, but that none of those calls came from residents of Mill Village. While signs like these are meant to bring interest and prompt conversation they aren’t intended to harm anyone. Councilman Wilson repeated that education is key. It was also noted that an additional sign that was intended to be placed with the original piece was a quite from Rick Brag, local author. Many noted they did not want to insult Mr. Bragg or make him feel unwelcome back in Jacksonville.
   2. An item that needs to be added to the agenda is to hire a permanent librarian.
   3. Councilman Green brought up the placement of the dumpster pad on the east side of the square as well as the relining. He wanted to know the status of the bid process. Mark Stevens stated they are still waiting on quote, but once completed 40 parking spaces would be relined behind the square.
   4. Councilwoman Laster wanted an update on the Eastwood School project. Mr. Schneider did come a take pictures at Eastwood School for the digital recordation. Those plans must now be approved. The draft was sent to the Alabama EMA, but there has been no response via email or phone.
   5. It was noted that Thursday is Veterans Day and in the past the city has participated with JSU for an event. JSU is holding an event for student veterans, but it is not open to the public. Councilman Green volunteered to help plan future events and asked that the the PIO release a message from city. It was also suggested that perhaps the PIO could interview veterans. The Exchange Club will hold a program at St. Luke’s on Thursday at 11:30am. Council Green has an extra invitation and offered to bring Ben Nunnally to have an opportunity to interview veterans.
   6. The newest City Hall design was handed out and it appeared the council was very happy with the external design.  There was some debate on the interior design and space usage. The largest concern was the 300 sqft lobby. The Mayor felt this needed to be reduced. Laura Copeland spoke about the purpose of the lobby size would be to enable more residents to be attended to and to reduce a backlog. The Mayor stated “I disagree totally and think it is a bad use of taxpayer money.” No decisions were reached, but specific decisions will be discussed in more detail in future meetings. 

Council Meeting

• Call to order.
• Invocation: Rev. Fred Smith The Bridge Christian Center
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Roll call.
  • Tony Taylor – Present
  • Coty Galloway-Present
  • Andy Green-Present
  • Sherry Laster –Present
  • Terry Wilson- Present
• Adoption of minutes. –Unanimously Approved with one numerical change
• Adoption of agenda. – Unanimously Approved with noted changes
  • 11a: Consider Action to authorize the payment of $18,754.20 tp Spyglass for audit finding costs savings.
  • 11b: Consider Action to approve the new job description of Code Enforcement Officer, Range 16, per the attached. (2n approval due to Civil Service Board requested changes)
  • 11c: Consider action to approve the following promotion:
    • Christy Dawn Wallave, Library Director, Range 26, effective November 10, 2021 due to the retirement of Barbara Rowell.
  • 11d: Consider Action to accept the following resignation:
    • Joshua K. Green, Police Officer, effective November 8, 2021.
  • Amend: Consent Agenda
    • Board/Committees
      • Appointments
        • Matthew Boone, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Citizen’s Advistory Committe (CAC), to replace Lamar Sims.
• Proclamation – none
• Public comments concerning agenda items. – None
• Public Hearing regarding Designating Property as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to be known as The Havens at Stoney Brook – Sector 3. – no comments
  • LBYD -engineers presented that this location is at the former Stoney Brook Golf Club. This is 70 acres that will be turned into 157 residential lots. These residents will be between 1400 -2800 sqft.
• Consideration of Ordinance that Designates Property as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to be known as The Havens at Stoney Brook – Sector 3. – (First Reading)
•  Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with Acker Electric, Inc., for repairs to the lighting system at Henry Farm Park, per the attached. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider Action to authorize the payment of $18,754.20 tp Spyglass for audit finding costs savings. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider Action to approve the new job description of Code Enforcement Officer, Range 16, per the attached. (2n approval due to Civil Service Board requested changes) – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to approve the following promotion:
  • Christy Dawn Wallave, Library Director, Range 26, effective November 10, 2021 due to the retirement of Barbara Rowell. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider Action to accept the following resignation:
  • Joshua K. Green, Police Officer, effective November 8, 2021. – Unanimously Approved
• Consent Agenda –Unanimously Approved
• Purchases Over $7,500.00.
• Disposition of Surplus Property. 14.
• Boards/Committees.
  • Appointments
    • Matthew Boone, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC), to replace Lamar Sims.
• Public comments for general items.
  • Karla Thompson- She lives in Mill Village and saw the sign removed. Prior to the removal people were stopping and taking pictures. She only heard positive comments. Her Mother is 82 worked in the Cotton Mill for 37 cents and hour and loved the sign. The sign was removed without all residents being heard and she would love to see it back in the morning. 
  • Diane Rollins lives on A street and received a phone call from Mr. Barlow’s relatives. They were devastated that the sign was removed. The neighborhood wasn’t consulted. This should be addressed as a community. This was folklore. She would love for it to be back.
  • Gail DaParma spoke about the the Southern living approved sign that was to be placed along side the removed sign. She also questioned the Mayor’s statement that he spoke to the previous home owners. She stated that Janis Hodge was the previous owner then and now she is the owner and neither had an issue with the sign and neither was consulted. She then changed the topic to question where the retail strategies report was. She stated she had contacted the city manager and was told a meeting would be held, but that was months ago and nothing has happened. Councilman Taylor explains that during public comments there could no be a back and forth, but that she should reach out to “Ms. Burt” tomorrow for requested information. 
  • Linda Callahan spoke as the organizer for the Haunted Trail Walk event and Alabama Haunted. She stated she had never heard this folklore and was delighted by the sign. She thinks Rick Bragg is a jewel and thinks the sign should be placed back.
  • Leah George spoke. She is a Piedmont resident, but grew up on Holly Street. She felt that the sign removal was 1. censorship and 2. She is a pagan and that attitude displayed is disrespectful of beliefs other than Christianity. She also thinks that people don’t understand the woman discussed on the sign wasn’t an actual witch. She stated this is folklore and would like to see the sign up.
• Council Member Remarks.
  • Councilman Green wanted to thank our Veterans. He hopes the city always honors them. He also wanted to say congratulations to the Jacksonville football team, band, and cheerleaders and they move into playoffs.  He also noted that he was proud of Jacksonville being ranked 23rd in state for education.  He was excited to note the new housing in Jacksonville. He also wanted to clarify that Downtown Strategies was what had promised a report. He also noted they offered to meet at the condition of their schedule. Retail Strategies does not have a report.
• Councilman Taylor wanted to mention the fire that took place this week in Jacksonville. He wanted to thank EMS, the fire department, and all who took part. 
• Mayor’s report.
  • The Mayor also mentioned the fire and thanked the police and fire department for their hard work at keeping people safe. He also noted the help received from Alexandria Fire Department and Weaver Fire Department.
  • The Mayor discussed the Half marathon that was held this past Saturday. The event hosted about 5o runners. He noted that numbers were down.
  • Veterans Day is coming up and the city offices will be closed.
  • Many events are upcoming such as Christmas Village, Christmas Lighting of the Square, and the Christmas Parade. 
• Any Other Business. – None
• Adjournment. – Unanimously Approved