City Council

March 10, 2025 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 March 10, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Councilman Lucas, President of the City Council. Upon roll call, the following were found to be present: Councilmembers Chris Seibert, Harold Wales, James E. Lucas, Dana Henry and Wayne Harper. Annette Barnes- Threet, City Clerk, was present and recorded the minutes of the meeting. Councilman Seibert 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. The Chairperson stated that the Minutes of the February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting and Work Session 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 Harper and was unanimously carried. Mayor Marks remarked that Isaac Britnell visited with him today regarding an Eagle Scout project about litter and asked anyone interested to adopt a spot and keep it clean. Shane Black, City Attorney, noted that the agenda item regarding the properties for sale will be auctioned on April 1st, 2024 at 9am and that the Attorney General’s opinion should be in soon. Councilman Seibert commented that the Chili Challenge was a great success and thanked everyone for their support. Councilman Wales remarked that a resident on Hereford Drive had called him regarding a water problem and asked the Public Works Department to find a resolution. Councilman Harper stated that he has received numerous complaints from residents on Box Street regarding water problems also and asked the Public Works Department to follow up. Council President Lucas commended the Police Department for their wonderful service for the late Lieutenant Lee Kennemer. PUBLIC HEARING RELATING TO A PROPOSED RESOLUTION DETERMINING THAT A STRUCTURE AT 1987 US HIGHWAY 31 SOUTH IS UNSAFE AND A PUBLIC NUISANCE, AND ORDERING ABATEMENT OF SAME Erik Waddell, Chief Building Inspector, addressed the City Council regarding the proposed resolution and stated that the property owner had cleaned up the site and requested that no action be taken. The public hearing was closed. PUBLIC HEARING RELATING TO THE ZONING APPROVAL FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOL IN THE CITY OF ATHENS BY THE SOUTHERN TABLE, INC, DBA: THE SOUTHERN TABLE AT CANEBRAKE, 23015 FOUNDERS CIRCLE, ATHENS, AL, 35613 No one spoke for or against. The public hearing was closed. Councilman Wales 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 “160-Special Retail-More Than 30 Days”, alcohol license. Business Name: The Southern Table, Inc. DBA: The Southern Table at Canebrake Address: 23015 Founders Circle Athens, AL 35613 The motion was seconded by Councilman Harper and carried with four yeas and one abstention by Councilman Seibert. Council President Lucas opened the floor for public comments regarding agenda items. Amanda Schulte, 1036 W. Washington Street, Athens, addressed the City Council and Mayor Marks and stated that she appreciates the detailed agenda that has been provided. Mrs. Schulte remarked that she has a right to ask for explanations regarding agenda items. Councilman Seibert introduced the following resolutions: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to reappoint Henry White to the Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama, Inc. for a six-year term, expiring on April 1, 2031. RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the low bid from Woody Anderson Ford to purchase a 2025 Ford Expedition at a total cost not to exceed $57,728.00. Funding for this purchase will be from the Police Department’s existing capital expenditure account. RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA to approve a 2025 Heil DPHP Commercial Front Loader 40CY from Ingram Equipment Company to be purchased thru Sourcewell Contract 110223-THC at a cost not to exceed $404,678.00. This purchase is to be funded from the existing Sanitation Department Capital Account, line item #301.500.85002. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wales and was unanimously carried. Council President Pro Tem Harper assumed the Chairman’s role for the following item that was introduced by Councilwoman Henry: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to appoint William R. Marks as the voting delegate for the Annual Business Meeting of the Alabama League of Municipalities on May 15th, 2025 in Huntsville, Alabama and appoint Council President James Lucas as 1st alternate voting delegate. The motion was seconded by Councilman Seibert and carried with four yeas and one abstention by Councilman Lucas. Council President Lucas resumed the role of Chairman for the remainder of the meeting. Councilman Harper introduced the following resolution:  RESOLUTION NUMBER 2025 - 2055 WHEREAS, the City of Athens has received and implemented a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Project which constructed infrastructure improvements in the Vine Street Neighborhood. WHEREAS, now that the project is complete the city must submit a formal amendment request to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) which reflects the increase in local match funds expended by the city to complete this project as proposed in their CDBG grant application. WHEREAS, the City of Athens is submitting a Formal Amendment request to ADECA amending the final project budget to increase the local matching funds expended in support of this project to $1,421,939.13 to complete this project as proposed in the city’s CDBG Application. THAT, William R. Marks, Mayor, is hereby authorized to sign and submit all required documents to this affect to ADECA requesting approval of the formal amendment. READ AND ADOPTED this the 10th day of March 2025. Signed for the City of Athens: /s/William R. Marks William R. Marks Mayor Attest: /s/Annette Barnes Annette Barnes City Clerk The motion was seconded by Councilman Seibert 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 revise the Public Works Department’s organizational chart by moving a position from the Sanitation Department to the Street Department.  Light Equipment Operator The motion was seconded by Councilman Harper and was unanimously carried. Councilman Wales introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION NUMBER 2025 - 2056 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PROPERTIES SEIZED IN CONNECTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY _______________________________________________  WHEREAS, the City of Athens, the Limestone County District Attorney, and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Department are the owners of four (4) parcels of land in Limestone County, Alabama, being more commonly known as PLATO JONES STREET PARCELS, which are more particularly described as follows: Parcel 1: A tract of land located along Plato Jones Street, Athens, Alabama in Township 33 North, Range 4 West, Section 7 identified by Parcel ID: 10-03-07-4-002-004.000, containing approximately 6,600 square feet. The City owns this land in equal shares with the Limestone County District Attorney and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. Parcel 2: A tract of land located along Plato Jones Street, Athens, Alabama in Township 33 North, Range 4 West, Section 7 identified by Parcel ID: 10-03-07-4-002-003.000, containing approximately 7,750 square feet. The City owns this land in equal shares with the Limestone County District Attorney and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. Parcel 3: A tract of land located along Plato Jones Street, Athens, Alabama in Township 33 North, Range 4 West, Section 7 identified by Parcel ID: 10-03-07-1-002-049.000, containing approximately 5,225 square feet. The City owns this land in equal shares with the Limestone County District Attorney. Parcel 4: A tract of land located along Plato Jones Street, Athens, Alabama in Township 33 North, Range 4 West, Section 7 identified by Parcel ID: 10-03-07-1-002-048.000, containing approximately 4,750 square feet. The City owns this land in equal shares with the Limestone County District Attorney. WHEREAS, the City acquired its interests in these properties years ago in connection with forfeitures relating to law enforcement activity; WHEREAS, these properties are not needed for municipal purposes; WHEREAS, it would be in the public interest for these properties to be sold and the proceeds used for law enforcement purposes; and WHEREAS, due to the nature of the ownership of the properties, a sale of these properties would be conducted by the State Lands Division of the State of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, after an appraisal and notice of public auction. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA at its regular meeting on March 10TH, 2025 at 4:30 PM, that the City’s ownership interest in the PLATO JONES STREET PARCELS should be sold; that the City does hereby authorize such sale to be conducted by a public auction coordinated by the State Lands Division of the State of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; that the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute such deeds and other documentation as he may deem reasonably necessary in order to facilitate such sale; and that the proceeds from such sale (less the reasonable expenses related to the sale) shall be provided to the Athens Police Department for general law enforcement purposes. ADOPTED this the 10TH day of March, 2025. /s/ James E. Lucas PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA Councilmember Henry 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, Lucas, 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 seconded the motion to adopt the resolution. Upon the said motion being put to vote, the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Lucas, 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 WHEREAS, Athens Utilities solicited competitive bids for the delivery of 15kV substation breakers; and WHEREAS, Siemens Industry, Inc. was deemed the lowest responsible bidder. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA at its regular meeting on March 10th, 2025 at 4:30 P.M., as follows: 1. The Electric Services Director is authorized to accept the low bid of $611,376.00 from Siemens Industry, Inc. for the 15kV substation breakers for multiple Athens Utilities electric substations. 2. The costs/expenses related to this Resolution shall be paid from the following fund of the City of Athens: 2015 Warrant Fund and/or 2022 Warrant Fund. Councilmember Henry 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, Lucas, 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 Seibert seconded the motion to adopt the resolution. Upon the said motion being put to vote, the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Lucas, 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 WHEREAS, Athens Utilities solicited competitive bids for the delivery of 46kV substation breakers; and WHEREAS, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. (MEPPI) was deemed the lowest responsible bidder. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA at its regular meeting on March 10th, 2025 at 4:30 P.M., as follows:  3. The Electric Services Director is authorized to accept the low bid of $415,386 from Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. (MEPPI). for the 46kV substation breakers for multiple Athens Utilities electric substations. 4. The costs/expenses related to this Resolution shall be paid from the following fund of the City of Athens: 2015 Warrant Fund and/or 2022 Warrant Fund Councilmember Harper 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, Lucas, 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 seconded the motion to adopt the resolution. Upon the said motion being put to vote, the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Lucas, 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 WHEREAS, Athens Utilities solicited competitive bids for the delivery of 161kV substation breakers; and WHEREAS, Siemens Energy, Inc. was deemed the lowest responsible bidder. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA at its regular meeting on March 10th, 2025 at 4:30 P.M., as follows: 5. The Electric Services Director is authorized to accept the low bid of $662,700.00 from Siemens Energy, Inc. for the 161kV substation breakers for multiple Athens Utilities electric substations. 6. The costs/expenses related to this Resolution shall be paid from the following fund of the City of Athens: 2015 Warrant Fund and/or 2022 Warrant Fund Councilmember Seibert moved that unanimous consent be given for immediate consideration of and action on said resolution, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Wales, and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Lucas, 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 seconded the motion to adopt the resolution. Upon the said motion being put to vote, the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Lucas, 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 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to accept the proposal of Alliance Roofing & Restoration for the replacement of the roof on the Pecan Park pavilion at a cost of $10,025, to be funded from the unallocated portion of the FY 2024 general fund surplus. Councilmember Harper 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, Lucas, 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 Seibert seconded the motion to adopt the resolution. Upon the said motion being put to vote, the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Lucas, 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 NUMBER 2025 – 2057 WHEREAS, City of Athens acting by and through its City Council proposes to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Grants funds to construct road improvements near the intersection of Mooresville Road and US Highway 72 to serve the new French Mill Crossing Development which will include a Publix and other commercial and retail outlets; THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of Athens, Alabama, as follows: THAT, WILLIAM R. MARKS, MAYOR, is hereby authorized to execute and sbmit an application with appropriate assurances to the State of Alabama, Department of Economic and Community Affairs, requesting Fiscal year 2024 CDBG funds in the amount of $400,000.00 and ARC funds in the amount of $400,000.00 to construct the above referenced road improvements; and THAT, THE CITY OF ATHENS will provide a local cash match of $618,192.00 in support of this project. READ AND ADOPTED this the 10th day of March 2025. Signed for the City of Athens: /s/William R. Marks William R. Marks Mayor Attest: /s/Annette Barnes Annette Barnes City Clerk. The motion was seconded by Councilman Harper and was unanimously carried. Council President Lucas opened the floor for public comments. Amanda Schulte, 1036 W. Washington Street, Athens, addressed the City Council and Mayor Marks regarding the need for a turn lane at Hine Street and West Washington Street. Mrs. Schulte questioned the reference of items being paid from the Warrant Fund and inquired what those funds represented. Mayor Marks explained that it is money obtained from the bond market. Mark Wilson, 18062 N. Jefferson Street, Athens, addressed the City Council regarding dilapidated houses that he has presented at previous meetings and stated that nothing has been done. Jarrod Schulte, 1036 W. Washington Street, Athens, thanked Shane Black, City Attorney, for the update on the Attorney General’s opinion. Mr. Schulte stated that the livestream and Facebook comments are still turned off. He remarked that citizens have a right to ask questions and seek answers. * * * There being no further business to come before the meeting, Council President Lucas asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was made by Councilman Wales and was seconded by Councilman Seibert. The meeting was duly and properly adjourned. /s/ James E. Lucas PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK