City Council

74 MINUTES OF PRE -COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF HUEYTOWN, ALABAMA TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024 The City Council of the City of Hueytown, Alabama, met at 5: 30P. M. in the Council Chamber meeting room at the City of Hueytown, City Hall, on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. President Wright called the meeting to order with Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks present. Mayor Stephen Ware and City Attorney, Charlie Waldrep, of Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick, LLP were also present. There were five individuals in the audience. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss general municipal business and review the City Council Meeting Agenda. MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF HUEYTOWN, ALABAMA TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hueytown, Alabama, was held in the Council Chamber meeting room at the Hueytown City Hall on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Council President Wright at 6: 02P.M. with approximately twenty- one individuals present in the audience. 2. INVOCATION: The invocation was given by Council Member Pickens. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Council Member Pickens. 4. ROLL CALL Upon Roll Call, Council Members Wright, Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks being present. Mayor Stephen Ware and City Attorney Charlie Waldrep of Waldrep Stewart and Kendrick, LLP were Present. 5. MEDIA RECOGNITION: Kailah Hegler from the Western Star and CBS 42 News were identified at the meeting. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Council Member Pickens made a motion followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Hurliman to approve the January 23, 2024 Pre -Council and Council Meeting minutes as previously received and thereby dispensing with reading of the minutes. Upon roll call vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. There were no nay votes. President Wright declared the minutes approved. 7. ADOPT AGENDA FOR THE MEETING: Council Member Zinnerman made a motion to adopt the meeting agenda as published with the addition of Resolution Number 6758 as item 14A and the February 13, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 Of 6  75 removal of item number 14C, Resolution Number 6752, followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Pickens. Upon roll call vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. There were no nay votes. President Wright declared the meeting agenda adopted. 8. MAYORS REPORT The Mayor welcomed everyone present and invites others to attend for any concerns they may have with the City. The Mayor spoke about the two shootings that occurred since the last Council Meeting and commends the Police Department for the work done and how they situation was handled. The Mayor states that he has spoken with Dr. Gonsoulin, Jr., the Superintendent of the Jefferson County Board of Education about the security measures taken for security of the children. The Mayor also spoke with Lynneice Washington, the Jefferson County District Attorney, to look for ways to help mitigate such issues. The Mayor asked Police Chief Yarbrough to speak about statistics of crime in the City. Chief Yarbrough states last year there were 522 incidents of felonies, of those 50% were property crimes and of that violent crimes came in at 18% ( 75- 77) and of those 32 were domestic violence which occurred inside the home. Chief Yarbrough states the stats the Department does not have are the crimes that were prevented due to the department' s presence. The Chief states the department has implemented a dedicated patrol 24/ 7 that does nothing but patrol, no reports. The dedicated patrol would be adjusted to where the department thinks there are problems. The Chief reflects that in 2014 there were over 800 incidents of felonies. The Mayor states that if we look at the neighboring Cities of Hueytown; the City is a safe City. The Mayor states that if those who do not want to play by the rules to understand that Hueytown is a welcoming City but will not tolerate that kind of behavior in the City and do not welcome criminals and wants that to be understood. The Mayor states a few years ago the City applied for a grant for sidewalks and now construction for the project has now begun. This project will connect the neighborhoods with the Middle and Elementary schools. In closing the Mayor read a proclamation. PROCLAMATION NATIONAL PARENT LEADERSHIP MONTH WHEREAS, meaningful Parent Leadership occurs when parents gain the knowledge and skills necessary to function in meaningful roles and present a " parent voice" to help shape the direction of their families, programs and communities; and WHEREAS, Parent Leadership is an essential and effective means of strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect; and WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/ Children' s Trust Fund of Alabama recognizes the vital importance of parenting with parents and assists public systems and private organizations, policymakers and other key stakeholders to effectively implement Parent Leadership strategies; and WHEREAS, Parent Leadership is a necessary component in any effective family strengthening and family support program; and WHEREAS, Parent Leadership is successfully achieved when parents receive support and training and share responsibility, expertise and leadership in the planning, implementation, oversight and evaluation of policies, practices and programs that affect families and communities; and February 13, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 Of 6 76 WHEREAS, more parents each year are developing vital partnerships with service providers, policymakers and key stakeholders to shape policy and practice and build stronger, safer communities for children; and WHEREAS, the power of parents speaking publicly about their experiences has made and continues to make an impact on the lives of families everywhere; and WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/ Children' s Trust Fund of Alabama established the state' s first Parent Advisory Council to help strengthen and enhance parent leadership in programs and _ policies that promote the prevention of child abuse and neglect; and WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/ Children' s Trust Fund of Alabama continues to promote parent leadership in it's program and policies that benefit families throughout the state, along with supporting public awareness, education, and training within such programs; and WHEREAS, National Parent Leadership Month recognizes, honors and celebrates parents for the vital leadership roles in their homes, communities and in local, state, national and international arenas. NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved, that I, Stephen Ware, Mayor, of the City of Hueytown, Alabama, hereby declare February 2024 as National Parent Leadership Month. 9. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS a) Finance Committee: Council Member Zinnerman, no report. b) Planning and Development Committee: Council Member Pickens, no report but states there is a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting next week. c) Public Safety Committee: Council Member Hurliman, commends Chief Yarbrough and the Police Department for the professionalism demonstrated with the recent events which occurred in the City. Council Member Hurliman also reports the ticket volume has increased which reflects the Police Department's presence in the City. Council Member Hurliman reports the Emergency calls for the Fire Department have dropped drastically. d) Public Works and Parks Committee: Council Member Jacks, thanks the Mayor for sharing the update on the Sidewalk project and how the sidewalks connect the community with the Schools and the new City Center Park. Council Member Jacks state the Park and Recreation Board are looking into the City's Pocket Parks. 10. OFFICERS REPORT a) Police Department: Chief Yarbrough - no report, was supplied during the Mayors comments. b) Fire Department: Chief Sullivan - no report. c) Public Works/ Street and Parks Department: Acting Director Gant - no report. d) Building and Zoning Department: Inspector Humphries - no report. 11. GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN HUEYTOWN a) Hueytown Chamber of Commerce, Debbie Kiker Reports: i. The Hueytown Chamber Chat Podcast is up and running. ii. A shout out to the Junior Ambassador Program which has grown leaps and bounds and will be visiting a City Council meeting soon. February 13, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 Of 6  77 iii. The Hueytown Chamber Of Commerce Scholarship program continues to accept applications and this year implemented a requirement is to participate in the Junior Ambassador program. iv. Upcoming events are the Women In Business Luncheon scheduled for March 8, 2024, Easter Egg Drop scheduled for March 30, 2024 and the Hometown Hero Banner Sale. v. Shop Local. vi. Information can be obtained from the Hueytown Area Chamber of Commerce website, https: / / hueytownchamber. com and Facebook page. 12. CORRESPONDENCE a) There as no correspondence to report. 13. BILLS FOR APPROVAL Council Member Zinnerman presented a list of bills totaling $ 706, 121. 42 and made a motion to approve the list of bills which were presented for payment followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Hurliman. Upon a roll call vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. There were no nay votes. The motion carried unanimously. February 13, 2024 Account Register Total SERVIS 1ST BANK OPERATING ACCOUNT $ 510, 278. 47 SERVIS 1ST BANK SEVEN CENT GAS TAX FUND $ 691. 01 PNC BANK CASH BOND AND RESTITUTION FUND $ 0. 00 SERVIS 1ST BANK EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS FUND $ 17, 700. 00 SERVIS 1 ST BANK GARBAGE FUND $ 138, 944. 94 1st FINANCIAL BANK CASH BOND RESTITUTION FUND $ 800. 00 1 st FINANCIAL BANK MUNICIPAL COURT FUND $ 37, 707. 00 Register Accounts Total L $ 706, 121. 42 14. RESOLUTIONS: a) Resolution 6750 Resolution 6750 was presented to the City Council to order the abatement of a declared Public Nuisance of an unsafe structure located at 98 Wheeler Drive, Hueytown. A motion by Council Member Hurliman was made to adopt Resolution Number 6750 followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Jacks. Upon a roll call vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. The motion carried unanimously. b) Resolution 6751 Resolution 6751 was presented to the City Council to order the abatement of a declared Public Nuisance of Weeds, Trash and/ or Inoperable Vehicle located at 1928 29th Avenue North, Hueytown. A motion by Council Member Zinnerman was made to adopt Resolution Number 6751 followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Pickens. Upon a roll call vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. The motion carried unanimously. c) Resolution 6752 Resolution 6752 was presented to the City Council to order the abatement of a declared Public Nuisance of Weeds, Trash and/ or Inoperable Vehicle located at 117 Holly Street, Hueytown. February 13, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 Of 6 Resolution Number 6752 was omitted from the meeting agenda with no action taken. d) Resolution 6753 Resolution 6753 was presented to the City Council to order the abatement of a declared Public Nuisance of Weeds, Trash and/ or Inoperable Vehicle located at 109 Gwin Avenue, Hueytown. A motion by Council Member Pickens was made to adopt Resolution Number 6753 followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Zinnerman. Upon a roll call vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. The motion carried unanimously. e) Resolution 6754 Resolution 6754 was presented to the City Council to order the abatement of a declared Public Nuisance of Weeds, Trash and/ or Inoperable Vehicle located at 111 Holly Street, Hueytown. A motion by Council Member Zinnerman was made to adopt Resolution Number 6754 followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Pickens. Upon a roll call vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. The motion carried unanimously. f) Resolution 6755 Resolution 6755 was presented to the City Council to order the abatement of a declared Public Nuisance of Weeds, Trash and/ or Inoperable Vehicle located at 105 Gwin Avenue, Hueytown. A motion by Council Member Pickens was made to adopt Resolution Number 6755 followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Hurliman. Upon a roll call vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. The motion carried unanimously. g) Resolution 6756 Resolution 6756 was presented to the City Council to authorize the agreement with Community Engagement Associates, LLC. A motion by Council Member Hurliman was made to adopt Resolution Number 6756 followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Jacks. Upon a roll call vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. The motion carried unanimously. h) Resolution 6757 Resolution 6757 was presented to the City Council to authorize the maintenance agreements for the City's emergency electrical generation equipment. A motion by Council Member Zinnerman was made to adopt Resolution Number 6757 followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Hurliman. Upon a roll call vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. The motion carried unanimously. i) Resolution 6758 Resolution 6758 was presented to the City Council to declare certain municipal personal property surplus and not needed for public purpose and to authorize the disposal of such items. A motion by Council Member Hurliman was made to adopt Resolution Number 6758 followed by a second to the motion by Council Member Zinnerman. Upon a roll call February 13, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 Of 6  79 vote, President Wright and Council Members Zinnerman, Pickens, Hurliman and Jacks voting yes. The motion carried unanimously. 15. ORDINANCES: a) There were no Ordinances To Consider. 16. EXTEND THE FLOOR TO THE PUBLIC Prior to the extension of the floor to the public, President Wright reminds everyone wishing to address the Council to state their name and address; must be a resident of Hueytown to speak and shall limit comments to three minutes. a) Mary Meyer at 502 Saddleridge asked about the Proclamation the Mayor read with the Mayor supplying additional information. Ms. Meyer also invites anyone present to attend an Interfaith Meeting being held at the Library tonight. b) Matthew Norsworthy at 113 Hazel Drive addressed the Mayor and Council regarding curb gutters blocked which is causing flooding. The Mayor spoke to this matter and informed Mr. Norsworthy that the Public Works acting Director will contact him tomorrow and also conduct an inspection of the complaint. 17. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council Meeting, Council Member Zinnerman made a motion to adjourn. Council President Wright declared the meeting adjourned at 6: 22P. M.. City Clerk and Treasurer Preside of Citeouncil February 13, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 Of 6