Jacksonville, AL –The Jacksonville City Council held a regularly scheduled work session and city council meeting on February 12th, 2024.

 

  • Call to order.
  • Invocation.
  • Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Roll call.
    • Tony Taylor – Present
    • Sherry Laster – Present
    • Coty Galloway – Absent
    • Andy Green – Absent
    • Terry Wilson – Present
  • Proclamation – Councilwoman Laster read the proclamation for Black History Month. The Theme of this month’s program is African Americans and the Arts.
  • Work Session
    • Acceptance of Minutes. – No questions 
    • Apothecary – Josh Stearns spoke about requesting to sell draft beer to-go. These will be follow all ABC requirements and regulations.
    • SAFER Grant – Keith Kadle spoke about the county wide animal situation. He is requesting to apply for a new grant that would pay for six employees and their training for two years to assist with this situation. If the grant is accept the city would be required to keep the employees for three years after the grant expires. The total amount to the city if accepted would be about $90,000. He also would like to ultimately add a 24 hour truck to be available.  The deadline is April for this grant.
    • Lexipol Policy Solutions – Marcus Wood spoke about a proposal from Lexical Policy Solutions. This would include a team of policy attorneys and professional law enforcment and risk management member to develop a specific policy for the individual agency. If any matter was brought to court they would also explain the development of the policy and defend it. This also would include training on the policy.
      • LE Subscription Total $16,099
      • One Time Implementation Total $16,181.20
      • Training Subscription Total $3,436.55
      • Correction Policy Total $4,633.35
    • Chief Wood also spoke about the gate policy of Chimney Peak. He noted that there is no PARD Ordinance in place about park hours. He has requested that the cit consider placing a standard park hour ordinance.
    • Building & Planning Fees – Josh Barkley and Mark Stephens.
      • Mr. Barkley spoke about proposed changes to building fee scheduled. The proposed increases are below. The effective date would be October 1st, 2024 if passed.
      • Mr. Stephens also discussed the increase for planing fees increase.

Proposed Building Fee Schedule

    • Proposed “No Parking” along Clinton Street, SE – Mark Stephens spoke about the proposed “No Parking.” He mentioned that there are rental properties that are creating issues with parking on both sides and creating a narrow roadway. With the loading dock this is going to get worse. He would like to propose a no parking zone between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. This would go into effect June 1st if approved.

 

    • Proposed No Parking on Clinton Street Proposed No Parking on Clinton Street Proposed No Parking on Clinton Street
    • Mobile Restroom Trailer Graphics.
      • The main concerns was size and pictures. After discussion the main idea was having the City’s Seal on the larger sides of the restroom.
    • Revenue Discussion – Terry Wilson spoke about ways for the city to increase the revenue and not be a hardship on people buying grocery’s and in their daily life. The discussion was to increase the lodging tax by 2%. There would also be a $2 per night safety tax on each room that our go to the police and fire department.

Proposed Tax Increases

Proposed Tax Increases

    • Any other business.
      • Councilman Wilson wants to speak about Eastwood Schools. The committee has met and a brochure has been created to be handed out to get money in so work can be started.
      • Chief Kadle received an invoice from JSU for the new firehouse. The total is $5,000. This would be for surveys and other planning fees. The main concern brought up is the city sure this is location they want to build in.
      • The Mayor brought to the action that the Market Manager resigned and he wants to add to the agenda to hire a new manager.
      • Councilman Wilson asked about an update to the roofs at the Community Center. He was informed that they are still waiting on a third bid.
  • Adoption of minutes. – Unanimously Approved
  • Adoption of agenda. – Unanimously Approved with noted changes
    • Proclamation for Black History Month Amended
    • Added: Consider Action to approve the 2024 Farmer’s Market Rules and Regulations and the Farmers 2024 Market Manger Agreement with Jennifer Thrash.
    • Added: Consent Agenda: Police: Surplus: Decal No. 7800 – 2021 Gray Chevrolet Tahoe. and Decal No. 7801 – 2021 Gray Chevrolet Tahoe.
    • Added: Consider Action to authorize the Mayor to sign an Agreement with Lexipol for Policy Management Training
  • Public comments concerning agenda. – None
  • Consider action to approve the amendment to Apothecary Draft House’ Alcoholic Beverage License to include Off-Premises Retail Beer License. – Unanimously Approved
  • Consider action to approve JPWP#24-123, Community Saferoom (Eastwood.) – Unanimously Approved
    • The project will consist of constructing a community saferoom at 620 Gardner Drive, SE on the south side of the existing access drive to the “old” Eastwood School. The saferoom will provide protection from 250mph winds and will be constructed in compliance with FEMA 361 and ICC 500 standards, ADA regulations, and all local and state codes. The saferoom will be 23′ × 33′ with a net usable area of 750 s.f. The occupancy rating for this saferoom will be for 110 persons. The usable area will be as follows: 100 s.f. for 10 disabled people, 500 s.f. for 100 non-disabled people, and 150 s.f. for 2 ADA restrooms.The saferoom will have an 11kw natural gas generator. There will be 2ADA parking spaces constructed adjacent to the saferoom. There wil also be utilities (water, sanitary sewer, and natural gas) installed to the saferoom. The City received funding through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP 4362- 0010). The total project cost is $393,680.65. The Federal share (75%) is $295,260.49 and the City’s share (25%) is $98,420.16
      Estimated start date: To be determined  Estimated date of completion: Per FEMA’s Budget Increase Approval letter it is October 24, 2024, however, a time extension may be required.
  • Consider Action to approve the 2024 Farmer’s Market Rules and Regulations and the Farmers 2024 Market Manger Agreement with Jennifer Thrash. – Unanimously Approved
  • Consider Action to authorize the Mayor to sign an Agreement with Lexipol for Policy Management Training – Unanimously Approved
  • Consider action to abolish the Assistant Building Inspector/Maintenance Technician, Range 18, job description. – Unanimously Approved
  • Consider action to approve the employment of the following: – Unanimously Approved
    • Steven Scott Diggs, Laborer for PARD, Range 1, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273. (new position)
    • Jae-Taj Morris, Part-Time Laborer for PARD, Rane 1, effective February 14, 2024, due to the employment of Breanna Finley. (Mr. Morris is currently a Temporary Laborer)
    • Micah Bryant Craft, Police Officer, Range 18, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the termination of Patrick Huntley.
    • Matthew Jordan Riggan, Police Officer, Range 18, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the transfer of Drew Tinker.
    • Dalton Thomas Fitch, Police Officer, Range 18, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the resignation of Cameron Watkins.
    • Tawanna T. Williams, Full-Time Public Safety Communications Officer, Range 12, effective upon compliance with Ordinance No. 273, due to the resignation of Mary Lambert.
  • Consider action to approve the reclassification of the following: – Unanimously Approved
    • Charles Landon Huey, Full-Time Firefighter/EMT, Range 11, effective February 29, 2024, due to the retirement of Randy Childs. (Mr. Huey is currently a Part-Time Firefighter/EMT.
  • Consider action to accept the resignation of the following: – Unanimously Approved
    • Matthew Hooper, Part-Time Firefighter/Paramedic, effective February 2, 2024.
  • Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved
    • Budget Amendment Requests.
      • Police
        • Increase Account No. 10-02-6101-00-70335 in the amount of $19.98 for restitution.
    • Purchases Over $7,500.00.
      • General Government
        • $131,407.00 to Municipal Workers Compensation Fund, Inc., for policy 001-2024-00175-00 for February 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025.
      • Police
        • $22,850.18 to Buster miles Upfitters for upfitting cost and equipment for two (2) 2024 Ford Expeditions. (Originally approved $19,429.80 on 10/23/23)
        • $12,000.00 to BriefCam, Inc., for the purchase of BriefCam Investigator software for the period November 14, 2023 through November 13, 2024.
      • Utility Office
        • $71,065.92 to Empire Pipe and Supply for the purchase of 6” water meter & vault, 8” fire line meter & value and 4” irrigation meter & vault for Ivy Row Apartments. (to be reimbursed by contractor)
        • $13,306.08 to Crawford Office Supply for office furniture for new office building.
    • Requests to Attend Conference/Training Session with Costs Exceeding $1,000.00.
      • $1,460.00 for Stanley Carr to attend SWANA Spring Seminar 2024 in Orange Beach, April 2-4, 2024.
      • $1,460.00 for Constance Nation to attend SWANA Spring Seminar 2024 in Orange Beach, April 2- 4, 2024.
      • $1,666.00 for Donald Clark to attend SWANA Spring Seminar 2024 in Orange Beach, April 2-4, 2024.
    • Disposition of Surplus Property.
      • Police
        • Decal No. 7800 – 2021 Gray Chevrolet Tahoe.
        • Decal No. 7801 – 2021 Gray Chevrolet Tahoe.
    • Utility Maintenance
      • No Decal – Buildings & Improvements – Dyer Street Warehouse Asset #60 – scrap.
      • No Decal – Vehicles & Equipment – Asset Nos. 50, 54, 55 & 56 – scrap.
      • NoDecal–Tools&Equipment–AssetNos.1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10&11–scrap.
      • No Decal – Office Equipment – Asset Nos. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 & 34 – scrap.
    •  Boards/Committees.
      • Michael Cody Areno, Commercial Development Authority, to replace Gloria Floyd with term to expire March 15, 2027.
      •  Reappointment:
        • Jimmy Howard, Jacksonville Housing Authority, with term to expire March 2029.
  • Public comments for general items.
    • Marita Watson commended the Jacksonville Public Library and and the city for their Valentines for Seniors program.
  • Council Member Remarks.
    • Councilwoman Laster invited all to the Black History Program February 18th at 2:00 pm.
  • Mayor’s report.
    • The Mayor seconded the invitation to the Black History Program.
    • The 19th with be a holiday so the office will be closed.
    • April 13th will be Take Pride in Jacksonville Day.
    • The library is offering notary services.
    • ALDOT will have a public hearing meeting about concerns on Thursday 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the same room as the council meeting.
  • Any Other Business. – None
  • Adjournment. – Unanimously Approved