City Council

November 9, 2020 STATE OF ALABAMA, LIMESTONE COUNTY, CITY OF ATHENS. The City Council of the City of Athens, Alabama met in regular session at the Athens Municipal Building, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama, on November 9, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Councilman Wayne Harper, President of the Council. Upon roll call, the following were found to be present: Councilmembers Harold Wales, Wayne Harper, Frank Travis, Dana Henry and Chris Seibert. Mayor Marks led the Pledge of Allegiance. Annette Barnes, City Clerk, was present and recorded the minutes of the meeting. Chris Seibert offered the invocation. The Chairperson stated that a quorum was present and that the meeting was open for transaction of business. The Chairperson stated that the Minutes of the October 26, 2020 City Council Meeting had been submitted for approval. Councilman Wales moved that the reading of the Minutes be suspended and that the Minutes be approved as recorded. The motion was seconded by Councilman Seibert and was unanimously carried. The Chairperson stated that the Minutes of the October 30, 2020 Special Called Meeting and the Minutes of the November 2, 2020 Organizational Meeting had been submitted for approval. Councilman Seibert moved that the reading of the Minutes be suspended and that the Minutes be approved as recorded. The motion was seconded by Councilman Travis and was unanimously carried. Mayor Marks presented proclamations for Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day. He also commended the organizers of the Steve Smith Memorial Golf Tournament on their successful event last week, in which they raised over $60,000 for scholarships and in support of a cure for pancreatic cancer. Ralph Diggins, 100 Willow Street, Athens, addressed the Council regarding an experience he had with a city employee, Colby Norman, who recovered an item he had lost while attending a City Council meeting and made sure it was returned to him. He stated that Mr. Norman’s actions are consistent with the actions of all the employees who work for the City of Athens. He commended the City Council for hiring good people and thanked Mr. Norman for his thoughtfulness. Teresa Todd, 19880 Yarbrough Road, Athens, thanked the Council for approving the franchise for the horse and buggy business and reported that the franchise owner has already had an inquiry from a resident of Talladega, who is planning a special visit to Athens to take a carriage ride. She thanked the Council for their support of this business and for supporting tourism. Councilman Seibert introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the following travel expenses: Holly Hollman Grant Workshop October 15, 2020 Hartselle, Alabama $ 27.60 Holly Hollman Meeting with ADECA and ARC at Buc-ee’s Site October 27, 2020 $ 8.91 Lisa Brooks Business License Field Audits Mileage - FY 2020 $ 49.64 The motion was seconded by Councilman Travis and was unanimously approved. Councilman Seibert introduced the following resolution:  RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to reappoint Mamie Lee Gilbert to the Athens Housing Authority for a five year term, expiring on December 1, 2025. The motion was seconded by Councilman Travis and was unanimously carried. Councilman Seibert introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the following travel expenses: Dana Henry Alabama League of Municipalities Training October 25, 2020 – October 29, 2020 Montgomery, Alabama $ 921.02 Frank Travis Alabama League of Municipalities CMO Graduation October 29, 2020 – October 30, 2020 Montgomery, Alabama $ 277.15 The motion was seconded by Councilman Travis and was unanimously carried. Councilman Seibert introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the following applicant for a “Retail Off Premises, Beer and Wine,” alcohol license: Business Name: Tri Star Energy, LLC Dba: Twice Daily 3103 Address: 22048 US Highway 72 Athens, AL 35613 The motion was seconded by Councilman Travis and was unanimously carried. Councilman Seibert introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the purchase of a 2021 Bobcat Track Loader from Bobcat of Huntsville, LLC. The motion was seconded by Councilman Travis and was unanimously carried. Councilman Seibert introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to set a Public Hearing for the regular meeting of December 14, 2020 to review the request of Listerhill Credit Union to rezone +/-1.513 Acres of property at 22223 US Highway 72 located on the northwest corner of US Highway 72 and Bab Daly Road from the R-1-1 Low Density Single Family Residential District & B-2 General Business District to the B-2 General Business District. The motion was seconded by Councilman Travis and was unanimously carried. Councilman Seibert introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to re-set and re-schedule a Public Hearing to review the request of Tanner Park LLC, Narender Reddy Edulakanti, and Suneetha Madisetty for recommendation to the City Council of the City of Athens to rezone +/-1.45 Acres of property located at 11915 US Highway 31, south of Huntsville Brownsferry Road, parcel nos. 44-16-02-04-0-001-003.000 and 44-16-02-04-0-001-008.004), from the R-1-1 Low Density Single Family Residential District and the B-2 General Business District to the B-2 General Business District for the City Council’s regular meeting of November 9, 2020 to the City Council’s regular meeting of December 14, 2020. The motion was seconded by Councilman Travis and was unanimously carried. Councilman Wales introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to appoint Lucas Beaty as Municipal Court Prosecutor through the first organizational meeting in November of 2024. The motion was seconded by Councilman Seibert and was unanimously carried. Councilman Travis introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to appoint Hand Arendall, LLC, as City Attorneys, excluding services as Municipal Court Prosecutor, through the first organizational meeting in November of 2024. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wales and was unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to appoint Floyd Johnson as Police Chief through the first organizational meeting in November of 2024. The motion was seconded by Councilman Travis and was unanimously carried. Councilman Travis introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to appoint Annette Barnes- Threet as City Clerk/Treasurer through the first organizational meeting in November of 2024. The motion was seconded by Councilman Seibert and was unanimously carried. Councilman Wales introduced the following resolution:  RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to appoint Frazer Lanier as Fiscal Agent for the City through the first organizational meeting in November of 2024. The motion was seconded by Councilman Seibert and was unanimously carried. Councilman Wales introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION NUMBER 2020 - 1720 A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ATHENS TO ENTER INTO A SERVICE CONTRACT TO UPGRADE EXISTING PERMIT SOFTWARE FOR THE BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, Tyler Technologies and TSA have provided proposals to upgrade curent software for the Building Inspection Department which will allow for Online permitting and inspection requests with field inspection result interface; WHEREAS, TSA has provided a proposal to upgrade SQL Government Licenses in support of Building Inspection Software upgrades at a cost of $3,100. WHEREAS, Tyler Technologies has provided a proposal to upgrade the Building Inspection Department’s existing permititng software at a cost of $13,620. WHEREAS, the City of Athens Public Works Department recommends that the service contract be entered into for the Building Inspection Department in the amount of $16,720, to be funded by a general fund budget amendment to line item 100.519.82406, Software Licenses/Maintenance. Part of this expenditure will be submitted for reimbursement under the provisions of the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA that: Section 1. The contract for the purchase of the upgrade of Building Inspection and permitting software shall be entered into by the City in the amount of $16,720, to be funded by a general fund budget amendment to line item 100.519.82406, Software Licenses/Maintenance. Section 2. William R. Marks, in his capacity as Mayor, is authorized, on behalf of the City of Athens, to sign the above-referenced contract for Permitting Software upgrades. The Mayor is further authorized to carry out the terms of such contract, and to execute such other and additional documents that may be necessary and/or required in order to facilitate the transaction described herein. Section 3. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. ADOPTED this the 9th day of November, 2020. /s/ Wayne Harper PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA Councilmember Travis moved that unanimous consent be given for immediate consideration of and action on said resolution, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Seibert, and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Travis, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon declared that the motion for unanimous consent for immediate consideration of and action on the said resolution had been unanimously carried. Councilmember Wales thereupon moved that the resolution be finally adopted, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Seibert and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Travis, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon announced that the motion for the adoption of the said resolution had been unanimously carried. Councilman Travis introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to adopt the following revised organizational chart for the Police Department, which includes the following positions: 1. Chief of Police 2. 52 Sworn Officers 3. 11 Regular Status Positions (dispatchers/clerks) 4. 2 PT Officers 5. 2 PT Temporary Clerks 6. 8 School Crossing Guards 7. 1 PT Litter Crew Chief 8. 1 PT parking attendant 9. Up to 20 Volunteer Reserve Officers ADOPTED and APPROVED this, the 9th day of November, 2020. /s/ Wayne Harper PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA The motion was seconded by Councilman Seibert and was unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to adopt the following revised organizational chart for the Cemeteries, Parks, and Recreation Department, which includes the following 33 positions: 1. Director of Cemeteries, Parks, and Recreation 2. Recreation Programs Administrator 3. Administrative Assistant 4. Cemetery Coordinator 5. Facilities Maintenance Supervisor 6. Maintenance Technicians (3 positions) 7. Recreation Services Supervisor 8. Recreation Coordinators (6 positions) 9. Recreation Clerks (2 positions) 10. Cemetery Services Supervisor 11. Cemetery Equipment Operators (4 positions) 12. Assistant Foreman, Park Services 13. Parks Grounds Equipment Operators (7 positions) 14. Mechanic 15. Part-time Recreation Assistant ADOPTED and APPROVED this, the 9th day of November, 2020. /s/ Wayne Harper PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA The motion was seconded by Councilman Seibert and was unanimously carried. Councilman Wales introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION WHEREAS, on January 13, 2020, the City Council approved a FY 2019 budget amendment to appropriate $1,650,000 for capital expenditures, of which $950,000 was allocated to the Public Works Department, leaving an unallocated balance of $700,000; and WHEREAS, on January 27, 2020, the City Council allocated $53,515.80 of the $700,000 balance to the Public Works Department to fund Aerial Photography Services for the GIS Consortium, leaving an unallocated balance of $646,484.20; WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the City Council allocated $320,000 of the $646,484.20 balance to the Information Technology and Cemetery, Parks and Recreation Departments, leaving an unallocated balance of $326,484.20; WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, the City Council allocated $200,000 of the $326,484.20 balance to the Police Department, leaving an unallocated balance of $126,484.20; WHEREAS, on July 20, 2020, the City Council allocated $30,700 of the $126,484.20 balance to the Information Technology Department, leaving an unallocated balance of $95,784.20; WHEREAS, on September 14, 2020, the City Council allocated $30,151 of the $95,784.20 balance to the Fire Department, leaving an unallocated balance of $65,633.20; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to allocate a portion of the remaining FY 2019 capital appropriation as follows: Information Technology Department $ 15,955 Councilmember Travis moved that unanimous consent be given for immediate consideration of and action on said resolution, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Seibert, and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Travis, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon declared that the motion for unanimous consent for immediate consideration of and action on the said resolution had been unanimously carried. Councilmember Wales thereupon moved that the resolution be finally adopted, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Travis, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon announced that the motion for the adoption of the said resolution had been unanimously carried. Councilman Seibert introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the purchase and installation of video cameras and streaming upgrades for the City Hall Council Chambers at a cost NTE $15,955. This purchase will be made from Sutherland Sight & Sound and shall be funded from the unallocated fiscal year 2019 general fund surplus. This expenditure will be submitted for reimbursement under the provisions of the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). If approved for reimbursement under the CARES Act, amounts reimbursed will be redeposited into the City’s Capital Expenditure Fund. The motion was seconded by Councilman Travis and was unanimously carried. * * * There being no further business to come before the meeting, Council President Harper asked if there were any objections to adjourning the meeting. There being none, the meeting was duly and properly adjourned. /s/Wayne Harper PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK