COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF LUVERNE

April 24, 2017

The City of Luverne Council met in regular session on April 24, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., in the City Hall Building. The following members were present:

Mayor Ed Beasley

Kip Smith, Councilman

Kathy Smyth, Councilwoman

Elliott Jones, Councilman

Morris Tate, Engineer

Margie Gomillion, Clerk

Mike Jones, Attorney

W.A. Neal, Building Inspector

Mike Johnson, Chief

Absent:

Charlie Johnson, Councilman

Eddie Billings, Councilman

Visitors:

James Morgan Robyn Snellgrove Pat Floyd

Martha Dickey Diane Oliver

Mayor Beasley called the meeting to order. The mayor called on Councilwoman Smyth to lead the pledge of allegiance to the flag and Attorney Jones to ask a prayer.

The mayor called for the approval of the minutes of April 10, 2017. Councilman Jones made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Councilman Smith seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously approved.

Mr. Tate reported routine work was performed in all departments. The street department is steadily hauling off debris. The water department picked up a load of hyacinths in Headland to put in the lagoon. The electric department has steadily replaced several services to homes and businesses since the storm. Mr. Tate wanted to remind everyone and thank Elliott Jones for notifying customers of the planned power outage this Thursday night from 11:00 p.m. to Friday morning at 5:00 a.m. Mr. Tate stated the city had a meeting with AMEA and Alabama Power last Tuesday. We determined this would be the best time to have the power outage because according to the SCADA readings this would be the lowest usage of electricity in the city at this time. Mr. Tate stated before the outage was set we checked with the Hospital and Nursing Home. Once the outage was set the ladies at city hall called a number of businesses throughout town and put an article in the paper notifying the citizens of the outage. The mayor reported Tom Crowell’s service station is on South Alabama Electric’s power and will be open all night during the power outage. Also, the mayor stated he has two generators at home if there is any elderly person that depends on oxygen that has to have power. The mayor stated Mayor Sullivan called and asked if the city had a shortage of trucks. Mr. Tate stated we do have a shortage of flatbed dump trucks. Mayor Beasley stated he would contact Mayor Sullivan. The mayor stated Danny Miles has offered the city some heavy equipment and Kevin Kennedy has offered a big loader if needed at no charge.

Mayor Beasley called on the city clerk for the administration report. Routine work was performed. Also, quarterly reports have been prepared and the office assisted Mr. Tate in contacting businesses about the power outage Thursday night.

Mayor Beasley called on Chief Johnson to report to the council. Chief Johnson reported the cars are in, equipped, and on the road. The chief stated he has spoken to Councilman Johnson and a couple of the neighbors and so far there have been no issues with buzzards. Chief Johnson reported the police department has been approved for an overtime grant. The city will pay for the overtime and the federal government will reimburse the city 100 percent. The mayor discussed the concern of the south light and the flow of traffic. The chief stated he spoke with Mr. Booth with ALDOT and they are thinking about possibly taking out the south light. Mr. Booth with ALDOT would like to meet with the mayor, council, and engineer. The mayor stated there are some concerned people on the Economic Development Board and asked Mrs. Snellgrove to get with them to explain the situation the effect would have on the businesses.

The mayor called on Ms. Diane Oliver to speak. Ms. Oliver discussed her on-going issue with her neighbor. Mayor Beasley asked Chief Johnson to look further into Ms. Oliver’s issues.

Mayor Beasley reported things at the library are running very smoothly.

The mayor stated everyone has a copy of Mr. Neal’s report. Mr. Neal reported he has been very busy answering a lot of calls for city hall. Mr. Neal stated he has returned phone calls concerning roof repairs. He also stated he spoke with an architect that is designing the dialysis center.

Mayor Beasley called on Robyn Snellgrove to speak on economic development. Mrs. Snellgrove reported Smart has 63 positions they are trying to fill and Dongwon has 5 positions to fill. Sew American has 18 full-time employees, 1 part-time, and is training for a second shift. Sew American is still looking for store fixtures.

Mayor Beasley reported he went to OCAP Head Start to present a proclamation proclaiming April 24-28, 2017 as the Week of the Young Child. The proclamation is as follows:

PROCLAMATION

DECLARING

WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD

WHEREAS, the OCAP/Luverne Head Start and other local organizations, in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, are celebrating the Week of the Young Child, April 24-28, 2017; and

WHEREAS, these organizations are working to improve early learning opportunities, including early literacy programs, that can provide a foundation of learning for children in Luverne, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, teachers and others who make a difference in the lives of young children in Luverne, Alabama deserve thanks and recognition; and

WHEREAS, public policies that support early learning for all young children are crucial to young children’s futures;

THEREFORE, I, Ed Beasley, Mayor of the City of Luverne do hereby proclaim April 24-28, 2017 as the Week of the Young Child in Luverne, Alabama and encourage all citizens to work to make a good investment in early childhood in Luverne, Alabama.

DONE this 24th day of April 2017.

The mayor stated myself, Attorney Jones and Probate Judge Will Tate met with Representative Martha Roby last week. She was very cordial in offering any assistance that she can. It is hopeful we will get a little federal assistance for the storm cleanup.

Mayor Beasley presented the council with Ordinance No. 17-01 with the new back to school sales tax holiday dates. The clerk stated the state changed the dates of the tax holiday from the first full weekend of August to the third full weekend in July. In order to participate in the sales tax holiday the council has to amend the old ordinance. The new ordinance is as follows:

COUNCIL MEETING

ORDINANCE NO. 17-01

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LUVERNE, ALABAMA, TO EXEMPT CERTAIN “COVERED ITEMS” FROM THE MUNICIPAL SALES AND USE TAX DURING THE THIRD FULL WEEKEND OF JULY, 2017 AS AUTHORIZED BY ACT 2017-120, GENERALLY REFERRED TO AS THE STATE SALES HOLIDAY LEGISLATION.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF LUVERNE COUNCIL ON LUVERNE, ALABAMA AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. In conformity with the provisions Act 2017-120 enacted by the Alabama Legislature during the 2017 Regular Session, providing for a State Sales Tax Holiday, the City of Luverne, Alabama, exempts “covered items” from municipal sales and use tax during the same period, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2017, and ending at twelve midnight on Sunday, July 23, 2017, and the same third full weekend of July for each year thereafter until rescinded.

SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be subject to all terms, conditions, definitions, time periods, and rules as provided by Act 2017-120.

SECTION 3. The City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to certify a copy of this ordinance under the seal of the City of Luverne, Alabama, and to forward said certified copy to the Alabama Department of Revenue to be recorded and posted on the Department website.

SECTION 4. This ordinance shall become effective on July 1, 2017.

The mayor stated the ordinance will be taken up at the next meeting.

Councilman Jones reported the Technology Committee had webinars and spoke with three different companies for the city’s new website and feel BWS Technologies would be the best for the city’s website. After some discussion, Councilwoman Smyth made a motion to accept information and bid amount from BWS Technologies for the proposed city website. Councilman Jones seconded the motion and all was in favor. Councilman Jones stated he would try to get Greg Steele with BWS Technologies to come to the next council meeting. Councilman Jones stated it will take about 12 weeks to get the website built.

The mayor stated we have done some research on the old English’s Building. We are waiting to hear back from Mrs. Dickey’s insurance company on the damages. Mayor Beasley stated the council will have to explore the prices and see how much the insurance company will pay before the council considers purchasing the building any further. The mayor stated the council might have to call a special meeting this week to discuss this further.

Councilman Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Jones seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned.