City Council - Regular Meeting

Mr. Lucas is going to join us a little bit later. You want to go ahead and call roll. Okay. If you would in that. Sure. Mr. Cesy and Mr. Lucas is on his way. I think Mrs. Henry here. Mrs. Golden here. Mr. Cybert here. All right.

We got a pretty brief meeting tonight. Uh first of all, we have a public hearing related to the zoning approval for the sale of alcohol in the city of Athens by Shashimi Asian Beastro. That's at uh 116 North Jefferson Street. It's a new business. Uh that's just a public hearing. And then our consent item A, we have a resolution to approve a retail liquor on premises alcohol license for Cheyenne Kana LLC, Athens Beverage 2. That's a 2030 US Highway 72. Item B is a resolution to approve travel and education expenses for personnel of the planning department in the amount of $560. Item C is a resolution to approve travel education expenses for personnel of the cemetery, parks, and wreck department in the amount of $17.93. Item D is a resolution to approve the purchase of laboratory equipment from Viola WTS analytical instruments for the water treatment plant in the amount of $26,4510. This purchase is accounted for in the FY26 water services budget. Out of those, do u does anyone have any questions on any of those items?

No. Okay. Who will take that consent calendar? Okay. didn't tell you.

U item E is an ordinance further amending a contract regarding real property in the North Elm Industrial Park. I've spoken with offices about these. Does anybody have any questions on that one? That's an extension. Anybody have any questions for the mayor on that one? Okay, we'll take that.

Probably have to go back and spend the roads, won't you? That Yep. I guess since that's an ordinance, won't we? Who will do the rules?

Okay. Item F is a resolution to approve the purchase of three Power Heart G5 AED semi-automatic defibrillators along with three sets of adult and pediatric defibrillator pads from Boundry Medical at a cost of $5,815.71 to be funded from the city of Athens opioid fund for the fire department. These are the same type we bought last week or last.

Yeah. I just appreciate Annette and the chief and others bringing this to our attention because many of you know that we uh joined a litigation issue regarding opioids a few years ago. And this is money that has come to the city of Athens and it's very specific about how it can be spent. And I think this is a good expenditure to help these guys out. Listen, if it saves a life, we've done a good job. So, I appreciate y'all. And Chief, thank y'all. Other departments may be in need of these. Also, I checked today, we've got a little over $390,000 in opioid

by joining that litigation seat that says, you know, there's too many opioids that have been dispensed and the state with others uh coach and Amy filed a lawsuit and we joined that lawsuit. Right, Shane? You can What are the restrictions on where that money can be spent? Yeah, there there's a there's a list and I can get you council cries a list that shows them. Uh they are all things that are aimed or in that neighborhood of law enforcement or opioid prevention or treatment tools law enforcement uses, paramedics use when they are dealing with them. Discrete category, they're all related to that.

Is there any deadline on when we have to use those funds? No. So, it's it's sitting there for use if it is a justified, legitimate request. I'll get you that list, too. Shane, I'd like one as well, please. Thank you. I'll copy everybody. You guys have any other questions on that one? Okay. Who Who will take that one?

That will require rules.

Rules. Okay. who will do the rules. Okay. Item G is a resolution authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Amble Studios to provide schematic design services for the structure located at 105 West Hob Street at a cost of 16,500 to be funded from fiscal year 2022 general fund surplus capital projects fund. And Miss Sbert, if I may, uh, we're just looking at trying to get a good idea of what future use this may be for the city. Uh, whether it's a legitimate thing that we it's it's the little bank building across the street. Just trying to get some concepts. don't have anything specific in mind at this time, but I know as fast as we're growing and the need for uh you know space it may be something to get a conceptual drawing and that's actually there's no time limit to it doesn't have to be dealt with tonight but I'd prefer that it is and let us discuss uh just you know what our options are and if you guys have any ideas please get them to us. I've had everything from food courts to public bathrooms to office space to whatever. So, we're uh we're open.

Okay. Do we need to suspend rules on that one, please? Yes, sir.

We'll do the rules on that. Okay, that's it. Unless we have any additions. I know we had an updated A. Are there any other additions?

Well, it's not any additions, but I did want to speak to Annette and I have been working on uh outside appropriations or agency appropriations. Each year, uh agencies request from us through a contractual agreement of services. uh they request an appropriation for the city of Athens. I have passed out, Annette has passed out a uh a list of those uh what agencies made a request and I've gone through and just given my recommendations. You don't have to take those. There's about uh a little over almost about 580,000 uh that is requested. O almost 700,000 was requested and I went through and cut. You guys look at it, give your best cut to it. And I would like to because the outside agencies really kind of in their first quarter of their budgets need this if we're going to appropriate. So if you could look at it, make whatever tweaks you need to and have it on your December 22nd agenda, it would be appreciated. We do try to get them a check before Christmas.

Yes, we can get them a check before the Christmas time to help them with their expenditures. Yeah, they're very dependent on this money. They are. And they do really good services for in the agency. You've got Boys, Girls Club, you've got all kind of great facilities out there that do a good job. So, these are my recommendations and uh we'll be ready when y'all are.

Okay. Well, everybody has a copy of this, so have an opportunity to look through it and hope to uh take action on this at the next meeting. Okay. Anything else from anybody? Anything? We got a little bit of time. Actually, a lot of time, but All right. Well, if that's the case, then we will have a long recess and be back at 4:30. Thanks.

We'd like to thank everybody for coming out tonight. Ned, if you wouldn't mind calling us to order. Sure. Mr. Casy here. Mr. Lucas here. Mrs. Henry here. Mrs. Golden here. Mr. Cyber here. All five present. We're going to be uh led in prayer by Councilwoman Golden. Then the pledge of allegiance by Mayor Marks.

Please bow your heads.

Father God, thank you for this day and for the people that are here in this room and for this community in which we live. Thank you for your grace and your mercy. Thank you for the wisdom that you give us to conduct the business city of Athens. Thank you for the joys and the abundance you give us as your children. Please guide us as we walk through the steps tonight to run the city's business. Show us the way and give us grace. In the name of Jesus, we ask this. Amen. Please to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Councilwoman Henry and mayor for that. Uh, if we could get somebody to make a motion to approve our city council minutes from the last meeting. I move. Second. Okay. If we could please get a roll call on that. Mrs. Golden. Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mr. Cesy? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Mr. Cyber? Yes. Five. Yay. Zero nays.

We don't have any special city council minutes or standing committees nor special committees. So, we'll move into the report of officers. Mayor March. Thank you, Mr. Sabbert. I don't have anything a lot of good exciting things happening all the way from Athens High School and the Christmas concert and I think Dana and several of you went to and uh groundbreaking today or the ribbon cutting, I'm sorry, for Texas Roadhouse. We got a lot of exciting projects coming up and continue to be. So, it's uh just some good times and you know it's a little early but hope everybody has a safe holiday season. City Attorney Shane, did you have anything? Nothing for me, Mr. President.

Mr. Lucas, I don't have it. I don't have nothing. Henry, uh, yes. Actually, I just want to remind everyone that part of the holiday festivities around town is this weekend's Athens Main Street Sipping Cider Festival. Um 40 plus participants will be open uh from 3 until 7 on Saturday afternoon with cider and goodies and specials. It's a fun event. So uh please try to make room for it in your calendar this weekend. Thank you. Miss Golden.

I would like to invite everybody to the Athens Activity Center on December 22nd from 11 to 2 for the open house. You're all welcome to come and have Christmas snacks. Uh explore the venue and meet the staff there. Um you have to be as old as you are now to come. There's no uh no particular age, but it's a great place to meet friends and be active and stay active. So 11 to 2 December 22nd, just show up.

All right. Thank you. I don't have anything other than we had a great Christmas parade last night for those of you that were able to come. Thank you. And um uh definitely there's interest in Texas Roadhouse based on the crowd that we saw all saw there this weekend. It was quite the uh experience and it's really really good. So go out and support those guys and other than that just yeah have a happy safe holiday as we get started into that season. Uh we do have one public hearing. It is a public hearing relating to the zoning approval for the sale of alcohol in the city of Athens by Shashimi Asian Beastro Athens, 116 North Jefferson Street, Athens, Alabama 35611. This is a new business, so I'll open the public hearing for comment. Okay, we don't have any. We'll close that public hearing. Next, we have public remarks regarding any agenda items. There's only a few tonight, but anybody has any questions, comments about that, please come forward. Just give us your name, address. You got three minutes.

My name is John Soie. I live at 805 Fraser Street. Uh the only one thing I wanted to comment is uh I noticed apparently we have a fund of money to help us with things. uh either law enforcement or um addiction recovery, right? Uh I would just encourage you whenever you see the opportunity to move more towards addiction recovery. That's all I wanted to say. Yeah, we've got specific guidelines and we actually just got a refresher for those that have been around on uh what those things are. So, we'll certainly look at those type programs. Yep.

Anyone else? Anyone else have any comments? Okay, we'll move into the consent calendar. Councilwoman Henry resolved by the city council of the city of Athens, Alabama to approve Cheyenne Ka LLC doing business as Athens Beverage 2 for a um retail liquor class 2 off- premises only alcohol license. It being the opinion that the business has met the requirements of the city of Athens alcohol ordinance. Be it further resolved to approve travel and education expenses for the planning department in the amount of $560. Be it further resolved to approve travel and education expenses for the cemetery parks and recreation department in the amount of $17.93. Be it further resolved to approve the purchase of laboratory equipment from Viola WT WTS Analytical Instruments Incorporated for the water treatment plant located off Section Line Road. The purchase amount is for $26,4510.

Second. Okay, we got a second from Mr. Lucas. Any final questions, thoughts on any of those? Okay, we take a vote on that, please. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Creasy, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. And Mr. Cyber, yes. Five yay, zero nays. That's it for consent for our regular meeting item E. Councilwoman Golden.

Real property in North Elm Industrial Park. Like that one. So I I move that we suspend a rule. Second from Councilman Lucas. We get a roll call on the rule suspension, please. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Five. Yay. Zero nays. And then could we get a second on Councilwoman Golden's ordinance? Second. Save from Councilman Lucas. Any questions on that one? Further questions?

It's just an extension, Miss Sabbert, that we appreciate y'all dealing with on the property right Blair that we're looking at there for the U substation. Oh, the Mingalorse, I'm sorry. Yeah. If no questions and would you please have a roll call, Mrs. Golden? Yes, Mr. Lucas. Yes, Mr. Cesey. Yes, Mrs. Henry. Yes, Mr. Cybert. Yes. Five yay, zero nays.

Item F, Councilman Cesy. Resolution to approve the purchase of three Power Heart G58ED semi-automatic defiills along with three sets of adult and pediatric defiill pads from Boundree Medical at the cost of $5,815.71 to be funded from the Athens City Opioid Fund for the fire department. Move to suspend the rules. Second from Councilman Lucas. We get a roll call on the rules. Suspension, please. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mr. Crees? Yes.

Mrs. Henry? Yes. Mr. Cyber? Yes. Five. Yay. Zero Naz. And then a second on Councilman Cesy resolution. Second. Right. Second by Councilman Lucas. Any final questions? All right. Thank you. Would you please call the role? Okay. Mr. Creasy, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Five yay, zero nays. Item G, Councilwoman Golden,

be it resolved by the city of Athens, city council of the city of Athens, Alabama, to authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with AML Studios to provide schematic design services for the structure located at 105 West Hob Street at the cost of $16,500 to be funded from the fiscal year 2022 general fund surplus capital projects fund. Move that we suspend the rules. Second by Councilman Lucas. Could we get a roll call on the rules, please? Mr. Cesy, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Five. Yay. Zero nays.

And then we need a second, please, on the resolution. Second from Councilman Lucas. Any questions on this one? Final questions? Okay, we could call the roll. Okay. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Five, zero nays. All right. We don't have any additions of any sort meeting. Thank you. This is an opportunity for the general public. If you have any comments for us that are pertinent to city business, certainly welcome to come forward.