Council - Regular Meeting

I'm calling this meeting to order. Please stand for our invocation with Councillor Higdon and remain standing for the pledge, please. Attention, salute, pledge. Roll call, Ms. Tubbs.

KTM Washington?

Here.

Councillor Smith?

Here.

Councillor Conger? Here. Councillor Higdon? Here. President Dyches?

Here. We have one presentation tonight, Proclamation Recognizing Gracefully Done Interiors as the Business of the Month. Councillor Smith and Mayor Phillips, and if you are with Gracefully Done, if you will come to the podium.

Very good. Did you hear it? Everybody wake up. Proclamation for Business of the Month to Gracefully Done Interiors. City of Norport is proud to recognize businesses whose dedication, service, and commitment contribute to the strength and vitality of our community. Gracefully Done Interiors, located in historic downtown Norport, has built a reputation for exceptional interior design, quality furnishings, and personalized service, helping clients create beautiful and functional spaces. Under the leadership of Jenny and Britt Payne, the business continues to demonstrate creativity, professionalism, and commitment to excellence while enhancing homes and supporting the local economy. Gracefully Done Interiors exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and community pride that makes Northport a wonderful place to live, work, and do business. Therefore, I, Dale Phillips, Mayor of the City of Northport, Alabama, do hereby proclaim Gracefully Done Interiors as Northport Business of the Month in recognition of its outstanding service, dedication to its customers, and valuable contributions to our community. Set my hand on this cause and seal the city of Norfolk to be affixed this, the sixth day of July 2026. Thank you so much. You've got to speak now. Somebody.

I don't think I have any. That was great.

If you don't want to speak, you have to sing. Somebody sing.

I should have brought my drums. I don't sing very well. Thank you so much. We appreciate it. Thank you. Appreciate it, John.

Thank you. Approval of the agenda. Is there anyone that would like to make a motion to approve the agenda for the July 6th, 2026 council meeting as printed? So moved. Second. That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a second by Councilor Conger. Ms. Tubbs, are there any questions or comments?

Hearing none, Ms. Tubbs, voting with pro tem Washington?

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. We have no visitors to address the council tonight, so we will move to 8A1. Mrs. King.

Yes, this is the second reading of an ordinance amending our municipal code related to food trucks. We've discussed this one before. Just a few changes. One of the larger ones is that the location goes from 500 to 200 feet of the primary entrance of an existing restaurant, and we're also updating it to comply with the new state law regarding licensing.

And they will be able to get their license beginning tomorrow?

Yes, because the new state law, I'd have to double check, but I believe it went into effect July 1st. I thought it did. Okay.

Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the ordinance amending section 66-285F of the municipal code pertaining to food trucks. Do I hear a motion? So moved.

Second.

That is a motion by Councilor Conger and is second by Councilor Higdon. Ms. Tubbs, roll call, please.

Voting with pro tem Washington. Abstain.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. New business, 9A1, Ms. Ram.

Yes, ma'am. This is a first reading of an ordinance requesting SD approval, which is special district plan approval, for the property located north of Hamnertown Road and east of Highway 69. The total project is 182 acres. This agenda item does come with an unfavorable recommendation from the Planning Commission. A public hearing will be held on July the 20th.

Okay. Is there anyone that would like to offer that as a first reading?

I'll offer it.

That is offered by Pro Tem Washington. 9A2, Mrs. Ram.

Yes, ma'am. This is a first reading for an ordinance rezoning with a special district plan approval for the property located north of Mittlery Road and east of Pine Hill Road. The property is currently zoned partially agricultural, and then the other portion is zoned neighborhood commercial. The agenda item does come with a positive recommendation from the Planning Commission. The commission is also recommending that a six-foot privacy fence be allowed to be installed along Pine Hill Road. And then also they are recommending that the architectural design of the units adjacent to Pine Hill, that those facades are essentially back up to Pine Hill Road. So they're asking that architectural elements be added to the backside of those units so that they match the front side.

Is it permissible, obviously not tonight, but when we have the public hearing on this, to ask for an eight-foot privacy fence instead of a six-foot?

Yes.

Okay.

And that public hearing will be on July the 20th.

July the 20th? Yes. Is there anyone? Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.

Ms. Ram, just so we're clear, I know that some of this has come up about, especially the first one we just talked about. This is not where we will discuss and vote. We're just offering it for a first reading, correct?

First reading is for tonight, and then the second reading and a public hearing will be held on the 20th on both of those.

Is there anyone that would like to offer that as a first reading? So offered. That is offered by Counselor Conger, 9B1, Mr. Matthews.

This would approve the balancing change order for REV construction on the Highway 43, Rose Boulevard, Mitt Larry Road utility relocation project. That would be a deduction and cost of $9,350 from the original contract value.

Are there any questions or comments for Mr. Matthews? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute the balancing change order with Rev Construction Incorporated for Highway 43, Rose Boulevard, Mint Larry Road relocation project in the credit amount of $9,350. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a second by Pro Tem Washington. Ms. Tubbs, roll call, please. Voting with Pro Tem Washington. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 9B2, Mr. Matthews.

9B2 is an agreement with Alabama Power Company to provide lighting at the Eastern Levee Trailhead crosswalk and parking lot right there on Rice Mine Road. The upfront cost is $3,038.70, and the increase in our monthly power bill will be $20.02. Okay.

Are there any questions or comments for Mr. Matthews? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute the lighting agreement with Alabama Power for the Eastern Levee Trailhead crosswalk and parking lot buy down and buy down cost of $3,038.70. Do I hear a motion?

So moved.

Second. That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a second by Pro Tem Washington. Ms. Tubbs, roll call, please.

Voting with Pro Tem Washington?

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. 9B3, Mr. Murphy.

Yes, the city is looking to partner with GovAI to use for Northport-specific AI operations, and we believe that it will help kind of meet some of the special needs we have as a municipality when it comes to AI operations.

Are there any questions or comments for Mr. Murphy? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to enter into an agreement with Civia Incorporated in the amount of $19,000 and approve the requisitions related to this agreement. Do I hear a motion? So moved.

Second.

That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a second by Councilor Conger. Ms. Tubbs, roll call, please.

Voting with pro tem Washington?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. 94, Mr. Webb.

Yes, this item authorizes the city administrator to execute a master service agreement with EPSI Professional Services to provide engineering services, including studies, investigations, surveys, evaluations, assessment, consultations, reviews, inspections, recommendations, reports, and designs for the utility department as set forth in specific task order directives, which you'll see in the next slide.

Okay, are there any questions or comments for Mr. Webb? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a master service agreement with SB Professional Services for Engineering Services. Do I hear a motion?

So moved.

Second. That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a second by Pro Tem Washington. Ms. Tubbs, roll call, please.

Voting with Pro Tem Washington.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. 95, Mr. Webb.

Yes, this item authorizes the city administrator to execute task order directive number one to the master service agreement with the SPS professional services. The purpose of this task order directive is to identify significant sources of wet weather inflow and other deficiencies contributing to excess flow, sewer surcharging, operational issues, and increased loading on pump station number one.

Are there any questions or comments from Mr. Webb? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute task order directive number one to the master services agreement with SB professional services not to exceed $5,000 a month. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by Councillor Higgin and a second by Councillor Conger. Ms. Tubbs, roll call, please. Voting with Pro Tem Washington?

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. 9B6, Mr. Webb.

Yes, this item authorizes the city administrator to execute task order direct number two to master services agreed with the FC professional services. The purpose of this task order direct is to provide professional engineering services for implementation of a targeted manhole rehab project addressing critical deficiency within the pump station number one sewer basin. And this project will be the, it's part of the 2026 capital improvements project.

Are there any questions or comments for Mr. Webb? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute task order directive number two to the master services agreement with SB professional services in the amount of $35,000. Do I hear a motion?

So moved. Seconded.

That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a second by Pro Tem Washington. Ms. Tubbs, roll call, please.

Voting with Pro Tem Washington?

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. 97, Mr. Webb.

This item authorizes the city administrator to execute Task Force Directive Number 3 to the Master Service Agreement with the Office of Professional Services. The purpose of this Task Force Directive is to assist the utility department in establishing and implementing a consistent CCTV inspection program within the pump station number one sewer basin.

Are there any questions or comments for Mr. Webb? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute task order directive number three to the master services agreement with SB professional services not to exceed $5,000 a month. Do I hear a motion?

So moved. Second.

That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a second by Pro Tem Washington. Ms. Stubbs, roll call please. Voting with Pro Tem Washington?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. 9C is the consent agenda ranging from bill listings to PO requisitions. Are there any questions or comments related to these? The form of the motion is to approve the consent agenda for the July 6, 2026 council meeting as printed. Do I hear a motion?

So moved. Second.

That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a second by Pro Tem Washington. Ms. Tubbs, roll call, please.

Voting with Pro Tem Washington?

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. We have no public hearings tonight. I have no new business. Mayor Phillips?

Nothing's not.

Councilor Smith?

Yes, just want to thank everybody who showed up for Fourth on Main on Saturday. And a special big thank you for Northport Fire Department, Northport Police Department, and Northport Public Works. Without them, we couldn't have done it. So just thanks to everyone.

District 2, Pro Tem Washington.

Yes, I plan on partnering with Bridge Builder doing a backpack drive or giveaway. It'll be early August, so next councilman, I'll let you know the exact date. So let Mr. Kendrick know he was here at the work session.

Okay.

Let him know. He wanted to make sure some kids in his neighborhood got some backpacks, so let him know if you see him before I do.

Okay, thank you. District 3, Councilor Conger. Nothing tonight. District 5, Councillor Higdon?

I have nothing, thank you.

Okay, number 13 is executive session. The form of the motion is to adjourn the meeting into executive session to discuss economic development. The session is expected to take 45 minutes. The council will not take action after this session is concluded. At 544... Do I hear a motion? So moved.

Second.

That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a second by Pro Tem Washington. Ms. Dubbs, roll call, please.

Voting with Pro Tem Washington? Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Mr. Davis, will you please certify that this is?

I will, and I'd suggest we make a council conference.

Council chambers. Okay. So we will adjourn at 545 and be back. And forever.