City Council

July 28, 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 July 28, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Councilman James E. 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 July 14, 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 Wales and was unanimously carried. Mayor Marks gave a shout-out to Athens Main Street and the citizens of Athens for the huge attendance on Friday night for the entertainment on the Square. He also commended the employees that were involved in the clean-up after the event. The Mayor noted that school would be starting back in the next week and asked a special prayer for the students and schools. He remarked that the new Julian Newman Elementary School looks great. Councilman Seibert echoed Mayor Marks’ comments and announced that Meet the Eagle is next Thursday night, August 7th, and that Midnight Madness will be on Friday, August 8th. Councilman Wales commended everyone that was involved with the recent entertainment event on the Square. Councilwoman Henry echoed Mr. Wales’ comments and stated that there are a lot of dedicated people that are involved to protect, promote and make sure that generations from now will have a place like our downtown to enjoy. Council President Lucas opened the floor for public comments regarding agenda items. Kelly Range, 303 Brookwood Drive East, Athens, addressed the City Council and thanked everyone involved for the entertainment event on Friday night. Mr. Range expressed his concern for the need of a light at Cambridge Lane and Highway 72. Mayor Marks stated that the City of Athens and ALDOT have been working together to find a resolution. Wilbert Woodruff, 200 Christine Street, Athens, addressed the City Council regarding a resolution to purchase two vehicles from out of town vendors and asked why the City was not using someone local. Mayor Marks stated that the vendors are on a state bid list and that local vendors have the ability to be on the list. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolutions: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the following travel/education expenses for the Street Department: Brandon Richards CDL Class, Class B License Decatur, Alabama June 2-13, 2025 $ 296.54 Jonathon Weeks CDL Class, Class B License Decatur, Alabama June 2-13, 2025 $ 335.32  RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the payment of budgeted travel/education expenses for specified Water Services employees in the total amount of $5,007.50, Jimmy Junkin WETEC Conference $2,433.47 New Orleans, LA October 6, 2024-October 9, 2024 Xavier DeKarske ESRI User Conference $2,574.03 San Diego, CA July 14, 2025-July 18, 2025 RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to reappoint Jim Ernest to the Zoning Board of Adjustments for a three-year term, expiring on August 22nd, 2028. RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to set a Public Hearing for the regular meeting on September 8, 2025 to consider the request of Ruthann D. Barksdale, Keith Rowe, Tammie Gafford, and Jerald Douthit to conditionally rezone +/- 122.02 acres of property located approximately 610’ south of U.S. Highway 72 and directly west of Cambridge Lane, from EST (Estate Residential and Agricultural) to R-1-3(C) (High Density Single Family Residential District with Conditions) within the corporate limits of the City of Athens. (Parcel #: 44-10-06-24-0-001-018.000) RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, that the listed vehicle be declared as surplus property of the Water Services Division, City of Athens Utilities, and sold at public auction on GovDeals.com. RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the purchase of rescue rope and accessories from North Alabama Fire Equipment, at a cost not to exceed $7,000. This purchase shall be funded from the Fire Department's existing capital expenditure fund. RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA at its regular meeting on July 28th, 2025 at 4:30 P.M., to approve the purchase from McSweeney Auto Group, Clanton, Alabama for one 2026 Chevrolet 1500 Crew Cab Pickup Truck for a total purchase cost of $48,762.22. RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the purchase of ten (10) Surface Pro 11 computers from TSA for police department vehicles at a cost not to exceed $15,900 to be funded from the existing IT Department capital account. RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the purchase of a Dell PowerStore 500T data storage appliance and related equipment, including 3 years of ProSupport Plus mission critical 4 hour 7x24 onsite support. This equipment will be purchased from TSA through a NACPA contract at a cost of $59,686 and shall be funded from the existing IT Department capital account. RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the purchase of a Cisco Catalyst 9300L network switch from C-Spire at a cost of $8,651 to be funded from the existing IT Department capital account. RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to purchase one (1) 2024 F250 Supercab 4X4 pickup with a Utility Body for the Gas Services Department. This purchase will be made from the State of Alabama Bid List from Stivers Ford Lincoln, Montgomery, AL at a price of $58,044. Funding for this purchase will be from the Gas Services Department FY 2025 capital budget. The motion was seconded by Councilman Seibert and was unanimously carried. At approximately 4:45 p.m., Councilman Seibert introduced a motion to enter into executive session. Councilman Seibert’s motion was then seconded by Councilman Harper. Prior to the vote, City Attorney Shane Black provided an oral declaration that the business to be discussed in the executive session satisfied the following exception as prescribed in the Open Meetings Act: to discuss the consideration the governmental body is willing to offer or accept when considering the purchase, sale, exchange, lease, or market value of real property. Councilman Seibert’s motion was unanimously approved. The Council came out of executive session at approximately 4:53 p.m. upon a motion by Councilman Seibert and a second by Councilwoman Henry. Councilman Seibert introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve travel/education expenses for Councilwoman Dan Henry in the following amount: Alabama League of Municipalities $261.10 Quarterly Board of Directors Meeting Montgomery, Alabama The motion was seconded by Councilman Harper and was carried with four yeas and one abstention by Councilwoman Henry. Councilman Wales introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION NUMBER 2025 – 2095 WHEREAS, a regular municipal election has been called to be held on the 26th day of August, 2025, and a runoff election to be held, if necessary, on the 23rd day of September, 2025, and WHEREAS, Section 11-46-27, Code of Alabama, 1975, and regulations adopted pursuant thereto provide, in part, that the municipal governing body, not less than 15 days before the holding of any municipal election, appoint from the municipality, officers to hold the election as follows: where electronic ballot counters are used, at least one chief inspector and three clerks, and WHEREAS, Section 11-46-27(H), Code of Alabama, 1975, provides that election officers at polling places shall be entitled to such compensation as the municipal governing body establishes; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, that the persons named on Attachment “A” are appointed as election officers for the municipal election to be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 and for the runoff election, if necessary, to be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each chief inspector shall be compensated $225 (for working at the specific polling location) plus $25 (for attendance at election school) for a total of $250. Every other election officer shall be compensated $175 (for working at the specific polling location) plus $25 (for attendance at election school) for a total of $200. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a school of instruction for the above-referenced officers shall be conducted on August 19th and August 21st, for the 2025 municipal election and any runoff that may be required, and that the Clerk is directed to give each of the above referenced officers at least forty-eight (48) hours’ notice of the time and place of the election school. ADOPTED this the 28th day of July, 2025. /s/ James E. Lucas 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 ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION 2025 - 2095 District One – Athens Recreation Center Absentee – City Hall Marisol Bet Sayad Terri Lynn Curry (Chief Inspector) William Bet Sayad Terry Dale Curry George Thomas Brister Kena Gibson Valeh Brister (Chief Inspector) Mark Gibson Lynn Ellis Karen Irland Harry McNamee Lori Thompson District Two – Lindsay Lane Baptist Church Steve Bolton (Co-Chief Inspector) Don Dees Janet W Dees (Co-Chief Inspector) Ron Greer Scarlett R Greer Sherry Harrison Stanley W Harrison James Michael Snyder Herbert Furney Wood District Three – Pincham – Lincoln Center Paulette Stewart Carter Sundra Long Cassandra Ricketts Cleophra Scales Pamela White Ranelda Lea Woods (Chief Inspector) District Four – Friendship United Methodist Church Albin Judd Clem (Chief Inspector) Myra S Clem James Feller Patricia Gartman Clifford Anthony Smith Lisa Cuny Smith Bonnie BumgardnerWhite District Five – Athens Activities Center Kaila Brugman Spencer Durm Janet Leigh Hunt Taniesha Smith Jennifer White Isaiah Wojciechowski (Chief Inspector) The motion was seconded by Councilman Seibert and was unanimously carried. Council President Lucas opened the floor for general public comment on matters pertinent to City business. Justin Long, resident of Bonnie Doone Apartments, spoke on behalf of himself and other residents of the apartment complex. Mr. Long expressed concerns regarding the living conditions of the apartments. He cited overgrown weeds, pests, broken stairs, lack of overall maintenance and, most critically, the lack of air conditioning. Mr. Long claimed that there exists a pattern of intentional neglect by the apartment owners and asked the City to send the building and fire departments to conduct an inspection of the property. Tim Colling, 22686 Regent Drive, Athens, read a statement of concern regarding the Mayor’s Office. Wilbert Woodruff, 200 Christine Street, Athens, expressed his concern for the living conditions at the Bonnie Doon Apartments complex, stating that they are inhumane and asked the Council to assist the tenants. * * * There being no further business, the meeting was duly and properly adjourned. /s/ James E. Lucas PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL /s/Annette Barnes-Threet CITY CLERK