Jacksonville City Council Meeting and Work Session 6/27/2022

Calhoun Journal

June 28, 2022

Lee Evancho

Jacksonville, AL – Regular called work session and city council meeting.

Work Session

1. Call to order.
2. Roll call.
1. Tony Taylor – Present
2. Andy Green – Present
3. Terry Wilson – Present
4. Sherry Laster – Present
5. Coty Galloway – Present
3. Acceptance of minutes. – No comments
4. Short-Term Rentals – Mark Stephens.
1. Mr. Stephens received an email from Toby Bennington with Anniston’s city planing department and economic development. He saw this item on the agenda and wanted to share the information Aniston received when tackling this and he also shared Anniston’s ordinances on short term rental. A few points in Anniston’s are a limit of 30 days or less, a local contact required on all properties, lodging tax, and occupancy limitations. The suggestion was to review the packet of information and add this to the next agenda to move forward so something is in place before the football season begins.
5. Mountain Street Update – Mark Stephens.
1. There was one bid received and it included moving the water line at a cost of $189,000. Of the total cost the grant would cover $250,000 and the city would be responsible for $226,9337.  After much discussion it was decided to rebid the project and not include moving the water line in the scope.
6. New Utility Office – Michael Rinker.
1. There were no concerns with the design or moving forward with bidding the project our after the July 4th holiday.
7. Any other business.
1. The CDA wanted to amped their request from last meeting asking for $15,000.
2. Councilman Galloway met with JSU about a gate and cameras being installed at Chimney Peak from sunset to sunrise. President Killingsworth stated JSU would bid the project out. The cost for the gate and cameras would be split between the city and JSU. Once bids are received and approved this project would take approximately four months to complete. The goal is to also add walking trails and picnic tables and to resurface and clean the area so it is more of an attraction. The goal is to not restrict access, but to maintain the property. This project is still in talks and all details are not worked out.
3. Mayor Smith wanted to note a couple of items that are on the agenda for tonight.
1. A lease agreement is listed and is a five year lease with option to back out each year.
2. Approval to apply for a CDBG grant for $103,000 matching funds.
4. Marita Watson from the Jacksonville Board of Education introduced Dr. Michael Howard. Dr. Howard is the Jacksonville School’s new superintendent and officially started today. He also spoke and stated, “I couldn’t be happier to be here. I’m  appreciative of the board to trust me to be able to lead the school system forward. I look forward to our partnership. Dr. Killingsworth and I went to high school together so we already know each other and I look forward to that partnership as well. I’m excited and I couldn’t be proud of the direction we’re going and I know I’ll get to know everybody soon enough.  I’m very excited and honored for this opportunity and I look forward to many years of success and I’m excited about what’s going on.”

City Council Meeting

• Call to order.
• Invocation: Rev. Stan Johnson with Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Roll call.
• Tony Taylor – Present
• Andy Green – Present
• Terry Wilson – Present
• Sherry Laster – Present
• Coty Galloway – Present
• Adoption of minutes. – Unanimously Approved
• Adoption of agenda. – Unanimously Approved with amendment
• Amended 13a: Consider action to accept the 100% Construction Plans for the New Utility Office to be located at 1206 Church Ace, SE, Jacksonville, as presented by Christian & Associates Architecture and authorize same to proceed with Bid No. 22-05, New Utility Office.
• Proclamation. – No Proclamation
• Public comments concerning agenda items. – No Comments
• Public Hearing regarding Street and Alley Vacations that lie North of Unimproved Colorado Street, SW. – No Comments
• Consideration of Resolution No. R-2135-22 Vacating Unimproved Gaston Avenue, SW, Loeb Avenue, SW and Unimproved Alleys that lie North of Unimproved Colorado Street, SW. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consideration of Resolution No. R-2136 Committing Local Funds as Match for the FY2022 Community Development Block Grant Large Cities Fund Grant Application for Sanitary Sewer Improvements. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to approve partnering with Calhoun County 9-1-1 (CC911) Emergency Communications District (ECD) for Inclusion in the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Emergency Ambulance Services. – Unanimously Approved
• Consider action to authorize the Mayor to sign the Commercial Lease Agreement with Heirloom Group Inc., for the property located at 111 Ladiga Street, SE, as a Restaurant/Bar, per the attached. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to accept the 100% Construction Plans for the New Utility Office to be located at 1206 Church Ace, SE, Jacksonville, as presented by Christian & Associates Architecture and authorize same to proceed with Bid No. 22-05, New Utility Office. – Unanimously Approved 
• Consider action to approve the employment of the following: – Unanimously Approved 
• Rodney Ball, Fire Marshal, Range 18, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the resignation of Chris Collins.
• Jeremiah Weldon, Police Corporal, Range 20, effective June 29, 2022, due to the reclassification of Edmund Swain.
• Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved 
• Budget Amendment Requests.
• Disposition of Surplus Property.
• Requests to Attend Conference/Training Session with Costs Exceeding $1,000.00
• Public comments for general items. – No Comments 
• Council Member Remarks.
• Councilman Andy Green wanted to thank PARD and all the work they did to make Third Friday a success. He was unable to attend, but as he drove back into town it was nice to see all the families gathered watching a movie. A great family friendly event.
• Mayor’s report.
• Jax Fest is on July 1st
• There will also be a special volunteer application program the night of Jax Fest.
• The city offices will be closed on Monday the 4th for the holiday.
• The Downtown Strategy meeting had to be rescheduled for July 14th at the library.
• Any Other Business. – No comments
• Adjournment. – Unanimously Approved 

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