City Council

CITY OF TRUSSVILLE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 2025 AGENDA WORKSHOP The City Council met in an agenda workshop on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 5:30 pm to review the proposed agenda for its next regular session. Council President Jaime Melton Anderson presided over the meeting and Dan Weinrib served as recording secretary. Those members present were as follows: Council President Jaime Melton Anderson Councilor Ben Horton Councilor Kimberly Farr Councilor Brian Jackson Councilor Jim Miller Others present in their official capacity: Mayor Ben Short City Attorney Rick Stotser City Clerk Dan Weinrib The City Council determined the order of consideration. At Councilor Miller’s request, the Council agreed to move two recommended appointments to the regular agenda from the consent agenda. During discussion time, Mayor Short & the city clerk reviewed the proposed 2026 council meetings schedule. Next, Mayor Short briefed the council and the public about his vision for the school board member selection process. In summary, there would be a slight change in the makeup of the review committee, yet it will remain as five members. Incumbent school board members will get an opportunity for reappointment, but it is not guaranteed. If a member seeks a third term, he or she must go through the entire application process again. Discussion ensued among the councilors. Councilor Miller suggested some changes. In the end, Mayor Short took the councilors’ feedback and committed to finalizing this process by January. Councilor Miller then brought up for discussion the idea of letting the public give feedback during city council workshops. His colleagues demurred. Most notably, Councilor Farr pointed out that she studied the origins of workshops & found that their purpose was to foster discussion & vetting among councilors prior to deliberation. Mayor Short mentioned that the city will disseminate the agenda contents through email, social media & its website a week prior to council workshops. He also suggested the council have all workshops on Tuesdays, just ahead of its regular meetings. It would save time for everybody, including department heads. That suggestion perked everybody’s ears. With no further items to discuss, President Anderson adjourned workshop at 6:25 pm. NOVEMBER 20, 2025 REGULAR SESSION The City Council of the City of Trussville met in regular session on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 6:30 pm at the City Hall Annex, with Council President Jaime Melton Anderson presiding and Dan Weinrib serving as recording secretary. President Anderson called the meeting to order. Councilor Miller led the prayer; Councilor Farr led the pledge. Those members present were as follows: Council President Jaime Melton Anderson Councilor Ben Horton Councilor Kimberly Farr Councilor Brian Jackson Councilor Jim Miller Others present in their official capacity: Mayor Ben Short City Attorney Rick Stotser City Clerk Dan Weinrib They reviewed the minutes from the October 23 organizational & agenda workshops, October 28 regular session, & November 3 organizational meeting. Councilor Farr moved & Councilor Jackson seconded the motion to approve the minutes, as submitted. UNANIMOUS President Anderson then introduced the consent agenda & regular agenda. Councilor Miller moved & Councilor Horton seconded the motion to approve the three-item consent agenda. UNANIMOUS Councilor Miller moved & Councilor Farr seconded the motion to approve the regular agenda. UNANIMOUS There were no public comments.  Under the regular agenda, President Anderson opened a public hearing regarding a proposed rezoning of recently annexed property on Alabama Boulevard. Since nobody in the audience spoke up, she promptly closed the public hearing. Councilor Jackson introduced a proposed ordinance He moved & Councilor Farr seconded the motion for unanimous consent to suspend the rules & consider an ordinance immediately. Upon roll call vote, UNANIMOUS He then moved, & Councilor Horton seconded the motion, to rezone 421 Alabama Boulevard to R-G (Garden Residential) from R-6 (Mobile Home Residential) UNANIMOUS Ordinance No. 2025-035-PZ Councilor Farr then introduced a proposed ordinance. She moved & Councilor Miller seconded the motion for unanimous consent to suspend the rules & consider an ordinance immediately. Upon roll call vote, UNANIMOUS with Councilor Miller abstaining. Councilor Farr then made the motion, & Councilor Anderson seconded, to declare a remnant of Loop Road Project property as surplus, then convey it to Trussville First Baptist Church for consideration. UNANIMOUS with Councilor Miller abstaining. Ordinance No. 2025-036-ADM President Anderson opened a public hearing regarding a proposed vacation of the last part of Church Street, which intersects with the old Talley Street, now absorbed into Loop Road. Since nobody in the audience spoke up, she promptly closed the public hearing. Councilor Horton then introduced a proposed resolution to vacate the last remainder of Church Street. He moved & Councilor Miller seconded the motion for approval. UNANIMOUS with Councilor Miller abstaining. Resolution No. 2025-59 Councilor Jackson then introduced a proposed resolution to authorize the issuance of 2025 General Obligation School Warrants. These warrants would re-finance previous school debt & free up funds for a new track & field oval. He moved & Councilor Miller seconded the motion for approval. UNANIMOUS Resolution No. 2025-60 Councilor Horton then introduced a proposed resolution to authorize the filling of certain city positions with retired School Resource Officers (SROs) & Fire Medics. Because of a newly enacted state law, cities may hire such retirees for part-time work, previously performed only by full-time personnel. He moved & Councilor Farr seconded the motion for approval. UNANIMOUS Resolution No. 2025-61 Councilor Miller then introduced a proposed resolution enumerating the 2026 City holidays. He moved & Councilor Farr seconded the motion for approval. UNANIMOUS Resolution No. 2025-62 Councilor Farr then introduced a proposed resolution authorizing longevity pay for eligible city employees. She moved & Councilor Horton seconded the motion for approval. Councilor Miller then moved to table the resolution to the next council meeting. His motion died due to a lack of a second. Subsequently, President Anderson called for the vote. UNANIMOUS with Councilor Miller abstaining. Resolution No. 2025-63 Councilor Horton then introduced a proposed resolution to appoint former councilor Alan Taylor to the Utilities Board. He moved & Councilors Jackson and Farr jointly seconded the motion. UNANIMOUS Resolution No. 2025-64 Councilor Jackson then introduced a proposed resolution to appoint Clint Smith to the Planning & Zoning Commission. He moved & Councilors Miller and Farr jointly seconded the motion. UNANIMOUS Resolution No. 2025-65 During committee reports, Councilor Horton reported that four trees in the Cahaba Project neighborhood needed removal. Every tree will be replaced with a sapling. The Tree Commission has a staggered tree growth plan in place to preserve the canopy. Also, the Utilities Board is providing new office space for the Chamber of Commerce. Utilities will soon re-instate their water shut-off policy on delinquent accounts. Also, Public Safety will meet next on January 15. Also, Design Review approved a new sign for Arby’s on Chalkville Mountain Road. Councilor Jackson reported that Active Transportation is still developing its comprehensive plan with the Regional Planning Commission. They are halfway through their feasibility study. Also, Planning & Zoning is vetting ideas for updated subdivision regulations & redesignating the Cahaba Project as an overlay district in the City Zoning Ordinance. Also, the Redevelopment Authority’s holidays lighting initiative has already exceeded expectations for participation.  Councilor Miller recognized Veterans member John Griscom, who announced that he & community volunteers will lay wreaths at citywide gravesites of former service members on December 13. Also, Beetlejuice had a successful production run, as 640 people attended their shows. ACTA will next feature a Truss Vegas Christmas, starting December 14. Also, ACTA will have a casting call for Big Fish. Also, the Seniors Center Advisory Board will meet on November 19. Later he asked for a moment of silence to honor his late mother. He also acknowledged former councilor Perry Cook in the audience. Councilor Farr recognized Library outreach director Katie Evans, who reported that the bookmobile is now visiting elderly residents at Legacy Ridge & Peachtree. Also, Santa is visiting the library on December 1, to consider gift requests from children of all ages. Also, the IDA has new signs at their entrances, thanks to Public Works. Public Works continues to fix potholes, vacuum leaves and perform other normal seasonal tasks. She recognized Parks & Recreation Director David Vinson, who plans to retire at the end of the year. Vinson received warm applause from the public. Also, the Chamber is accepting nominations for the annual Paine Gatekeeper Award. The winner(s) will be announced at the Toast of the Town event at Ferus on January 22. The Christmas tree lighting will occur on November 30; the Christmas parade, on December 13. Councilor Anderson bragged on the Straight-A’s report card given by the State. She thanked school superintendent Dr. Patrick Martin, school board president Dr. Steven Ward & administration for their ongoing work. She also praised the HTHS volleyball team on their successful season. They are the first volleyball team in school history to advance to the Final Four. Also, Leadership Trussville just had its Public Safety Day. On December 11, the fourth class will meet with county, state & federal officials for Government Day. Mayor Short announced that ALDOT has finished its lane expansion on the southbound part of I- 59. Its contractor will work on the northbound stretch, starting mid-January. Also, he is initiating the development of the City’s new comprehensive plan. The current one has been around for nearly 20 years; it needs updating. During audience comments, Kathy Prince (109 Magnolia Street) announced that her fledgling Trussville Arts Council will have its initial art show & auction on February 8 at the city library. Jimmie King (302 Hewitt Street) asked for the location of the surplus property. Mayor Short showed her on the video screen. Richard Epstein (4742 Boulder Drive) thanked the city & Mayor Short for re-stripping the roads to Wal-Mart & Sam’s Club. At President Anderson’s request, Councilor Miller moved & Councilor Jackson seconded the motion to go into executive session to discuss a prospective trade & commerce matter. UNANIMOUS After a brief recess, they reconvened in executive session, which lasted until approximately 8:30 pm. Upon its conclusion, they then adjourned their regular meeting. Respectfully submitted, DJW City Clerk Dan Weinrib MMC