City Council

. City of Margaret August 1, 2023 6:05 P.M. In attendance: Councilman James Chapman, Councilman Matthew Tortorice, Councilman Jonathan Ray, Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre, and Mayor Isaac Howard Absent: Councilman Darius Crump Prayer: Clyde Beverly Pledge of Alliance The meeting was called to order Discussion: Sign Ordinance was up for discussion. City Engineer Keith Hager will draw up an ordinance with the Council’s input. Sunrise lift station will be discussed when City Engineer Keith Hager can be present. The Council is waiting on quotes for Brookhaven Dr. drainage issues. Council discussed the Church St. bridge. Councilman James Chapman would like the City of Margaret to abandon the road because it is used for only one homeowner. Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre made the Motion to all the RPC of Birmingham to create five maps and present them to the Council for the City’s redistricting for $5000.00. Councilman Matthew Tortorice seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Councilman Jonathan Ray suggested the City of Margaret purchased four sets of rumble strips and place them in designated areas throughout the city as testing methods. Warning signs will also accompany these rumble strips. Councilman Tortorice discussed storm shelters being brought up to ADA compliance. Council discussed having a special work session on 8-10-2023 to discuss employee benefits, the police chief, and a comprehensive plan. The meeting will begin at 6 PM. Councilman Tortorice discussed the comprehensive plan. Joe Chapman, the city auditor from Cork, Hill & Company, presented the Council with the 2022 fiscal year audit. Joe Chapman issued a clear opinion of the audit with no cause for concern. Councilman James Chapman motioned to accept the Council Meeting Minutes of 6-20-2023 as written. Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre seconded the Motion. The Motion passed with two abstaining. The Council is okay with the traffic flow maps for Ridgefield and Woodland Ridge. Interim Chief Anthony Fields informed the Council that the Margaret Police Department will be losing two officers. One officer quit and the other officer will be working for the County. Margaret Police Department consists of three full-time officers and 2 part-time officers. Councilman Jonathan Ray would like the Council to be more proactive concerning police officers. Interim Chief Anthony Fields would like to inquire with Trussville jail about taking misdemeanor cases and setting up a safe parking spot for residents to meet and receive online orders from sellers at Margaret City Hall. Councilman Ray would like for the City of Margaret to purchase 10 rifles for an amount of up to $15,000.00. Councilman Matthew Tortorice informed the Council the EDC is setting up a grant writing workshop. Councilman Jonathan Ray made the Motion to adopt the retirement resolution to pay a one-time bonus to the City retirees in the amount of $1028.00. Councilman Matthew Tortorice would like to send an employee to the St. Clair County Leadership workshop if a council member doesn’t want to attend. Councilman Jonathan Ray stated that he would be willing to attend the workshop. Public Works needs a trench box when digging to deep depths on the job site. Council Jonathan Ray made the Motion to accept quote #E75755 for $10,580.48 from Tool Fetch to purchase a trench box. Councilman Matthew Tortorice seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Councilman Jonathan Ray made the Motion to suspend the rules to consider purchasing a generator for pumping stations. Councilman James Chapman seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Councilman Matthew Tortorice made the Motion to allow up to $75,000.00 to purchase a generator from Thompson Tractor with 7037 hours for the sewer plant out of the American Rescue Funds. Councilman Jonathan Ray seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. The sewer plant is missing a fifty-foot pole to finish setting up the telemetry system. City Engineer Keith Hager is still working on sewer plant upgrades. Interim Chief Anthony Field wants to host the next Chief of Police breakfast. Councilman Jonathan Ray made a Motion to suspend the rules to consider a $5000.00 donation to Saint Clair County High School for their athletic departments. Councilman James Chapman seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Councilman Jonathan Ray made the Motion to donate $5000.00 to St. Clair Co High School $ 5000.00 for all athletics. Councilman James Chapman seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Isaac Howard asked for any more comments: Assistant Fire Chief Brandon Frazier would like the Council to approve the purchase of stair chairs. Clyde Beverly commended the City Clerk on receiving a clean opinion from the auditor Joe Chapman of Cork, Hill, and Company. Clyde Beverly would like the City of Margaret to create an infrastructure footprint before considering a comprehensive plan. Clyde Beverly would like a model to be built with incentives to help sustain the workforce of the Margaret Police Department.  Janice McIntyre would like the swings at Dillard Park to be lowered for little kids. Tim Barrett inquired about the annexation of his property Councilman James Chapman made a Motion to adjourn. Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre seconded the Motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:24 PM. ___________________________ Isaac Howard, Mayor Attest: ___________________________ Teja McIntyre, City Clerk