Weaver, AL – Weaver held its regularly scheduled work session and city council meeting on September 14th, 2022.
Work Session
The Mayor opened the work session by confirming that the final piece of the splash pad has been received and installed. He then went on to confirm that starting September 14th City Hall will begin getting a new roof. This will not effect work or access to any city services.
Chief Bunn thanked everyone for their help on the Grand Opening of the Weaver Fire Station. It was a successful event with good food, good music, and good attendance. He also discussed that the Pancake breakfast did well at Weaver Heritage Day.
Councilman Clint Burns mentioned that he had received calls regarding a house on Parker Street that is on the demo list. Chief Bunn stated he would get an update on the demolition status.
Councilman Tim McRae spoke to Mike Warren who had concerns at Weaver Heritage Day about people driving into the park. The council is going to get some prices for a gate and fencing to close off that area.
Councilman Clendenning wanted to remind everyone that Weaver was playing in the Calhoun County Band Exhibition at JSU the same night as the council meeting.
Councilwoman Hamby wanted to know is a report was available that showed repeat offenders of code violations. While a monthly report is provided on all code enforcement activity there is not a cumulative list that tracks how many times a resident had violations. She wanted to know if the council should revisit a graduated fee system or have a harsher crackdown on repeat violators. The main issues being trash cans left out at the street all week and grass not being maintained.
Terri Summerlin spoke and mentioned several residents were concerned with the right of ways and the grass not being maintained. The main area of concern seemed to be Anniston Street.
Chief Bush submitted a written report on August’s police activity and then presented a proposal on hardware and fiber security. Because of the upgrades to the radio system there will be a $500 a month charge for fiber internet. His proposal was to use COVID funds to pay for the hardware and labor costs ($18,000) and then get fiber for all city buildings to be on one fee vs the four separate accounts for internet the city currently has. The total cost would be $1,200 a month. Because the police are required to upgrade the additional $700 would be minimal because it would replace the current cost of intent that the city is now paying. It would also make the city internet more secure. This would also allow the Calhoun County 911 board to assist with security. Brad Campbell from Calhoun County 911 was present and assured the council of his role and what the benefits would be. He also stressed he wanted to help not just from the 911 perspective, but also as a resident of Weaver. These upgrades and hardware purchases would also allow the city to provide wifi in park if they choose to expand in that direction and also to have traffic cams set up. These options would require minor boosters if the city decided to go in that direction.
City Council Meeting
- Call to Order
- Invocation
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Roll Call
- Councilmember Clint Burns – Present
- Councilmember Tim McRae – Present
- Councilmember Cathy Hamby – Present
- Councilmember Nick Bowles – Absent
- Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Clendenning – Present
- Mayor Wayne Willis – Present
- Adoption of Agenda – Unanimously Approved
- Adoption of Minutes – Unanimously Approved
- Department Reports
- Public Works – None
- Police Department
- Chief Bush subtitled a written report of police activity and submitted a proposal for Hardware and Labor for internet upgrades.
- Motion was made to authorize $18,117.83 from COVID CARES funds to pay for hardware and labor costs. – Unanimously Approved
- Fire Department
- Chief Bunn repeated from the work session that the grand opening went well as did the pancake breakfast. He thanked everyone for their help.
- The Mayor noted that Chief Bunn went above and beyond his duties to prepare for the grand opening and also thanked Chief Bush for working together and helping as well. He said it spoke highly of the 1st responder attitudes and unified front in Weaver.
- Administrative Department – None
- Council Reports
- Councilman Clint Burns – None
- Councilman Tim McRae
- As discussed in the work session he has requested an estimate on fencing and a gate to secure the park entrance.
- Councilwoman Cathy Hamby – None
- Mayor Pro Tempore Jeff Clendenning
- The bid has gone out for the park restrooms. The septic is included. Also a reminder that Weaver band is playing at JSU tonight.
- Old Business – None
- New Business
- Resolution #2002-09 Approving Alcohol Sales by MD Naser, LLC at Buckhorn. – Approved (one nay vote Jeff Clendenning)
- Mayor’s Report
- The final piece for the splash pad has been installed.
- The new roof will be installed starting September 14th with no interruption of services or hours.
- The Homecoming parade will be on 9/15 starting at 6:30pm at Elwell park go to the school.
- Public Comments
- Jakob Williamson spoke to introduce himself as the new Public Affairs representative for the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce.
- Mike Warren spoke to say that Heritage Day went well and vendors were happy. He also thanked the city for their help. He then presented a $100 check for the fire department and another $100 check designated for the Senior Center from the Lions Club.
- A Weaver resident spoke about water concerns and wanted to know when the water would be safe to drink. Public Works director Joey Conger, Mayor Wayne Willis, and Councilman Jeff Clendenning assured him that the water is safe and the letter sent out did not warn residents not to drink the water. He said water could be filtered, but that was not a requirement. Per the letter that went out in July: *to see more specifics about the water issue there is a separate article.
“What is being done?
The city of Weaver and Jacksonville will be implementing routine monitoring for these compounds and sharing these results with you as soon as they become available. They will also keep the examining available options to address PFAS and the drinking water supply and we’ll keep you informed.
What should I do?
- Review the EPA’s “Meaningful and achievable steps you can take to reduce your risk” at https://www.epa.gov/pfas/meaningful-and-achievable-steps-you-can-take-reduce-your-risk.
- Consider actions that may reduce your exposure, including installing at home or point of use filter, if possible, while steps are being taken to further understand levels of concern and potentially regulate PFA s at the national level.
- No boiling, freezing or letting water stand does NOT reduce PFAS levels.”
- The concern was that the letter was confusing. Council did apologize for any confusion. The letter that was sent out was the suggested wording from ADEM and the EPA. They also assured that regular testing is being done and sent to ADEM and the EPA. If the water status changes all residents will be notified. Right now the only thing that has changed is the testing levels.
- Adjournment – Unanimously Approved
