City Council

. City of Margaret March 2, 2021 6:03 P.M. In attendance: Councilman Ray, Councilman Carter, Councilman Chapman, Matthew Tortorice, Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre, and Mayor Wilson Absent: Prayer: Mr. Barker Mayor Wilson called Meeting to order Discussion Mayor Wilson asked the Council to approve Minutes for February 2,2021 Meeting. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre made the Motion to approve minutes for February 2,2021 Meeting. Councilman Tortorice seconded the Motion. Motion passed unanimously. Pedro Pino asked the Council to grant permission for the Margaret’s Lions Club to use the Council chambers to hold their meetings on the 1 st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Councilman Ray feels that the Council needs to look into letting organizations use the facilities to hold meetings. Councilman Chapman already thought that the Council had agreed to let the Lions Club use the facility. Chief Parrish suggested that the people in attendances at the Lions Clubs meeting be kept at maximum of 20 people due to the COVID. Pedro agrees with Chief Parrish and stated that the Lions Club will also offer zoom. The Council does not see a problem with letting the Margaret’s Lion Club used the Council chambers. The Principal of Margaret Elementary, Katelyn Dorsett, addressed the Council about having a parade to help celebrate the school’s 10- year anniversary. Mrs. Dorsett informed the Council of all the improvements to be done at the Elementary using the tax base money which is slated to be on the voting ballot. Mayor Wilson presented the Council with the ALM voting delegate ballot and asked if anyone would like to attend the ALM meeting on the behalf of City of Margaret. The ALM meeting will be held from May 12 th thru May 15th. Councilman Tortorice made the Motion to table the discussion on delegates. Councilman Chapman seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. Tyler Davis a representative from Eddleman Residential, who like the Council to approve a revise plat for Sterling Place. Eddleman is basically keeping the same plat, they just want to sell some of them. The buyers will also be using the same engineering firm. Mayor Wilson would like for the Council to think about it and possibly bring to a vote on the next Council meeting. Chief Wiggin presented his request for the police department 4 body cams and 4 dash cams from ProVision for $14,376.00 Councilman Ray presented the information he had on body cams and dash cams for the police department. Councilman Ray had a quote for 7 in car cams and 9 body cams for $17,119.45 from a company in Tennessee called 10-8 Video. Councilman Ray informed the Council that the cameras do not require storage cloud. Cameras use base charging stations, use 30-45 days, have to be manually turned on, and they do not sync up with boy cams. Chief Wiggin would like the Council to authorize the purchase of the Provision cameras. Councilman Ray doesn’t see how Chief Wiggin will decide, who get the cams because he is only asking for 4 body cams and 4 dash cams. Sgt. Sanchez agrees with Chief Wiggin because the Provision cameras cut on when the blue light is activated on the police car. Councilman Tortorice asked about the life span on a body cam and the warranty information on the ProVision cams. Councilman Tortorice suggested that the Councilman just purchase body cams and look into purchasing car cams at a later date. Councilman Ray feels that the police officers are unprotected and something needs to be done now. Chief Wiggin stated that 7 body cams would be $4193 if purchased from ProVision. Councilman Ray doesn’t think body cams are enough by themselves. Chief Wiggin would rather have the 4 body cams and the 4 dash cams. Councilman Tortorice feels that doing nothing helps no one and picking wrong one is throwing away money. Councilman Chapman feels that the police department has to start somewhere. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre made the Motion to purchase the 4 cams and 4 dash cams from ProVision in the amount of $14,376.00 for the police department. Councilman Carter seconded the Motion. Mayor Wilson called for a roll call vote. Motion passed as following: Councilman Chapman – Yes Councilman Ray – No Councilman Carter – Yes Councilman Tortorice Yes Mayor Pro-Tem – Yes Mayor Wilson – Yes Chief Wiggin presented his monthly report. Chief Parrish gave his reports to the Council. The Margaret Fire Department had a total of 43 calls. Chief Parrish also suggested a water rate increase because the City is currently losing from $2000-$3000 more each month because the County increased their purchasing rate for the City. Councilman Ray and Councilman Chapman agree with the increase in water rates. Mayor Wilson asked Teja McIntyre the City Clerk to give the current water rates to Councilman Tortorice, so he can come up with suggests of increase water rates. Councilman Ray made the Motion to table the water rate increases. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Chapman. The Motion passed unanimously. David Parrish informed the Council that the Water Operator Class is over and that the cost to take the test is $300-$400 per person. Councilman Tortorice would like to furnish everyone with sample budgets. Mayor Wilson and the Council discussed ways to get retailers into the City of Margaret. Mayor Wilson asked for anymore comments: Councilman Tortorice informed the Council that the website is coming along good. Councilman Carter thinks the City needs to look into zoning. Councilman Ray would like for extra patrolling in Hunters Crossing because people are complaining about lack of police present. Mayor Wilson informed the Council that Charles Pendley would be willing to swap the land in front of the City Hall for the land behind the City Hall. Councilman Chapman would like for the City to approach Bama Concrete about the land behind the Alabama Power land. Mayor Pro-Tem would like for the City to check with Alabama Power concerning their land. Councilman Chapman informed the Council that the garbage truck has damaged the road on Polly Ridge. Council Chapman has also been informed that there is someone living in a storage building on Polly Ridge. Councilman Chapman also inquired about Wyatt Dr.  Councilman Carter informed the Council that Miller Street is eroding and it is washing away underneath the road as well. Councilman Ray made the Motion to adjourn. Councilman Chapman seconded the Motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:21PM. ___________________________ Jeffrey Wilson, Mayor Attest: ___________________________ Teja McIntyre, City Clerk