City Council

Council Minutes January 21, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting The Pinson City Council met in regular session in Council Chambers at 4410 Main Street, on Thursday, January 21, 2021. 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 January 7, 2021, minutes. Councilor Kirkland duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for all in favor to say “aye” all opposed to say "no". Mayor Cochran, “let the record reflect the ayes carry unanimously”. Councilor Churchwell made a motion to approve the minutes as written of the December 29, 2020 meeting. Councilor Kirkland 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 unanimously". Fire Department Reports: Chief Gene Coleman of the Center Point Fire Department gave the fire district report for the month of December and the year 2020, mentioning that it has been a very busy year. Edward Hill of Palmerdale Fire Department gave a report on the month of December and a summary of the 2020 year, giving updates about new equipment allowed through the CARES act. Pre-Meeting Comments: Linda Kennemur with Stop Human Trafficking gave a presentation regarding human trafficking. Ms. Kennemur spoke about raising awareness and providing education and training about this topic for city employees. Councilor Tanner mentioned adding human trafficking awareness training to the employee manual. Committee Chair Comments: Finance: Councilor Tanner offered a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $47,466.25 a copy of the bills schedule is attached. Councilor Roberts duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for all in favor to say “aye” all opposed to say "no". Mayor Cochran "Let the record reflect that the ayes carry unanimously." Mayor Cochran asked if there were any highlights on the bills. Councilor Tanner mentioned that $15,000.00 had been spent on new computers and monitors and other equipment. Mayor Cochran stated that though we are paying the bill now we have already been reimbursed by the CARES Act. Mayor Cochran suspended rules. Matt Parker with Joe Jolly and Co and Nick Greenwood with Hand Arendall, Harrison, Sale gave a presentation regarding the General Obligation refunding, including receiving an AA- rating and a reduced interest rate on the new bond being 1.04%. Councilor Roberts mentioned that $2,262,000 was the amount already owed and this is a refinance and no more money was being borrowed. Mayor Cochran reinstated rules. Councilor Roberts offered an ordinance to provide for the issuance of $2,260,00 principal amount of General Obligation Refunding Warrants, Series 2021. Councilor Tanner duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for unanimous consent to consider with the following results: Councilor Tanner – yes, Councilor Walker-yes, Councilor Roberts-yes, Councilor Churchwell-yes, Councilor Kirkland-yes, Mayor Cochran – yes. Mayor Cochran ‘unanimous consent passes’. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. Seeing none, Mayor Cochran called for a roll call vote with the following results: Councilor Tanner – yes, Councilor Walker-yes, Councilor Roberts-yes, Councilor Churchwell-yes, Councilor Kirkland-yes, Mayor Cochran – yes. Mayor Cochran, let the record reflect that the ordinance passes unanimously as Ordinance 2021-2. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Cochran suspended rules. Daryl Daily, grant writer, gave a report, giving two hiring options, mentioning that he could be paid a minimum monthly fee on retainer and paid per grant or he could be hired as a part-time employee at an hourly wage. Mr. Daily answered questions from Councilor Roberts about the amount of grants he could write per month, the average amount of grant funding he has received, and his background. Councilor Tanner asked if they would be utilizing Mr. Daily for the library as well. Mayor Cochran replied that Mr. Daily would not be exclusive to anyone and that he would be available to help the library if asked. Mayor Cochran mentioned that engaging a grant writer is where we need to be. Councilor Churchwell stated that while we need a grant writer and Mr. Daily seems well- informed, he was not in favor of hiring him a part time employee. Mayor Cochran said that the council would take it up at the first meeting next month. Mayor Cochran reinstated rules. Councilor Tanner opened a discussion regarding CityFest, setting the tentative date for May 8th, 2021, at Bicentennial Park. Councilor Tanner mentioned that she and Councilor Kirkland would be coordinating on this, stating that the city did well with the Alabama Butter Bean Festival and that she thought we would do well with the smaller CityFest event. Councilor Roberts offered a motion to give a donation to Palmerdale Fire Department for a memorial in the amount of $2,200. Councilor Walker duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. Councilor Tanner and Councilor Kirkland said that this was a deserving project that they heartily supported. Councilor Roberts mentioned that it was a very nice design. Mayor Cochran spoke about the legality of the donation. Mayor Cochran called for all in favor to say aye and all opposed to say no. Mayor Cochran, ‘let the record reflect the ayes carry unanimously’. Councilor Tanner offered a motion to accept the lowest bid in the amount of $11,500.00 for demolition of 4238 Pinson Blvd by Eastern Tree Service. Councilor Kirkland duly seconded the motion. After a brief discussion about Eastern Tree Handling the cleanup as well, Mayor Cochran called for all in favor to say aye and all opposed to say no. Mayor Cochran, ‘let the record reflect the ayes carry unanimously’. Mayor Cochran reappointed Thomas Simmons to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a 6- year term beginning in January 2021 and ending December 2026. Old Business: Councilor Roberts made a motion to approve payment of $18,850.00 to Hendon Huckstein for architectural work as Pinson Youth Sports Complex ADA improvements. Councilor Roberts also mentioned master planning for future gym as well as PHCC window refurbishments. Councilor Tanner duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. Councilor Churchwell asked if this meant that they were dropping the PHCC matter. Mayor Cochran replied that it was only for the moment and that they needed to prioritize the ADA compliance right now, although the packet included pricing for the other potential projects. Councilor Churchwell asked if the priced included AU. Mayor Cochran replied that the price only included PSYC. Mayor Cochran called for any further discussion. As there was no further discussion, Mayor Cochran called for all in favor to say aye and all opposed to say no. Mayor Cochran, ‘let the record reflect the ayes carry unanimously’. Mayor Cochran mentioned the City of Pinson Employee manual, putting the discussion on hold and calling a work session on Thursday, January 28th at 6 PM. Councilor Kirkland made a motion to instruct the mayor to purchase a new digital sign for City Hall in the amount of $38,240.00. Councilor Walker duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. Councilor Roberts mentioned that the digital sign was expected to last ten to twelve years and that having the digital sign is beneficial for the community. Mayor Cochran mentioned that the new sign can be operated remotely and would be easier to keep updated. Councilor Roberts said that theoretically it could be used in an emergency and the mayor agreed. Mayor Cochran called for any further discussion. As there was no further discussion, Mayor Cochran called for all in favor to say aye and all opposed to say no. Mayor Cochran, ‘let the record reflect the ayes carry’. Mayor Cochran mentioned that it would take six to eight weeks for it to be ordered and installed and that the sign would have a higher resolution. Councilor Kirkland offered a motion asking the mayor to purchase bench quotes four ADA picnic tables for $600.00 each and four metal benches for $345 each for Bicentennial Park. Councilor Roberts duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. Councilor Tanner asked if the benches would be matching. Mayor Cochran explained that yes they would replace all the wooden benches at the park. Mayor Cochran called for all in favor to say aye and all opposed to say no. Mayor Cochran, ‘let the record reflect the ayes carry unanimously’. New Business: Mayor Cochran mentioned a first reading regarding field maintenance at PYSC. Mayor Cochran suspended rules to allow Matt Nixon, Park Director, City of Pinson, to speak to the issue. Director Nixon spoke about the need for all four fields to be laser graded and the outfields leveled off, which is necessary for both safety and aesthetics about every five years. Mayor Cochran mentioned that the proposed $14,700 from Game Day is for labor only and does not include the material and that Director Nixon would need to come back with pricing on material as well. Councilor Roberts mentioned that drainage is an issue for PYSC fields and that this was a necessary expenditure. Councilor Churchwell asked if it was something that Kellis who works with weed control could handle and Director Nixon explained that was not something that they could do. Councilor Roberts mentioned that this proposal was primarily about the infields which need to be upgraded from dirt to crushed brick. Mayor Cochran reinstated rules. Mayor Cochran offered a first reading regarding office furniture and fireproofing filing cabinet quote. Councilor Tanner offered an ordinance for a Sales Tax and Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holidays for 2021. Councilor Kirkland duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for unanimous consent to consider with the following results: Councilor Tanner – yes, Councilor Walker-yes, Councilor Roberts-yes, Councilor Churchwell-yes, Councilor Kirkland-yes, Mayor Cochran – yes. After a brief discussion, Mayor Cochran called for a role call vote with the following results Councilor Tanner – yes, Councilor Walker-yes, Councilor Roberts-yes, Councilor Churchwell-yes, Councilor Kirkland-yes, Mayor Cochran – yes. Mayor Cochran ‘let the record reflect the Ordinance passes unanimously as Ordinance 2021-3’. Councilor Roberts offered a resolution declaring the gray 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe as surplus property and authorizing the mayor to sell it. Councilor Kirkland duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran mentioned that the minimum bid would be $7,000 and called for any further discussion. As there was no further discussion, Mayor Cochran called for a role call vote with the following results: Councilor Tanner – yes, Councilor Walker-yes, Councilor Roberts-yes, Councilor Churchwell-yes, Councilor Kirkland-yes, Mayor Cochran – yes. Mayor Cochran ‘let the record reflect the Resolution passes unanimously as Resolution 21-1’. Councilor Walker offered a motion to approve the purchase of two four-stack shoulder pad racks and football helmet carts for the Parks and Recreation Department in the amount of $1,291.46. Councilor Kirkland duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for any discussion. After a brief discussion, Mayor Cochran called for all in favor to say ‘aye’ all opposed to say ‘no’. Mayor Cochran, ‘let the record reflect the ayes carry’. Mayor Cochran offered a first reading of a Resolution Clay Pinson Chamber of Commerce increasing their allocation to $20,000. Councilor Tanner offered a resolution regarding Stop Human Trafficking Month. Councilor Kirkland duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran asked for any discussion. Councilor Roberts offered a motion to amend the language of the Resolution. After more discussion, Mayor Cochran suspended rules and allowed Linda Kennemur with Stop Human Trafficking to address the council. After further discussion, Mayor Cochran proclaimed January of 2021 as Human Trafficking Awareness month and the City of Pinson as a trafficking free zone. Councilor Tanner withdrew the Resolution and Councilor Roberts withdrew his motion to amend at this time. After further discussion, Mayor Cochran said that he looked forward to more education on the subject and to taking up the Resolution at a later date. Mayor Cochran reinstated rules. Councilor Tanner thanked Trussville Tribute for carrying the championship parade. Mayor Cochran mentioned that he appreciated their coverage in the area. Public Comment: Charles Oliver asked about documentation and restrictions for grants. Mayor Cochran explained that those guidelines are very strict. Mr. Oliver asked about the new signs and mentioned problems with someone else getting access to them. Mayor Cochran told him that they would be password protected. Allison Scanlan, Public Library Director, gave the library report, giving information about curbside service. Director Scanlan also said that Pinson Library is the tenth highest circulated library in Jefferson County and said that she would give her yearly report in a later council meeting. Councilor Kirkland offered a motion to adjourn. Councilor Churchwell duly seconded the motion. Mayor Cochran called for all those in favor to say ‘aye’ all opposed to say ‘no’. Mayor Cochran, ‘let the record reflect that the ayes carry and we are adjourned’. Adjourned at 8:33. Respectfully submitted, Marie Turner, City Clerk Bills: 1-21-2021 Regions- $7,807.78 Birmingham Water- City Hall- $98.15 AAccount Balances @ 12/31/2020: Community Center- $66.92 Regions General Fund $ 1,131,260.56 Rock School- $214.59 Regions MM Capital Fund 2,224.82 Triangle Park- $27.66 Regions Debt.Srv.Rock Sch. 9,134.86 Powell Ave.- $46.42 Hometown Library Fund 3,776.00 PHCC- $202.19 Hometown 4-6-5 287,167.93 PYSC- $181.39 Hometown 7-2 23,539.11 Hometown Misc. Road 40,193.40 Bradford- $27.66 Hometown 10 cent tax 13,098.90 Bicentennial- $413.54 Hometown Saving Acct 577,964.56 Innsbrook- $49.09 Trussville Utitlities- City Hall- $592.22 Rock School- $1,568.09 Community Center- $188.41 Bicentennial- $280.60 Powell Ave.- $143.68 Alabama Power- Christmas Lights- $147.68 Pitney Bowes- $670.28 Xerox- $47.53 Greater Birmingham Humane Society- $1,171.24 VC3- $14,656.52 Precision Graphics- $258.00 Pike's Plumbing- $817.50 Charter- $405.98 Rock School- $678.30 David Stewart- $3,924.38 Jefferson County Mayors Association- $1,432.60 Chris Sharit- PVHS 1/7, 1/20 $280.00 IIMC- $290.00 Prestige Alarm & Specialty- Rock School- $505.00 Start Exterminator- Rock School- $450.00 American Pest Control- Powell Ave.- $250.00 Smith Roofing- Powell Ave.- $8,635.00 BSN Sports- PYSC $1,524.34 Metro Trailer- PYSC Softball $20.00 Basketball Officials- PYSC $360.00 AT&T- PHCC $229.97 Utilitites Board Oneonta- PHCC $19.52 Verizon Connect- Public Works $152.00 Argo Power Equipment- Public Works $1,040.41 O'Reilly's- Public Works $319.02 Sweeping Corp of America- (Misc Rd) $2,634.42 Alabama Power- (7/2) $2,445.95 Total: $47,466.25 Rock School Auto Draft- $ 6,000.00 Hometown Bank- $ 5,246.19