Geraldine City Council update, May 2, 2016

Geraldine City Council update
Mayor Ables

By Staff Reports

tyler@southerntorch.com

GERALDINE, Ala. — The Geraldine town Council met on May 3 for their regular monthly meeting. Councilman Stanley Rooks began by asking that the minutes be revised to reflect his intentions on a remark he made during the public comment session at the previous meeting. The minutes reflected that he asked if he could have a copy of revenue that is received monthly. Rooks stated that he asked if the entire council could have a copy of revenue that is received monthly. The council then voted to adopt the minutes with that change.

Shasta Norwood spoke to the Council on behalf of many citizens to request that additional playground equipment  be placed inside the walking track so children could play while the adults were walking. She was followed by Commander Gerald Tillman of the Geraldine American Legion  said the American Legion is interested in helping with the project should the Council decide to proceed.

Sam Phillips of Phillips Engineering gave a brief report on the proposed sidewalk project with bid opening set for May 11 at 10 a.m.  Councilman Tim Gilbert asked how the town would pay for their portion. Councilman Rooks then stated, “It looks like we are going into this not knowing how we would pay for it.” Mayor Ables then stated that it had been discussed previously that we would be selling engraved bricks to help defer the cost and additional money would be requested from other sources.

The Mayor then gave a financial report to address a question raised at the last meeting by former Councilman Orvil Bearden as to what happened to the $600,000 the town had at the beginning of the current term in November of 2012. The independent audit reflected the true amount to be $368946.32. Mayor Ables read a list of 13 projects and their exact cost which totaled $250015.31, and pointed out that the Worker's Comp insurance and the property insurance combined had increased by over $8000 a year since 2012. As of April 29, the town has a bank balance of $187324.65.

Councilman Larry Lingerfelt gave a brief report on the CDBG grant workshop he attended in Montgomery to assist in the writing of the grant he is working on to secure funds for the remodeling of the building currently known as the senior center. He asked the Council to review the grant he had written and try to obtain the funds needed to renovate the building. Lingerfelt explained the basic details of the plans that he had drawn and stated that we have a pledge of $15000 to help with the town's portion of the cost. He then asked if the Council wanted to proceed with the grant application. Councilmen Gilbert and Rooks stated they were not aware of the grant application. The two agreed it was a good idea but they felt like they had not been included in the planning. No motion was made.

Councilman Larry Shellhorse stated that money had been secured from the Geraldine FFA Alumni Association for landscaping at the building just mentioned. The Mayor stated the landscaping will further enhance the appearance of the building which has just undergone some outside upgrades including a new ramp and porch built by Councilmen Shellhorse, Lingerfelt, and Guest.

The mayor reported that Ladd Environmental had made a request to USDA Rural Development for additional grant money for the wastewater treatment facility. Under unfinished business, Councilman Shellhorse made a motion to take from the table Ordinance #16-03-29 and consider it. The motion passed.

Attorney Pat Tate briefly explained the Ordinance which was introduced at a meeting on April 4 and would establish an agriculture (AG) district. He explained a few changes made since the original reading. Attorney David Dodd spoke briefly on behalf of Josh and Tiffany Phillips who requested the AG District be added. Attorney Dodd stated that Phillips had agreed to all of the amendments as stated including planting a buffer strip of trees near the back of his property. Councilman Lingerfelt then asked how the buffer would be enforced should one or more trees die. Tate said that would be the job of the town enforcement officer. Councilman Rooks made a motion to consider the ordinance as presented, Councilman Gilbert seconded and the motion passed. After some discussion a roll call vote was taken and the motion passed.

Councilman Rooks made a motion to have a work session prior to the regular monthly meetings beginning at 4:30 p.m. with the regular council meeting to start at 5 p.m. The motion carried and will go into effect on June 6.

Gilbert made a motion to open the splash pad beginning May 14. It will be open Monday thru Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free.

In other business, the Council voted to adopt a new Motor Vehicle Policy, a Sexual Harrassment Policy, and a Records Request Policy.

During the time reserved for public comment, Jackie Rogers requested that Black Street be repaired with materials to cost between $400 and $500. He stated that if the town would buy the materials he would do the labor. A motion was made and the request was granted.

Mayor Ables made note of a recent article in the Alabama Municipality Journal about the importance of town websites and then commended Clerk Kim Cleveland on a great job of creating a website for the town at a very minimal cost. The town website is www.townofgeraldineal.com. The meeting was then adjourned.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, June 6 at 5 p.m.