Council - Regular Meeting

Jackie's not here yet. Sure. Thank everyone for coming tonight. We're going to go ahead and get started. And the meeting is now called to order. If everyone will please stand and we're going to have invocation by Mayor Tyler followed by the pledge of allegiance.

Join me in prayer. Most gracious heavenly father, Lord, we are grateful for you and for your son and all that you have done for us in spite of who we are and in spite of what we've done. Your mercies are new every morning. Father, you are faithful always. And we just want to take a moment to acknowledge you today. Father, guide our our thoughts, this discussion. We want you to be honored in everything that is said and done today. Father, we want to uh honor you with our own lives and how we uh approach city government, how we approach being kind to others, how we approach being good neighbors. And Lord, we just ask that you would lead and guide and direct our our meeting today in your holy and most precious name. Amen. Amen.

I pledge allegiance 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.

Mr. If you'll call the role.

Council member Hendris here. Council member Dixon here. Council member Bowling here. Council member Spence here. Council member King here. Council President Simmons here. Madam President, all six council members are in attendance and therefore a quorum is present. Thank you very much. At this time, can we get the approval of the agenda as printed? So, make a motion. Second. Motion by Mr. Motion by Mr. Spence, second by Mr. Hendricks. All in favor of the motion. 6. Motion carries. Thank you. At this time, we'll have message from Mayor Tyler.

Thank you very much, uh, Miss Simmons and council. Thank you all for your attendance, whether you're here in person or online. We obviously have a very long list of things to talk about, so I'll try to be as brief as possible. First of all, there's a couple of items on the agenda on the regular agenda that I want to speak to, but I do want to add um this this statement to uh to members of the public. We realize that we have not done a very good job with with uh city services such as paving and and I I am committed and want to know want the public to understand that we are committed to a very robust paving program and are working towards that. We're also committed towards taking care of uh properties and parks that we already have and we need to do a better job of that and I fully intend to do so. At the same time, we are going to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. We can improve our paving and improve some of the other facilities that we have while also doing things such as giving appropriations to several of these organizations. I think I heard the uh the phrase cash match on when Miss Bailey was talking about some of the uh uh the ESG funds. Much of these non-governmental appropriations for many of these organizations they use as cash match for other grants and they stack it. So I I certainly want to let the council know that I favor all of those. Additionally, although it's it's small funds, I know that the Scholes uh business incubator is on the regular agenda and and I certainly want to speak on behalf of it as well. This particular space is for new businesses that are needing a location from which to function and a support staff to get a new small business off the ground. So, anytime that the city can partner with an organization that operates in support of

small businesses, uh I certainly hope that we support it. Secondly, the item of the University of North Alabama and that appropriation. I want to read a quick article. This was a news story from uh that was that was aired on news 19 in reference to the Huntsville City Council giving final approval to the Eli Lily agreement over there. And Shane Davis, who is over there economic development efforts, is quoted as saying this. You can build a great $6 billion facility, but if you don't have the workforce to put in it, you're not successful. One of the things we take pride in in Huntsville is workforce development. It's how we've created, he's speaking of Huntsville, how we've created 68,000 jobs since 2015. Here's the line I hope we all catch. We don't do that alone. We do that with our two-year college system and our four-year system. He's talking about workforce development, economic development, jobs. He goes on and says that the story says Huntsville was picked out of a pool of 300 possible applicants for the plant with Davis saying that it was in large part due to the city already having a suitable site ready to do ready ready due to previous infrastructure work. They had the vision to spend money speculatively to prepare a space for a company like Eli Liy to to come and and work there. But when he could talk about anything, he wanted to reference the value of the two-year college system and the four-year college system. Why am I speaking about UNA and and and supporting the appropriation? Yes, we need to improve our roads and we need to improve improve some uh some other facilities that we have since 2017. I think there's 24 new academic programs. All of which I give you some

examples. a master in accounting, a bachelor of science and engineering technology, a master of health administration, a doctor of nursing practice, an MBA in human resources management, an an associates in mechatronics, I don't even know what that what that means. Cyber security, BS in engineering. All of these have uh they they have career outcomes. These are are outcomes that these students not getting a uh a degree necessarily in music or fine arts, although there's nothing wrong with that. These are career outcomes. Our community regularly speaks openly about wanting higherp paying jobs to come into our community like Huntsville has had. Like Huntsville, we rely on a 4-year institution to provide the additional education for many of these jobs. You don't walk into a job necessarily and get $40 an hour just because you were interested in a $40 an hour job. You've got to have the education to support it. UNA is widely becoming known across the state as the work development university because they have programs in place particularly since 2017 that produce employable graduates. Not everybody needs a college degree but for many it's still necessary. UNA city schools by the way who has a captive audience and a law that requires those students to attend school. UNA has to recruit every single student that attends their competing against all the other universities across the state. They don't have a flow. Although although it it can be said that there's more than 1,500 students currently from Florence and Lauderdale County who are in who are attending school at UNA. We talk about the value of education. As kids are growing up, we expect them to

to graduate high school because we know that education changes lives. And then all of a sudden it the the thinking that education stops at high school just baffles me. We have 1500 additional students who've who've gone to UNA. We give Florence City Schools a great deal of money because it does change lives. Why aren't we willing to give the University of North Alabama a fraction of that where we still have 15 students that are in attendance there? I also found this out. We're not the only ones that care about the University of North Alabama. There are more than 5,000 people over from from the city of Florence, 5,000 residents five years who have donated money to the University of North Alabama. This is a uh this is a community that supports this university. They know the value of it and I hope this uh this council also would approve this particular appropriation tonight. Thank you very much, Miss Simmons.

Thank you, Mayor Tyler. Do we have any reports from any of our department heads sta standing standing committees? Miss Dixon.

Yes, that's me. I have, let's see, I do not have five pages to read off today from our um parks and recreation committee meeting that we held on February 12th. Um at in attendance was myself, Alisa Dixon, Mayor Ron Tyleren was um standing in for Bill Jordan, Cha Councilwoman Chapel King, and Councilman Thomas Spence. Did I say Councilman? Councilwoman Chapel King, um, community programs manager Amy Edwards, and the golf shop manager, Eric Murphy. At that time, we were discussing and reviewing the proposed updates to departmental fee structures, specifically the recreation centers, the coliseum, and golf course, and we were also receiving status updates on the McFarland Park projects. Uh in reference to the recreation center fees, the discussion um encouraged and find ways to advertise and spread word. It was important to me that we encouraged and found ways to advertise and spread the word that the city rec centers are available to the public, reasonable rental rates. And um I expressed concern that maybe not too many people are aware of this availability and that I we would encourage um to share that with the community and let them know it's available. The um rates have currently been at $20 an hour since 2008. So 2,00 $20 an hour to rent the rec w rec centers. Um and the department is currently operating at a loss. Um it was expressed that there was concern over pricing out citizens by um raising prices, but the staff noted that the fees include amenities such as tables, chairs, kitchen, and ice that other private venues um charge extra for. And

the decision from the committee was to raise that rate to $25 per hour. Um, and motion by there was a motion by Councilman Spence and second by Councilwoman King and we will bring that to the full council here in the future. There is also a note that the usage that we received, the data we received will be revisited in in um this the following year throughout the year to assess the impact and we will re-evaluate those fees in 2027. Coliseum fees are similar. Currently, nonprofits pay $400 for the first day and 200 the second day rentals often result in a net due to labor costs. In the discussion, there were debates regarding the different tiers for school versus nonprofits, but it was noted that 501c3 status is often used by groups and they make a significant revenue. So, the decision was to standardize the rate between nonprofits and schools with a new rate of $600 per day for per day following with the deposit which is refundable of $400 remains the same. And the motion was given by councilwoman Dixon was second by councilwoman approved to come before the full council in a future time in the golf course fees. Um there was an a a proposed increase for the daily rate from $45 to $50 total inclusive part in the green fees with the senior rates. Senior discounts will now be restricted to Monday through Friday only. Seniors playing on weekends will pay the regular rate to open up more weekend tea times

for the working public. And this motion was given by Councilwoman King and sent second by Councilman Spence. Um these were all proposals just to make that clear. And then we discussed yearly passes and the GPS system for the um golf carts at which time we have decided to um continue the conversation with that as new information was presented to us. The updates on McFarland Park update is that the pier is officially finished with the final punch list was signed off that week and the campground has resumed after a brief grant related issue. The timeline and the goal is to open both the pier and the campground simultaneously by June 2026. That is of course pending weather conditions. Um access to the pier is restricted until the campground construction is complete. and we ended our meeting at 4:37.

Thank you very much. I have um one from the finance committee. It was held on uh February the 9th, 2026. The meeting was called to order 4:31. In attendance was uh Mayor Tyler, Shaina Balch, Katrina Simmons, Jackie Hendricks, Josh Bowling, Billy Musgrove. Other council members in attendance was Alisa Dixon and Thomas Spence. The nature of the business was to discuss the uh development agreement with the Hotel Wilson. Trina turned the meeting over to Mr. Musgrove and to discuss the incentive package and the requests that are being made. Mr. Musgrove highlights the key points of the agreement and what has changed. What the city proposed to the developer is 50% of the lodge in tax for 15 years or until the maximum amount of 3.5 million has been reached. It does not start, this would not start until the hotel is fully operational at 50/50. The original ask was 7525. There is a requirement that the developer finish the project within 730 days from when it starts. The next incentive that has been negotiated is a reimbursement of maximum 22 250,000 for public infrastructure improvement like the relocation of the main sewer line uh that has already been done. Those will not be paid until after the hotel is fully operational. So if for some unforeseen reason the project uh did not get completed in the middle then those with the city would not be liable for them. The next incentive proposed is 50% of sales tax on materials purchased to actually build the hotel. This is actually a reimbursement and it would not be made until after the hotel again is fully operational and the developer would have to submit receipts to the city to show where the materials were

purchased and where the city's sales tax was paid. Any materials that had a pay to the city sales tax only. The final proposal is a cap in the building materials and other fees that the city charges on constructions pro projects like this is 5,000. Mr. Mos Gro uh was not really sure did not know the fee that would be collected without a cap. This is the only incentive that would be available to the developer before the hotel is fully operational. Everything else would be after the fact. Katrina asked what the project revenue u to be generated from the project. Mr. Russ Grove had not seen any projection projections at that time. Mayor Tyler adds that these are the monthly performance-based incentives that the hotel has to be built bringing in revenue. He adds that there is enough room for additional hotels including the reverb. For whatever reason, if the project does not make it or if it's unsuccessful or people don't like it, then it would not get incentives. There is currently no use. There is currently no use for that lot. There is no currently what she's saying is there is no currently no additional use for that lot at that time. This will generate some new excitement for downtown and a productive and produce new revenue. Mr. Hendrick's motion to accept as is for the next council meeting to present to the next council meeting and if not then the very next one that is available. We have a second by Mr. Bowling. The motion passed. Mr. Musgrove points out that it is required by the state that it be public notice has to be in the paper for a minimum of 7 days before the meeting in which um we can conduct a hear conduct a hearing and a vote and this will push it back into the month of March. The meeting was adjourned at 4:44 p.m.

Any any additional um standing committee reports? Okay. At this time we do have a public hearing. Miss Bailey.

Thank you, President Simmons and councel. Uh the public hearing tonight is for the proposed resoning at 410 Cedar Street from R2 single family small lots to RB residential business and this comes at the request of the owner, Robert Roush. Um this particular item has gone through the planning commission process and is unanimously recommended to you all tonight um for ordinance adoption. Uh this RB zone is part of the original RB uh district that was uh created and defined as um a buffer if you will between some of our um higher intensity commercial areas or commercial corridors and residential districts. So, it serves as a stabilizer. Um, as well, uh, do I have any questions from the council regarding this particular case? Okay. Hearing none, I recommend that you open the public hearing for public comment.

Okay. That hearing is now open. Anyone to my right would like to speak on it. For or against, in the middle, to my left, there be none. Okay. Hearing no comments, I recommend you close the public hearing. Thank you.

There's no close. Thank you. Okay. Now, we will have business from the floor pertaining to items on the consent or the regular agenda with a fivem minute time limit. If you'll come to uh the podium, state your name and your address. And just for another reference, we do not have dialogue back from the council as one is speaking. So, anyone to my left in the middle? Good evening. Uh Jay Cochran, 203 Double Tree Lane in Florence. Um I am coming to speak to you today uh on behalf of the resolution as it pertains to University of North Alabama. I want to thank you all for having that resolution on your agenda. And Mayor Tyler, of course, you know, thank you for the comments that you made earlier. I think it's going to really kind of couple well with with a lot of what I have to say today. You know, the one thing that we have, I think, with the city of Florence is we have a we have a wonderful relationship and a great partnership with the city of Florence. And, you know, it is one that I think for many of us who have been around for a long time, it's not necessarily been the case, but I think over the and flourishing and one that we appreciate and we respect and we appreciate all of you being a part of it. Um the agenda item that you have on your calendar today obviously is is as we understand it as on the university. Just want to make clear we certainly see this as you know what you have now is the fifth of six um what was initially agreed payments whatever um you'd like to call it with regards to a $3 million commitment from the city of Florence from a previous from the previous administration to the University of North Alabama. We strongly urge you to consider that and pass that out today. A little bit of history. Um and again kind of going to what Mayor Tyler said. You know, this project itself really was born out of economic development. Um

years ago, right when I first came back, we moved back to Florence was uh you know, uh working at the university. We were working on an econ economic development project with the Scholes economic develop a tech company who was looking at this region to come and and locate and hire you know in in the end which would have been several hundred employees. Uh through that process what we really discovered is that we didn't we weren't supporting the workforce that we needed for that for that company. We did not have the resources we weren't investing the resources that we needed to do so. So the university along with a lot of partners what we decided to do was we wanted to address that. Part of addressing that problem was updating the facilities that we have for computer science and mathematics. There were a lot of other pieces of that. They're really more internal university related as it relates to increased scholarships for those programs, increased programmatic funding, all of those things that took place and are still going on today. Uh we're pleased to say actually that if you look back about an eight or nine year period, we are graduating actually 250% more graduates just in computer science than we were eight or nine years ago. Um that's not by mistake, that's not by happen stance. That's by design. Um and it's been the vision of the council and the vision of UNA in order to do that because we saw we we saw a need to to get that done. But when I talk about UNA and the city and and particularly the partnership that I that I referenced earlier, this project is is the epitome of a partnership, particularly when you look at how it's funded and how it has been funded and how it was funded to get built. It initially started um what we really have there is about a $27 million facility. Uh 15 million of that actually came from the state of Alabama. We approached Governor Ivy and her administration. Um they committed $15 million to that project. Uh we then that gave us the ability and the confidence to come locally and look for funding sources for that as well. And we approached the not only the city of Florence but also the SHs economic

development authority each committing $3 million to this project. And then the remainder of the five or 6 million was paid for by the university. So when we talk about governmental partnerships, you know, this is really again what you see is something that you have four governmental entities or one quasi governmental entity coming together to solve a need for the community and that's what you have in that facility. Um I know my time's limited so I kind there's a couple of things I really just want to make sure that I hit with you all and I want you all to understand as it relates to the university. I mean I think there and I've said this to a few of you all. There are two things that I firmly believe. Um, one of which is for UNA to be successful, we need a strong, thriving city of Florence. You, the city of Florence, being strong and thriving and offering all the amenities that you do helps us be good at what we do.

You have one minute remain.

I think the opposite is also true. I think for the city of Florence, we a strong UNA adds to the success of the city of Florence. And so what you're going to be addressing here today is not unique. It's not unusual. If you look around the state, municipal and university partnerships exist everywhere. Limestone County, the city of Athens, recently $8 million for a dormatory. Montavalo has a dedicated sales tax that goes directly to the University of Montavalo, over a million dollars a year. Troy, $500,000 annually, just every year. So, what you're doing here is not unique. It's not unusual. It's the norm in in the state of Alabama. I appreciate your time. Just urge you to consider this and vote yes. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else in the middle?

Thank you, President Simmons to the council and mayor Bill Ray Simpson, 755 West Alabama Street, Florence. I want to speak briefly about the appropriations. I don't have anything against most of these people receiving appropriations, not all of them, but I want to make sure I talk about this University of North Alabama getting 325,000. And I don't have anything against our university educational s system, but one appropriation I don't see and I would like for you to add that appropriation to our city FL city schools. We got mostly 40 uh more more than that that of low income people, mostly blacks that attend our football games and our basketball games and and we have quite a bit of blacks that's doing uh the uh the cheerleading on the cheerleading squads. They having to pay. Low income people, they're having to pay for their child with uniforms, equipment, and see, you just can't turn a backflip without somebody teaching you. They have to go every week to be trained how to be good cheerleaders. And for years, this been going on. No money has been allocated to our Florence City School. These kids are in our city.

They want to do good with the activities and they attend these games and most of the time they spending all day after they get out of school to go and train at different places. And the parents have to continue to pay for their uniforms and pay for their training while they they putting into the educational system and the athletic system making money for the system but yet having to pay for everything. These parents having to pay for everything to get their child dream to come through with the activities. So it's important, our education system is important that they go to university, they go to other schools, but they are most important in our city schools to develop our kids to be all they can be in our city. And we need they need help. These parents are underwater trying to serve these kids because they in love with what they do. They're underwater and some of them can't graduate until they pay that money. So, I'm asking you probate some money for these kids in our city so they can grow up and be Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else in the middle? Okay. To my right. Hello, Mike White, 135 Herby Drive, Florence, Alabama. Um, I'm following some talent tonight. Um, if you weren't moved by what the reverend said, then you don't have a heart. Uh, and that uh some very nice um a very nice speech by Mr. Cochran uh who works for UNA, so he's paid to be a supporter. Uh and then um Mayor Tyler made an excellent speech. U but he left out a few things. Uh yes, there may be 1500 students in the computer and science program, which I don't quite know what you were talking about there, but uh employable graduates, uh where are they going to work once they graduate? Uh where are they where is there for them to work in Florence? Uh we kind of putting the cart before the horse here. We're building buildings and we don't have buildings for them to go to after they graduate. By the way, um I kind of got ahead of myself. Um as most of you know, and I'm quite the Facebook warrior, and uh it's turned into almost a um joke that if you say anything about UNA online, uh you're a hater. Uh you either hate education or you hate educated people. Uh I don't

hate either one. I am a UNA graduate, class of 1977. Uh, bachelor of science degree. Uh, that and a quarter wouldn't get me a cup of coffee at the time, but anyway, I graduated. Um, so that that I'm I'm going into that part and then I want to go into Bernie Dinsk's article today in the Times Daily, which was a wonderful piece of literature for me to read. Um there was some information in there um that really just um about the building opening up in 2025 which didn't make sense and it first got on the agenda in 2022 when I have a copy right here of a resolution from 2021 uh that the council then which one of our viewers was on it uh signed find uh and I'm going to read you exactly what is on this resolution. If I can find it. Don't tell me I didn't bring my resolution. Well, okay. I know it was on red enough. Uh it's basically exactly what's on your agenda item. At that time, we were uh given $500,000 uh to the University of North Alabama for a computer and science building to be built out of budgeted funds in the budgeted funds number. It did not say six payments. It did not say a final amount to be paid. The way these resolutions have been being signed is we can make payments with our tax money in the city of Florence to UNA for a computer science building from now until eternity. There's no cut off.

Uh are y'all willing to sign an open-ended agreement like that? What is what does your resolution say on this? most of the time online and I'm a I go way back following the city of Florence and I've always been able to online click on the agenda item and it takes you to the resolution. Did y'all try that on this? You can't go to it. It goes to a blank blank page. Uh and it wasn't just me. I had several people try it and they all told me the same thing. There's something fishy about this deal. It always was. A past councilman told me when he first came on the council, he asked about it and said, "Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. It's uh somebody else's deal. They're going to take care of it. Just go ahead and vote yes." And he did.

Now, that's what we're going up against, people. Nobody is against UNA. Nobody is against education, but Florence tax money should be accounted for in a better method than this. This is a sloppy deal, plain and simple. And we voted in a new council to try to get this kind of mess taken care of. I I hope you're going to live up to what we voted you in for. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anyone else to my right?

All right. Here's my resolution. Um, Red Jedapool 1718 Maple Lavin, Florence. Um, I was listening to the things you said, Mayor Tyler, in reference to UNA. Um, finished coffee, went to UNA. Of course, I didn't studies there, but I am um a um graduate and masters have both of those. But I was listening where you said that they have 24 academic programs. They've added that they have career outcomes. They have four-year programs, 217 employable graduates, I think you said. But I guess my question is, and and it's great that we have this. Do we have the jobs, the employment to keep them here? That's the thing. We can recruit the students to come and I guess the money is for recruitment to for UNA and they're steady building. They're steady growing, but our city is not our city is not because when the students finish school, they are going leaving. nurses, they are leaving because they don't get the monies that they can get in other states. And I think that's something that needs to be looked at in the midst of all the monies that's being. How can we get the jobs here to keep the students that's finished finishing here, the students that we're recruiting for the 24 academic programs, the career outcomes? How can you get them to stay

here? That's my question. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else to my right? Okay. If not, Mr. Lighty, if you would read the consent agenda. [clears throat] All matters listed within the consent agenda have been distributed. Each member of the foreign city council for reading and study are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion from the council with no separate discussion. If a separate discussion is desired, that item may be removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda by request motion.

So moved. Second motion by Mr. Spence, second by Miss Dixon. All in favor of the motion?

6. Motion carries the regular agenda. Regular agenda item A is a resolution to approve payment of invoice proform invoice PP1893706 with Thompson for emergency repairs for asset number 64826H compactor located at the landfill in the amount of $96,246 from budget of funds account number 151-261-43200 100 sponsored by David Coons.

Do I hear a motion for immediate consideration? Motion. Second. Motion by Miss King, second by Mr. Bowling. All in favor of the motion? 6. Do you hear a motion for the adoption? So moved. Second. Motion by Mr. Hendrick, second by Mr. Bowling. Any discussion? All in favor of the motion.

6. Motion carries. Item B is agreement with the Music Preservation Society uh with appropriating funds to the Music Preservation Society amount of $10,000 from budget funds account number 110-02079-5175. Five sponsored by Shaina Balge. Do I hear a motion for the immediate consideration? Motion. Second.

Motion by Mr. Bolan, second by Miss Dixon. All in favor of the motion. 6. Motion for the adoption. So moved. Second motion by Mr. Hendrick, second by Katrina Simmons. Any discussion by by way of discussion and not sure if this discussion I have a question but Miss Balch is gone but I'm still going to put it out there. I know we had an appropriation for 20,000 and that also helped with um five signature events I believe and at this time it's 10,000. Is any of that uh changed? So I know that's a question bal mayor. Do you know anything like

any of change? Well, we used to sp that 20,000 we sponsored five signature events. I I don't know about the specific events. I know there's there may I think there's been change on the music preservation board. So, I don't know if those are the five signature events moving forward or not. I'm just not sure. Sorry. We'll get with Miss. Okay. Any more discussion or questions? No. Okay. All in favor of the motion?

6. Motion carries. Item C is a resolution appropriate funds the University of North Alabama in the amount of 325,000 for the computer science and mathematics building to be paid from budget funds account number 110-02133-51700 sponsored by Shaina Balge. Do I have a motion for immediate consideration? So moved. Second. Motion by Mr. Hendricks, second by Mr. Bowling. All in favor of the motion.

6. Do you hear a motion for the adoption? So moved. Second.

Is it Jackie did that? Motion by Mr. Hendrick, second by Mr. Bowling. Any discussion? By way of discussion. Um, by way of discussion, I just wanted to share some information of some research that I did myself uh today to uh that I gathered to uh try to be transparent to try to educate uh the public tonight on what I have found and uh myself also myself as well as the council has requested um and I've have talked with UNA to come quarterly to provide us with updates and they have agreed to do so. So going forward quarterly and we'll count tonight as one um quarterly they'll be coming and sharing update information with the council so we can stay alert and and be a breast of of everything that is going on as well. Um, so it'll be the next quarter. But in my research that I found that UNA is one of the largest employers here in Florence and where they employ over 1,200 full-time um employees including some student workers and they bring a direct economic impact of 340 million per year to the Scholes and the main beneficiary is mainly Florence. They also bring a cultural, educational and entertainment benefits to our area and the athletics athletic department. The athletics bring in many visitors and while those visitors are here visiting in the shows, they are also spending and creating an additional revenue for us. The payroll with UNA exceeds $59 million annually. In the fall of 2025, they had the highest uh enrollment with 10,700 students with traditional and physical and online. And the traditional when I say that, I mean um physical and in in person. And so I just wanted to share that's just a brief synopsis. Not to

Mayor Tyler and Mr. um Cochran have shared much. So, not going to be redundant on that, but I just wanted to share some information of the things that I researched. Um, myself and any council member, and I'm speaking for them, but I'm sure they'll be willing as well as the mayor will be willing to speak to you anytime regarding any information or questions that you have uh about anything, not just with UNA, but just about anything. So, you can gather some insight and some information. and uh we're willing to do that because what we want to do and what I want to do is be a transparent um council and that's what we're aiming for. That's what we're gearing for. So that'll help you also to understand that why some decisions are made. Often times we all may not always agree and I'm one of them. But at least you'll understand the reason why a council member have voted the way that they do to try to understand it. You still may not agree but at least you'll know and hear their reason. So, at that time, is there any other further discussions from anybody on the council?

I would like to add a few more stats to what you've so graciously shared. Um, UNA has $180 million budget and as you said, about 1,200 employees. They are basically a city within our city. Um, their projected payroll next fiscal year is $71 million. That's an average. We talk about jobs and high-paying jobs. That's an average of about $40 an hour per job on campus. And those are the jobs that people keep coming to us saying, "Why aren't we investing in these jobs?" Well, that's what we're trying to do tonight. You know, we partner with the county on the library, the coliseum, the animal services. We've partnered with cities across the of the the river on projects that are beneficial to the shores and the citizens of of Florence. And I see UNA as no different in that aspect. Having that city within our city is so important to our economy and we should be partners together. And yes, it does work both ways and I understand that UNA is going to start providing us more data on that. But I know as a councilman several projects that we've partnered on to benefit safety and the students and the citizens as a whole. So, um I appreciate you coming tonight and the words that you gave and the words that the mayor and council uh President Simmons has given. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else with discussion?

Yes. I know this is a widely discussed topic and I have heard from residents on both sides. those concerned about the funding and those who strongly support it. I have spent a great deal of time researching this even before this came to us on the agenda. It is common practice for growing and economically successful cities to invest in infrastructure and partner with local universities because of economic impact they bring. The University of North Alabama will be successful even if the city does not contribute funding. However, strategic investment allows the university to expand programs, attract more students, and strengthen its impact on local economy. The funding being considered is designed for the math and computer science building. This supports workforce development and attracts students pursuing high demand careers. These students bring economic activity with them, contributing to local businesses and long-term growth. Strong partnerships between the city, the university, and other local entities are essential if we want to attract those better jobs and bring in industry. [clears throat] Supporting smart growth and infrastructure improvements benefit our entire community while we continue to prioritize the immediate needs of our residents.

Thank you. Will there be any more discussion? Okay. If not, all in favor of the motion.

Five votes four. Any oppose? Any abstensions?

Five votes four. One abstension. Motion carries. Item D is with the Scholes Entrepreneurial Center Incorporated [clears throat] do business incubator appropriation funding $10,000 from budget of funds 02127-5175 sponsored by Shaina Balch. Do I hear a motion for immediate consideration?

Motion. Second. Motion by Mr. Hendrick, second by Miss Dixon. All in favor of the motion. Do it again. Okay. Voting against immediate consideration.

Okay. That'll be that'll be carried over. A resolution to amend the boundaries of the downtown Florence Arts and Entertainment District to include the property for the proposed Wilson Hotel sponsored by President Simmons. Motion for immediate consideration. Motion. Second. Motion by Mr. Bowling, second by Miss King. All in favor of the motion? 6. Do you hear a motion for the adoption?

So moved. Second. Motion by Mr. Hendrick, second by Katrina. Any discussion?

All in favor of the motion? 6. Motion carries. All right. Item F is the termination and release of deed restrictions, conditions, limitations, village LLC, volumes 203 and 206 sponsored by Bill Musgroveve.

Do you have a motion for immediate consideration? Motion second. Motion by Mr. Fen. Second by Miss Dixon. All in favor of the motion. 6. Motion for the adoption. Some move. Second. Motion by Mr. Spence. Second by Mr. Bowling. Any discussion? All in favor of the motion.

6. Motion carries. Item G is a termination release of deed, restrictions, conditions, limitations for West Village LLC, volume 419. Do a motion for immediate consideration. So move. Second. Motion by Mr. Spence, second by Miss King. All in favor of the motion? 6. Do you hear a motion for the adoption? Second

motion by Miss Dixon, second by Mr. Bowling. Any discussion? All in favor of the motion? 6. Motion carries. And item H is an ordinance approving the resoning of 410 Cedar Street as requested by Mr. Bailey. Do you hear a motion for immediate consideration? Moved. Second. Motion by Mr. Spence, second by Mr. Hendricks. All in favor of the motion. 6. Dear motion for the adoption. Motion.

Second. Motion by Mr. Bolan, second by Katrina. Any discussion? All in further motion.

6. Motion carries. That's all I have. General business. We're not going to really have any right now. We're going to discuss that later. At this time, we'll have business from the public with a 5m [laughter] minute time limit. And we'll start to my right. Mike White 135 RBY Drive. Um, well, I'm kind of disappointed in you, but I've been disappointed in Florence City Council before, so I'm sure I'll be disappointed Florence City Council again. Uh, the problem is you didn't have the decency to at least um answer any questions that I or the 3,000 followers that we have on the Florence Government Watchers page on Facebook ask about what is the actual end amount that we are giving toward the computer science and mathematics building. If Miss Simmons would be so kind as to have Mr. Lidy read the resolution you're about to sign and what exactly it says that you're about to put your signatures on to support this $175,000 to UNA. Would you do that, Miss Simmons? I know I'm not supposed to talk to you, but would you have Mr. Lighty read it or you would one of you read it? Thank you. Uh, while we're while I'm up here, I know my clock is running.

Um, you and I got cut by 35%. We had to give the city employees raises, so we went through and cut all the appropriations out. Uh, here's a sad part. uh what the rev said really really was um true. But like things like the dental clinic down on the west side once a month uh they have a dentist come down and um um I've forgotten her name. I've known her for years, but she runs it. and uh they opened up and they have people line up at 7:00 in the morning that have dental insurance and [clears throat] are too poor to go to the dentist so they can get a tooth pulled that's hurting them. Uh the city only gave them 10,000 a year. Well, in this allotment that we're giving out right now, they cut it back to five. That's 50%. You can go down through the list and look. All of the programs that help the poor and help the indigent and help those who really needed help in Florence were cut by at least 50%. How much did you cut UNA on a building that's already been built? Like I said, that's under questionable circumstances. Would anybody please read that resolution to me? I'd like to hear while I'm at the stand. Can you read it now?

Typically, we don't, but on this case, I will. Thank you.

Be it resolved by the city of Florence. Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Florence, Alabama as follows. Section one, the University of North Alabama plays a vital role in education, cultural, and economic well-be. A new computer science and mathematics building will help bring more students to the university and will greatly improve the quality of computer science and mathematics study available. Section two, that was section one. Section two, employers universally express a need for graduates with background in computer science mathematics. Therefore, a new computer science mathe mathematics build in avail invaluable asset for continued economic development of the city and the city. Section three. Therefore, as authorized by the Alabama legislators 19-2 of the code of Alabama 1975 as amended, the city of the city hereby appropriates 325,000 to the University of North Alabama to assistant with the construction of a new computer science and mathematics building.

And does it have any final payment on I read you as as presented. And does it have a number of payments are going to be made? I read it as as presented. Thank you, ma'am. Uh so what Mr. Cochran said is wrong. Uh there are no six payments. We can be paying next year and next year and the year after that and the year after that. That is why this is sloppy and it should have been voted against. And that's why you could have at least had the decency to investigate it and have it rewritten and done right. You have one minute remaining.

Well, I've I've used up my time anyway. I appointed, but I mean, you're all good people and I know you're going to work hard on the council or I hope you will, but this is actually a bad hiccup because it's Look, it's not it it's wasting taxpayer money is what it's doing because like I said, there's a lot of places in Florence that need this money a lot worse than UNA. UNA's got buildings going and a new stadium going. It's like to me they're swimming in money down there. So anyway, thank you for your time. Y'all have a good night. Thank you. Anyone else to my right? In the middle, to my left. Okay.

A little slow, but I'm coming. Ray Simpson again. I want to give honor to a great man of God that passed away today since his we still give a little honor to black history and people that accomplish great things. America has lost one of its greatest moral voices. Reverend Jesse Jackson spent his life working to ensure our nation lives up to its highest ideals. From his early years as a young staffer with Dr. King onto the national stage, he fought for freedom, racial justice, equality, and for the human dignity of the marginalized and the poor. [laughter] Reverend Jackson gave me a glimpse of what is possible and taught me to say I am somebody. With an eloquent rhythmatic rhythm all his own, Jesse Jackson reminded America that equal justice is not inevitable. It requires vigilance and commitment and freedom fighters. His ministry was poetic and spiritual power in the public places. He passed away. But he said, "Keep hope alive." Not just keep hope, but keep it alive. We're looking for people that can keep

hope alive. And I'm one of his followers. And you see me coming up here fighting injustice, inequality because it's needed. But it's not too many soldiers that have courage to fight. But I'm one of them. Don't take me wrong. I love you. But when I see things ain't going right, I'm going to say something. And I've been saying something for over 20 years here. And it's been going in one ear and coming out the other one because you're not really dealing with injustice and inequality. You still want to give us crumbs and you want the pie. You're doing things for yourself and not the people in our community. Our kids need your help. We got a lot of people coming from other places to the university. Well, how are we going to help our kids that's growing up in this community low income because they can't find a good job yet they want to be somebody that can be somebody but we look over them because we we're blind and can't see. humble yourself so you can be another Jesse Jackson. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else in the middle? Okay. To my left. Okay. Okay. At this time, we will have council member uh reports with a fivem minute time limit on their comments. Miss Dixon, microphone.

Okay. First of all, um it was brought to my attention by Mr. Hendricks that we have a road closure at Royal Avenue and Veterans that will probably be there for a couple days. I don't know if you're going to elaborate on that, but um that affects people in um my district as well as his. We well everybody in the city who travels that way, but um just wanted to bring that to your attention. Also, March 7th um is the citywide cleanup that's already been discussed and I would highly highly encourage um you to organize yourselves together in your neighborhoods um in your churches, in your communities um maybe out together. Hopefully, we'll have some beautiful spring weather that day and we can um all together and let's um let's lift where we stand and and do the work to um make our city even even better. And then also on March 5th, that same week on the Thursday at 6:00, I will be having my first district community meeting at Royal Avenue Rec Center, six o'clock March 5th. So, I would invite um my district 3 to come and attend. I've got some things lined up for that that should be pretty beneficial. Um um Mr. Simpson to thank you for bringing up our children. Um, we're talking a lot about UNA and we're and you mentioned lower income kids that would probably really love to go to UNA and see who they could become at UNA and and I support that. I I see and I'm sure UNA would love to see um the the university serving those that population as well. um [clears throat] my thoughts on the UNA vote. I wanted to share a little bit of that. I've uh dedicated um

significant time to learn more about it and uh what those appropriations how they came about and how they are being distributed. Standing there are two final payments and that will meet the $3 million um amount that was um brought up by Mr. Cochran. that is the ending point for that. It may not be in writing but in my mind that is the ending of that. Um as a res representative of the people of Florence my primary responsibility lies within our residents in in frequent conversations. The consensus has been clear that our city has pressing internal needs that require urgent attention within my district and across the city and we fa face significant need for critical repairs to our aging roads and utility maintenance repairs and upgrades. Aggressive we need to um aggressively address blight and restoring our community pride. strengthen our services in public safety to ensure a lasting sense of peace and security and our quality of life by rehabilitating our public parks, several which need addressing and improve improvements and upkeep and supporting the many deserving nonprofits that currently lack sufficient funding. So, I do hold a deep affection for UNA. It has served my family very well and we love the college town at sphere that can um is one of the reasons why we love living here and I would personally contribute my own funds to support an institution that plays such a vital role in our region. However, when our fa city is facing its own immediate financial hurdles, including the looming necessity of a new municipality building, it is dis difficult for me to justify sending such large sums of p public money elsewhere on a regular basis. While I

believe it is appropriate for our city to support higher education, the timing is everything and I will support to honor our current obligation. However, I do not believe that the current climate will continue to allow for further allocations um once the final payments are made and um my priority must return to the foundational needs of the citizens who call Florence home. However, I do know as time goes on that we that circumstances may change and the city may become in a position where they can make um more financial contributions. UNA, I am in support of UNA. I am in support of higher education and I am in support of having a partnership, but we do need I feel to keep our um our city citizens priorities. That's all I have.

Thank you, Miss Dixon. Mr. Bowling,

just thank you everyone for being here tonight. Um, I would like to address uh the uh I believe or well in our budget you'll see um there's 14 millionish going to the Florence City School System. Um now as far as athletics, you're right it that's in every school out there no matter if it's everywhere. And and you know, to me, um that that kind of falls back to the athletic directors managing budgets the correct way. Um maybe trying to find more funding, trying to get more corporate sponsorship to help out in those situations because you're right. I mean, some some people have to pay $1,000 just to be a cheerleader, you know? I mean, that's it's kind of rid that we're in right now. And hopefully to do that. Um, so, uh, but I do understand what you're talking about and you're right. There there are a lot of programs and and people want, you know, kids deserve the opportunity to be able to play athletics. Teach you a lot of things in life and um, so they deserve that and they shouldn't be punished if they can't afford it. Uh, I do agree with that. I I'll touch on uh, UNA real quick. Sticks in my mind. uh you know we and you know bringing jobs in and uh I know Mr. Cochran talked about tech company years ago looking at coming here but the city could not provide the employees because we didn't have such uh degrees that would support that company. Um so I if if we want to draw um companies here then you know one of the ways to do that math and science you got to that's so close to us

if they start moving this way then we're able to have Florence residents be employees of this and if they're that close they're probably going to might be a few that move but people are going to stay here because this is a great town to live in. Um, no offense against Huntsville. It's the fastest growing city I think in the nation. Drive those roads a lot and man, it's tough. I love coming back to Florence because it's a lot easier. So, with that being said, investing in into something like this I feel like is very important. Now, I had a great conversation with Miss Palmer today and uh something that she brought up was some also Mr. White what you brought up about where's the end. Um I'm sure it's not a problem on our last payment to this is the last payment for the $3 million that we agreed upon with the University of North Alabama. Boom. I I I feel like that's easy to do. I don't know, Billy. You Okay. He gives me the Yeah. So, I mean, I I that wasn't a part of this administration when that was agreed on. I I can't tell you about the resolutions, how they were written up and all that, but I can tell you on the last one we can cuz that'll be I guess next year we can have that in there and that's not a problem. So, I would like to end with this. Um, again, back to Mr. Simpson. Reverend Jackson, I heard a wonderful story today um from Dr. King's daughter. She told a story about uh Martin Luther King Senior. Uh he was in a when he was in a wheelchair, he grabbed Jesse Jackson, pulled him down in his lap, and just sit there and prayed for him. And I I just thought that was a wonderful story to tell. Uh it it told a lot about um the King family and the Jackson's family's

relationship. Uh so I just I love that story this morning and got my day started with that. So, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bowen. Mr. Spence.

Hey, we want to thank everyone for being here tonight and for those standing up and those who are watching um via online. And just want to thank the mayor for his comments and especially the paving that seems to be District 5's most um need um that I heard during my campaign and currently. Don't forget like do um I was going to say Dr. Dixon. Okay. Um, Councilman um, Dixon said the March 7th um, citywide clean cleanup district 5 is having we're going to have a second location. We put the first location out, but we're going to have a second one and also be watching for my um um, meeting in the um, March. So, I agree with that on the end dates. Um, I think that's specifically I saw Bill Billy um shake his head and I think that is something important that you're asking for and if that's something we can do, we need to be providing for our community. But I want to say this, um, while we may disagree on certain issues, at the end of the day, we come together with a shared commitment to keep Florence moving forward. As we look ahead, it's important that we remain focused on progress rather than remaining anchored in the past of resis revisiting previous administration vision and a shared commitment and the mayor to work together in making our city the very best it can be. In my conversations with con constituents, especially through district 5, I've heard strong support for the University of North Alabama, this decision was not taken light. It was made after much prayer, research, thoughtful conversations, and diligently reviewing the information available. my responsibility and act in the best interest of our

on what Florence means to each of us and how we can all take part in shaping shaping a city where people want to live, raise their families, and build their futures. Together with faith, unity, and purpose, we can continue moving Florence forward with pride. I ask that you um I'm accessessible. you can reach out to me, you know, by my phone, by text, you know, email, whatever it may be, and we can have a one-on-one for the city of Florence. I don't know if they get the recognition that they deserve, but you know, we thank you for what you do each and every day and our department heads. Thank you, Miss King.

Thank you, everybody that's um here tonight and watching at home. Thank you um una for coming, Mr. Cochran. We appreciate you um doing that. love seeing Salvation Army here. Um the homeless care council people several others. We really appreciate you being here and and showing your support for the decisions that we make. Um citywide cleanup. Um I will be having one for district 6 and industrial park. We will meet on March 7th at 8:00 at Starky Drive at the street department which is the um city um municipal complex. And so please come out if you'd like to help me with that event. We will be working on cleaning the I wanted to say this because I have spent a lot of time. Um UNA partners with the Lauderdale County Commission through the workforce development and the A center. Um several weeks ago and and I went to the open house um that Loheed Martin did at workforce um that was for the Florence um city school system in the I can't say enough on the tours that I have taken and the people that I have talked to. This is a partnership between so many groups and organizations to change something that has never been before. This workforce development is hopefully what is going to bring and I'm going to keep saying this industry into this area. We have to start somewhere. It does doesn't happen overnight, but we are doing everything we can and this takes of consideration and and work on our part to try to do these little steps that may seem different or without a purpose, but they are. We are trying to do everything we can and make and fulfill those promises that we have made to this community. I'm always accessible. My phone number is 256-956-9621. Feel free to reach out to me at any time. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss King, Mr. Hendricks. [clears throat]

Um, not only thank y'all for coming, but thank y'all for staying. Y'all been here quite a while tonight. A lot of folks left. I'm glad y'all stayed. Uh, I will follow up some on the Royal Royal Avenue Veterans Drive intersection closing. I got a call today from uh someone reported that the the ground is kind of washing out at a culvert there. There's no immediate danger, but it's something that could turn into a sinkhole. That's where our school buses cross over from the bus barn and go down Royal. They just wanted to be proactive with this and close the street, inspect it. If they need to make any repairs, we'll do so. I I did notify the bus barn so that they could reroute their buses a different way from there. and also the we have the Sweetwater depot that's at the intersection. I left a message with them. So hopefully in a couple of days things will be back to normal on that. Um something that there's [clears throat] been a lot of discussion on this UN resolution especially about not having an end date. And I do want to point out that this is a standalone resolution. That's why that's not there. That's why it also doesn't have any mandatory uh future funding. You know, these are all stand alone. Now, yes, we can absolutely on on the the final put that this is our commitment that we made, but we're under no commitment to make any further uh you know, appropriations to that. They're standalone and they're a year at a time, but uh you know, we're I feel like we're a city that keeps our word and I hope that we can continue to do that. Now, uh you know, we talked about we're investing in these jobs and there were people saying tonight, yeah, we're educating these people and they're leaving. Well, Mr. Cochran talked about a project that uh it was a tech project that we had several years ago. It was called Project Hopper. and Project Hopper. Um, there were 400 tech jobs.

They were going to be located in downtown Florence and these were very nice jobs and uh, and we were very close to getting that. Uh, and I think we may have lost out part of that to Chattanooga, but you know, workforce development and having the employees and having the employer, it's the chicken and the egg. Well, what you got to have first is the pipeline of employers. And yes, while they're getting educated until we get our employees, some of them are going to leave hopefully to come back when we land the employers, but you've got to have workforce trained before you can recruit certain industries and and and there's some big announcements down the road that I'm very excited about and this all plays into that. That's not [clears throat] my sale, so I will we'll leave it at that. But we definitely made the right decision tonight. Um, want to uh talk about an event we're having. Uh, I love data. Uh, Winefest is this weekend. Winefest has sold in the neighborhood of 12 to,500 tickets. 450 of those tickets that were sold were sold to folks that don't live in the shows. And this is the data part that I love because this also goes into what we're going to be talking about shortly with the incentives with with the hotels that we we you know are looking at for downtown. So for think about the 450 people that are going to be here this weekend. Marriott or Renaissance has 199 rooms. We have several boutique hotels downtown. 450 rooms is a lot of rooms. So, for every dollar, this comes from the state tourism economic impact study, which you can find on their website. For every dollar someone spends on a hotel room, they spend $2 on food and beverage. They also spend one other dollar on

entertainment, which in this case is probably their ticket to the Winefest. And then they spend another dollar on retail. So, a dollar in a hotel room creates $4 in our community. That's why it's so important that we don't have leakage with hotel rooms. And I am excited about WineFest. I want to thank the guys that that own the carriage for having that again this year. They do a fabulous job with it. If you haven't bought a ticket, they're getting close to being sold out, but might want to check on that uh over the next few days. What I want to end on is thank you, Mr. Rouse. I'm not sure which one. I know. I know. Robert, y'all are with the the Are y'all with them? They left tonight. Well, hopefully they'll watch this. That's in my district. That's Infield. Uh I'm excited to to to see what they may be bringing there. I did look at that. It is surrounded by everything around it. I think RV accept that property and it's nice to see something else in my district that that that's going to start producing something for the city. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hendricks. And my comments, uh, we want to give condolences to the family of Reverend Jesse Jackson, um, his family. And also want to acknowledge that we are in Black History Month, uh, the month of February, and Black History is American history. Also want to um share with everybody the 4th annual show scaleback is going to be held this Saturday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the um Coach Harvest Mitchell gym which is at 610 West College Street. And this is being put on by uh myself uh Dr. Jam Javar Matt Jones, Susan Warren Bentley and the city of Florence Parks and Rex. And so inviting everybody to come out. Uh we have 38 vendors, uh couple food truck, uh food trucks that's going to be there. It's always well attended. Hundreds come out and get this free educational um information. Our own mayor, Mayor Tyler, is going to be there to share some greetings with us. And I'm looking forward to all of the council popping in. If you can't stay, pop in, pop out. And uh March the 7th, the city districtwide cleanup, district one, we're looking for you. We've already got some that have already committed. and the North Florida Sher Church of Christ. Uh they're going to do theirs and also um going to have some over at Handy. So need some over on the eastern side of district one. And so we just want a big turnout to clean up our community. Also um Reverend Simpson about the kids. Anybody know me that kids and elderly and people in general, but those are certainly dear to my heart. And so with that being said, April the 11th having a um treasures of our youth, something like that. [laughter] Can't even remember. We got so much going on. But anyway, that's going to be held in the registrations is going on right now. The age group is from 5 to 11. It's not going to cost the children any first one, the pilot program of it. So only

going to be able to take 50 children just to see, but we're going to just pour back into the children, give them enrichment. um activities. They will have a good time, but they also are going to have some enrichment uh activities that they learn um something. So, we're taking that right now. I've got a great sponsor that is working with me with that. So, again, you can sign up your kid right now from 5 to 11 and my number is and I'll give you the link. It's 2563493879. And so we're looking for everyone um to come out and be there. As far as the workforce, that is one thing that I know Mayor Tyler ran on. And so things are not going to turn overnight. This is giving him an opportunity to work on it because he just I thought the bridge was dead, but he just he made my day. The other day he called me and he emailed me some information. The bridge is not dead. So, as uh Jesse Jackson would say, keep hope alive because Mayor Mayor Tyler gave me some hope that the bridge is not dead. That process is starting and I have faith in him that he's going to be a major advocate um a catalyst for that and we're going to continue to push forward to that that we can see that um one day come to fruition real soon. And just like Miss Dixon said, there's a lot of needs in district one. Don't think that I have slept on those. We got a meeting coming up that some of those things are going to be addressed real soon. So, thank you for everyone that's coming. At this time, we're going to let Mayor Tyler have some final remarks and then we'll have the closing prayer by Councilman Bolan. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Simmons. Reverend Simpson, I think it was important to point out uh the passing of of Reverend Jackson. There's a lot he accomplished a lot of stuff he wish he would have done more of. There's there's got to be a sense, however, that that he would uh he would take pride in his passing occurring during Black History Month. And I thank you for for for recognizing and acknowledging that. Obviously, that's something that that that is and should be important to our community. Thank you for bringing that up. Mr. White, I I want to clarify something. You mentioned that in order to make this UNA appropriation, at least my perception of that was that we cut some appropriations. We cut zero appropriations to make room other than UNA to make room for that cost of living raise. So, I don't want anybody to leave thinking that somebody was cut to make room for a a pay increase or to make room for for UNA. Most of those people who got less did not request any. We did not know how much to put in them and we have encouraged people and are working on a packet to get to those nonprofits so they can submit requests for appropriations moving forward. But we didn't cut any. Many of them didn't didn't ask. Miss P, I want to tell you this. There's there's probably four things that are important to me for for this. One of them is by default. Number one, we have to improve our roads and we're working on a plan for that. Number two, we have to bring in jobs at career opportunities, not jobs, career opportunities for for everyone in this this particular community. The third is a combination of water, sewer, and electricity infrastructure. I I I want to do that. The fourth by default happens to be city hall because we're running out of time. Got to make a decision. But I want to describe economic development as the gears on a clock or in a watch. All of those gears, it takes a lot of them. Takes education. It takes water,

sewer, and electricity. It takes a workforce. It takes housing. It takes amenities for people to want to live here that make us attractive to companies. It it one of those gears is it just just the infrastructure as in Huntsville they had prepared a place. There's a lot of them I I'm leaving out. There's a lot of gears there that have to function together as part of the economic development effort so that we are attractive to outside industry wanting to locate here and that we have made ourselves ready through workforce development, through educational programs and through infrastructure needs. housing that's affordable for companies to want to locate here. Now, we may look at one of those gears, take UNA for example, and go, I don't like that one. Don't want to spend money. Don't want that gear to be present in this clock. You take out one of those components, then that clock does not function the way it's supposed to. We are trying to get all of the components together that collectively function for economic development. And it takes all of them. And we can wait, you know, is this gear too much? Is it too big? Do I? But it takes all of those. The ultimate end goal is that we are an attractive community. The industry wanted to locate here and we have a qualified ready to go workforce. We have a ready to go site and community where companies can come and land and hit the ground. And I hope that those people get good jobs and Mr. Mr. Simpson, I hope they get a good enough job when they have a kid who wants to go and be a cheer cheerleader that we have a job for the parents so they can afford to have the kids meet all their needs, come and participate in athletic. It all works together like gears in the clock. We haven't functioned completely appropriately. We haven't worked in sync like we should. The battle is to try to find a way to get us all in sync so those gears work together so that that our kids can have a jobs. We have affordable housing here,

good roads to to drive on, and we have reliable and clean water. We have functioning sewer, and we have uh again, reliable electricity. So, that's what we're working towards. It is not a direct line from where we're at to where we want to be. There's going to be twists and turns and obstacles and roadblocks. We're going to find our way there. Myself and this council are committed to that. Thank you very much, Miss Simmons. Thank you all for coming.

Let's pray. Father God, we just thank you so much for this day. Uh we love you. We thank you for your blessings. Father, uh we pray that tonight all the decisions that were made honor you, Father. Father, we thank you for your son Jesus and his sacrifice on the c on the cross. And in the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. Amen.