Happening Now

May 12, 2021
Lee Evancho

Work Session

The work session began will all council members present except Cathy Mosser Hamby who was feeling under-the-weather. The first point discussed was a report from Mayor Willis that Joey Conger, public works department, had successfully had his knee surgery and is doing well.

Chief Bush had no report; however Tim McRae wanted to know how many officers had been hired recently. Chief Bush stated there have been two recent hires and there are eight total sworn slots. There were also a couple of questions about budgetary item on Unit 620. Chief Bush explained there were two units designated as 620, a 2011 Tahoe that needs replacing and a F-150 that is relatively new.

Chief Bunn reported that the septic system for the fire station was installed and was ready to go. He did mention that it still needed the finish work completed. There was further discussion that the septic system could now accommodate a very large water storage system.

The Mayor noted that on the subject of septic systems, the developers for Buckhorn Lake were having issues getting their septic permits. The hold up is someone from Montgomery has not been able to come out and complete the inspection. K.L. Brown has been made aware of the situation to try to help expedite the issue.

The Mayor also notes that while Joey Conger is out officially he is performing light duties and coming in during the evening to process payroll and handle other paperwork issues.

Jeff Clendenning wanted to clarify, at the request of Greg Pierce, that for debris pick-up, the city policy is that if individuals cut their own limbs, grass… and place it on the road, the city will pick up any organic materials. This does not include boards or other non-organic material. If a home owner hires a company to provide services, such as limb cutting, landscaping… the city will not pick up debris let by the contractor. Chief Bunn clarified this was to prevent companies from working in multiple areas and simply dumping at one location and the city having to pay for the pick up services. Councilman Clendenning also went on to discuss that the City of Oxford has offered to loan their limb truck to Weaver on the weekends along with two Oxford workers. This service can be utilized while Weaver’s vehicle is out for repairs. The City of Weaver would pay the workers at the set overtime rate of Oxford.  A discussion was held amongst council members that they did want to utilize this and also to pay a Weaver City worker to work with them to help navigate the area. Oxford has requested two weeks notice to schedule this. All Weaver City policies will be followed and the debris would be dumped in accordance with Weaver procedures. Mr. Clendenning also wanted to note he would be leaving at the conclusion of the work session to attend his son’s baccalaureate service. He also wanted to note that graduation will be on the 27th of May at 10am and held at JSU.

There were no further reports and the council recessed until the 5:00pm meeting.

Recess

During the recess Greg Pierce spoke about work that was being done at Parker Blvd and Shamrock and debris is not being picked up by the city. He wanted to state that the grass has been cut. He also wanted to know if the timeframes for compliance that had been set for 30 and 60 days would have to be met. Mayor Willis stated that as long as work is being done and there is forward progress that was the goal and the city would be willing to work with the homeowners on an extension. Mr. Pierce also asked about a conversation he overheard prior to the work session beginning about additional funding coming in. Mr. Clendenning clarified that there was no monies received as of yet. They are looking at possible gas tax money that will be available to the city. He would like to be able to utilize that to pave roughly five miles of road in Weaver. This would be for roads that don’t qualify for NPO funding or state funding. Piedmont has received some of these funds and the county and City of Anniston have applied.

Mr. Pierce then asked about the demolition program. He wanted to know of more houses would be added to the list since a few had been removed. Mayor Willis explained that no new addressed could be added to the existing grant. The money allotted, $122,000, was based on the total properties listed. As addresses are removed the funds allocated to that address are adjusted.

The Mayor and Council Members then began their recess. 

City Council Meeting

  • Invocation
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Roll Call
    • Nick Bowles – Present
    • Clint Burns – Present
    • Jeff Clendenning – Absent
    • Cathy Mosser Hamby – Absent
    • Tim McRae – Present
    • Mayor Wayne Willis – Present
  • Agenda – Unanimously Accepted 
  • Minutes – Unanimously Accepted 
  • Department Head Reports
    • Joey Conger – out due to surgery
    • Chief Bush – no reports other than submitted written reports
    • Chief Bunn – no reports other than the septic system discussed in the work session
    • Clint Burns – no report
    • Nick Bowles – no report
    • Tim McRae – no report
    • Chasity Whetstone – no report
  • Old Business – none
  • New Business – none
  • Spirit of Weaver – Splash pad funding was discussed. Mayor Willis addressed that it was approved on the state level and then went to the Forestry Commission. Due to COVID it has been delayed as they paused all grants being issued. The hope is that additional funding can be located or that these funds will be disbursed and the splash pad can be in started this summer.
  • Mayors Report – no report
  • Public Comments – no comments
  • Adjournment – Unanimously Accepted