Weaver, AL – Weaver held their regularly scheduled works session and City Council Meeting on August 27th. Below are details of the meeting.
Work Session
Key Discussions and Decisions:
The Weaver City Council meeting on August 27th covered various topics. The Mayor, Mayor Pro Tempore, and two council members. Time McRae and Clint Burns, were present, along with Public Works Director Johnathon Ingram, Police Chief Bush, and Fire Chief/Code Enforcement Chief Bunn.
Key points from the session include:
1. Public Works Update: Public Works Director Jonathan Ingram provided updates on various city operations. He mentioned a resident, DeVance Seabury, who expressed reluctance to work out but is being encouraged to engage by receiving a test to ensure regular attendance at an apartment facility. The Splashpad is set to be shut down the following week, either on Friday or Monday, depending on the weather. The decision was influenced by the cooling temperatures expected as summer winds down.
2. Streetlight Issue: A woman residing at 607 Hill Street contacted the council, requesting the removal of a streetlight she had been paying for over 12 years, as it faces her house. She asked that it be relocated to the other side of the street. The council discussed the fairness of this request, comparing it to similar situations, and decided not to grant it, citing the lack of necessity for such a change and the precedent it might set.
3. Demolition List Confusion: The council discussed confusion regarding properties on the city’s demolition list. A property was mistakenly placed back on the list even though it is being rehabilitated. A property which was initially on the list, has been removed as it has already been rehabbed and is currently occupied. The council decided to prioritize properties for demolition based on available funds.
4. PFAS Settlement: The council received a letter fromthe city attorney regarding a new class-action settlement related to PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances). The attories, recommended that the city opt out of the settlement again, as they have done in previous cases. The council agreed to follow this advice and continue to pursue their legal options independently.
5. Transportation Plan: The council discussed the necessity of adopting a transportation plan under the Rebuild Alabama initiative. This involves submitting a letter of intent and a resolution each year outlining the city’s transportation projects and reporting on the expenditure of allocated funds. The recent paving project cost $501,988, with $349,000 already covered and the remaining amount to be paid from Rebuild Alabama funds. The council noted that $15,000 still remains in these funds for future projects.
6. Budget Discussions: The council had an extensive discussion on the city budget, focusing on proposed adjustments to the pay scale. A new pay scale was introduced, which includes varying raises for different positions, ranging from $1 to over $2 per hour. The council debated the impact of these raises on the overall budget, noting that implementing the proposed increases would cost an additional $100,000, or 5.7% of the payroll.
7. Police Department Staffing: Police Chief Bush suggested reallocating the funds for an unfilled ninth officer position to increase current officers’ salaries to remain competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. This would involve distributing the $50,000 budgeted for that position as a $2 per hour raise across the department, effectively eliminating the ninth officer role.
8 General Budget Overview: The budget also included a projected income of $50,000 from a new venue, although this figure is an estimate. The council discussed the challenges of balancing the budget while ensuring fair compensation for city employees.
9. Easement and Land Issues: The council addressed a request for an easement on city-owned land. The property in question is about one acre with a driveway that goes through it. The new owner of the adjacent property needs the easement for financing purposes. The council considered various options, including selling the land or donating it to Habitat for Humanity.
10. Other City-Owned Parcels: The council also mentioned two other small parcels of land owned by the city. One was originally purchased in the 1970s for a well that was never built, and the other is located on Weaver Lane. The council discussed the possibility of selling these parcels, particularly if they are in areas that could benefit the adjacent property owners.
11. Tree Donation: The city received a donation of 25 trees from the Exchange at the Commission Office. These trees will be planted in the city park. A city employee will attend the workshop to collect the trees, which will add variety to the park’s landscape.
12. Budget Corrections: A small correction was made to the budget figures, specifically reducing a line item by $10,000 to account for election expenses not initially included.
13. Ongoing Budget Review: The council reviewed different budget scenarios, including potential increases in revenue and savings transfers to cover any budget shortfalls. They emphasized the importance of careful financial planning to avoid depleting savings and ensuring the city’s long-term financial health.
The session involved detailed discussions on budget adjustments, prioritization of city projects, and the management of city resources.
City Council
- During the Weaver City Council meeting on August 27, 2024, several key topics were discussed:
- Prayer and Pledge: The meeting began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Adoption of Minutes: The minutes from the August 13, 2024 meeting were adopted without changes.
- Department Reports: The Public Works Director, Jonathan, received approval for hiring a new employee. The Police and Fire Chiefs had no reports.
- Radiator Repair: A discussion took place about repairing a radiator, with the hope that it could be fixed without needing a replacement, potentially saving costs.
- Building Payment: Council members discussed the city’s building payment schedule and the possibility of reallocating funds for future projects.
- Comprehensive Plan: A final draft of the city’s comprehensive plan was presented, covering topics such as housing, economy, population, transportation, and strategic planning. The council was asked to review the draft before a public hearing.
- PFAS Settlement: The council opted out of a recent PFAS settlement following legal advice.
- Transportation Plan: The council adopted Resolution 2024-29, relating to a transportation plan under the Rebuild Alabama Act.
- Tree Workshop: The city will receive 25 trees from the county, and arrangements were made for attendance at an upcoming workshop.
- Easement Issue: The council discussed granting an easement while retaining rights over a gravel driveway used by residents.
- Paving Project: The final bill for a city paving project came in at approximately $501,988, covering 27 roads and a school patch job. The council considered this a well-spent investment.
- Backyard Hens: A resident inquired about allowing small, regulated flocks of hens within city limits. The council discussed the challenges and agreed to consider the request further.
The meeting concluded with no additional comments or significant updates.
