Story by AnnaKate Freeland Correspondent
The Fort Payne City Council was provided a copy of three ordinance samples at Tuesday’s city council meeting regarding a previous discussion about being members of other boards while on the city council.
The council decided to table the discussion for a later date, and for the next city council to possibly decide on it.
Council President Walter Watson said he believed the issue should be left for the next group, meaning the council member seated after up-coming city elections.
There is currently no ordinance or law that prohibits a city council member from being a member of another board. At the city’s council meeting on May 6, they discussed their opinions and decided that they would try to put an ordinance in place.
The samples were provided by city attorney Rocky Watson. The proposed ordinances read:
A council member may be appointed to the city school board, the board of trustees of the improvement authority, the city waterworks board, the gas board, or any other board.
A council member may not be appointed to the city school board, the board of trustees of the improvement authority, the city waterworks board, the gas board, or any other board.
A council member may be appointed to the city school board, the board of trustees of the improvement authority, the city waterworks board, the gas board, or any other board, with the exception that they may not receive compensation from said board.
The city council also has the option to leave the current Ordinance 1-66 in place.
Council member John Smith voted against tabling the issue. He said his problem with the current practice deals with a council member serving on the gas board. He said he believes it’s illegal, or at least unethical for a council member to serve in paid position on the gas board.
It was noted in Tuesday’s meeting that DC Gas Board serves other municipalities, too, and a council member or mayor of those cities serve or have served on the board.
The city council also:
Canvassed the Special Municipal election of May 6, 2025; voters approved renewal of the city’s property tax that goes to the school system.
Agreed with Alabama Department of Transportation that the city will maintain traffic signals on State Route 35 from Sarah Dewyer Street to Prestwood Drive.
-Adopted the EMA Hazard Mitigation Plan.
-authorizied FY 2026 Tap Application and Matching Funds
Amended resolution 2025-01, declaring certain police vehicles as surplus.
The mayor reported the city and Main Street have partnered to bring movie nights to the Dekalb Theatre. The first movie will be Mufasa, The Lion King, on May 30. Tickets are free and can be obtained by calling the Main Street office.
