Council - Regular Meeting

Okay, guys. Are y'all ready? Mayor Phillips,

it is now 5:30 and I'm calling this meeting to order. Please stand for our invocation and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we ask for wisdom and guidance as we conduct this business of our city. Help us make decisions that are serve the citizens of Northport with fairness, integrity, and respect. Amen. Attention. Salute. Pledge. 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.

Roll call. Miss Tubs. Pro Tim Washington here. Councelor Smith here. Councelor Conger here. Councelor Hickden here. President Dikes here. And no casualties with the Diet Coke. Um presentations. We have none tonight. Number six, approval of the agenda. Is there anyone that would like to make a motion to approve the agenda for the March 23rd, 2026 council meeting as printed? Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by Proim Washington. Are there any questions or comments? Hearing none, Miss Tubs. Voting with Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Visitors address the council. We have one um William Scott Hamner um regarding handicapped parking enforcement. Is he here this evening? Okay. Could you come to the podium and state your name and address, please? You will have three minutes.

William Scott Hamner, a little bit of 6923 43rd Street, Northport. Um, I've been going to different places and then a lot of people are parking in handicap who doesn't blown there and uh and other people above my age can't find a place to park in handicap and uh and it's getting out of hand. I call some officers and sometimes one of them will write a ticket and some of them just kind of not pay attention to it and try to find them to move and then day or two later that same person be right back in the handicap spot. And I'm doing this for myself and the elders that who really need that space. And I think our city is growing and we just need to do something about that. and parking in every places not besides grocery stores is convenience stores and fast food places too.

Okay. And I see a lot of that and I was brought up to respect that and people need to respect someone who's handicapped. Yes. And I would appreciate if y'all can come up of a solution to have this taken care of. We will definitely take it under advisement and speak with Chief Burton and see what we can come up with. But thank you for bringing it to our attention. And then if y'all need any information on you, contact the director at University of Alabama Parking Services, Chris. Chris. Okay. If you need any information on how to do if a besides a police officer doing it. Okay. Okay. Well, thank you so much and we'll definitely think about this. Okay. Thank you.

Appreciate you addressing us. Okay. Um, number eight, unfinished business. We have none. 9 A1, new business. Miss Ram. Yes, ma'am. This is a first reading of an ordinance that would order the demolition of unsafe structure. That structure is located at 102 10th Street. Um, there will be a public hearing and a second reading on April the 6th. I will offer that up for a motion. 9A2, Mr. Davis.

Yes. This is a first reading only for uh vacation of public rideway on Bridge Avenue close to the old Max Bait Shop and there'll be a public hearing on this at the next council meeting on April 6. Is there anyone that would offer like to offer this up for a first reading? So move that would be offered up by councelor Hickden. Um 9B1. Mr. Davis, you're on again.

Yes. This is a resolution allowed the city administrator to execute a contract for legal services. This is a a class action, a multi-dist class action pending in New Orleans um about PFAS litigation. This is a chemicals that uh called forever chemicals that just doesn't go away. Uh there's settlement been reached with three in a dupant where they've agreed to pay 13.6 billion with B dollars. We're very fortunate. We don't have a problem, but uh because of the amount of money paid in, it makes sense for us to file a claim. There's no downside uh to us joining. So, we're not out any money.

We're not out any money. We'll either get zero or we'll get a few thousand or a few hundred,000. Free dollars. I like that. Um are there any questions or comments? The form of this motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a contract for legal services pertaining to AF FF pf litigation. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Conger and a second by councelor Hickden. Miss Tubs. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 9B2. Miss King.

Yes. This is a resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute an ABC approval letter for Spirits, Inc. Um, this is another one of those consumable hemp products. We will probably be having these almost every council from now on for at least a little while. Um, but it's no different than the other ones and it's still just because it's being regulated by ABC now. Good deal. Um, are there any questions or comments hearing? Uh, do I hear a motion?

So, move The form of the motion, my bad, my getting ahead of myself. The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute an ABC approval letter for the sale of consumable hemp products in accordance with state regulations to Spirits Incorporated DBA Spirits 1. Now, do I hear a motion? So, moved. Second. Okay, that is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by Pro Tim Washington. Miss Tubs. No, no, ma'am. It was a motion by Conger and second by Washington. Okay. You gave me the Diet Coke. You I asked for Diet Coke. You gave me a Coke Zero. That's the problem. My bad. I've heard the

rush of caffeine. Okay. All right. Um, voting with Pro Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. This is going to be a long night. All right. 9B3. Miss King, you're up again.

Yes. This is a resolution authorizing the city to sign a supplement to the tax certificate and agreement. So, this is for the 2023 bonds that were issued. Um, this is importantly, this does not increase any kind of obligation. This doesn't involve spending money or anything like that. This is just sort of a clerical thing that will allocate money. Um, because when we initially did it, we had predictions about what we were going to do and now we know where money has been spent. Um, this has all been done at the advice of our new B bond council um to sort of clean some things up.

Good deal. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the mayor, city administrator, and finance director to execute a supplement to the tax certificate and agreement relating to the general obligation warrant series 2023. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. Okay, that is a motion by councelor Conger and a second by councelor Hickden. Miss Tubs, voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 94. Miss King.

Yes. This is the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a lease agreement with Warrior Baseball for Kentuk Park. Um, as everybody knows, they've played out there on those fields for a very long time, and this is just continuing to do the same. Okay. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a lease agreement with Warrior Baseball Association for Kent Park. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Conger and a second by councelor Hickden. Miss Tubs. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 9B5. Miss King again.

Yes. And I'm going to talk about five and six somewhat together. Um these are both resolutions authorizing the city administrator to execute a uh license agreement with two different companies. Um this is for the park stores at Riverrun Park. Uh one will be for Prep Baseball. That will be the store closer to the main entrance. Um they will operate merchandise out of that and sell merchandise out of that store. And then the other one, which is the next one, is uh with Baseball Lifestyle 101, which is very exciting. Um and they would be operating the store closer to the small fields. Um, and the lease agreements are basically identical, but they allow each company to operate the respective store. I am told this baseball lifestyle 101 is like the Lululemon of baseball. Oh, it is.

So, a little bit that's that's a nice addition. It is. And I and I checked and the closest standalone store is in Atlanta. So, we will have the only one in Alabama. And so, they will be purchasing right here in Northport. Correct. I'm glad my daughter is in college. just on the record. Um, nine. Okay. So, that is Are there do them separately? I just wanted We're gonna do them separately. Right. I just wanted to talk. Um, are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to the more form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute merchandise operator license agreement with Prep Baseball for merchandise sales at Riverrun Park. Do I hear a motion? So moved.

Second. Okay, that is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by councelor Conger. Miss Tubs, roll call, please. Ving with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Um and 96. You don't need to add anything to that. Can we go ahead? No. Okay. Um I'm assuming nobody has any questions or comments. The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute real estate license and sponsoring agreement with Baseball Lifestyle 101LC for merchandise sales at Riverrun Park. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second.

That is a motion by councelor Conger and a second by councelor Hickden. Miss Tubs. Voting with pray Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Um 97. Mr. Matthews, you're up. All right. This is uh authorizing a memorandum of understanding with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources uh under which they would provide $150,000 in funding for the uh for engineering services at the fish fishing facility, which is part of the uh Northport Shore master plan.

Good deal. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a memorandum of understanding with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a fishing facility at Northport Shore. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by Councelor Hickden and a second by Proim Washington. Miss Tubs, call roll, please. Voting with Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Uh 98. Mr. Matthews, you're up again.

This is a related item in which we would uh authorize $150,000 in a master service agreement and task order directives number one and two with TTL for the tournament fishing facility at Northport Shore. Okay, good deal. Are there any questions or comments? So, that's the grant money we just talked about. Spending the money that we just talked about. So, none out of our pockets. That's right. It's all money we'd be receiving from the Department of Conservation. Great. Thank you. And you did make a point of saying that TTL has done the master plan for the entire Northshore previously. That's right. And that was previously adopted by council, I believe, three different times now, but most recently in late 2025.

Okay. Thank you. The form are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a master service agreement and task order directive number one and two with TTL Inc. for the city of Northport tournament fishing facility in the amount of $150,000. Do I hear a motion? So move. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by Proim Washington. Miss Tubs, roll call, please. Voting with Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 9B9. Mr. Matthews,

this would authorize the execution of change order number two with Dominion Construction Incorporated for the downtown sidewalk and streetscape project phase three. Uh, this is a final balancing change order that deducts $4,76.39 from their contract value. Okay. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute change order number two with Dominion Construction Incorporated for the downtown sidewalk and streetscape improvements phase three in the deductive amount of $4,000 uh $76.39. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second.

That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by proim Washington. Miss Tubs voting with proim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 9B10. Mr. Matthews. Yes. This uh resolution would uh make a request to ALDOT and FHWA to reclassify Hospital Drive and and a portion of Third Street. Are there any questions or comments? And my understanding is this is forward thinking so that we have more options in the future. That's right. Of course, this uh hospital drive project is part of our comprehensive plan that was adopted in 2024 and having this road classification would allow different funding types to become available. Great. Thank you.

And that is connecting Hospital Drive with Rice Mine Road. Right. And then and then Forward South along the levy all the way to Third Street. Good deal. District two. Are there any more questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution to authorize a request for the classification of Hospital Drive and a portion of Third Street under the highway functional classification system. Do I hear a motion? That is a mot. That is a motion by councelor Hickden I mean councelor Conger and a second by Pro Tim Washington. Miss Tubs call please. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Y'all need to stop talking at the same time. Mr. Matthews 911, you're up again.

Yes. This uh this would authorize an agreement with Duncan Coker Associates uh for the Smithville Garden storm drainage improvements. The value of that contract would be 16 116,676 for uh design and construction payer services. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute an agreement with Duncan Coker Associates for the Smithville Garden storm drainage improvements in the amount of $116,676. Do I hear a motion? So moved.

Second. Thank you. Okay. Um that's a motion by councelor Conger and a second by pro Tim Washington and Miss Tubs call roll please. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Abstain. Yes. Motion carries. 9B12. Mr. Burton. Chief Burton.

Yes ma'am. We're asking to enter to renew our contract with the Department of Agriculture and their wildlife services division. As you know, we do have some beaver dams sometimes and they come out and service service those for us. Are there any questions or comments? I will refrain from my comments, but the form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to maintain the contact contract with the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and Wildlife Services not to exceed $7,000. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second.

Okay, that is a motion by Councelor Hickden and a second by Proim Washington. Miss Tubs, call Ro, please. Voting with Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 9B13. Mr. Web. Yes. Um, we have a contract before you for engineering services associated with the Hightown Rehabilitation Project. This is a 2026 U capital project and this will be for uh design services, bid phase services and construction administration.

Okay. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute an engineering service contract with SPN professional services for Hightown Water Tank Rehabilitation in the amount of $65,000. Do I hear a motion? So move. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by Proim Washington. Miss Tubs. Voting with Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Um 9 C is the consent agenda. This ranges from bill minutes to bill listings and PO requisitions. Um Miss Tubs, I have a question. Okay. Um as everyone peruses through the consent agenda, what is what is the what's the threshold for issuing um for getting a um bid? $30,000. Okay. Is that C? Well, it depends on what it is. I mean, public works contracts are different than it bid items. Okay. So, explain the difference briefly.

So, it's difference between like a public works contract would be if you're actually hiring somebody to come repair a pipe or something like that versus actually purchasing an item. Okay. So, if the police department buys a lawnmower and the fire department buys a lawn mower and utilities buys a lawnmower and public works buys a lawn mower, is that not considered cumulative and needs to be bid out or is that all separate? If you were buying multiple of one type of item, it would could potentially be cumulative. Yes.

Okay. Um, so if it is under, we're assuming that something is under the threshold. Are they supposed to get quotes? Just quotes, not a bid, but just three quotes. Okay. It depends. It dep It depends on what the item is. So, when it comes to equipment, since I think that's what we're talking about, we have a lot of equipment on our agenda tonight. We have a equipment a equipment manual. Um I'm not sure what the exact name of it is, but we have a policy where we go through when we buy certain types of equipment because we have so many different types of equipment that we have to house parts and we have to work on those items. So for instance, we don't we have a certain type of vehicle that we would buy. We have a couple of them. So if the vehicle comes into the shop and it has something that needs to be repaired, you know, we have to read the chips and everything in them. So we can't afford to have all the different types of equipment, materials, tools, and everything to work on all the different equipment. So we have a manual on how to buy certain types of equipment that we use on a basis

like buying uh police vehicles all Ford. Yes. You don't you don't want to do Ford, Chevy, and something else.

Yes, sir. That's exactly the same thing. So then like so weed eaters, we don't want to have 20 different types of weed eaters or 20 different types of lawnmowers because we have to house parts and work on those and they have different types of expertise for those. So it's more efficient for operations. So we developed an equipment and um vehicle policy manual within the probably the last year or so. And that's something that we went through with all the different department heads. So, for instance, when um Chief Burton went out to look, y'all funded some police cars for him. He's worked with the public works department on what kind of police cars work best for him, what they've seen on performance, what last the longest, and so forth. So, we have specs that meet that when he goes out to look for his police cars. So, same thing with mowers or weed eater. We have certain specs that we like to go by to make sure that we're streamlining the maintenance of these items and the use of these items. I guess I think the question that's being asked is once you reach those specs,

yes, are you looking to multiple entities on what the price on those particular specs are? Yes. Even if it's below the bid threshold. Um it well I think that there's room for interpretation. Interpretation that. Yes, ma'am. So it is something I know that we've have a question on one particular item here. that particular item is meets is a local business that meets the specs of our manual that we have for vehicles and equipment. Okay. I think what I would like to do so I can get a little bit more knowledgeable about this situation is I would like to table that particular item. Okay.

And have some conversations between now and April 6th. So, um I guess Are there any more questions or comments? Okay. So, and we'll be glad to go over that. Uh, April 6th. April 6. Yeah, that's the next work session. The next work session is April 6th. So, um, the form of the motion would be to approve the consent agenda item for the March 23rd, 26 council meeting um, as printed with the deletion of item 21. Okay. Do I hear a motion?

Would that be a deletion or a table of that item? Table of that. I Is my verbiage wrong? What was it, Miss Mallerie? Delete it and then we'll just table it. We We will just put it on the next one. Okay. Okay. Good deal. Thank you. Um, do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by councelor Conger. Miss Tubs, call roll, please. Councelor H, I'm sorry. HD. Councelor Hickden and Councelor Conger. Okay. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Public hearings. I would like to remind everyone that during public hearings, we encourage you to share any ideas or items of concern. There is a three minute limit. Please limit your com comments to the mayor and the council as a whole, not to any individuals. 10 C planning inspections, Miss Ram. Yes, ma'am. This is a second reading of an ordinance that will um adopt amendments to the zoning ordinance. This does come with a positive recommendation from the planning commission. The item is ready for a public hearing and a vote of the council.

Okay. Um, I'll open the floor for a public hearing for agenda item C 10 C1. Is there anyone that would like to speak for or against this item? Hearing none, I'll close the floor for a public hearing for a agenda item 10 C1. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the ordinance adopting the proposed amendments of the zoning ordinance. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second.

Okay, that is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second. I mean a motion by councelor Conger and a second by councelor Hickden. Miss Tubs, call roll, please. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 10C2. Miss Ram. Yes. And this is a second reading of an ordinance annexing 1.27 27 acres of property that's located south of Old Union Chapel Road and west of Union Chapel Road. The original zoning designation will be RS1, which is single family residential. It does come with a positive recommendation from the planning commission. It's ready for a public hearing and a vote of the council.

I'll open the floor for a public hearing for agenda agenda item 10 C2. Is there anyone that would like to speak for or against this item? Hearing none, I'll close the floor for public hearing agenda item 10C2. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the ordinance annexing 1.27 acres located south of Union Old Union Chapel Road and west of Union Chapel Road with the original zoning designations RS1 single family residential. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by Pro Tim Washington. Miss Tubs call roll please. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Sorry. 10 10 C3 staff. Um that's mine as well. Oh, that's okay. I'm sorry. It just says staff and I was like I was trying to read to figure out which one of y'all came up. Okay. Miss Ram.

All right. So this is all this is a second reading of an ordinance approving a conditional use to allow indoor recreation facility in a limited manufacturing zoning district. The property is located at 2403 10th Street. The proposed business is a rage room. Um that does come with a positive recommendation from the planning commission with the stipulation um on the hours of operation. Those hours that the planning commission um are recommending would be Monday through Friday 5:00 p. p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 1000 p.m. and then on Sundays uh 12 noon until 10 p.m. So that item is also ready for public hearing and vote of the council. I'll open the floor for a public hearing for agenda item 10 C3. Is there anyone who would like to speak for or against this item? Hearing none, I'll close the floor for a public hearing for agenda item 10 C3. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the ordinance authorizing conditional use approval for an indoor recreation facility in a limited manufacturing M1 zone located at 2403 10th Street with the hours of operation as stipulated in the ordinance. Do I hear a motion?

So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by councelor Conger. Miss Tubs, roll call, please. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Um attendee one, Chief Burton.

Yes, ma'am. We have a ABC license application from West Alabama Food and Wine Festival. Uh the date would be April 19th and event time is 3 PM. There are no issues with this application. I'll open the floor for a public hearing for agenda item 10D1. Is there anyone that would like to speak for or against this hearing? None. I'll close the floor for a public hearing for agenda item 10D1. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion to is to approve the ABC license for West Alabama Food and Wine Festival. Do I hear a motion? So moved.

Second. That is a motion by councelor Conger and a second by pro Tim Washington. Miss Tubs voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. City administrator's business. I have none.

Um the only thing I have tonight is I want to thank uh not thank congratulate Teslas County High basketball for winning the 7A state championship. That's the first time they've won since 1960. And I know that predates some of us up here, but some of us it doesn't. But that's a huge feat for Coach Weeks. He's been there and he's worked hard. Um he was he was the Alabama boy and I I just I'm very I'm so thankful for them and appreciative of all the support that they've received. Mayor Phillips. Nothing. Councelor Smith.

Uh yes. As far as I know, the Northport Farmers Market will be doing their grand opening this Saturday, the 28th. So, just March 28th. Yes. Okay. So, just make your way down Saturday. And then I also want to say happy Easter to everyone in two weeks. Won't we meet before Easter or we meet up the day after? The day after day after Easter. Okay. Pro Tim Washington. I have none. Councelor Conger.

Yes. Uh with the Easter uh happy Eastering. Uh the Northport Bunny Trail is winding down in downtown Northport. And I was checking to make sure I had these dates right. It looks like there will be a pet egg extravaganza on March 29th. So, take your your pooches and your kitty cats down to the uh pet event. And um I think that's all I have except make sure you get your tickets for the uh food and wine festival will also be exciting in your district. So, I'm thinking we might need to leave the cats at home.

I don't know. There's pictures of cats in the picture. So, you know, I My cat would never wear a costume, but my dog would not let the cat wear a costume. Councelor Hickden. Uh, congratulations to Coach Weekes for being the 7A boys basketball coach of the year. Uh, Coach Weeks has done a tremendous job at county high. And I just hope everyone have a blessed Easter. Um, the form of this motion is to adjourn the meeting at 6:02. Do I hear a motion? So move. Second. All in favor say I. I.