City Council

City of West Point Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, June 12, 2023 @ 5:30 PM West Point Council Chambers The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held in the Council Chambers on June 12, 2023, at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Present: Members Absent: Mayor Pro-Tempore Gerald W. Ledbetter Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Joel B. Finlay Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Sandra Thornton Councilmember Deedee Williams Mayor Tramell called Rev. Gerald W. Ledbetter to give the opening prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Steve Tramell. Mayor Tramell called the meeting of the Council to order. MINUTES Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the May 8, 2023, Regular Business Meeting. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Joel B. Finlay; passed unanimously. FINANCIAL REPORT Mayor Tramell stated the financial report for approval is in the Council packet. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the May Financial report. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; passed unanimously. AGENDA Mayor Tramell reviewed the agenda and asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Joseph R. Downs III made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Joel B. Finlay and passed unanimously. PROCLAMATION for DODIE OLMO NOVOA RETIREMENT Mayor Tramell read a proclamation and presented it to Dodie Olmo Novoa thanking her for 10 years of service with the City of West Point. Ms. Olmo Novoa retired as a Page 2 of 4 Communication Officer on May 1, 2023. Mrs. Olmo Novoa thanked all the employees whom she worked with and the Mayor and Council for the proclamation. PROCLAMATION for GREATER VALLEY JUNETEENTH COMMITTEE Mayor Tramell read a proclamation proclaiming June 19th as Juneteenth Day in the City of West Point. Mayor Tramell presented the proclamation to Carmen McCoy, Leta Baker, and Brittany Simmons, representatives of the Greater Valley Juneteenth Committee. RADIO SYSTEM COMMUNICATIONS UPGRADE Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to purchase equipment for the first phase of a new radio system at an estimated cost of $144,222.66. This purchase will allow the city to move fire and police to an 800mhz communications platform. The new infrastructure will provide a more reliable, and robust communications network for the city. The motion was made by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; During the discussion Councilmember Deedee Williams asked if the equipment would improve the city’s ability to respond to calls in our jurisdiction. City Manager Ed Moon stated they will be on the same 800 megahertz as the other entities. The motion passed unanimously. PERSONNEL POLICY AMENDMENT – PERSONAL LEAVE Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the recommended changes to the Personnel Policy Section 6.5 Vacation leave. The changes will provide leave hours for new employees, additional hours for long-term employees and other updates to the policy. 6.5.1 change verbiage to personnel leave. 6.5.2 remove current 6.5.3; 1 year 40 hours, 4 years 80 hours, 14 years 120 hours. 6.5.2 Proposed Start date 40 hours, 2 years 80 hours, 10 years 120 hours, 15 years 160 hours. 6.5.4 current 1 year 60 hours, 4 years 120 hours, 14 years 120 hours. 6.5.3 proposed Start date 60 hours, 2 years 120 hours, 10 years 180 hours, 15 years 240 hours. 6.5.5b. personal leave, c. revised, d. removed, e. removed. 6.5.6 revised (5 days) 6.5.8 revised 6.5.9 removed. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made the said motion, seconded by Councilmember Joel B. Finlay. Councilmember Deedee Williams asked for a summary of the proposed ordinance. City Manager Ed Moon stated the changes will provide new employees with vacation immediately. That will help with retention and is consistent with other entities. The motion passed unanimously. ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – FOOD TRUCK City Attorney Alex Dixon read a proposed Food Truck Ordinance. amending Section 6- 553 with new language entitled “Mobil Food Vendors on Private Property” specifically amending sub-paragraph C. No mobile food vendor shall operate outside the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. At the end of each business day’s operation, the vendor shall remove from the parcel the mobile food vendor vehicle and all materials associated with 2 Page 3 of 4 the business. The mobile food vendor may remain in a permanent location if the mobile food vendor meets all requirements of this ordinance and the standards listed. 1. Establish permanent utilities, power, water and sewer, gas is optional. Sewer may be connected to an existing sewer tap. Power and water will be separately metered. 2. Mobile food vendor vehicles must be underpinned with approved material that covers all wheels and underside of vehicle completely from view of customers. 3. A twenty (20) foot x twenty (20) foot concrete pad must be installed in front of the mobile food vendor vehicle. 4. Outdoor dining with a minimum of two (2) tables that will seat a minimum of four (4) people each and one (1) minimum thirty (30) gallon trash receptacle. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve amending the City of West Point Food Truck Code of Ordinance. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; passed unanimously. ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – DOWNTOWN PARKING City Attorney Alex Dixon read a proposed Downtown Parking Ordinance. The ordinance adds language to Section 20-10 entitled “Illegal Parking” by adding Section (6) Every person convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of Section 1-14 of the City Code specifically including a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars for each such violation for illegal parking, and a fine of not less than one hundred dollars for each such violation for illegally parking in a space designated for handicap parking, in addition to any and all other penalties, fines and punishments as shall be imposed in connection with any and all other violations including progressive fines for repeat offenses and deleting Section 20-9 entitled ‘Restrictions” in its entirety. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve amending the Downtown Parking Ordinance. Councilmember Joel F. Finlay made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; During the discussion, City Manager Ed Moon stated the ordinance is intended to clarify the parking restrictions in the downtown area. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER The next Work Session will be on Thursday June 29, 2023, and the next Business Meeting will be on Monday July 10, 2023. ADJOURN Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion and seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; passed unanimously. 3 Page 4 of 4 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. ________________________ ______________________ Richard McCoy Steven M. Tramell 4