City Council

January 5, 2024 STATE OF ALABAMA, LIMESTONE COUNTY, CITY OF ATHENS. The City Council of the City of Athens, Alabama met in a Special Called session at the Athens Municipal Building, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama, on January 5th 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting was called to order by Councilwoman Dana Henry, President of the City Council. Upon roll call, the following were found to be present: Councilmembers Chris Seibert, Harold Wales, Dana Henry, James E. Lucas, and Wayne Harper. Kim Glaze, Executive Secretary, was present and recorded the minutes of the meeting. The Chairperson stated that a quorum was present and that the meeting was open for transaction of business. Council President opened the floor for comments regarding items on the agenda. Scott Marshall, 212 East Street, Athens, addressed the Council regarding his support for Athens Main Street and stated that they deserve more than the appropriation being proposed. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Seibert at the regular meeting on December 18th, 2023: RESOLUTION NUMBER 2024 - 1931 A RESOLUTION CONCERNING 2023-24 MUNICIPAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND PURPOSES _______________________________________________ WHEREAS, by this Resolution, the City Council of the City of Athens appropriates various funds for governmental purposes and governmental entities who serve various public purposes benefitting the citizens of Athens; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that action on each of the items listed below serves a valuable public purpose that has for its objective the promotion of public health, safety, morals, security, prosperity, contentment, and/or the general welfare of the community. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA on January 5, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., as follows: 1. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to appropriate $ 135,000 to the Athens Limestone Public Library, to assist in funding its operating expenses. The Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 2. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to appropriate $ 25,000 to the Houston Memorial Library, to assist in funding its operating expenses. The Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. The Mayor or City Clerk is further authorized to expend up to $ 10,000 in connection with the maintenance of the public library and museum. 3. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to appropriate $ 20,000 to the Healthcare Authority of Athens & Limestone County, to assist in funding its operation of a transportation program available to city residents in need of kidney dialysis treatment. The Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. ADOPTED this the 5th day of January, 2024. /s/ Dana Henry PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA Before the vote was taken, Councilman Wales expressed the reason he did not suspend the rules on the resolutions at the previous meetings was to be able to do more research on the agencies. After doing so, he realized the need for appropriations to those agencies was vital to the community. The motion was seconded by Councilman Lucas and was unanimously carried. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Seibert at the regular meeting on December 18th, 2023: RESOLUTION NUMBER 2024 - 1932 A RESOLUTION CONCERNING 2023-24 MUNICIPAL APPROPRIATIONS/CONTRACTS AND THIRD PARTY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES _______________________________________________ WHEREAS, by this Resolution, the City Council of the City of Athens appropriates various funds, through contracts, to non-governmental entities who serve various public purposes benefitting the citizens of Athens; WHEREAS, the City of Athens is authorized by law to establish, operate, maintain, or contract with others to operate and maintain public cultural facilities consisting of museums, libraries, art galleries, art centers, music halls, and related facilities, all to the end of making cultural facilities available to the public, pursuant to § 11-47-16 and § 11-90-1 of the Code of Alabama, and other authorities; WHEREAS, the City of Athens is authorized by law to provide music, tournaments, shows, educational activities, recreational activities, and other exhibitions for the amusement of the inhabitants of the City; and to plan, establish, and furnish recreational, social and cultural facilities, services and programs, including transportation services and programs (especially for senior citizens), pursuant to § 11-47-19 and § 11-80-5 of the Code of Alabama, and other authorities; WHEREAS, the City of Athens is authorized by law to promote the economic and industrial development of the municipality; to develop, advertise, and promote the resources of the municipality; and to advertise the municipality and any function or undertaking of the municipality, pursuant to § 11-47-9 and § 11-47-11 of the Code of Alabama, and other authorities; WHEREAS, the City of Athens is authorized by law to maintain the health and cleanliness and the City; and improve its public parks, grounds, and boulevards, pursuant to § 11-47-130 and § 11-47-19 of the Code of Alabama, and other authorities;  WHEREAS, the City of Athens is authorized by law to safeguard the public health and promote sanitation within the corporate limits of the municipality; to make appropriations for public health work; and to make appropriations to aid hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other related health care institutions in maintaining and taking care of the sick and wounded, pursuant to § 22-3-11 and § 22-21-2 of the Code of Alabama, and other authorities; WHEREAS, the City of Athens is authorized to adopt measures to provide for the safety, preserve the health, promote the prosperity, and improve the morals, order, comfort and convenience of the inhabitants of the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that action on each of the items listed below serves a valuable public purpose that has for its objective the promotion of public health, safety, morals, security, prosperity, contentment, and/or the general welfare of the community. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA on January 5, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., as follows: 1. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with Limestone Veterinary Clinic, an independent contractor, acting as the coordinator of the “SNYP” program, in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, and, further, that the City will pay up to $ 12,000 in furtherance of the “SNYP” program, a program for the sterilization of the cats and dogs within Limestone County, Alabama. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 2. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama, in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $25,000 as an appropriation in exchange for the planning, establishment, and furnishing of recreational, social and cultural facilities, services and programs made available and open to the youth of the City. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 3. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with the Athens Limestone County Tourism Association, Inc., in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $ 80,000 as an appropriation in exchange for activities promoting the economic and industrial development of the municipality; developing, advertising, and promoting the resources of the municipality; and advertising the municipality and functions or undertakings of the municipality both within and without the corporate limits. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 4. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with the Athens Limestone County Beautification Board, in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $ 6,000 as an appropriation in exchange for maintaining the health and cleanliness of the City; and improving its public parks, grounds, and boulevards. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 5. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with Keep Athens Limestone Beautiful (KALB), in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $27,000 as an appropriation in exchange for maintaining the health and cleanliness of the City; and improving its public parks, grounds, and boulevards. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 6. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with the Athens-Limestone County Family Resource Center, in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $ 20,000 as an appropriation that is intended to assist in funding its operation of educational activities, recreational activities, social services and programs open to all city residents. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 7. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with the Athens-Limestone Learn-To-Read, in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $10,000 as an appropriation that is intended to assist in funding its operation of educational activities programs open to all city residents. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 8. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with the Athens Main Street, in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $ 50,000 as an appropriation in exchange for activities promoting the economic and industrial development of the municipality; developing, advertising, and promoting the resources of the municipality; and advertising the municipality and functions or undertakings of the municipality both within and without the corporate limits. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 9. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with the Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama, Inc. in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $ 19,000 as an appropriation in exchange for public health work. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 10. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with the Athens-Limestone Children’s Advocacy Center in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $ 10,000 as an appropriation in  exchange for social services work. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 11. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with the Alabama Veteran’s Museum, in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $ 20,000 as an appropriation in exchange for activities concerning the operation and maintenance of the Alabama Veteran’s Museum, to the end of making it available and open to the public. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 12. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with The ARC of Alabama, Inc. (Athens/Limestone ARC), in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $ 8,000 as an appropriation in exchange for the planning, establishment, and furnishing of recreational, social and cultural facilities, services and programs for persons in the City with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 13. The Mayor or City Clerk is directed to enter into a contract with The Athens-Limestone Community Association, in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same, whereby the City will pay $25,000 as an appropriation in exchange for the planning, establishment, and furnishing of recreational, educational, social and cultural facilities, services and programs for the Citizens of Athens. Thereafter, the Mayor/City Clerk is authorized to release said funds at his discretion. 14. The Mayor or City Clerk is authorized to expend up to $ 6,000 in connection with operating costs of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.) transportation services program for the elderly of the City. ADOPTED this the 5th day of January, 2024. /s/ Dana Henry PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA * * * There being no further business to come before the meeting, Council President Henry asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilman Seibert made the motion to adjourn and Councilman Wales seconded the motion. The meeting was duly and properly adjourned. /s/ Dana Henry PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK