City Council

Monday, December 20, 2021 Wetumpka City Hall 6:00 p.m. Work Session: Citizen Comments: (Ordinance 2016-8) None Reports of: Boards and Committees Agenda Items Council Meeting Monday, December 20, 2021 Wetumpka City Hall 6:04 p.m. The Council of the City of Wetumpka held a work session prior to the 6:00 p.m. council meeting held on Monday, December 20, 2021. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jerry Willis at 6:04 p.m. Councilmember Robbins led the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Justiss. Upon a Roll Call the following were present: Mayor Jerry Willis and Councilmembers Kevin Robbins, Lynnes Justiss, Steve Gantt and Joe Brown. Councilmember Tucker was absent. Also present were City Clerk Tiffany Robinson and staff members. Councilmember Justiss offered a motion to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on December 6, 2021 as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Brown with the Council voting unanimously in favor of the motion. Mayor Willis opened the public hearing regarding a petition by the Wetumpka Planning Commission to amend certain sections of the Zoning Ordinance of Wetumpka, AL concerning billboards. No one spoke for or against. The public hearing was closed. Under old business, Councilmember Justiss made a motion to suspend the second reading of Ordinance 2016-6, an Ordinance to amend certain sections of the Zoning Ordinance of Wetumpka, AL concerning billboards. Councilmember Brown seconded the motion with the roll call vote as follows; Councilmember Robbins yes Councilmember Justiss yes Councilmember Gantt yes Councilmember Brown yes Mayor Willis yes  Councilmember Justiss made a motion to approve Ordinance 2016-6, an Ordinance to amend certain sections of the Zoning Ordinance of Wetumpka, AL concerning billboards. Councilmember Gantt seconded the motion with the roll call vote as follows; Councilmember Robbins yes Councilmember Justiss yes Councilmember Gantt yes Councilmember Brown yes Mayor Willis yes Ordinance No. 2021-6 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 81.1 BILLBOARDS OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE WHEREAS, the Wetumpka Planning Commission, petitioned to amend the Zoning Ordinance of Wetumpka, Alabama; and WHEREAS, the Council has held a duly advertised public hearing as required by Sec. 11-52-78, Code of Alabama 1975, and WHEREAS, the Council finds that the proposed amendment is consistent with the authority granted in 11-52-70, et seq, Code of Alabama 1975 and the purposes of zoning regulations generally in 11-52-72, Code of Alabama 1975 and the purposes stated in the Zoning Ordinances for the City of Wetumpka; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WETUMPKA, ALABAMA, AS FOLLOWS: The Zoning Ordinance of the City of Wetumpka, being incorporated by reference in Ordinance 99-4, entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Wetumpka, AL,” adopted on September 2, 1998, be and is hereby amended as follows: Amend Section 81.1 to read as follows: For the purpose of this section, a “billboard” shall be defined as any sign, structure or device, including electronic devices, which advertises or contains information about a business, product, or service not located on or offered on the premises which the sign is located. In addition to any regulations applying to all signs in general, the following regulations shall apply to billboards: 81.1 (a) to read as follows: Billboards are prohibited and shall not be placed, constructed or displayed within the City of Wetumpka, Alabama, except those Billboards legally existing on the effective date of this ordinance may be continued, even though such signs do not conform to this provision. Such non-conforming signs shall not be expanded, relocated or replaced by another non-conforming sign, except that the substitution of interchangeable poster panels, painted boards or demountable material on non-conforming signs shall be allowed.  81.1 (b) to read as follows: Non-conforming Billboards shall be permitted until one of the following conditions occurs: 1. The deterioration of the sign or damage to the sign makes it a safety hazard or the sign is abandoned according to Section 81.4; or 2. The sign has been damaged by circumstances beyond the control of the owner to the extent that more than minor repairs are required to restore the sign; provided that signs damaged by an Act of God and not due to the owner’s action or inaction may be restored to their pre-damaged condition within 30 days of said destruction, provided that the useful life of the sign is not extended. 3. No structural repairs, except those permitted pursuant to Subsection (b)(2) above changing the shape, size or design, shall be permitted except to make a non-conforming sign comply with all requirements of this ordinance. 4. In the event that a non-conforming sign is no longer in compliance with the terms and requirements of this Section, then it shall be subject to removal in accordance with Section 81.5. Amend Section 81.1 to delete sub sections (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) Adopted and approved this the 20th day of December, 2021. Signed: _________________________________ Jerry Willis, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________ Tiffany Robinson, City Clerk Under new business, Councilmember Justiss made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-12-20-1, resolution to enter into contract between Riley & Jackson, P.C. and Law Firm of Edwards & Edwards, P.C. in the prosecution of legal claims against manufacturers and distributors of opioids. Councilmember Gantt seconded the motion with the Council voting unanimously in favor of the motion.  Councilmember Robbins made a motion to enter into professional services agreement with Dalhoff Thomas Design Studio for master planning of Hohenburg Field and Wetumpka Sports Complex. Councilmember Brown seconded the motion with the Council voting unanimously in favor of the motion. Councilmember Justiss made a motion to enter into grant agreement with the Alabama Historical Commission to provide funds for the Elmore County Training School. Councilmember Robbins seconded the motion with the Council voting unanimously in favor of the motion. Councilmember Brown made a motion enter into contract extension with Waste Management until May 31, 2022. Councilmember Gantt seconded the motion with the Council voting unanimously in favor of the motion. Councilmember Brown made a motion to suspend the rules and vote on repairing the baseball fields. Councilmember Robbins seconded the motion with the roll call vote as follows; Councilmember Robbins yes Councilmember Justiss yes Councilmember Gantt yes Councilmember Brown yes Mayor Willis yes Councilmember Gantt made a motion to repair baseball fields at a cost of $6500. Councilmember Brown seconded the motion with the Council voting unanimously in favor of the motion. Upon a motion by Councilmember Gantt, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Approved by Council on the _________day of _______________, 2021. Signed: _______________________ Jerry Willis, Mayor ATTEST: Signed: _____________________ Tiffany Robinson, City Clerk