City Council

. City of Margaret December 1, 2020 6:00 P.M. In attendance: Councilman Ray, Councilman Carter, Councilman Chapman, Matthew Tortorice, Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre, and Mayor Wilson Prayer: Mr. Barker Mayor Wilson called Meeting to order Discussion Mayor Wilson asked the Council to approve Minutes for November 17,2020 Meeting. Councilman Tortorice made the Motion to approve minutes pending correction. Councilman Tortorice wanted the via Municode taken out and replace with the words “in addition to looking into Municode to post minutes, agenda, resolutions and ordinances”. Councilman Carter seconded the Motion. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Wilson and Councilman Carter presented the Council with the idea of naming the storm shelter on South Hillcrest after Charles Hicks Sr. a longtime Councilmember for over 20 years. The Council agreed as following: Councilman Chapman – Yes Councilman Ray – Yes Councilman Tortorice – Yes Councilman Carter – Yes Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre - Yes Councilman Ray made the Motion that the sign naming the shelter located on South Hillcrest after Charles Hicks Sr. not to exceed $500.00. The Motion was seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Barker and Mayor Wilson informed the Council of a bid received to repair Moonlite Dr. The bid was by Johnny S Smith & Son Construction Co. The Bid is for labor only. It was also stated that there may be a possibility that the bid will increase if any unforeseeable circumstance is encountered. The previous bid of $85,000.00 received from another engineer was based on rerouting the road. Councilman Chapman made the Motion to waive the rules to consider the repairing on Moonlite Dr. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed as follows: Councilman Chapman – Yes Councilman Ray – Yes Councilman Tortorice – Yes Councilman Carter – Yes Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre – Yes Councilman Chapman Made the Motion to allot $12,000.00 to the Mayor in order to fix Moonlite Dr. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Wilson asked the Council to allot him a budget of $1,000.00 for porta-potties and trash collection. Mayor Wilson would also like the Council’s permission to start posting the parade packages. The Council gave Mayor Wilson the permission to post parade packages. Mayor Pro- Tem McIntyre made the Motion to give Mayor Wilson a budget of $1000.00 for the porta-potties and trash collection for the parade. Councilman Carter seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Wilson informed the Council of the Margaret’s Lions Club intention to use the Court room as the place to have the swearing in of new members. Pedro Pino informed the Council that there will be a possibility of 23 people attending the swearing in. Mr. Pino also informed the Council that they will also be practicing social distancing. Councilman Chapman made the Motion to waive the rules for regular Council meeting. The Motion was seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre. The Motion passed as following: Councilman Chapman – Yes Councilman Ray – Yes Councilman Tortorice – Yes Councilman Carter – Yes Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre – Yes Councilman Chapman made the Motion to allow the Margaret’s Lions Club to use the Courtroom for their swearing in new members. Mayor Pro- Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Wyatt Drive was up next for discussion. The City needs to ask the residents on Wyatt Dr. for a right-a-way in order to repair Wyatt Dr. The Council discussed what would be the appropriated footage in order to form a right- a-way. Mayor will suggest that the City take 16 ft from the center of the road on each side. The Council might have to waive the standard road footage. David Parrish the supervisor for the Public Works Department informed the Council that the water main would have to be moved. Mayor Wilson asked Mr. Parrish the estimated time it would take to remove the meter. Mr. Parrish stated that it would take from 30-45 days. Councilman Chapman made the Motion for the City to proceed with getting signatures from the residents on Wyatt Dr giving the City a right-a-way. Mayor Pro- Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Wilson presented the Council with a proposal to raise rental tax from 2% to 4%. Council Tortorice would like to include subletters to the original owners of all rental properties. Mayor then stated that the proposed increase in rental taxes is only for discussion at this time. The department heads gave their reports: Mr. Barker stated that the total revenue for October was $8369.40 and the total revenue for November is $3917.47. Mr. Barker also informed the Co Council that there are currently 52 houses being built and the YTD total for houses is 73. Mayor Wilson asked Mr. Barker if there was room to increase permits. Mr. Barker stated that there is room for a potential increase in permits. The Council would like for Mr. Barker to come up with numbers and present to the Council. David Parrish stated that the total number of calls for the Fire Department was as following: Fire – 8 MVA- 2 Hazmat – 1 Emergency Med – 39 David Parrish stated that the total revenue for Water Department for the month of November is $80,371.08. David also expects a 30% increase this time next year. Councilman Tortorice inquired whether or not the past due was in the 30-60-90 days. David stated that the past due does include the 30-60-90 days. Mayor Wilson informed the Council that the Water Department will revisit the past due accounts in December. Mayor Wilson will also consult Erskine concerning water cutoffs. Chief Wiggins informed the Council that he has hired 3 part-time officers and that he has promoted Officers Hudgins and Sanchez to Sergeants. Councilman Tortorice wanted Chief Wiggins to clarify whether or not warrants are included in the reported arrests. Councilman Ray feels that the Police’s Facebook is a positive reflection on the City of Margaret. Councilman Carter would like for the City of Margaret to start a defensive driving course. Sergeant Hudgins would be willing to become certified in order to be able to teacher the defensive driving course. Councilman Tortorice asked about the Police Department’s relationship with Argo’s Police Department. Chief Wiggin stated that the Police Department is working with the City of Argo Police Department. Councilman Ray inquired about the whether or not the City’s Flock cameras are up and running. Councilman Ray voiced concern about the camera on Old Margaret Road being bypassed. Mayor Pro-Tem made a Motion to suspend the Rules in order to vote on Resolution 2020-1117OP which allows City Attorney Erskine Funderburg to obtain an Attorney General Opinion concerning the hiring of Chief George Wiggin. The Council voted as following to suspend the rules: Councilman Chapman – Yes Councilman Ray – Yes Councilman Tortorice – Yes Councilman Carter – Yes Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre – Yes Councilman Ray made the Motion to approve Resolution 2020-1117OP. Councilman Tortorice seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. The Addendum which allows the Brookhaven Partners LLC to transfers vested interest of Lakeside Dr. to Brookhaven Development Partners. Councilman Ray wanted to know, what is the best option for the City to accept Lakeside because the construction is not completed. Councilman Chapman stated that a bond needs to be required on Lakeside Dr. Councilman Tortorice made the Motion to allow Brookhaven Partners to transfer vested interest of Lakeside Dr. to Brookhaven Development Partners. Councilman Carter seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2020-1201L which offer longevity pay based on the number of years you have worked for the City of Margaret in a full-time position was proposed next. Councilman Ray would like to change longevity pay to hazard pay. And cap the amount at $400.00 for full-time employees. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre, Councilman Carter, Councilman Chapman and Council Tortorice has not problem offering the employees with 10 plus years a week’s pay. Councilman Chapman made the Motion to waive the regular rules and adopt Resolution 2020-1201L. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Councilman Tortorice stated that he would like to offer the employees more benefits in the future. Resolution 2020-1201L will be effective next payroll. City vehicles were present next. Councilman Chapman made the Motion to allow the Margaret Municipal Court to purchase a Chevy Equinox for the clerks in the amount of $20,800.00. Councilman Carter seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. The Fire Department would like to purchase 2 Silverado trucks for $31,675.10 each. Councilman Ray would like to know, whether the Fire Department could get away with purchasing 1 vehicle now and the other 1 in March 2021. Fire Chief Parrish is adamant about purchasing the 2 vehicles. Councilman Chapman made the Motion to 2 Silverado trucks for the Fire Department with each on totaling $31675.10. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Chief Wiggin asked the Council for permission to purchase two cars from the City of Springville for $5000.00. Councilman Ray made the Motion to suspend the regular meeting rules in order to consider the matter of purchasing the cars from Springville. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed as following: Councilman Chapman – Yes Councilman Ray – Yes Councilman Tortorice – Yes Councilman Carter – Yes Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre – Yes Councilman Ray made the Motion to allow Chief Wiggin to purchase 2015 Ford Explorer and a 2013 Dodge Charger from the City of Springville for the amount of $5000.00. The Motion was seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre. Motion passed unanimously. Chief Wiggins would like to eventually hire 2 more full-time employees. Mayor Wilson stated that that would be addressed once the audit is received back from Mr. Cork. Mayor Wilson asked for anymore comments: Councilman Ray stated that the Police Department needs to check prices on rifles for police cars. Councilman Carter is concerned about unlicensed food trucks coming into the City at night. Councilman Ray stated that he has informed the food trucks in his area that they need a license, but feel free to check.  Mayor Pro-Tem – nothing Councilman Chapman asked about the street lights on Co. Rd. 12 because the park is lit up but the street lights are not on. Mr. Barker stated that Alabama Power is not finished. Councilman Ray made the Motion to adjourn. Councilman Carter seconded the Motion. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:49 PM. ___________________________ Jeffrey Wilson, Mayor Attest: ___________________________ Teja McIntyre , City Clerk