Council - workshop

Each speaker will have three minutes and all remarks should be directed to the council in a respectful and constructive manner by signing in.

You're acknowledging and agreeing to follow the rules on the sign-in sheet. Please note that comments may or may not be addressed after your time ends. Public comments are an opportunity to share your ideas, input, and engage with the council and mayor in a positive and productive way. With that, Mr. Faruqi.

Is the sound working now? It is. Cause I came, I drove up here and I was listening to it on the way up here and I couldn't hear anything. So a lot of people who may have had comments or questions about what happened beforehand, like, I don't know, for example, under resolution 26, one 93 increased funding commitment to Calhoun college. How much is that?

What's in the attachment?

How much is it?

Roughly 700,000. It was also covered in the meeting last week.

Right. Excuse me, someone talking? $700,000. And what are we doing with that money?

Moving a utility line.

OK, in support of what for Calhoun College?

Approve increased funding commitment for Calhoun Community College sports complex.

OK, for another sports complex. How many sports complexes do we currently have in the city of Decatur?

City owned or not? Both. Well, this one is not city owned.

So how many do we have?

Well, I'm not going to argue with the number.

We have a ball field down off by the high school. That's one. That was supposed to be the big one that I think you all voted to spend like $3 million to improve upon. There's rumors of a new sparkplex coming on, I think, Euler District, soon Pike, over by 65 and 20. Another private development? Right, but all this private development, when we look at why is the city going to spend $700,000 to support additional monies for something that we already have, begs the question of when is it enough? What is the plan? When will we have return on investment for $700,000? Does anybody know the answer? Because just like the current lack of use of our parking garage and the soon to be six-story pest control funded and provided for augmentation of the city. Until those things start making money, it makes no sense for us to invest in more of stuff that isn't already currently showing some return on investment. Would you agree?

Were you asking me? Well, you are the chairman, yes. I didn't know if you were addressing the whole council, or you just wanted me to address that? Anyone. Anybody want to answer that? Okay.

So nobody knows when it's going to possibly have a return on investment. We're just wasting money, folks. That's just par for the course. And I'm the only one who came up here to talk today. Is that correct? Yes. Okay. That's what I thought.

Thank you. All right. We'll move into minutes. Approval of minutes approved June 8th, 2026, 5 p.m. Council work session. Approved June 15th, 2026, 930 a.m. Council work session. And approved June 15th, 2026, 10 a.m. Council meeting. A motion by Mr. McMasters. Second by Mr. Atkins. Any discussion? Roll call. Aye. Aye. All right, the minutes are approved with a vote of four to zero. Moving into resolutions. Resolution number 26182, approve Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research for Archaeological Survey for the Densmore Slough Trail Project.

Yes, this is a project we're doing at Denver more slowly to extend the bike trail. One of the things that the state has asked us to do is this archaeological survey. So we would just ask that you allow us to get this survey completed. They will not award the grant until we get this done.

Motion by Mr. McMasters. Second by Mr. Atkins. Any discussion? Roll call. All right.

All right.

Resolution number 26, one 82 is approved with a vote of four to zero resolution number 26, one 83, except change order number one for whistle Ben park.

Yes, this change order, we had some bad dirt that needed to be, that we needed to add to this change order along with the fence that the residents beside the park had requested. So this total change order will be $35,197.28. It will be covered by the contingency and the contract, so we will not need any additional funds. This will come out of those contingencies.

I have a motion by Mr. McMaster. Second. Second by Mr. Bullard. Any discussion? Roll call. Aye. Abstain.

McMaster. Aye.

Atkins. Aye. Bullard. Aye. Resolution number 26183 is approved with a vote of 3-0 with one abstention. Thank you. Resolution number 26184, authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with GovWell to utilize planning and zoning software.

Yes, this was to authorize the sign of agreement for software for gov will to manage the planning process and intake of various applications related to all planning activities. There are some concerns about how the system may integrate with our payment system. So at this moment, I will recommend disapproving it so we can further do some exploration with the funding of the system and how we can intake payments.

Based off of what Chad has said, I will move to get it on the floor, but I will not be supporting it.

Okay, we have a motion by Mr. McMasters, second by Mr. Atkins. Any discussion?

Well, I'd just like to say that we did some work, research on this, and it will not integrate with our current financial software at this time. We may find later that they're capable of doing it, but we just need to hold off on it for now.

Okay.

All right, any other discussion? Roll call? No. All right, resolution number 26184 fails with a vote of zero to four. Resolution number 26185, accept donation of equipment from Dykin America through Decatur Fire and Rescue. Chief?

Good evening, Mayor and Council. This resolution is just to accept a donation from Dykin America for our support of their Dykin Festival this year. This will be an enhanced sonar equipment and two bilge heaters that allow us to keep our vessel in the water, and this will provide some cold water protection.

So moved. Motion by Mr. McMaster. Second by Mr. Bullard. Any discussion? Roll call. Aye.

McMaster.

Aye. Magnus. Aye. Bullard. Aye. Resolution number 26185 is approved with a vote of 4-0. Resolution number 26186, authorize the use of funds from the Alabama Fire College to replace AV equipment at the Public Safety Training Center.

So this resolution is just a request of us to use funds that we've accrued through our work at the training center. We'd like to reinvest it back into that facility to replace the AV system in the auditorium.

I have a motion by Mr. McMasters. Second. Second by Mr. Bullard. Any discussion? Roll call. Aye. Aye. Resolution number 26, one 86 and approve the vote of four to zero resolution number 26, one 87 award bid number 26, 19 to defense pest solutions for pest control services.

Good evening, Jeremy Sherrill procurement. We held a bid opening on June four. We had two vendors, uh, respond and based on the bid tabulation provided, we recommend defense pest solutions for approval.

I have a motion by Mr. McMaster's second by Mr. Atkins. Any discussion? Roll call.

Aye. Aye.

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I have a motion by Mr. McMaster second by Mr. Bullard. Any discussion roll call. Hi. Resolution number 26, one 88 is approved. The vote of four to zero resolution number 26, one 89 approved surplus of obsolete intercom system at city hall.

Yes, sir, this is at least 25 years old, and we'd like to surplus it. I actually think it's older. I think it hadn't been used in 25 years.

Herman is our source of information.

Sounds right.

We have a motion by Mr. McMaster. Second. Second by Mr. Atkins.

Before you vote, we could donate it to the fire department and their audio video. It's whatever you all need.

You okay on that donation? We've got enough donations tonight. Did it take eight tracks? All right, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Roll call. Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Resolution number 26189 is approved with a vote of 4-0. Resolution number 2619, approved Decatur Historic District sign replacements by McComb Group.

Yeah, two of the signs have been damaged, and this is just meant to get them to be remade so we can replace them.

Okay.

We have a motion by Mr. Atkins. Aye. Second by Mr. Bullard. Any discussion? Roll call.

Aye.

Resolution number 26190 is approve the vote of 3-0 with one abstention. Resolution number 26191, approve Wilson Morgan Park access improvements.

Yeah, we open bids, and this is to close the crossover there at Wilson Morgan, add a right turn lane, remove some of the frontage roads that are out there, and we recommend awarding the bid.

I have a motion by Mr. McMasters. Second. Second by Mr. Bullard. Any discussion? Roll call. Aye.

Aye.

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Motion by Mr. McMasters. Second by Mr. Atkins. Any discussion?

Assuming this passes, how long will it take them to do the survey?

I believe they gave us 60 days. There's probably some lead time before they begin.

I think they said they would get to it within six weeks and it takes about 60 days to do the survey.

This came up in a finance meeting some time ago. We were discussing the previous Magnolia River report, which is years old and certainly not AI integrated into it. I certainly think it's a good thing to do. Any other discussion? Roll call. Aye.

Aye.

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So the best thing to do is to move the sewer line. This will bring college sports to downtown Decatur is what it will do. Junior college sports or community college sports. That's what it does. So moved.

I have a motion by Mr. McMasters. Second. Second by Mr. Bullard. Any discussion? Roll call. Aye. Aye. Resolution number 26193 is approved with a vote of 4-0. Resolution number 26194, approved donation of personal protective equipment no longer needed by Decatur Fire and Rescue to Archangel Group International.

Yes, so this equipment includes 69 protective coats, 62 pair of protective pants, 62 SCBA masks that are all out of compliance for our use here. And we would like to donate this to Archangel Group International to support the Zambia Fire Department.

I have a motion by Mr. McMaster. Second by Mr. Atkins. Any discussion? I would just say I appreciate you working with them on this. I know they'll definitely put it to good use. Yes, sir. Roll call. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

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So moved.

I have a motion by Mr. McMasters. Second. Second by Mr. Atkins. Any discussion?

Last time.

Last time. I'm not putting it on the agenda. All right. Roll call. Aye. Aye. Resolution number 26, one 96 is approved. The vote of four to zero resolution number 26, one 97 approved sanitary sewer calls for conditional commitment with BCS Decatur partners, LLC. Uh, Mr. Demeester spoke to this earlier, um, regarding the financials behind that. If, uh, anybody has any questions that he had to leave, but Herman and the mayor can answer that.

But yeah, he basically said that, uh, just on property tax alone, should be about a 4.8-year payback up to seven years. And there's also opportunity for sales tax and two other partials that would also, when developed, increase property tax and chances for increased revenue from them as well. So moved.

I have a motion by Mr. McMasters. Second. Second by Mr. Bullard. Any discussion? Roll call. Aye. Aye. Resolution number 26197 is approve the vote of 4-0. Resolution number 26198, approve P. Wright-McAnally's agreement for Decatur Youth Services' new facility.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. This is just a contract proposal for the documents.

Motion by Mr. Atkins, a second by Mr. McMaster. Any discussion? Hey, another step closer.

That's it.

All right. Any other discussion? Roll call. Aye. Aye. Resolution number 26, one 98 is approved. The vote of four to zero boards and committees reappoint Tom counts, the municipal utility board with term expiring June 30th, 2032. This will be Mr. Count's second full term reappoint Donner. Oh, excuse me. Got a motion. Got a motion by Mr. McMaster's second by Mr. Atkins. Any discussion roll call. All right. The reappointment of Tom Counts is approved with a vote of 4-0. We're going to appoint Donna Rainwater to the Library Board term expiring June 30, 2030. This will be Ms. Rainwater's second full term. I have a motion by Mr. Atkins, a second by Mr. McMaster. Is there any discussion? Roll call. Aye.

Aye.

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Aye. Aye. Aye. Second.

We have a motion by Mr. Atkins and a second by Mr. McMasters. Any discussion? Roll call. Aye.

Aye.

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Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. The appointment of David Lively has approved the vote of four to zero reappoint Jackson Parker to the Decatur downtown redevelopment authority with term expiring June 21st, 2032. This will be Mr. Parker's first full term motion by Mr. McMaster's second by Mr. Atkins. Any discussion roll call. Hi. The reappointment of Jackson Parker is approved with a vote of four to zero. Reappoint Marlee Schmidt to the Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority with term expiring June 21st, 2032. This will be Mr. Schmidt's second full term. Motion by Mr. McMaster, second by Mr. Bullard. Any discussion? Roll call. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

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How many people you just approved for a for various boards and committees There were six yep six, okay, so You found time for six people to come in and fit it sit in and fit in various boards and committees When are we going to have a Citizens Advisory Council for the police department? It was identified over almost two years ago now for our department after what happened to Mr. Perkins and all the other issues that popped up as a result of that. Yes, Kyle, I'm looking at you.

I can't answer that.

Can the mayor answer that?

If he'd like to.

Okay. I didn't think he could, and that's why I gave you both a chance to take a look at that. Because... Why would we not prioritize having a citizen's advisory police council for a city that's had this type of problems we've had? I've got a little band here that's got three names on it for people that have been associated with citizens' deaths within the city of Decatur across the board for district representation. Why would we not do that? Is it too expensive, Kyle?

Well, I've not seen a proposal that would have any costs associated with it, so it would be hard to say if it's too expensive.

Well, is it too expensive for time and energy? Because the only person that I've talked to that had any response other than you two that said that you're not going to do it was the police chief. Has the police chief been asked? Has the police chief been asked?

You'd have to ask him.

Can I ask the police liaison?

You can.

And?

Ask the police chief.

Okay. Okay. Um, I have asked the police chief and he said he's not ready yet. And this was what I talked to him about over six months ago. So an ad six months, we've got similar issues and concerns. Why don't we have a citizen advisory council? If we take a look at, uh, again, this was the green report said three things that needed to happen. This was one of them. Um, Madison has a police advisory council. Its mission is to facilitate transparency, integrity-driven policing and procedural justice that is focused on enhancing trust, strengthening relationships, and community collaboration to allow citizens to provide insight into community needs, priorities, and perceptions, serves an advisory capacity regarding relevant community policing issues, and facilitates communication. Why wouldn't we want to have something like that in a city that claims to be transparent and claims to receive accountability? We spent $300,000 folks to find this out, and we're choosing not to do anything about it. But in the flick of 30 minutes, we can go ahead and assign six more people to various DDRA accounts.

All right, your time is up. Thank you. Anything from directors, mayor, council? All right, we're adjourned.