City Council

. City of Margaret February 13, 2018 6:00 P.M. In attendance: Councilman Perry, Councilman Ray Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre, and Mayor Howard Mayor called meeting to order Prayer: Mr. Barker Discussion Councilman Ray made a Motion to accept the minutes from 1-9-18 and minutes from 1-23-18. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Perry. Motion passed unanimously. David Cork the City Auditor got up and presented the City Financials to the Council. Mr. Cork informed the Council that the City has had a good year and have made a turnaround from previous years. Mr. Cork stated that Teja and Amanda have been doing a good job with the books. Mr. Cork also suggested that the City look into getting a grocery store. Erskine Funderburg City Attorney presented the Council with the Garbage Specs. minus dumpsters. Councilman Ray inquired about giving out passes to the local dump and possibly bringing in off loads once every quarter. Roberto of Trash Taxi suggested only giving passes to customers who are current on their bill. Mayor Pro-Tem made the Motion to accept the garbage specs, so that we can put them out for bids. The current garbage contract expires on 4/30/18. Mayor Howard presented the letter of resignation from Councilman Martin from District 2. Councilman Perry made the Motion to accept Councilman Courtney Martin’s resignation. Motion was seconded by Councilman Ray. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Howard declared District 2. Council seat vacated. The Council only have 60 days to fill the Council Seat. Councilman Ray made a Motion that the vacant seat in District 2. be advertised. The Council will accept letters of interest. And the deadline for the letter of interests for District 2 seat will be on 3/1/18 at 4:30 PM. The Motion was seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre. The Motion passed unanimously. The letters of interest will be opened at the regular scheduled meeting on March 6, 2018 at 6:00PM. Council Perry made the Motion to accept Laura Barnes as the Public Defender for the Margaret Municipal Court and pay her a month fee of $300.00 out of the Fair Trial Fund Account. The Motion was seconded By Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre. The Motion passed unanimously. Ricky Parker the newly appointed ST. Clair County Commissioner addressed the Council. Mr. Parker stated that he will be a Commissioner for all the people not just, the cities in his District which includes Margaret, Argo and Springville. Mr. Parker will also look into getting more businesses in Margaret to boost revenue. Lyman Lovejoy stated that he is excited by having Ricky Parker as the County Commissioner. Pedro Pino addressed the Council concerning the Margaret Lions Club. The Lions club will meet at the new Mexican restaurant in Margaret on Thursday Nights. Mr. Pino will look into getting Alabama Power to contribute to the community, once they put in their substation. The Health Fair has a tentative date of April 14, 2018. Mayor Howard addressed the Developers about road conditions. Brian Camp of Waterstone Developers and Lyman Lovejoy of Lovejoy Properties were present. Councilman Perry asked about the possibility of increasing permits to help repair the roads. Because Brookhaven has a 6-year plan for 600 homes in their subdivision. Mr. Lovejoy stated that he just spent $20,000.00 in Magnolia subdivision. Mr. Camp suggested contacting the County to do the roads at a discount. Councilman Perry suggested just making the roads drivable until construction ceases. Mr. Camp suggested scaling back on the building code. Mayor Howard suggested that the developers get a list together that list 10 things they are concerned about with the building code and present them to the Council. Mr. Camp also suggested a maintenance fee for the roads. And Mr. Lovejoy suggested a cash bond from builders for the road repairs. Councilman Ray said that the City should revisit the building code. Councilman Ray made the Motion to offer family insurance to all department heads. Motion was seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre. The Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Howard asked everyone if the had any final comments. Mr. Lovejoy, Mr. Barker, Mr. Camp and Mr. Pino stated “NO”. Ms. Ray stood up and asked the Council to sponsor her softball team. Mayor Pro-  Tem McIntyre made the Motion for the City to sponsor Ms. Ray’s softball team. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Perry. The Motion passed with Councilman Ray abstaining. Roberto of Trash Taxi informed the City that Trash Taxi would like to bid on the new garbage contract because things have improved for Trash Taxi. Councilman Ray complimented Robert on Trash Taxi sometimes going beyond the call of duties. The plans for the new City Hall was next. Councilman Perry made the Motion to leave the plans for the new City Hall as they are already drawn up. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Ray. The Motion passed unanimously. Councilman Ray made the Motion for Mr. Barker to get another set of drawings for a metal building and a stick building, so they can be bided out both ways. Councilman Ray thinks the City needs to look into doing an Employee of the Month and a Citizen of the Month. Councilman Ray will present the Council with guidelines for the Employee and Citizen of the Month. Mr. Pino suggested the City of Margaret create a chamber. Mr. Barker informed the Council that the drawings are not specified. Mr. Howard said he will do some checking, to see what type of specs. are need to start getting bids. Councilman Perry made a Motion to adjourn. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Ray. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM. ___________________________ Isaac Howard III, Mayor Attest: ___________________________ Teja McIntyre Peeples, City Clerk