City Council

. City of Margaret March 16, 2021 6:10 P.M. In attendance: Councilman Ray, Councilman Carter, Councilman Chapman, Matthew Tortorice, Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre, and Mayor Wilson Absent: Prayer: Councilman Ray Mayor Wilson called Meeting to order Discussion Mayor Wilson asked the Council to approve Minutes for March 2,2021 Meeting. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre made the Motion to approve minutes for March 2,2021 Meeting. Councilman Carter seconded the Motion. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Wilson asked for a Motion to suspend the regular rules and regulations of the regular minutes to discuss Resolution 2021-0316 Minutes. Councilman Chapman made the Motion to waive the regular rules for Resolution 2021-0316. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. Motion passed as following: Councilman Chapman – Yes Counilman Ray – Yes Councilman Carter – Yes Councilman Tortorice _ Yes Mayor Pro- Tem McIntyre – Yes Mayor Wilson – Yes Teja McIntyre sent a waiver around to be sign. Mayor Wilson requested that Resolution 2021-0316 Minutes be read by Teja McIntyre. The Resolution 2021-0316 is to correct the minutes from the 11-02-2020 Organization Meeting Minutes. Resolution 2021-0316 makes the following correction: The following language is hereby deleted and removed from the minutes of the November 2, 2020 organizational meeting: “Resolution 2020-1102PC was presented. Mayor Wilson informed the Council that he would like to use his appointing authority. Mayor Wilson appointed George “Bunky” Wiggin a previous Officer for the Margaret Police Department, as a full- time Police Chief. Councilman Ray argued that the Mayor’s appointing authority was taken away. Mayor Wilson informed the Council that he was advised by the City Attorney, that his appointing authority was enforceable. Mayor Wilson would like for the Council to vote on the annual salary for George Wiggin the appointed Police Chief. Councilman Chapman made the Motion to pay George Wiggin $52,000.00. a year in salary, Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the motion. Roll call vote on the Motion: Councilman Chapman- yes Councilman Ray- No Councilman Carter - No Councilman McIntyre – Yes Motion was tied. Mayor Wilson was the tie breaker. Mayor Wilson voted – Yes, Motion passed with majority ruling. Councilman Ray would like to put it out there that he doesn’t want to throw money down the hole.” The following language is hereby added and included (in place of the foregoing deleted language) as part of the minutes of the November 2, 2020 organizational meeting: “Resolution 2020-1102PC was presented. Mayor Wilson informed the Council that he would like to use his appointing authority. Mayor Wilson nominated George “Bunky” Wiggin for appointment as full-time Chief of Police. Councilman Ray argued that the Mayor’s appointing authority was taken away. Mayor Wilson informed the Council that he has consulted with e City Attorney. Mayor Wilson would like for the Council to vote on the Chief of Police position, including annual salary for George “Bunky” Wiggin as full-time Chief of Police, at an annual salary of $52,000, to serve the usual term coinciding with the Mayor’s term of office. Councilman Chapman made a motion to pass Resolution 2020-1102PC to appoint George “Bunky” Wiggin as full-time Chief of Police for the City of Margaret, at an annual salary of $52,000, to serve a term corresponding with the Mayor’s term of office and subject to appointment or re- appointment at the next organizational meeting following  general municipal elections. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the motion. Roll call vote on the motion: Councilman Chapman- Yes Councilman Ray- No Councilman Carter - No Councilman McIntyre – Yes Motion was tied. Mayor Wilson was the tie breaker. Mayor Wilson voted – Yes, Motion passed with majority ruling. Councilman Ray requested to put it out there that he does not want to throw money down the hole.” Resolution 2020-1102PC was adopted and approved at the organizational meeting held on November 2, 2020 as detailed above. By adoption and approval of this Resolution, the Mayor and Council affirm and confirm appointment of the Chief of Police as stated above. After the reading of Resolution 2021-0316 Minutes, Councilman Chapman made the Motion to approve Resolution 2021-0316 Minutes as read by Teja McIntyre. Mayor Pro-Tem Mcintyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed as following: Councilman Chapman – Yes Counilman Ray – No Councilman Carter – Yes Councilman Tortorice – abstaining because unable to attend original meeting (COVID) Mayor Pro- Tem McIntyre – Yes The Motion passed by majority rule. The Council was informed that the reimbursement money for the Cares Act had been received by the City. This subject will be revisited at a later date. Eddleman Residential was present for the Council to vote on whether or not to issue Eddleman Residential a variance on the property that are coming in off Sanie Rd and Sunrise Church this Plat was revised 2/25/2021. The lots are positioned in the Sterling Place Subdivision within the City of Margaret, Alabama in Saint Clair County. Councilman Tortorice made the Motion to approve the Plat Variance for Eddleman Residential. Mayor Pro- Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously.  The Council will do a Special Workshop on Monday March 29, 2021at 6:00 PM to discuss wages, budget, and water rates increase. Councilman Chapman made the Motion to wait until March 29, 2021 to discuss wages, budget, and water rate increases. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Carter. Motion passed unanimously. Chief Wiggin gave the Council an update on the body cams and the dash cams. The body cams are in use and the dash cams are currently being installed in one car and another one is waiting in line. Mayor Wilson asked for anymore comments: Mr. Barker informed the Council that the job to repair Miller St. will be $18,000.00 plus, this includes paying Alabama Guardrail and 500 ft of paving by Massey Asphalt. County Engineering states the sooner the better. Councilman Carter made the Motion to table the discussion on Miller St. until the next Council Meeting. Chief Parrish informed the Council that he had to have some emergency lights installed that exceeded his allowed limit of $1500.00. Councilman Chapman made the Motion to pay the bill to BEI for the amount of $1800.00 plus. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. The Council would like for Erskine to draft resolution for the discussed proposed increased rental tax from 2.5% to 4%. Councilman Ray thinks the City needs to look into zoning before everything gets out of hand. Councilman Chapman made the Motion to adjourn. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM. ___________________________ Jeffrey Wilson, Mayor Attest: ___________________________ Teja McIntyre, City Clerk