Council - Regular Meeting

Oh, it doesn't vote. Never mind. I'm just going to leave it. I am now 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 the business of our city. Help us to make decisions that serve the citizens of Northport with fairness, integrity, and respect. Amen. Attention, salute, pledge.

Ms. Tubbs, roll call, please. Pro Tem Washington?

Here.

Councillor Smith?

Here.

Councillor Conger? Here. Councillor Higdon?

Here.

President Dykes?

Here. Presentations, we have none tonight. Ms. Tubbs, it is my understanding that an item is being requested to be withdrawn. Can you elaborate?

Yes, ma'am. The item for 10C1, I think it's been requested to be withdrawn. Appleton is here. Could you please confirm that?

Yes. Okay.

All right. So, yes, the applicant has confirmed. Does he need to come to the podium? So we need to deletion. Okay. Does he need to come to the podium? No. Okay.

We need to delete. I do actually just, the applicant, Mr. Dobbs, is here, and you were officially requesting that we withdraw this item.

Correct. Okay. Yes. So now you can approve the agenda with the deletion of 10C1.

Okay. Is there anyone that would like to make a motion to approve the agenda for the July 20th, 2026 council meetings with the deletion of 10C1.

So moved. Second.

That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a second by Pro Tem Washington. Are there any questions or comments? Hearing none, Ms. Stubbs. Voting with Pro Tem Washington.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Visitors to address the council, tonight we have one Ms. Shawna Goodman. Can you please come to the podium and state your name and address please?

Hello, my name is Shauna Goodman, 11301 Evergreen Avenue, North 435-475. I'm here because I was involved, where I was exercising my citizen right with the city codes and audits. Before doing it, I posted it on my neighborhood Facebook page. And until they called my name, mentioned my name in there, that's when I owned up to it. So when I owned up to it, Mr. Sanders, he came out, he gave warnings and he said that they would have two weeks to get things cleaned up. There's only one thing that I've seen has been done and that's a pod that was removed from a driveway that had been there for two years. And I just want to know what is it that we can do as a city to make them clean up. Because they're saying on the Facebook page, they're not cleaning up. They're not moving this. They're not doing this. They're not going to do that. My house is my investment. So they are depreciating my investment. And I don't know. They want me to move. So it's not a HOA. They're seeing it as a HOA. They're not understanding that it's city code. Right, right. So I need them to understand that, and I've been harassed by them. I've come back to my house. And you have filed a police report for that? I have, but I can't get – I've talked to Thomas. Mm-hmm. And I called Lieutenant Ward. Okay. He never called me back. I think he passed it on to Thomas. Okay. But I tried to call Thomas back on Friday. Okay. I couldn't get anything from him as well. Okay. Because I do want to press charges. I want them to know that you're just not going to be able to do that. And they're going on the Facebook, calling me. Karens and this and that, you know, and I know they're talking to me. I even had a neighbor in the neighborhood who said she was very sorry that they were doing me like that on Facebook. But I told them, I'm not worried about them.

Right.

I'm not worried about them. As long as I know they're not being my right.

Right. Chief, what is the protocol once a citation has been issued and they've been given a certain time to remove or clean up the item?

Officer Sanders normally gives them enough time to correct the issue.

Okay, so what do you call enough? Because this has been going on since June. Some part of the first part, either May or June.

I spoke with him this morning. He said that most of the issues had been taken care of. No, sir. Well, knowing that, I'll get with him tomorrow morning, and we will personally drive up there.

And that's the pod. That's the only thing that's been removed. We've got shopping carts. We've got tires in the yard. And this is Huntington Gardens. It is in the city limit. Mm-hmm.

So what is a good time for us to come up there tomorrow?

I work every day, so I don't know who you want to see or do you just want to drive and see? We got it.

Well, I don't know the issues, but I can get with him. But since you said they are not corrected, we'd like for you to be there or we can meet you.

Well, Mr. Sanders knows because I've talked to Mr. Sanders several times. He knows exactly what I'm talking about. I've talked to him several times.

So what is a good time?

for him or me?

For all three of us to meet.

I work from seven to 3.30. I'm available all day, Tony. Okay, so anytime after 3.30, it's fine. She might not want to go over to the lady house or person I get that but like I said, I spoke with him earlier He said most of the issues and take care of now you said different So obviously he doesn't know so we need to clarify that with him. I But he was in the neighborhood the day I was told by another neighbor. Okay. I haven't been home yet.

Yes, ma'am. Okay, so to answer your question about the process, so Officer Sanders does go out, and then he will give them ample time to correct the issue. If they do not, then the citation can be issued.

Okay. The two weeks, he said, he gave them two weeks, was July, no, June 19th. It was two weeks. This is July.

So, Chief, you said you're going to come talk to her tomorrow with Officer Sanders to make sure we're clear?

And I'll follow up with Officer Sanders in the morning to find out, to get the addresses and find out what's going on.

Now, I don't know the address. I just know where the houses are.

Okay.

The first two, when you come in...

the neighborhood is to the right okay to the left chief information from me I'll follow up with you and officer Sanders okay so you say five o'clock five o'clock we'll be there thank you uh-huh thank you all unfinished business we have none tonight new business we have none tonight resolutions of a temporary nature. 9B1, Mrs. Starnes.

Yes, ma'am. This is a service agreement with Samsara. It's a three-year agreement for the Public Works fleet, and it has been included in the 2026 budget and for 2027.

Okay. Are there any questions or comments? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a service agreement with Samsara Incorporated in the amount of $63,857.51. 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. 9B2, Mrs. King.

Yes, this is a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute documents in support of nominating a census tract here in Northport for Opportunity Zone designation. The Opportunity Zone is something that was created by the federal government. It's being administered through Alabama, but we have to submit an application if we want our eligible tract to actually get its Opportunity Zone status. We only have one eligible tract, and it is just north of Highway 82. towards our highway 82 growth corridor this will allow us we've been working with the mayor and this will allow us to submit application to see if we can get that opportunity zones allow tax benefits for investors so the idea is to encourage investment so that's why it would be it would be good it's an economic policy to encourage investment in these types of areas so this would be something that's benefits the city yes okay are there any questions or comments for miss king

The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the mayor to execute documents in support of nominating census tract 103.04 as an opportunity zone. 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. Rose. Yes.

Yes, ma'am. The resolution before you would provide a one-time longevity bonus for all retirees that retired prior to October 1st, 2025. Essentially what it would do would give $1 per month of eligible credible service in a one-time lump sum payment to be paid out in October of 2026. For example, if you had 25 years of service, 300 bucks is what it would be. So that would be for our retirees.

Okay. Are there any questions or comments for Mr. Rose? The form of the motion is to adopt the resolution authorizing the City of Northport to provide all funds necessary to the employee's retirement system to cover a one-time lump sum payment estimated at $47,938 as provided for by the Act. of 2026-608 and for those eligible retirees and beneficiaries of deceased retirees of the City of Northport with aforementioned payment being paid in October of 2026 and authorize the City Administrator to approve any requisitions pertaining to said funds. 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. 9B4, Mr. Webb.

Yes, this resolution executes Task Force Director Number 4 to the Master Service Agreement with SB Professional Services. This will provide professional engineering services for the design and construction phase services for San Antonio sewer improvements within the vicinity of 15th Avenue and 3rd Street.

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 four to the master service agreement with SB Professional Services in the amount of $175,000. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. That is a motion by Councilor Higdon and a, I mean, 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. Nine C is the consent agenda. These range from minutes to bill listings to PO requisitions. Does anyone have any questions or comments regarding these? The form of the motion is to approve the consent agenda for July 20, 20th, 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. 10, public hearings. I would like to remind everyone that during public comments, we encourage you to share any ideas or items of concern. There is a three minute limit. Please remember to direct all comments to the mayor and council as a whole, not as an individual. 10C1 has been withdrawn, so we will move on to 10C2, Ms. King.

Yes, this is a public hearing for the Mitleary Townhomes. This property is currently zoned Agricultural Neighborhood Commercial C2. This agenda item does come with a positive recommendation from the Planning Commission. There were two adjustments or recommendations in addition made by the Planning Commission. One was that a six-foot privacy fence be allowed along Pine Hill Road, and the other was that the architectural design of the units adjacent to Pine Hill Road match the architectural style in the front of the townhomes. Essentially, it's a double sort of, it's facing two roads. So the front and the back would both... look pretty much the same like the front so those were the two conditions that planning commission recommended in general this is a maximum of 35 townhomes and 13 750 square feet of commercial space i believe the applicant is here and can answer additional questions about the development

Thank you. I'll open the floor for a public hearing for agenda item 10C2. Is there anyone that, well, the petitioner's here, so go ahead.

Doug Varnin, TTL, 3500 Ross Mine Road, Northeast, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35406. Yes, the townhomes and the commercial buildings They'll be brick, if I remember right, brick. We had some renderings in the planning commission. But they'll be brick, rough stone, wood, accents, columns, that sort of thing. Upscale price point about 200 to 220 a square foot in the probably 300 to 375 price range to keep it compatible with it. Surrounding neighborhoods, you know as far as property values And you know we are open to the you know to the changes of the Planning Commission and It would be a significant upgrade and from what's there today But I'll be glad to answer any further questions go in any further detail if you would like I

I think I asked you this during the Planning and Zoning Commission. All of the things that are on that piece of property, they will be gone completely, correct?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay. I think we've had some actual code enforcement issues with that property. Okay. I had one of the residents from the forest reach out to me and ask if Mr. Wiggins would consider an eight-foot privacy fence instead of a six-foot. Is he good with that? Yes. Okay.

Awesome.

Does anyone have any questions or comments for Mr. Varnon? Okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone that would like to speak for or against this item on the agenda? Hearing none, I will close the floor for a public hearing for agenda item 10C2. The form of the motion is to adopt the ordinance for rezoning with special district plan approval of approximately 14 acres from agricultural and neighborhood commercial C2 to special district SD for the property located north of Mint Larry Road, and east of Pine Hill Road with the stipulation that an eight foot five privacy fence be allowed along Pine Hill Road and the architectural design of the units adjacent to Pine Hill match the front of the townhomes. Do I hear a motion?

So moved.

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

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Police Department, we have none. City Administrators, Business? I have none. I have nothing tonight. Mayor Phillips? I have nothing tonight. District 1, Councilor Smith?

Yes, have a d1 town hall this Thursday at 530 in this room Everyone is invited.

We will cover an array of topics Thank You district 3 councillor Conger Yes, I was going to say that I believe Northport Fast Pitch has opened up their registration for those wanting to do another season, and then also I know that we announced our banner program. Where, Ms. Tubbs, can you tell them again where they can find how to apply for a banner?

You can find it on our website, and there's also an email address. It's heroes at, do you have that, Dale? I can't remember off the top of my head. I gave him my cheat sheet.

All right, so if you are interested, if you have someone, anyone that's been in the armed forces who has a connection to Norfolk, correct?

Yes, anyone. The banners are $125. You can fill out your application. There's some criteria on what type of photo we need and so forth. We'll have the banner made and actually installed in time for Veterans Day, and then you can either come pick them up afterwards or we can keep them for the next time.

Miss Tubbs, were we not gonna put them up for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Fourth of July?

We'll have the option to do that. So we're going to do this one first for Veterans Day and see what kind of feedback we get. We have gotten a lot of feedback, so it may be that we have to rotate different people. So we'll have the option to be able to get that one after Veterans Day, but we'll have to see how popular it is. So as of right now, we have banner arms in our downtown area. So we do have the Main Avenue construction project. So we're looking at installing them on Main Avenue from 5th Street South.

Martin Luther King. We have him on there.

We do, but that project will still be under construction at that point, sir.

Other than that, that's all I have. Thank you. District 5, Councilor Higdon.

I have nothing.

What?

Just in case two.

I'm sorry, what?

District 2.

District 2, Pro Tem Washington. What would you like to say this evening since I completely blew you off?

say the best for last we are having down at bridge builder a back-to-school backpack drive the location is 1101 ucp parkway be giving out 300 backpacks and also school supplies so anybody that you know that's needing september i'm sorry july 25th from 12 to 2 o'clock Saturday, July 25th from 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock, 1101 UCP Parkway. We have some food giveaway as well, backpacks and school supplies. So everybody's welcome. If you know, it don't matter where you're from. First come, first serve, though. Thank you, man.

Do you have anything else? I'm just double checking.

Everybody's good, thank you.

Okay. Item 13, executive session. The form of the motion is to adjourn this meeting into executive session to discuss economic development. The session is expected to take 30 minutes. The council will not take action after the executive session is concluded. The time is 5.51. Do I hear a motion?

So moved. Second.

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. Mr. Davis, would you please certify this? Yes. Would the council like to meet? In the council chambers? Okay. Okay. Thank you.