City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 9, 2025 The Greenville City Council convened in the Council Chamber of City Hall on Monday, June 9, 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, Jae’Ques Brown, and Boris Thigpen. Councilmember Bryan Reynolds 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 May 19, 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 April 14, 2025, as drafted . Councilmember Sims seconded the motion. Mayor McLendon announced the motion carried with a unanimous vote of the Council. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES: Mayor McLendon explained the following expenditure. Mayor McLendon asked if anyone had questions or comments. Hearing none, Councilmember Brown made a motion to approve the following expenditures: NORTHEAST ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY - $3,200.00 BUDGETED ITEM POLICE ACADEMY FOR SIDNEY LEE Councilmember Thigpen seconded the motion. Mayor McLendon announced the motion passed with unanimous vote of the Council. BOARD APPOINTMENTS OTHER BUSINESS: Harry Crum – POLLING LOCATION CHANGE Mayor McLendon called on Harry Crum. Harry Crum stated he lives at 351 Hickory Street and read the below letter. Upon learning that the Greenville City Council passed a measure consolidating all five voting precincts into one location for the upcoming municipal election, I was appalled. Given the recent measures taken by several states attempting to suppress the voting process and their aim to mimic national trends, I shouldn't be surprised by what is happening in Greenville. This decision wreaks of voter suppression. One report noted that there will only be three voting machines and that fewer poll workers will be needed (I still require clarification on that statement). Since the 2020 presidential election, there has been an influx of legislation granting election officials the authority to significantly reduce the number of polling places during elections, which has, in turn, caused polling places to become overwhelmed. I believe that is by design-a blatant attempt to suppress the votes of a certain segment of the population. There are several questions that come to mind and a few points that I would like to make.  First of all, who suggested this outlandish idea?  Was there any discussion on the disadvantages associated with having everyone voting in this election at one location?  Since Dunbar is the largest precinct, was it suggested to be the singular polling place in this election?  When the ordinance to consolidate the municipal election voting to only LBW was initially proposed, was it presented on the agenda where citizens could clearly understand it? Did you spell out EXACTLY what the ordinance entailed? Due to the significance of this ordinance, did council members relay this information to their constituents prior to the ordinance being voted on? If not, it was deception and neglect.  Was there a discussion on logistics? Long lines? Inconveniencing some of the voters?  Transportation of voters (previously, some voters could walk to their precincts).  In the 2020 municipal election, approximately 2400 people voted. What is the projected turnout for this election? Since the mayor and 3 council members are being challenged, there may be a significantly larger turnout.  In a 12-hour voting window, 2400 people voting (based on the last municipal election} equates to 200 people voting per hour. Can one precinct handle that amount of people voting (and that is in an ideal situation, with no glitches or errors)? How many poll workers have been slated to work the precinct? How many voting machines will be utilized?  Did any council member suggest tabling the matter until they could discuss it with their constituents? We live in a representative democracy (of, by, and for the people), and the members of the council (and the mayor) are servants of the people. You were elected to serve our best interest. You made a major decision without consulting the people that you are supposed to represent and serve. Several people have talked with me and they were extremely upset because of this voting arrangement. If council members participated in truthful dialogue with the constituents in their districts, they would know that having only one precinct (at LBW) for this election is a horrible idea. When the people are neglected in the decision-making process on major issues, and the mayor and the council take it upon themselves to institute rules and policy despite the wishes of the people, it is an oligarchy. I returned to Greenville in 2022, and I have attended several city council meetings since then. The commonality with the meetings is, they usually last less than four minutes, and every item proposed by the mayor has passed unanimously. Not one time has there been a dissenting vote. When the city council just echoes or rubber stamps the wishes of the mayor without question, it becomes a monarchy. I would like these issues and concerns addressed. Can you address these issues and concerns at this time? Mayor McLendon replied with thank you sir. Councilmember Jae’Ques Brown said, “Mayor, if it’s okay, I’d like to add something.” Mayor McLendon responded, “Sure.” Councilmember Brown continued, “I respect the information that was presented here tonight. However—Mayor, I understand—we’re not here to go back and forth in debate.” Mayor McLendon interjected, “We’re not going to engage in back-and-forth discussion.” Councilmember Brown replied, “Understood. Then if it’s okay, I’d like to address everyone here.” He went on to say, “Across all districts in the last election, there were approximately 7,000 registered voters. Out of those, only about 2,400 actually voted in the City’s Municipal election. When I reviewed the numbers for Districts One, Two, and Three, they had the highest voter turnout of all five districts. I was disappointed with District Four, which is one of our largest in terms of registered voters, but had significantly lower turnout. My main point is this: our issue isn’t with the voting precincts—it’s with voter participation. We have to be honest with ourselves. The real challenge is getting people to vote. That’s the biggest problem we face. I say that with full respect for Mayor McLendon’s desire to avoid any prolonged debate.” Mayor McLendon responded, “We’ll make sure your questions are answered. Dee has recorded this meeting and will follow up with a written response, since much of what was discussed relates to her responsibilities. Her role was to present the voting locations to us, and she did. We’re not going to get into a ‘he said, she said’ discussion tonight.” Mayor McLendon replied you’ve made some good points. Dee is the one who brought this proposal to us, and the council unanimously approved it. Everything has already been set in motion. That said, she can certainly explain how the decision was made, and she will follow up to ensure your questions are addressed. Thank you Mayor McLendon asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember West moved to adjourn . Councilmember Sims seconded the motion. Mayor McLendon announced the motion carried with a unanimous vote of the Council. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENT: Mayor McLendon announced the next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 23, 2025. With no further business or announcements, Mayor McLendon adjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m. ________________________________ Dexter McLendon, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ Dee H. Blackmon, City Clerk-Treasurer