Council - Regular Meeting

to order. Please stand for our invocation and pledge of allegiance. And our invocation will be Mrs. Ny Smith from Mr. Turnley Smith and Mrs. Turnley Smith. [laughter]

Thank you for this opportunity. if you will bow bow your heads with me. Lord, we just thank you for today. We thank you for this time that we get together. Um and I just come to you just praying a blessing over um the city of Northport, the businesses, the schools, um everyone who lives here. Lord, we just pray protection over them. Um we pray just time that we are meeting that it is glorifying you and that it honors you through every word. Um, and again, we just thank you for the people who make up this city. Um, and I thank you for um, just my dad who gets to be in this role and every other person that you've placed here so specifically. Um, and just pray a blessing and protection over them as they fulfill this role. Um, but we love you and we thank you for today in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Attention. Salute. Pledge. I aliance 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. Miss Tubs, call roll, please. Pro Tim Washington, here. Councelor Smith, here. Councelor Conger here. Counselor Hickden here. President Dykes

here. um presentations. We have two and since I have to give them tonight, I'm going to go ahead and say that they are for the first one is West Alabama Fellowship of Christian Athletes and then the second one is District 3's uh business of the month month which is Gypsy River Apparel. It's okay. I've never done this before either, so don't be nervous. [laughter] Okay. The proclamation tonight is from the office of the mayor that I am just filling in tonight for West Alabama Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Whereas West Alabama Fellowship of Christian Athletes works to inspire coaches and athletes through faith, character, and teamwork and leadership. And whereas their programs and outreach positively impact students, families, schools throughout our community. And whereas their volunteers and leaders help young people grow both on the field and off the field, encourage integrity, service, and strong values. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the city of Northport hereby recognizes and commends West Alabama Fellowship of Christian Athletes for their dedication to developing the ne next generation of leaders for their meaningful contributions to our community. In witness whereof, Mr. Phillips has set his hand and caused the seal of Northport to be affixed on the second day of March. Congratulations. Would you like to say something? [applause] Thank you very much. It's a huge honor. We love our city and it's an honor to serve here. So, thank you.

[applause] Miss Conger. I never realized how many wherees there were in these things. Now

um proclamation Gypsy River Apparel March 2026 B district 3 business of the month. Whereas the city of Northport is proud to recognize and celebrate local businesses that contribute to the economy, economic vitality, character, and community spirit of our city. And whereas Gypsy River Apparel has distinguished itself as a value local retailer, offering unique apparel and merchandise while providing outstanding customer service and a welcoming shopping experience. And whereas through its commitment to quality products, community engagement, and the support of local initiatives, Gypsy River has made posit made a positive impact on the Northport business community. And whereas small businesses like Gypsy River Apparel are the backbone of our local economy, creating jobs, supporting families, and enhancing the overall quality for the life of our citizens. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the city of Northport recognizes Gypsy River Apparel as March Business of the Month and encourage all citizens to support and celebrate this outstanding local business. In the witness whereof, Mayor Phillips has set his hand and caused the seal of the city of Northport to be affixed this second day of March on uh second day of March 2026. Congratulations.

[applause] Thank you very much. I I just want to say I appreciate this very much. Um all that what you just said is what we try to do. Um and it's just really nice to be recognized for that. Um anything that we can ever do to be a part of any kind of initiatives or small business things, we are all for it. Congrat

[laughter]

Thank you very

[snorts]

Now that I'm out of breath, we will continue [snorts] approval of the agenda. Is there anyone that would like to make a motion to approve the agenda for March 2nd council meeting as printed? So move. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by C uh Pro Tim Washington. Are there any questions or comments? Hearing none, Miss Tubs, call roll. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. We have no visitors to address the council. We have no unfinished business. So our first item is 9A1. Miss Ram.

Yes ma'am. This is a first reading um of an ordinance adopting amendments to the zoning ordinance. Um as you guys know we do a quarterly review of the zoning ordinance and we recommend changes to the planning commission and the planning commission sends those up up to you guys. Um, these changes include adding definitions. We've clarified some use regulations um that were ambiguous in the ordinance. We've added some screening requirements uh for commercial uses that abut residential uses and added upper story dwellings as a conditional use in the recreation district. Um, this does come as a positive recommendation from the planning commission and we will have a public hearing on March the 23rd.

Okay. I will offer that up as a first reading. I mean as a uh yeah as a first reading um a 982 Mr. Ram again. Yes. This is a first reading of an ordinance annexing 1.27 acres of property. The property is located south of Old Union Chapel Road and west of Union Chapel Road. The property will be um zoned RS1 which is single family residential. It is in compliance with the comprehensive plan and does come with a positive recommendation from the planning commission. That public hearing will also [clears throat] be held on the 23rd of March. Okay. Is there anyone that would like to offer that up for a first reading? So moved. That is offered up by councelor Hickden. Miss Ram, you're up again.

Yes. This is a first reading for an ordinance approving a conditional use. The property is located at 2403 10th Street. Um the conditional use would allow indoor recreation um in a limited manufacturing or an M1 uh zoning district. Again, the property is located at 2403 TH Street. The business will operate as a rage room. The planning commission does have a positive recommendation. However, they do recommend um the hours of operation be limited to 5:00 p. p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Um 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays. Those are included in the ordinance that is in your packet. That public hearing will also be on March the 23rd.

Okay. I will offer that up for first reading. 94. Mr. McGee. Yes, ma'am. This is for the 2026 uh general fund and water and sewer capital budgets. Uh the total amounts for uh the general fund is $950,000 uh which is significantly less than last couple years. Uh water and sewer capital budgets a million1,930. Uh there's some rollover amounts, but we would ask that you approve this capital budget. I would also ask that you suspend the rules. This is typically a first and second reading, but I would ask that you suspend the rules and approve it tonight. Uh we're seeing cost increases on computer hardware and the like going up very quickly uh due to some AI centers and whatnot that's pushing costs up. Uh because of the change over in council, we're getting this passed a little bit later. So, there are some time constraints on vehicles, equipment. uh there's some lead times on some of these things and there are a number of projects we'd like to get moving hopefully to get wrapped up this fiscal year. So uh I'm requesting you that do that for those reasons. If you would certainly consider that we'd appreciate it. So the so we're clear the mo the suspension of the rules is primarily to save money on

correct prices that have already been locked in that potentially we're going to we have some 30-day or quotes on a number of computer hardware items that we would like to save probably around $10,000 could be more than that these prices went up very quickly these days yes I just wanted to point out that our so our next council meeting is later than two weeks because we did change our meetings for spring breaks. So, it's putting us into that position with some of these um 30-day quotes may not be valid and we are seeing significant increases. So, we anticipate if we do have to wait until that 23rd that we need potentially about $10,000 more for additional computers and the computers that will be in the police the patrol cars that are recommended in the budget.

And we have some projects that need to yes be on the ground running. Okay. Um Okay. Okay. Are there any questions or comments for Mr. McGee? Okay. We've got to do this in um two sections. So the first the form of the motion is to suspend the rules to allow the immediate vote on this ordinance. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by councelor Conger. Miss Tubs. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Um, okay. Second part of this, the form of the motion is to adopt the ordinance adopting the fiscal year 2026 general fund and water sewer budget capital budgets. Do I hear a motion? So move. Second. That is a motion by proim Washington and a second by councelor Conger. Um, call roll please. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Yes. That motion carries. So, both of those motion carries. Thank you. They do. And the the the lineup was just confusing me a little bit on that one.

Okay. 9B. Resolutions of a temporary nature. 9B1. Mr. Matthews. Yes. This item would ratify the application for the Alabama Recycling Fund Grant, which is a grant awarded through ADM. Uh there is no city match required if we were awarded this grant. Sweet. Um, the form of the motion is to adopt the resolution ratifying the application for the Alabama Recycling Grant through Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Are there any questions or comments? Hearing none. Um, who do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by Pro Tim Washington. Miss Tubs.

Voting with Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I don't I don't know that we read the motion uh President Dikes prior to the vote according to legal. Didn't we need to read the motion? You need the form of motion. Form of motion. Did I not say the form of motion? Okay. The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution ratifying the application for the Alabama Recycling Fund Grant through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Do I hear a motion? Some so moved. Second. Okay. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by pro Tim Washington. Do um Miss Tubs, roll call. Voting with Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. That's why I should not be writing notes on my um paper while we're doing this. I should have done that during work session. I apologize. Uh 9B2, Mr. Matthews. Uh this would authorize uh two revised agreements with Alabama Power for uh lighting service at Riverrun Park. Uh the uh we previously authorized and executed these agreements and based off of actual construction costs, the cost actually went down uh before the two agreements by $12967 a month.

That's nice. Um are there any questions or comments? Okay. The form of the motion is to act is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute revised NEC and NESC lighting service agreements with Alamo Power for roadway and parking lot lighting for Riverrun Park. 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 Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 9B3. Mr. Matthews. Again,

this is another grant application. This is for the 2026 ARP community challenge grant. Uh this would award up to $15,000 which we propose to use for picnic tables, benches, and trash cans at Kent Tuck Park. This would also have no city match if we were awarded. Nice. The form of the motion is Oh, do I have any do are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the application for the 2026 AARP community challenge grant. 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. 94. Mr. Matthews, you're up again. Last one. U. This would authorize uh amendment number five to TTL's uh master service agreement at Riverrun Park. Uh this amendment would uh include work for designing and construction phase services for the maintenance building uh as well as surveying and engineering services for uh platting and uh surveying platting and uh subdividing the property. Uh the cost of this amendment would be $32,700.

Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute amendment number five to the master service agreements with TTL Incorporated for the sports and recreational complex at North Northport Shore in the amount of $32,700. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a I mean a f a motion by councelor Hickden, a second by prom. Miss Tubs, call roll, please. Voting with proim Washington. Yes. No. Yes. Yes. Yes. Carries.

Yeah. Motion carries. I'm sorry. Um 9B5. Miss King.

Yes. This is a resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a temporary use agreement with Warrior Baseball and Northport Fast Pitch. This is for use of Riverrun Park on Mondays, Tuesdays, and some fields on Wednesdays to allow some of our local um youth sports leagues teams to be able to utilize our facility without cost. I know this has been um a challenge getting all this done, trying to work around I don't know if anybody people have noticed, but Riverrun Park has been packed um the last few weekends and getting um these teams in here playing. We have to balance the local with the tournament. So revenue and trying to let people use it for free. So this this is a good thing. Um are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing city administrator to execute a temporary use agreement with Warrior Baseball Association and Northport Fast Pitch. 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. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 9B6. Miss Tubs. Um, this is a resolution designating councelor Conger as our voting delegate of the Alabama League of Municipalities and a backup as councelor Washington. Pro Tim Washington. Are there any questions or comments aside from the fact that y'all have to give a PowerPoint presentation when you get back? Just kidding. It'll be amusing, that's for sure. [laughter]

The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution designating councelor Conger as the official voting delegate and prom Washington as the first alternate for the 2026 Alabama League of Municipalities annual convention. Do I hear a motion? So moved. [snorts] 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.

97. Chief Burton. Yes, ma'am. This is our annual maintenance contract for the backup batteries for the uh radio towers for police department. And we need those. Absolutely. [laughter] Are there any questions or comments for Chief? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to enter into the contract in the amount of $6,238 with Vertive. Is that correct? Verive Corporation for the battery services at the Martin Spur and Lake Tower sites. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by councelor Conger. Miss Hubs, voting with Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. [snorts] 98. Mr. Davis. Yes. This is your uh seems like almost every meeting to authorize water service outside the city limit staff recommends approval. That's a good thing though. Are are there any questions or comments? The form of this motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing water service outside the city limits to be provided to Mr. Lester Wilson at Tilly Branch Road, lot one pursuant to the conditions in the resolution. 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. That approach Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. [snorts] 9B. Miss. Yes, ma'am. Public Works received bids for furnishing ground maintenance for Williamson Cemetery. This is a three-year bid and Rotello Consultants was the lowest bidder. I meant to ask you, how often do they do this? Every two weeks. Every two weeks. Yes, ma'am. And it's a three-year contract. Yes, ma'am. Okay. From March to Sorry, March to September. Okay. Um, are there any other questions or comments from Mr. Arnes? The form of the motion is to adopt a resolution awarding bid file number 26-01 to Rotello Consultants Incorporated for the furnishing of ground maintenance for Williamson Cemetery. Do I hear a motion? So moved. 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. [snorts] Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 9B10. Mr. Arms. Yes, ma'am. Pull works received bids for Buckhead drainageway cleanup. This is also a three-year bid and Hudson Lawn Care was the lowest bidder meeting all the minimum bid specs. And this one is four times a year. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Are there any questions or comments from Miss Arn? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution awarding bid file number 26-02 to Hudson Lawn LLC for Buckhead Drainageway Cleanup. 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. 9B11. Miss Darns again. Yes, ma'am. Public works received bids for as needed drainage pipe rehab. This is for emergency issues that arise not to exceed $150,000. This is one-year bid. Okay. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution awarding bid file number 26-03 to video industrial services for as needed drainage pipe rehab. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second.

Why does that not surprise me? Um that is a motion by councelor Conger and a second by councelor Hickden. Miss Tubs, roll call, please. Voting with prom Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Miss Starns, you're up again. Yes, ma'am. uh public works received bids for tree removal services. This is a three-year bid with Ellison's tree service being the low bidder. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution awarding bid file number 26-04 to Ellison's Tree Service LLC for tree removal services. Do I hear a motion? So moved. 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. Um, Miss Starns, would you like to come up here and stand? You breath now. You're you're up next. Yes, ma'am. Uh, this is a resolution rejecting all bids received for the Northport Community Center for Janitorial Custodial Services. Um there was we did not put enough detailed information in the bids to be able to um name a low bidder.

Okay. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution rejecting all bids received on February 23rd, 2026 for bid file number 26-05 for the f furnishing of custodial services for the Northport Community Center. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Conger and a second by councelor Hickden. Miss Tubs, roll call, please. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. [snorts] Um 9 C is a consent agenda. It ranges from minutes to bill listings to PO requisitions. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to approve the consent agenda for March 2nd, 2026 council meeting as printed. Do I hear a motion? So move. Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by proim Washington. Mr. Tubs, call roll, please. Voting with proim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Public hearings. Um, I would like to remind everyone that during public hearings, please share any ideas or a concern, but limit your comments to three minutes and direct all of your comments to the mayor and council as a body, as a whole, not as individuals. Um, 10B1, Miss King, you're up.

Yes. This is a public hearing on a resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute an ABC approval letter for Crimson Spirits LLC, which is doing business with Crimson Spirits, to be able to sell consumable hemp products. If you will remember, we did this last time for a different um entity, and we'll these are going to keep coming forward. Um the Alabama legislature passed a new law that requires this. Uh up until this point, they weren't required to register with ABC. Uh ABC will only process the application if they have a letter from the city stating that it is okay uh for it to be located. But ABC is doing the the bulk of the investigation into this, right? They do the background checks and all of that sort of thing. It's their big process. It's just one part of that process is that they have to come um and get a letter from the city saying that it's okay at that location.

Okay, let me clarify something. This is the process is they need a letter from the city. Yes, it is ours that we're doing a little bit extra by having the public hearing. So, that could potentially change in the future that it will just be a resolution, not be a public hearing.

Yes, there are no guidelines from the state as to what we are supposed to be doing for this letter. So, we are um we have had to evaluate this sort of on our own and right now we've been overly cautious, which is to do this as a public hearing. Um there's nothing in there that requires that and with the volume of these I expect that we will be getting it's likely we'll try to move it to just a standard resolution um versus a public hearing but that's something that we can evaluate as we are going forward. I do expect us to have a number of these um that and it's not these places were all already operating. It's just a new license requirement. Okay, good deal.

Okay, I'll open the floor for a public hearing for agenda item 10B1. Is there anyone that would like to speak for or against? Hearing none, I'll close the floor for public hearing a agenda item 10B1. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt authorizing the city administrator to execute ABC approval letter for the sale of consumable hemp products in accordance with state regulations to Crimson Spirits LLC, DBA, Crimson Spirits. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by councelor Conger and a second by Proim Washington. Miss Tubs, roll call, please.

Voting with Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Um 101, Miss Ram.

Yes, ma'am. This is a second reading on an ordinance that will annex 1.9 acres. The properties located at 402368 Avenue. The zoning designation will be RS1 which is single family residential. Um the request is in compliance with the comprehensive plan. It does come with a positive recommendation from the planning commission. It is ready for a public hearing and a vote of council. Okay. I will open the floor for a public hearing for agenda item 10 C1. Are there is there anyone that would like to speak for or against this item? Hearing none, I'll close the floor for a public hearing item. Agenda item 10 C1. Are there any questions or comments? The form of this motion is to adopt the ordinance annexing 1.90 acres located at 402368th Avenue with the original zoning designation of RS1. Do I hear a motion?

Second. That is a motion by councelor Hickden and a second by councelor Conger. Roll call, please. Voting with Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 10 C2, Miss Ram.

Yes, this is a demolition, a second reading on a demolition of an unsafe structure at 3905 Hunter Creek Road. Um, this has been to council several times. Most recently, um, it was tabled on January 5th until tonight. Um, the owner does continue to make some progress. We have, um, given you guys some pictures tonight. Our recommendation is to extend, um, again for 90 days. And so we're asking the council to table that matter until the June 1st council meeting. Okay. I'll open the floor for a public hearing for agenda item 10 C2. Is there anyone that would like to speak for or against this item?

Please state your name and address at the podium, please. Um John Newman, uh 4005 Hunter Creek Road. And um like last time, we've been making some good progress. We've got roofs and I think in the next 45 days, of course, I'm sorry. Um, probably next 45 days we'll have a siding on and it'll look a lot better. Like right now we're changing windows out and it looks bad, but um the inside structure is now, you know, kind of solid and stout. So, we're going to be doing a lot more on the outside, getting it, uh, looking a lot better. So, the the list of uh items that kind of the checklist the city gave you regarded to safety, how far along?

I I I mean, without getting the inspector back out and Jason was out there, but um it it's all done. Okay. Um we just got to make it look good now. I I I did notice the new roof because I pass it every single day. So, um, yes, it looks I it is very noticeable that y'all have been really working hard on it. So, and I, you know, I think, you know, cut it down to 45 days kind of put a kick in the pants. So, I think that honestly Okay. So, you're welcome. You're say [laughter] you're saying that you're I'm looking for my list and I can't find it. Um, you're saying that you have finished with the list that the city has given you? I believe so.

Okay. As far as the the original list from why it got in the unsafe structure, right? Yes, Miss Ram. Do you know Okay, I found it on um exhibit A. Have these things been checked off yet? Has our inspector been out there? I don't know that Tyler has been out there. Okay. Tyler didn't this week. The I think Jason was Jason. Um, if you guys want, we can go ahead and send them whenever they're ready. They can call for an inspection. We can go out

um and and inspect the deficiencies and then report back to you guys. Um, you just tell me if you want to do that in a work session or if you want to do that as a formal agenda item. Yeah, I think we can do that in a work session if you would. But yes, I would like that because I I know that we've continued to give benchmarks and if he's saying that he's finished, I want to know that he's finished with these product these items. Okay. Okay. So, I just need to get in touch. If you'll Yeah, if you'll get in touch with um with Tyler or Jason, they're both in office this week. Okay, we'll do

anything else. So this is my question and Mr. Davis, Miss King, y'all may chime in. Is it possible to table this item until the 23rd given homeowner is stating that he has completed all of the items on the list rather than kicking this can down the road 91 days. But he also said he needs about 45 more days that it would be completed. Well, that was on the siding part, you know, but but the main structure Oh, sorry. So,

I mean, 91 days, I think, is a long is is a long time to kick this can down the road, but I I mean, if you want to do um April 20th, are you guys amable to April 20th? I mean, he says he's finished. So, I mean, I'm finished with the I'm finished with the structure part now. The inside's still gutted. Of course, the outside is what is, but yeah, far as the original list of what put it in demolition, right? So, if the structure is still gutted, we wouldn't be able to issue a certificate of occupancy at this point. So, you may want to continue with the

So, technically, we're not really finished if the inside is still not Okay. Okay. Scratch everything I just said. We'll go back to the June 1st. Um given the 91 days is everyone on council aminiable to that? Yes. Okay. Good deal. You good? Okay. Is there anyone else who would like to speak? Okay. Um hearing uh are there anyone else? No one else. Hearing none, I'll close the floor for a public hearing for agenda item 10 C2. Does council have any questions or comments for staff? The form of the motion is to adopt um demolition of an unsafe structure located

to table. My bad. The form of this motion is to table this item until June 1st to give the owner additional time to complete the necessary repairs to the structure located at 3905 Hunter Creek Road. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. Okay, that is a motion by councelor Conger and a second by Proim Washington. Miss Tubs, roll call. Voting with Pro Tim Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Now we move to city administrator's business. I have none tonight. Have none tonight. Okay. Um I'm actually going Well, yes.

Go ahead. I think I'm going to go ahead and go. Um we have had um some comments con uh calls, emails such regarding University Beach and four of the people um five of the people sitting up here ran on a platform of retaining an outside law firm to review the contract between the developers of University Beach and the city of Northport. board and that has been done and um we wanted to give the public notice that the that we the contract was entered into by a pri the prior council but the first of this year we did employ the services of Wit Calvin. He is from the Birmingham law firm of Bishops and Brooks. He did a complete and thorough review of this agreement. He has 30 years experience in working with elected boards and municipalities and had no prior input or knowledge to this agreement. He was not involved in the forming of the agreement at all. He was someone that came recommended from someone outside the city also. Um he has and will continue to monitor the progress and make sure that the city is protected with um University Beach that they comply completely with the written agreement of the city of Northport and um he's just working actively to make sure that the um that contract is followed. So we have had questions rather than trying to do that individually. Um it's just it was easier just to make a statement. Um this

has been going on for a little while. Um but that's not something that you just throw out there because of you know you we didn't know who we were going to hire in the beginning. So that's just where we're at. Anybody has any questions, please, you know, let us know. Um so I'm going to let um Councelor Smith go. Okay. [laughter] Um, okay. That I thank you for that statement. Um, [laughter] wasn't expecting that. Okay. Uh,

I was tired of the questions and the proddding and it's like, okay, we've got to say something. So, that's why I decided to do it tonight. Gotcha. Okay. Uh, I thought we had a very successful bunny trail on the uh the weekend minus the creepy bunny. There will be more bunny outfits next year. [laughter] Um, in fact, Friday night, this Friday night is bunny trail after dark. Uh, oh, huh? [laughter] 5:30 p.m. And then also a reminder, daylight savings, spring forward. Mhm. Yeah. Great. Um, that is not Can you

We did not adopt that. That's a That is not a city of Northport thing. So, we're not doing or we're not responsible for losing an hour is what I'm trying to say. Can you elaborate on the bunny after dark? I I I cannot. So, we don't have any details as to what bunny after dark means. I I'm saying this. Show up 5:30 Friday night. Miss Conger, would you like to elaborate? Uh for those that are interested, you can look on the Junior League of Tuscaloosa's Facebook as well as the Norport Bunny Trail and they will give you all of the details with regard to all of the activities on Norport Bunny Trail. And that is all I'm saying. I think she said there was four different events that were going to happen between now and April.

There there are. And uh there's a pet eggs extravaganza and um I believe a an egg um hunt. Thank you. Um so everybody go to their Facebook. I know they really appreciate the support. Good deal. That was a very successful um opening. Uh District 2 Pro Washington. I have none. District three, Councelor Conger.

Okay. Uh first I want to thank everyone that came out to the small business forum last Monday. Uh we had an overwhelming response. Um we were thrilled to have the input of those that came. uh because it was so successful, we have decided to make it a quarterly event and the next one will be June June 22nd at 5:30

and we will announce that on on uh social media and everywhere else but um if you were unable to attend and want to take part in this, we welcome your input. Um we are actively uh looking into the things that were raised on Monday and we are very happy to have the coordination with our local small businesses. Also this week or this past week we were able to celebrate the exchange club's officer of the year for Northport Police Department. Um I hope all of you will help me in congratulating officer Kyle Samford who was this year's recipient. um and he absolutely deserves the accolades. So, uh I hope you will join me in congratulating him. Also, the last thing I want to say is it just dawned on me as I was we were going through everything. I just want to uh acknowledge the staff that work so hard on the grants we keep bringing up. Um that is that is a great service to our city. um and they are they actively look for grants to apply for to um help us be as fiscally responsible as possible. And I just want to say thank you to the staff who who do everything necessary to get those. So, thank you.

Savannah does an incredible job on on managing our grant situation. District five, councelor Hickden. I have no excuse. I have nothing. Okay. Um number 13, executive session. This the form of this motion is to adjourn the meeting into executive session to discuss polit polit potential litigation and the se session is expected to take no less than no more than 30 minutes. The council will not take [laughter] I'm tired tonight y'all. The council will not take action after executive session is concluded. Do I hear a motion? Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Mr. Davis.

Yes, I do certify that. And I think there also is a an item is potential retail development. Oh, potential retail development. Okay. So, we have two items, but hopefully less than 30 minutes. Less than 30 minutes. I was wondering why you're standing at the podium. Thank you. Um, do I um No questions. We'll start over. The form of the motion is to adjourn the meeting into executive session to discuss potential litigation. The session is expected to take 30 minutes. The council will not take action after this executive session is concluded at time of 612. 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. Voting with pro Tim Washington. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. We are now in executive session.