City Council Regular Session

The city council regular session of the city of Florence, Alabama, was held at 109 South Pine Street at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with the following members of the City Council in attendance: Kaytrina Simmons, Jackie Hendrix, Josh Bowling, Thomas Spence, Chapel King. Absent: Alisa Dickson. AMENDED AGENDA CITY OF FLORENCE, ALABAMA 109 SOUTH PINE STREET CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MEETING June 2, 2026 5:00 PM 1. Meeting Called to Order 2. Invocation The Invocation was led by Councilmember Bowling 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Roll Call 5. Approval of Agenda Item 12D was added for the appointment of a City Clerk Item 12E was added for the appointment of a City Treasurer Councilmember Hendrix moved Councilmember Bowling seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion resulted as follows: Motion Passed. Ayes: Kaytrina Simmons Jackie Hendrix Josh Bowling Thomas Spence Chapel King Noes: None 6. Message from the Mayor th Mayor Tyler presented a proclamation that proclaims June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Terra Smith accepted the proclamation. She supervises the adult services unit at Lauderdale County Department of Human Resources. She invited the community to an event th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. hosted by DHR at Veterans Park on June 15 1  Mayor Tyler also referred to a Times Daily article that was published on June 2, 2026, regarding the economic impact of tourism. Local tourism dollars have increased by 9.5% to $368 million dollars in Lauderdale County. Mayor Tyler nominated Sarita Thompson for the vacancy on the Florence Housing Authority Board. Mayor also submitted a proposal to the council regarding an in-house paving program. He requested an informal go ahead from the council at a later date for this. This program requires no more money and will accomplish more per year. Mayor Tyler also discussed the resolution that is on the agenda regarding the new city hall. This just states the intent of the city to review plans and move forward on a new city hall in the future. 7. Reports of Department Heads 8. Reports of Standing Committees The Utilities Committee met on May 20, 2026, at 4:04 p.m. Councilmember King read the minutes from this meeting. A copy of the committee's minutes will be available in the City Clerk's secretary's office. 9. Public Hearings (a) Public Hearing for the Rezoning of 1.81 +/- acres at the Southeast corner of Mall Road and Hough Road The Planning Commission came to a unanimous recommendation for this rezoning. There were no public comments for this Public Hearing. The hearing was closed. 10. Business from the floor pertaining to items on the consent and regular agenda (5-minute time limit). Allen Moore:1648 Hermitage Drive- Mr. Moore spoke about the item 12C regarding the intent to move forward with the new City Hall. Mr. Moore wants the issue about City Hall to wait. He stated that the hope is to build for $40 million dollars, but all the details have not been sorted. He asked that the City explore its options with property owned currently. He asked that we investigate other ways to bear the weight of the cost. He stated he was not opposed to a new City Hall, but felt the information was not present to make an informed decision tonight. 2 11. Consent Agenda Councilmember King moved Councilmember Bowling seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion resulted as follows: Motion Passed. Ayes: Kaytrina Simmons Jackie Hendrix Josh Bowling Thomas Spence Chapel King Noes: None (a) Approval of minutes from May 19, 2026 (b) Confirm payment of bills by the City Treasurer. (c) Contract - Robert W. Whitten, Architect Professional Architectural Services on FED Campus $150/hr. Rate from Budgeted Funds, Account #923.00 (d) Invoice - Sunbelt Rentals Emergency rental of temporary chiller for 4/7 - 5/4 $8,578.60 Expensed to Account #266-41810 (e) Invoice - Sunbelt Rentals Emergency Rental of Transformer to Power Temporary Chiller for 4/7 - 5/4 $2,408.10 Expensed to Account# 266-41810 (f) Invoice - Crouch and Sons Repair to water leaks in City Hall for the Basement, 2nd Floor, and 1st Floor. Installed new recirculating pump in Mechanical Room. $2,457.56 from Budgeted Funds, Account# 266-41810 (g) Invoice - Southeastern Testing Laboratory, Inc. Insulation testing on aerial devices on asset #1903 and #11192 at Street Department $300.00 Expensed to Account #110-261-43120 (h) Contract with Commercial Industrial Renovators, Inc. to clean and repaint the jet and rocket at Veterans Memorial Park for $6,200 from budgeted funds 188-399-48000 (i) Agreement with the Shoals Chamber for annual City sponsorship of the Keep the Shoals Beautiful Program $2500 from Council and Mayor budgeted funds, Accounts #482-41111 and #482-41112. (j) Resolution - Grant Application - NW Alabama RC&D - City of Florence Arts & Museum Pope's Tavern Sun Sail Project - Amount Requested $14,761 - No match grant (k) Contract with Kennedy-Douglass Volunteers, Inc. to sponsor Arts Alive to be paid from Budgeted Funds, Account #482-41111 and #482-41112 (l) Grant - FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application New Fire Apparatus - Pumper Truck $1,000,000.00 grant package with a 10% match by the City of Florence ($100,000.00 matching funds). FY28 deadline to exhaust funding. (m) Contract - Mid-American RoofingRoof replacement at Deibert Park Gazebo $6223.23 expensed to fund #266-44725 3  (n) Invoice - Langston Service Group Emergency replacement of existing HVAC Rheem 5-ton gas pack unit at Deibert Park Central Office $10,300.00 expensed to fund 266-44410 (o) Invoice- Keeton Electric Company Repair to electrical motor drive on conveyor $565.00 from Budgeted Funds, Account #151-260-43125 (p) Resolution to approve the application to The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for the State Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program for the PY2026 (q) Resolution to appoint Mary Margaret Epp to the Beautification Board. (r) Resolution to approve travel vouchers (s) Contract with Mike's Cleaning Service to provide janitorial services at Municipal Court 12. Regular Agenda (a) Ordinance to Approve the Rezoning of 1.81 +/- acres at the Southeast corner of Mall Road and Hough Road. Discussion: Councilmember Hendrix just wanted to say congratulations if this passes because this was worked on for a long time. Councilmember Spence moved Councilmember Spence moved for Immediate Consideration Councilmember Bowling seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion resulted as follows: Motion Passed. Ayes: Kaytrina Simmons Jackie Hendrix Josh Bowling Thomas Spence Chapel King Noes: None Councilmember Bowling moved Councilmember Bowling moved for the adoption Councilmember Hendrix seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion resulted as follows: Motion Passed. Ayes: Kaytrina Simmons Jackie Hendrix Josh Bowling Thomas Spence Chapel King Noes: None 4 (b) FYE 2027 Gas and Water Budgets Approval of the Gas and Water Budgets to begin July 1, 2026. Discussion: Council President Simmons assured the public that some of these budgeted items would still have to come before the Council for approval. Councilmember Hendrix moved Councilmember Hendrix moved for Immediate Consideration Councilmember King seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion resulted as follows: Motion Passed. Ayes: Kaytrina Simmons Jackie Hendrix Josh Bowling Thomas Spence Chapel King Noes: None Councilmember Bowling moved Councilmember Bowling moved for adoption Councilmember Spence seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion resulted as follows: Motion Passed. Ayes: Kaytrina Simmons Jackie Hendrix Josh Bowling Thomas Spence Chapel King Noes: None 5  (c) Resolution expressing the City's intent to move forward with the new City Hall project pursuant to certain perameters set forth in the resolution Discussion: Councilmember King stated that we are in a place that we have to proceed. We have explored a lot of options and are trying to do what's best for the City of Florence. Councilmember Hendrix moved for Immediate Consideration Councilmember Bowling seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion resulted as follows: Motion Passed. Ayes: Kaytrina Simmons Jackie Hendrix Josh Bowling Thomas Spence Chapel King Noes: None Councilmember Bowling moved Councilmember Bowling moved for adoption Councilmember King seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion resulted as follows: Motion Passed. Ayes: Kaytrina Simmons Jackie Hendrix Josh Bowling Thomas Spence Chapel King Noes: None (d) Resolution to elect City Clerk This item was added in the work session on 6/2/26 Councilmember Hendrix moved Councilmember Hendrix nominated Ricky Williams Councilmember Bowling seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion resulted as follows: Motion Passed. Ayes: Kaytrina Simmons Jackie Hendrix Josh Bowling Thomas Spence Chapel King Noes: None 6 (e) Resolution to elect City Treasurer This item was added in the work session on 6/2/26 Councilmember Hendrix moved Councilmember Hendrix nominated Lora Morgan Councilmember Bowling seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion resulted as follows: Motion Passed. Ayes: Kaytrina Simmons Jackie Hendrix Josh Bowling Thomas Spence Chapel King Noes: None 13. General Business (a) Upcoming Board Vacancies and Reappointments Building & Property Maintenance Board of Appeals (2 Alternates Vacancies) Tree Commission (2 Vacancies) Board of Zoning Adjustments (2 Reappointments-members; 2 Reappointments-supernumerary members) 14. Business from the Public (5-Minute Time Limit) Katie Palmer: 1630 Decatur Avenue-It was decided not to maintain or renovate the current City Hall because proved costly compared to building a new facility. It is said that the current City Hall suffers from severe structural and environmental issues. These issues should have been addressed years ago when they were discovered. The façade of City Hall is a disgrace to the city, its residents, and visitors. She gave multiple suggestions to repair some of these issues. Sierra Pearson: Tuscumbia- He stated he worked across the street from Florence Police Department and that he was having problems with the Police Department harassing him. He stated that he received a ticket from an officer. He spoke regarding the traffic stop where he received the ticket. He stated that he was spoken to like he was stupid. Mr. Pearson wants something done about this by the Mayor and Council. 15. Council Members Reports and/or Comments (5-Minute Time Limit) Councilmember Hendrix: Congratulations Bob. Also, congratulations to Ricky Williams and Lora Morgan. Thank you Mayor for bringing those two resolutions. The paving program is needed. Also, regarding the new City Hall, it is time. I’d like to remind everyone about First Friday this week. I posted some pictures today that shows the growth in District 2. Councilmember Bowling: Thanks everyone for being here. I want to address the City Hall issue. We’ve looked at so many properties and options. We did not take this decision lightly. This is the best foot forward. I want to address the ordinance regarding yard signs. Please make sure you follow the ordinance. Those signs cannot be in the public right of way. I want to remind everyone that First Friday is this Friday. Also, the Lineman Rodeo is happening this weekend at McFarland Park. 7  Councilmember Spence: Thanks to everyone for attending tonight. Congratulations to Ricky Williams on being appointed as the new City Clerk. Congratulations to Lora Morgan on being appointed as the new City Treasurer. I want to thank our employees for what they do. June th th 4 -June 6 is the Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo at McFarland Park. Special thank you to Mary, Lou, and the rest of the Electricity Department staff for their work on this event. Flag th Day is June 14 . Have a good week. Councilmember King: Thanks everyone for being here tonight. Please reach out to me if you have questions about City Hall. There has been a lot of discussion about this. Remember the th Elder Abuse event on June 15 at Veterans Park. The Lineman Rodeo is this weekend. I’m really excited about the paving project. I think that’s something the city needs. The animal shelter has a summer program with the animals, please go participate. Thank you for being here and my number is 256-956-9621. Reach out at any time. Council President Simmons: Thanks everyone for being here and sharing your thoughts. I am gathering a list of all the blighted properties in District 1. If you see any, please give me a call. Also, thank you to Electricity, Street, our First Responders, and everyone who assisted in the recent storms. Florence Police put out a reminder for curfew. It is 10:00 p.m. This has been in place since 1991 and can be found in section code 16-3 in the ordinance. This ensures safety for our children. Congratulations to Councilmember Dickson on your new granddaughter. With all our recent rain, please make sure you cut your grass. Congratulations to our new City Clerk and City Treasurer. 16. Motion to Adjourn Mayor Tyler led the closing prayer. 8