City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 14 , 2025 PUBLIC HEARING 5:25 P.M.: SECTION 94-A REQUEST FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR GREENVILLE EQUIPMENT CENTER, INC., 801 EAST COMMERCE STREET. A Public Hearing was held in the Council Chamber of City Hall on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 5:25 p.m. for the purpose of receiving public opinion regarding Resolution 2025-14 to be considered by the City Council. Mayor Dexter McLendon called the hearing to order. City Clerk – Treasurer Dee Blackmon recorded the following members present: Mayor McLendon, Councilmembers Bryan Reynolds, Ed Sims, Joseph West and Jae’Ques Brown. Councilmember Boris Thigpen was absent. Mayor McLendon invited City Clerk–Treasurer Dee Blackmon to provide an explanation. Clerk Blackmon informed the council that Thomas Phelps, owner of Greenville Equipment Center, Inc., was unable to attend the meeting, but he expressed his gratitude to the mayor and councilmembers for their consideration. Resolution 2025-14 outlines an incentive under Section 94-A for Greenville Equipment Center, Inc. Mr. Phelps currently operates at 611 East Commerce Street but has recently purchased the former Norman Blackmon building located at 801 East Commerce Street. The move will allow him to expand his showroom, mechanic shop, and storage space. One of the ATV brands carried by his business has indicated that continued representation requires renovation and expansion of the facility. According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the city agrees to rebate 4% of the sales tax paid by Greenville Equipment Center, Inc. to the city, up to a total of $200,000. Mayor McLendon then opened the floor for questions or comments. Hearing none, he adjourned the public hearing at 5:27 p.m. The Greenville City Council convened in the Council Chamber of City Hall on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. for a regular council meeting. Mayor Dexter McLendon called the meeting to order. City Clerk – Treasurer Dee Blackmon called the roll and recorded the following members present: Mayor McLendon, Councilmembers Ed Sims, Joseph West, and Jae’Ques Brown. Councilmember Boris Thigpen was absent. Mayor McLendon led those attending in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Councilmember Jae’Ques Brown delivered the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor McLendon advised each councilmember had received for review a copy of the proposed minutes for the Regular Council Meeting held on March 24, 2025. He asked if there were any additions, deletions or amendments to the minutes as presented. Councilmember West moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve the minutes for March 24, 2025, as drafted . Councilmember Brown seconded the motion. Mayor McLendon announced the motion carried with a unanimous vote of the Council. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION 2025-14. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CERTAIN INCENTIVES UNDER SECTION 94.01 A TO GREENVILLE EQUIPMENT CENTER, INC. Mayor McLendon invited City Clerk–Treasurer Dee Blackmon to provide an explanation. Clerk Blackmon informed the council that Thomas Phelps, owner of Greenville Equipment Center, Inc., was unable to attend the meeting, but he expressed his gratitude to the mayor and councilmembers for their consideration. Resolution 2025-14 outlines an incentive under Section 94-A for Greenville Equipment Center, Inc. Mr. Phelps currently operates at 611 East Commerce Street, but has recently purchased the former Norman Blackmon building located at 801 East Commerce Street. The move will allow him to expand his showroom, mechanic shop, and storage space. One of the ATV brands carried by his business has indicated that continued representation requires renovation and expansion of the facility. According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the city agrees to rebate 4% of the sales tax paid by Greenville Equipment Center, Inc. to the city, up to a total of $200,000. Councilmember Reynolds moved to adopt Resolution 2025-14 approving an incentive to Greenville Equipment Center, Inc. under Amendment 772, Section 94-A of the Constitution of Alabama until an aggregate of $200,000.00 is met. Councilmember West seconded the motion. Mayor McLendon announced the motion carried with a unanimous vote of the council RESOLUTION 2025-15. A RESOLUTION APPROVING REAL PROPERTY OWNER APPLICATION FOR THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION GRANT PROGRAM AS SUBMITTED BY GREENVILLE EQUIPMENT CENTER, INC. Mayor McLendon called on Dee Blackmon to explain Resolution 2025-15. She explained that the downtown revitalization grant program was adopted on June 8, 2015, which allows merchant and real property owners to be eligible for a monetary grant from the City of Greenville in an amount of four percent (4%) of sales tax of all construction supplies and materials used in remodeling which were purchased within the city limits. Councilmember Reynolds moved to adopt Resolution 2025-15 approving merchant application and real property owner application for the downtown revitalization grant program as submitted by Thomas Phelps, Greenville Equipment Center, Inc. Councilmember Sims seconded the motion. Mayor McLendon announced the motion carried with a unanimous vote of the council. RESOLUTION 2025-16. A RESOLUTION APPROVING QUARTERLY REPORTS FOR QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 2025. Councilmember Brown moved to adopt Resolution 2025-16 approving the quarterly reports for quarter ended March 31, 2025. Councilmember West seconded the motion. Mayor McLendon announced the motion carried with a unanimous vote of the council. HEATHERTON APARTMENTS Mayor McLendon noted that Councilman Brown requested to address the city council regarding the Heatherton Apartments in Greenville. Mayor McLendon stated that, legally, the city has limited authority over private property. He then acknowledged Mr. Isaiah Scott, Strategic Planner, and Mr. Juan Henderson, Executive Director of Butler County Organized Community Action Partnership (OCAP). Prior to OCAP’s grant application, Mr. Scott met with Mayor McLendon to inform him about arsenic contamination in the soil at Heatherton Apartments and to request his support for a Brownfield Grant application. Mr. Scott confirmed that traces of arsenic had been found and that OCAP announced plans during a public meeting to apply for the grant to remediate the site. He expects grant approval by late April or early May. According to environmental assessments, someone would need to ingest a handful of soil daily for 20 years for the contamination to pose a health risk. The property's playground was removed in 2019 due to these findings. There is no set deadline for residents to vacate. If awarded, the six-week remediation process was initially scheduled to begin in May 2026, allowing residents about a year to find alternative housing. The timing was selected to minimize disruption for children by aligning with summer break. However, recent developments have accelerated the timeline. Residents have been offered the option to terminate leases early without penalty and receive security deposit refunds. OCAP has also considered offering stipends to help with relocation costs, with amounts depending on residents' choices and the available grant funding. Councilman Brown explained that he requested the item be added to the agenda to address residents’ concerns and clear up misinformation. "I was quickly thrown into this like one of the corporate players, and yes—as mentioned—it has become a political chess piece," he said. Mr. Scott reiterated that there is no formal move-out deadline and residents concerned about their health may leave at any time. He noted that notifications were originally planned for May 2026, but the situation now requires a faster approach. Councilman Brown concluded by acknowledging the political undertones of the situation—given a councilmember's mayoral campaign—but emphasized that his focus remains solely on supporting the residents. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES: Mayor McLendon explained the following expenditures. Mayor McLendon asked if anyone had questions or comments. Hearing none, Councilmember West made a motion to approve the following expenditures: MUNICIPAL WORKERS COMPENSATION FUND, INC - $27,245.00 (BUDGETED) FINAL AUDIT BILL FOR FY 2024-2025 BEN E. KEITH - $3,427.55 (BUDGETED) START UP CONCESSION FOR SOFTBALL COMPLEX OTTO ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS - $12,635.00 (BUDGETED) 200 TRASH CARTS FOR SANITATION DENNIS NURSERY & GREENHOUSE - $4,898.50 (BUDGETED) SPRING FLOWERS FOR HORTICULTURE ALABAMA DIXIE BOYS BASEBALL - $3,000.00 (BUDGETED) DIXIE STATE TOURNAMENT HOSTING FEE FOR 13U, 14U,15-17, 15-19 – JUNE 27-29, 2025 JASPER ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS - $6,250.00 (BUDGETED) TRANSMISSIONS FOR TWO (2) FORD 2016 INTERCEPTOR UTILITY VEHICLES FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilmember Sims seconded the motion. Mayor McLendon announced the motion passed with unanimous vote of the Council. BOARD APPOINTMENTS Water Works & Sewer Board - Reappoint Velma Briggs for a Six-Year Term ending September 30, 2030. A motion was made by Councilmember West to re-appoint Velma Briggs to the Water Works and Sewer Board of the City of Greenville. Councilmember Sims seconded the motion. Mayor McLendon announced the motion passed with unanimous vote of the Council. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENT: Mayor McLendon announced the next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025. With no further business or announcements, Mayor McLendon adjourned the meeting at 5:51 p.m. ________________________________ Dexter McLendon, Mayor ATTEST: _______ __________________________ Dee H. Blackmon, City Clerk-Treasurer