City Council

Council Minutes November 19, 2020 – 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting The Pinson City Council met in regular session in Council Chambers at 4410 Main Street, on Thursday, November 19, 2020. Councilor Roberts led the invocation. Councilor Tanner led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Roll Call: Marie Turner, City Clerk, called roll of Pinson City Council with the following council members present: Councilor Tanner Councilor Walker Councilor Roberts Councilor Churchwell Councilor Kirkland Mayor Cochran Minutes: Councilor Walker offered a motion to waive the reading of the November 5, 2020, minutes. Councilor Roberts duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for all opposed to say "no", all in favor say "aye." Councilor Churchwell made a motion to accept the minutes as written of the November 5, 2020 meeting. Councilor Kirkland duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. As there was no discussion, Mayor Cochran called for all in favor say “aye” all opposed to say "no". Mayor Cochran" Let the record reflect both motions passed unanimously". Special Recognition: Councilor Walker offered a resolution recognizing Pinson 12U Football team. Councilor Tanner duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. As there was no discussion, Mayor Cochran called for all in favor say "aye" all opposed to say "no". Mayor Cochran, resolution passes unanimously, as Resolution number 20-59. Mayor Cochran presented each player and coach with a copy of the resolution. Head Coach Mickal Thomas spoke regarding the season and the players and recognized the assistant coaches. Fire District Report: Captain Gibson of Fire Station 2 Highway 79 gave a fire report. Committee Chair Comments: Finance: Councilor Tanner offered a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $38,400, a copy of the bills schedule is attached. Councilor Roberts duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. As there was no discussion, Mayor Cochran called for all in favor to say “aye” all opposed to say "no". Mayor Cochran "Let the record reflect the motion passed unanimously." Enhancements: Councilor Kirkland stated the Veterans Day Lunch, held on November 11, 2020, was very successful. There were 70 Chik-Fil-A boxes given away to forty veterans and their guests plus an umbrella as a gift. Council Tanner commented that it was a good day and the city had received a card and a thank you gift. Mayor Cochran added that the city staff and councilors were very helpful and that the veterans’ service is much appreciated. Councilor Kirkland announced that the Pinson Christmas Parade will occur on December 4th, at 6:30 PM. It will stage at Pinson First Baptist Church on Spring Street. It will go down Main Street and Pinson Boulevard to Bicentennial Park for the tree lighting ceremony which will include goodies and the opportunity to meet Santa. Councilor Tanner said there would be an organizational meeting Monday at 6 PM regarding the parade. She noted there would be a bluegrass quartet to play music, hot cocoa and cookies, and kid’s crafts with Parks and Recreation at the tree lighting. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Cochran explained about new appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission per the Code of Alabama, stating that he would make three appointments and the council would make one appointment as their representative on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Cochran stated that as mayor he will be replacing Hoyt Sanders on the Commission. Mayor Cochran said that he was re-appointing Brandon Self of the Center Point Fire Department as fire marshal in that administrative position. He appointed LaTesha Cady to replace Dr. Bob Wilkerson, whose term expires in 2025. He appointed Danny Churchwell to replace David Gillian, whose term expires in 2023. He appointed Barry Wilson to replace Glenda Kirkland, who was elected to the Pinson City Council, whose term expires in 2021. Councilor Roberts offered a motion to nominate Glenda Kirkland to fill the council’s position on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion was duly seconded by Councilor Walker. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. As there was no discussion, he called for all in favor say aye all opposed no. Mayor Cochran, let the record reflect the motion passed unanimously. He asked for any further comment. Councilor Roberts expressed appreciation for Councilor Kirkland’s willingness to serve in that role and that the councilor has previously been on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Cochran asked Eric Winfrey, Director of Pinson Public works, to speak to repair needs at Palmerdale Homestead Community center. Director Winfrey spoke to the building’s needs and the fact that they have hired an electrician to repair the water heater and to check on the overall electrical wiring for PHCC. Mayor Cochran commented regarding the CARES Act submission. Mayor Cochran explained that the Cares Act provided money from the federal government down to the states and county to provide relief for items that were necessary for public safety and sanitation during the Covid 19 pandemic. The city had been provided $300,000 in potential funding held at the county. The city gathered relevant information and put in a package and submitted it to the county for audit last Friday, the amount over $320,00. He stated that we don’t know if we will get anything back or not, but if we don’t submit it, we won’t get anything back. Councilor Roberts commented that he appreciated the Mayor’s efforts in putting that together and that these were monies that we would not receive through our normal tax stream. Mayor Cochran said he appreciates that and stated it is the job of the mayor, the city staff, and each council member, to work on behalf of the citizens and that each member of the council used their particular skills to gather all the necessary information. Councilor Roberts commented regarding the two percent cost of living raises for employees at Pinson Public Library. Councilor Roberts offered a motion for a cost of living raise for library employees. Councilor Tanner duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. Councilor Churchwell asked about the effective date. Councilor Roberts explained that it would go into effect on the next pay date. Mayor Cochran called for any further discussion. Mayor Cochran asked all in favor aye all opposed no. Mayor Cochran, motion passes unanimously. Mayor Cochran commented regarding the debris removal bid opening. He stated that he had submissions from Call-A-Haul and Eastern Tree Service, Inc. Councilor Roberts offered a first reading regarding re-keying of city buildings. Mayor Cochran announced that Advanced Disposal is now Waste Management and that the city’s current contract is still in affect and there will be no chance in the current services offered. Mayor Cochran gave an update regarding the building of Huddle House. He said he had spoken to their retail manager and their construction manager this week. Due to some issues with the building, work has stopped. They plan for the work to continue but they are in the process of bidding for a new contractor. Once started it will take about six weeks to finish the project. The target date has been moved to possibly mid-February. Old Business: Councilor Roberts offered a motion to purchase sanitizing misters for each city building, a total of four at a cost of less than $15,000. Councilor Kirkland duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for all opposed to say "no", all in favor say "aye." Mayor Cochran" Let the record reflect the motion passed unanimously". Councilor Tanner offered a motion authorizing repair of the Pinson Valley High School gym floor cleaner at a cost of 1,463.00. Councilor Walker duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. As there was no discussion, Mayor Cochran called for all opposed to say "aye", all opposed say “no”. Mayor Cochran "Let the record reflect the motion passed unanimously". Councilor Tanner offered a first reading of an updated City of Pinson Employee manual to be taken up at the next meeting to allow the Council time to review. Councilor Roberts stated that the vast majority of the changes are being proposed through our legal department. New Business: Councilor Tanner opened a discussion regarding a retail recruitment consulting agreement and asked that Mr. Morris come and so he could be asked questions. Mayor Cochran added that this reaches beyond retail and restaurants to industry and offered to schedule a lunch with Mr. Morris to explain the council’s desires. Councilor Roberts clarified that we need to get a working document that we can share with retailers. Mayor Cochran explained that potential businesses expect cities to have done their homework about the city’s statistics. He said that such documentation would help narrow the city’s focus on what types of business we would try to recruit. Councilor Tanner thanked the mayor for being in office two weeks and already presenting this plan for trying to bring in more business. Mayor Cochran responded that we are working on behalf of the citizens of Pinson and we hear them loud and clear. Councilor Walker stated that he would prefer to spend his ten cent city tax here in Pinson rather than over the hill. Councilor Churchwell reiterated Mayor Cochran’s point that if you don’t ask you won’t receive relating to the retail recruitment. Councilor Tanner offered a first reading for the Rock School Center Event room rates and usage agreement form. Mayor Cochran stated that council could review the document and the rate and get their thoughts on it and answered a question from Councilor Roberts regarding rates. Mayor Cochran asked Anjelea May, Assistant City Clerk, to send out further information to the council. Matt Nixon, Director of Pinson Parks and Recreation stated that those rates would be the same as the party room. Brad Walker gave the Pinson Youth Sports Basketball report. He said that 6U basketball teams have arranged to practice at Palmerdale Homestead Community Center and that older teams have arranged to practice at Pinson Valley High School. They go in at six PM and Out at eight PM and play games at the auxiliary gym at PVHS on Saturdays. Matt Nixon, Pinson Parks and Recreation Director, gave a report regarding City of Pinson sports and the social distancing practices that were implemented. Mayor Cochran announced that the Pinson Planning and Zoning Commission will meet this Tuesday at 6 PM. Councilor Tanner announced that Round Three of PVHS Football, saying that Oxford plays Pinson at Pinson this Tuesday. Mayor Cochran mentioned that they were planning the Christmas parade for Friday, December 3rd, but that they hoped they would have to move it to the next week due to a playoff win. Mayor Cochran thanked the council for their hard work in the community via working with PVHS football, noting that Councilor Walker’s work on the chains. Councilor Tanner agreed, saying that Councilor Churchwell had worked at the football games for thirty years. Councilor Tanner stated that a class from Kermit Johnson Elementary School had sent a card thanking the city for beautifying their school. Mayor Cochran thanked Public Works Director Eric Winfrey and his crew for their hard work in beautifying the city and the school. Councilor Tanner thanked Public Works for their help with PVHS home football games. Public Comment: Betty Len asked for a room to do line dances and other related social activities for senior citizens. Mayor Cochran directed her to speak to Councilor Tanner following the meeting. Mayor Cochran asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilor Churchwell offered a motion to adjourn. Councilor Walker duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for all in favor say “aye” all opposed to say “no”. Mayor Cochran “let the record reflect the ayes carry, we are adjourned”. Adjourned at 8:09 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marie Turner, City Clerk Bills: 11-19-2020 Regions- $22,990.47 Birmingham Water- City Hall- $98.15 Account Balances @ 10/31/2020: Rock School- $246.55 Regions General Fund $ 989,803.98 Community Center- $84.11 Regions MM Capital Fund 2,2780.78 Triangle Park- $31.82 Regions Debt.Srv.Rock Sch. 14,666.59 Powell Ave.- $27.66 Hometown Library Fund 3,776.00 PHCC- $297.87 Wells Fargo 4-6-5 287,167.93 PYSC- $227.15 Wells Fargo 7-2 23,539.11 Wells Fargo Misc. Road 6,062.24 Bradford- $27.66 Wells Fargo 10 cent tax 13,098.90 Innsbrooke- $33.89 Hometown Saving Acct 247,406.56 Bicentennial- $2,842.50 Trussville Utitlities- City Hall- $90.38 Rock School- $44.78 Community Center- $25.04 Bicentennial- $8.27 Powell Ave.- $12.39 Alabama Power- Triangle Park- $46.11 Bradford- $120.53 Kyocera- $26.33 JCCA Membership- Marie / Anje $100.00 Greater Birmingham Humane Society- $731.31 VC3- $3,782.96 Charter- Rock School- $339.15 Xerox- $25.41 Applied Concepts- $85.00 Craft Electric- $1,922.86 American Promo- $460.13 John Leon- PVHS 11/06, 11/13 $490.00 Chris Sharit- PVHS 11/6, 11/13 $490.00 Jeff Hall- PVHS 11/13 $245.00 Bill Hill- PVHS 11/06 $140.00 Marlon Cole- PVHS 11/6 $210.00 James Butterbrodt- PVHS 11/6 $245.00 RTS- Powell House $350.00 Pike's Plumbing- Powell House $1,938.61 Metro Trailer- PYSC Softball $20.00 AT&T- PHCC $112.27 Utilitites Board Oneonta- PHCC $8.56 Demco- Library $163.32 Midwest Tape- Library $77.96 Ingram- Library $1,151.20 Hoopla- Library $540.72 Kanopy- Library $42.00 Amazon- Library $3,227.57 Gold Carts Unlimited- Public Works $7,140.00 O'Reilly's- Public Works $784.23 Cassady & Self Glass- Public Works $55.00 Argo Power Equipment- Public Works $808.50 Verizon Connect- Public Works $152.00 T-N-T Excavating- (Misc Rd.) $7,200.00 Alabama Power- (7/2) $1,070.05 Total: $38,400.00 Rock School Auto Draft- $ 6,000.00 Hometown Bank- $ 5,246.19