City Council

December 20, 2021 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 December 20, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Councilman Chris Seibert, President of the City Council. Upon roll call, the following were found to be present: Councilmembers Wayne Harper, Chris Seibert, and Dana Henry. Councilmembers Harold Wales and Frank Travis were absent. Annette Barnes-Threet, City Clerk, was present and recorded the minutes of the meeting. Dana Henry offered the invocation. Mayor Marks led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chairperson stated that a quorum was present and that the meeting was open for transaction of business. Council President Seibert asked for continued prayers for Councilman Wales and Councilman Travis as they recover from surgery. The Chairperson stated that the Minutes of the December 13, 2021 City Council Meeting had been submitted for approval. Councilman Harper moved that the reading of the Minutes be suspended and that the Minutes be approved as recorded. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Henry and was unanimously carried. The Chairperson stated that the Minutes of the December 13, 2021 City Council Work Session Meeting had been submitted for approval. Councilman Harper moved that the reading of the Minutes be suspended and that the Minutes be approved as recorded. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Henry and was unanimously carried. Mayor Marks stated that several Youth Commission students were present for the meeting and named them as follows: Sam Sandy, Brock Seibert, Cooper Cochran, Jayna Long, Faith Young and Drake Richter. The Mayor noted that one of the Youth Commission team leaders, Jerome Malone, has started a podcast, All in with Athens, that is sponsored by the library and that the Youth Commission had recorded a couple of podcasts that should be airing soon. Mayor Marks announced that the City has been awarded a grant to fund the purchase of a P25 communication system and thanked Holly Hollman for applying for the grant. He thanked Chief Hogan and the City of Athens Fire Department for continuing Shop with a Firefighter and the Relay for Life team for raising approximately $500 with Swamp John’s. The Mayor thanked J.R. Tidwell with Athens News Courier for his service and wished him luck on his new job and for notifying him that the City of Athens has the lowest employment rate in the state of Alabama. Shane Black, City Attorney, wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Councilman Harper wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Council President Seibert echoed their comments and asked everyone to remain safe. PUBLIC HEARING RELATING TO A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO REZONE 13.66 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 200 TRADE STREET FROM B-2 (GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT) TO R-2 (MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) AND TO ADOPT THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR AUTUMN FALLS WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ATHENS James Rich, Public Works Director, provided information to the City Council regarding the rezone and stated that the Planning Commission and staff recommended approval. Rosanna Caneer, owner of the proposed rezone, addressed the City Council and asked for their consideration of approval. The public hearing was closed. Councilman Harper introduced the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE +/- 13.66 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 200 TRADE STREET FROM B- 2 (GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT) TO R-2 (MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) AND TO ADOPT THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR AUTUMN FALLS WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ATHENS. STATE OF ALABAMA LIMESTONE COUNTY, CITY OF ATHENS ORDINANCE NUMBER 2021 – 2202 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Athens, Alabama, has made a recommendation to the City Council of the City of Athens, Alabama, that hereinafter described areas should be rezoned from B-2 (General Business District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District) AND ALSO the adoption of the Master Development Plan for Autumn Falls. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, as follows: 1. That all of the hereinafter described area or real estate is hereby zoned R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District) in accordance with and defined by “The Zoning Ordinance of the City of Athens, Alabama,” and that the area which is zoned as aforesaid is situated in Athens, Limestone County, Alabama, and is more particularly described as follows: Lot 19 of Jefferson Street Commercial Subdivision Addition No. 1 as recorded in Plat Book H Page 184 in the office of the Judge of Probate for Limestone County, Alabama, said lot containing 3.15 acres, more or less. AND A tract of land lying in the Northwest Quarter of Section 17, Township 3 South, Range 4 West, Limestone County, Alabama, and being more particularly described as follows, Commence at the Northeast comer of Section 17, Township 3, Range 4 West, thence North 86 degrees 23 minutes 54 seconds West along the north boundary of said Section 17 a distance of 2655.61 feet to the Northeast corner of the Northwest Quarter of said Section 17, thence South 01 degrees 13 minutes 49 seconds West along the east boundary of the Northwest Quarter of said Section 17 a distance of 824.02 feet to a point, said point being the Point of True Beginning of the tract herein described, Thence from the Point of True Beginning continue South 01 degrees 13 minutes 49 seconds West along the east boundary of the Northwest Quarter of said Section 17 a distance of 475.76 feet to a point on the north boundary of the Jefferson Street Commercial Subdivision as recorded in Plat Book "F", Page 39, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Limestone County, Alabama, Thence North 86 degrees 23 minutes 54 seconds West along the North boundary of said Jefferson Street Commercial Subdivision and an extension thereof a distance of 986.16 feet a point, Thence South 01 degrees 14 minutes 36 seconds West a distance of 460.23 feet to a point, Thence North 86 degrees 23 minutes 54 seconds West a distance of 10.00 feet to a point, Thence North 01 degrees 14 minutes 36 seconds East a distance of 460.23 feet to a point, Thence continue North 01 degrees 14 minutes 36 seconds East a distance of 434.77 feet to a point, Thence South 88 degrees 45 minutes 24 seconds East a distance of 995.20 feet to the Point of True Beginning and containing 10.51 acres, more or less. The total acreage of said lands is 13.66 acres, more or less. 2. The Master Development Plan for Autumn Falls is hereby adopted. (A copy of the same is on file in the Public Works Department, and will also be attached to the minutes of this meeting.) ADOPTED and APPROVED this, the 20th day of December, 2021. /s/ Chris Seibert PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA /s/ William R. Marks MAYOR, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA Councilmember Henry moved that unanimous consent be given for immediate consideration of and action on said ordinance, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Harper, and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon declared that the motion for unanimous consent for immediate consideration of and action on the said ordinance had been unanimously carried. Councilmember Harper thereupon moved that the ordinance 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, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon announced that the motion for the adoption of the said ordinance had been unanimously carried. David Malone, 1300 Somerest Drive, Athens, addressed the City Council regarding his concern that the Council doesn’t seemed to care about what is brought before them. Mr. Malone stated that the citizens would like to hear from them and reminded the Council that the entire city should be their concern and not just their district. Council President Seibert stated that he was well aware of his responsibilities and that if he has a comment about an item that someone brings before them, he will speak with them in person. Mayor Marks remarked that he would get a better update regarding Miller School. He also noted that playground equipment was delivered to Jimmy Gill Park. The Mayor stated that he has tried to be consistent about the Jimmy Gill project and will give an update every two weeks. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION RESCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PRYOR PARK WHEREAS, due to unavoidable circumstances, only three members of the Athens City Council will be present at its regular meeting on December 20, 2021; and WHEREAS, in view of that fact, the City Council desires to reschedule the December 20 public hearing concerning Pryor Park until a later meeting. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA on December 20, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., that the public hearing scheduled for the December 20, 2021 council meeting concerning the rezoning of property located at Pryor Street, and the Master Development Plan for Pryor Park, be re-scheduled and re- adervtised for the January 24th, 2022 council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Harper and was unanimously carried. Councilman Harper introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, AL to approve the purchase of a Computer Aided Dispatch Interface from Central Square at a cost not to exceed $9200.00, to be funded from the existing Fire Department capital account. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Henry and was unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION NUMBER 2021 - 1782 A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE CONVEYANCE OF SMALL PORTIONS OF CITY PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA TO FACILITATE DOWNTOWN RENOVATION AND REDEVELOPMENT _______________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City of Athens is the owner of certain real property in downtown Athens that contains a public parking lot, and such property is bounded by Hobbs Street to the north and the railroad to the east; WHEREAS, this real property has an irregular southern boundary, due to the varying depth and width of four adjacent commercial business lots that face Market Street; WHEREAS, these four lots have old buildings situated on them that extend to the rear of their property boundaries, leaving little or no room for outside private uses such as dumpsters, grease traps, parking, or similar things, without encroachment upon the City property; WHEREAS, the situation is such that the unavailability of such outside space has presented unusual difficulties for the development and renovation of at least one of these lots, and is reasonably expected to pose similar problems for all of them in the future; WHEREAS, the City Council believes that conveying very small portions of the municipal property to the owners of the four lots in question, in order to both provide additional space for those properties and to “even up” the public parking lot’s southern boundary, will promote and assist the renovation and redevelopment of these properties and the old buildings on them, thereby contributing to the construction, development, and operation of commercial facilities, and promoting the economic development of the City and its downtown; WHEREAS, due to the irregular boundary along the southern edge of the parking lot, the City Council finds that the property in question has minimal value and use for the City; WHEREAS, the promotion of the redevelopment and renovation of the City’s downtown area serves a special public purpose, due to the unique importance of the downtown area to the City’s economy, heritage, history, and culture; WHEREAS, the redevelopment and renovation of historical buildings near the City’s core serves a valuable public purpose, by revitalizing older areas, combatting blight, and preserving historical structures, all resulting in the promotion of the economic and industrial development of the City. Unlike the construction of new structures, the redevelopment and renovation of historical buildings can often be difficult because it typically involves additional costs and challenges to owners; WHEREAS, the Council wishes to convey very small portions of the municipal property to the owners of the four commercial lots; WHEREAS, the property in question is not needed for any municipal purpose of the City;  WHEREAS, the activities to be authorized by this resolution; the public benefits sought to be achieved thereby; and each individual, firm, corporation, and other business entity to whom or for whose benefit the City proposes to lend its credit or grant public funds or thing of value, have been described in reasonable detail and/or identified in a notice published in the Athens News Courier at least seven days prior to this meeting; and WHEREAS, this Resolution is adopted pursuant to § 94.01 of the Constitution of Alabama, and/or other generally applicable law of the State of Alabama. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA on December 20th, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., as follows: 1. The Mayor is authorized and directed to: (a) deliver a quit claim deed to Progressive Realty Group, Inc., the effect of which is to convey at no cost an approximate 30’ x 17’ parcel of property, as is shown in conjunction with Lot No. 4 of the Final Plat of Market Street Subdivision, approved by the City of Athens Planning Commission at its October, 2021 meeting; (b) deliver a quit claim deed to John S. Hubbs, the effect of which is to convey at no cost an approximate 25’ x 22’ parcel of property, as is shown in conjunction with Lot No. 3 of the Final Plat of Market Street Subdivision, approved by the City of Athens Planning Commission at its October, 2021 meeting; (c) deliver a quit claim deed to John Hubbs and Deborah Hubbs, the effect of which is to convey at no cost an approximate 25’ x 30’ parcel of property, as is shown in conjunction with Lot No. 2 of the Final Plat of Market Street Subdivision, approved by the City of Athens Planning Commission at its October, 2021 meeting; and (d) deliver a quit claim deed to Brothers on Market, LLC, the effect of which is to convey at no cost an approximate 20’ x 25’ parcel of property, as is shown in conjunction with Lot No. 1 of the Final Plat of Market Street Subdivision, approved by the City of Athens Planning Commission at its October, 2021 meeting. 2. It is hereby determined that (a) the conveyance of the real property as specified herein will contribute to the construction, development, and operation of commercial facilities, and (b) the giving of things of value for the purposes specified in this resolution are for the purpose of promoting the economic and industrial development of the City. Additionally, the expenditure of such funds will serve valid and sufficient public purposes, in addition to the ones already discussed herein, including (i) promoting, improving and expanding economic and commercial development/activity; (ii) enhancing the overall quality of life for the citizens of the City, notwithstanding any incidental benefit accruing to any private entity or entities; and (iii) promoting the revitalization of older areas, combatting blight, and preserving historical structures, all resulting in the promotion of the economic and industrial development of the City.  3. The Mayor is authorized to retain such easements over and across the properties described herein for the benefit of the City as is shown or referenced in the Final Plat of Market Street Subdivision. The Mayor is further authorized to take actions and execute such other and further documents as may be necessary to effect and carry out the transactions contemplated by this Resolution. ADOPTED this the 20th day of December, 2021. /s/ Chris Seibert PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA /s/ William R. Marks MAYOR, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA The motion was seconded by Councilman Harper. There was no discussion, nor any objection made by any councilmember to the matter being taken up. The motion was approved with all members voting unanimously in support of it. Councilman Harper introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION NUMBER 2021 - 1783 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF ATHENS TO JOIN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AS PARTICIPANTS IN THE ENDO SETTLEMENT WHEREAS, the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities in the United States, the State of Alabama, and the City of Athens, Alabama. WHEREAS, the City of Athens has suffered harm and will continue to suffer harm as a result of the opioid epidemic; WHEREAS, the State of Alabama and some Alabama local governments have filed lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers (“Opioid Litigation”); WHEREAS, the State of Alabama has entered into a Settlement Agreement with Endo Health Solutions Inc. and Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Endo”), which includes the claims for the State of Alabama’s local governments, and the City of Athens finds the terms of the Settlement Agreement acceptable and in the best interest of the community; WHEREAS, the State of Alabama has proposed an Endo Settlement Sign-On Agreement to the local governments and the City of Athens finds the terms of the Sign-On Agreement acceptable and in the best interest of the community;  WHEREAS, the Settlement Agreement and Sign-On Agreement detail the allocation of Settlement Funds, which the City of Athens finds acceptable and in the best interest of the community; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA on December 20TH, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., as follows: 1. The City of Athens finds that participation in the Endo Settlement, Settlement Agreement and Sign-On Agreement is in the best interest of the City of Athens and its citizens because such a plan would ensure an effective structure for the commitment of Settlement Funds to abate and seek to resolve the opioid epidemic. 2. The City of Athens hereby expresses its support for the Endo Settlement and allocation and use of Settlement Funds as generally described in the Settlement Agreement and Sign-On Agreement. 3. The City of Athens’s Mayor (“City Mayor”) is hereby expressly authorized to execute the Endo Settlement Sign-On Agreement and the City Mayor is hereby authorized to execute any formal agreements necessary to implement the Endo Settlement and plan for the allocation and use of Settlement Funds. 4. The City Mayor is hereby expressly authorized to execute any formal agreement and related documents evidencing the City of Athens’s agreement to the settlement of claims [and litigation] specifically related to Endo. 5. The City Mayor is authorized to take such other action as necessary and appropriate to effectuate the City of Athens’s participation in the Endo Settlement. 6. This Resolution is effective upon adoption, the welfare of the City of Athens, Alabama requiring it. ADOPTED this the 20th day of December, 2021. /s/ Chris Seibert PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Henry and was unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, at its meeting on December 20, 2021, that the Council authorizes a budgeted capital amount of $1,298,832.13 to be funded from the 2020 Water Services Bond Series for a contract with Apel Machine and Supply Company, Inc. to construct a sewer lift station on Pepper Road and provide a portable backup pump for this station, and the Mayor, for and on behalf of the City of Athens, is authorized to enter into this contract to complete this work. Councilmember Harper moved that unanimous consent be given for immediate consideration of and action on said resolution, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry, and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, 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 Henry thereupon moved that the resolution be finally adopted, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Harper and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon announced that the motion for the adoption of the said resolution had been unanimously carried. Councilman Harper introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, at its meeting on December 20, 2021, that the Council authorizes Change Order 2, an additive change order in the amount of $29,675.98 for the Swan Creek Sewer Trunk Line Phase 2, line replacement contract with Russo Construction and increasing the contract amount from $1,382,890.98 to $1,412,566.96, and the Mayor, for and on behalf of the City of Athens, is authorized to execute this change order. Councilmember Henry moved that unanimous consent be given for immediate consideration of and action on said resolution, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Harper, and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, 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 Harper 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, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon announced that the motion for the adoption of the said resolution had been unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION NUMBER 2021 - 1784 A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE COMMITMENT OF ARPA FUNDING FOR A P25 COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WHEREAS, the City Council desires to improve emergency communications in the City and surrounding community by the purchase of mobile and portable radios designed for first responders and public safety professionals that provide interoperability on Project 25 networks, allowing connectivity between disparate communications networks and access in hard to reach areas (the “P25 Project”); WHEREAS, the P25 Project’s main benefit is that it would allow all public safety entities in the area – police, fire, sheriff, hospital, EMA, etc. - to all communicate in a reliable way, using the same system; WHEREAS, the P25 Project would support public hospitals, as it enables reliable communication between emergency responders (such as police and fire) and the hospitals regarding imminent treatment situations (such as, for example, direct communication of symptoms from the police/fire to the approaching hospital response team); WHEREAS, the P25 Project would enable first responders from different jurisdictions to talk to one another easily and effectively if they are combining their efforts to respond to a situation where COVID-19 infected persons are present; WHEREAS, as described in the Department of the Treasury’s Interim Final Rule relating to Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the COVID pandemic has exacerbated negative impacts on public health through increased incidents of substance abuse and overdose, and domestic violence, and in order to address emergencies relating to these issues, effective communication between police, fire, and hospital is critical; WHEREAS, implementing COVID-19 mitigation tactics among different public safety agencies requires that those agencies be able to communicate with one another, which is what the P25 Project promotes; WHEREAS, by improving communications between public safety agencies, the P25 Project will improve the provision of care for those impacted by COVID;  WHEREAS, the P25 Project is a direct support for public safety and health personnel, allowing them to do their jobs more effectively, which improves public health benefits in the City’s Qualified Census Tract area, which is a very large portion of the City; WHEREAS, the Department of the Treasury’s Interim Final Rule relating to Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provides that cities can use payments to engage in “planning and analysis … to improve programs addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, including through use of … improvements to data or technology infrastructure,” and the P25 program will enhance our community’s ability to respond effectively to what remains of the COVID-19 pandemic; WHEREAS, expenditures for the P25 Project are qualified expenditures of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that this program has for its objective, a public purpose involving the promotion of public health, safety, morals, security, prosperity, contentment and the general welfare of the community. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA on December 20TH, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., as follows: 1. The City does hereby budget, commit and earmark up to $ 1,800,000.00 over a two (2) year period from the City’s allocation of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in support of the P25 Project. 2. The City expects to authorize the expenditure of the funds, and to approve a contract relating to the same, at a later date. ADOPTED this the 20th day of December, 2021. /s/ Chris Seibert PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA Councilmember Harper moved that unanimous consent be given for immediate consideration of and action on said resolution, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry, and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, 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 Henry thereupon moved that the resolution be finally adopted, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Harper and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon announced that the motion for the adoption of the said resolution had been unanimously carried. Councilman Harper introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ATHENS, ALABAMA to adopt a list of job descriptions establishing a master classification – compensation plan for both classified and exempt employees for the City of Athens/Athens Utilities approved 12/20/2021. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Henry and was unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following ordinance: STATE OF ALABAMA LIMESTONE COUNTY CITY OF ATHENS ORDINANCE NUMBER 2021 - 2203 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, that Ordinance Number 888, establishing a master classification – compensation plan for both classified and exempt employees is hereby amended. This ordinance shall delete the classification list last amended December 13, 2021. The new classification – compensation plan and new pay scale shall be adopted December, 20, 2021 to be effective: First full pay period in February 2022, ending on February 12, 2022. ADOPTED and APPROVED this, the 20th day of December, 2021. /s/ Chris Seibert PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA /s/ William R. Marks MAYOR, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA Councilmember Harper moved that unanimous consent be given for immediate consideration of and action on said ordinance, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry, and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon declared that the motion for unanimous consent for immediate consideration of and action on the said ordinance had been unanimously carried. Councilmember Henry thereupon moved that the ordinance be finally adopted, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Harper and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Henry and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon announced that the motion for the adoption of the said ordinance had been unanimously carried. Mayor Marks thanked the City Council for approving the new master classification – compensation plan and stated that each department head would meet with each employee regarding the plan. The Mayor also noted that he had spoken with Councilman Travis and Councilman Wales today and they wanted the Council to know that they support the pay plan 100%. Council President Seibert stated that he was happy to be able to do this for the employees, especially here at the holidays. Laura Kerner, 22240 Mooresville Road, Athens, addressed the City Council on behalf of the citizens that use the Wellness Center pools. Ms. Kerner stated that the people that use the pools have called Huntsville Hospital, spoken to the news channels and have written petitions. She stated that those people are willing to increase their membership fees, bring their own towels and fundraise. Ms. Kerner said that they would like to have the support of the City and County and to have the Wellness Center taken out from under the ownership of Huntsville Hospital. She praised the citizens of the city of Athens for all that they do. Council President Seibert stated that they have the commitment of the City of Athens to do what they can and to please bring any ideas to the City Council. * * * There being no further business to come before the meeting, Council President Seibert asked if there were any objections to adjourning the meeting. There being none, the meeting was duly and properly adjourned. /s/Chris Seibert PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK