Council - Regular Meeting

30. I want to call this meeting to order. Please stand for invocation and from senior pastor Jonathan Lawson from Christ Harbor Church and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. Through the prophet uh Jeremiah, the Lord instructed his people to pray for the city of Babylon where he's sending them into exile. How much greater of a privilege is it to pray not for a city of exile but for the city of our home where we make our lives. Join me in prayer for Northport. The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. Almighty and everlasting Father, we here today acknowledge that you are the source of all things, the author of life, the creator of order, the giver of law. In you we live and move and have our being. We thank you that you establish governments for the welfare of your people and pray that those on whom you have seen fit to bestow the public trust might execute their duties with wisdom, discernment, humility, integrity, justice, charity, and all honor. We pray that the anointing of your spirit would rest upon each one of them, granting special grace for the tasks entrusted to them for the sake of this community. Eternal God, we ask your blessing upon the city of Northport and the households that comprise it. May they flourish and prosper in every way according to your will and purpose. Guide all of those who provide the opportunities for jobs and maintain commerce to lead their industries with far-sighted wisdom. Bless all who labor with pride in their work to bring forth goods and provide for the common good and the farmers who sustain us all. Grant this community and its people your favor and show mercy that we may also extend mercy to one another. Continue to

bless this nation and protect us from dangers, discord, confusion both home and abroad. Draw us back to your ways. Call us to true repentance. heal our divisions that we may live in peace and tranquility. And we pray that this reconciliation might begin here that Northport, Alabama might be in so many ways a shining example for this state and for our country. Now to you, great King of all, be all glory and honor and power and dominion and praise with your Holy Spirit and your eternal son Christ Jesus through whom we offer our prayers and thanksgiving now and forever. Amen.

Attention 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.

Okay. At this time, we will begin administering the oaths of office. After you're sworn in, please take your seat behind the dis. We will start with mayor elect Dell Phillips, who is being sworn in by the honorable Paul Patterson. United States of Mayor mayor.

[applause]

District 1 counselor Turnley Smith being sworn in by the honorable Bradley Almond.

[applause]

District two, councelor Woodrobe Washington being sworn in by Ashley Thomas.

[laughter] Holy Spirit.

[applause]

District 4 counselor Jamie Conger is being sworn in by the honorable John H. England Jr. District three. [clears throat] Repeat after me. I state your name. I doly swear to declare that I will support that I will support the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alabama

and the Constitution of the State of Alabama. So long as I continue So long as I continue a citizen thereof a citizen thereof and that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of the office the duties of the office a council member district a council member district to the best of my ability

the best of my There we go. [applause] Okay. Now we have councelor District 4 Jamie Dykes being sworn in by the honorable Paul Patterson. God,

United States.

So long. As long as I continue honestly and honestly discharge the duties of the office

district. [applause] [applause] District 5 counselor Danny C. Hickden being sworn in by Mr. Ranguin Ward. competition.

[applause] [applause]

Oh my god.

[snorts]

Item four on the agenda is roll call. Councilman Smith here. Councilman Washington here. Councilwoman Conger here. Councilwoman Dykes here. Councilman Hickden here. Item five on the agenda is the election of president of the Northport City Council. Would anyone like to make a motion to elect president? I'd like to make a motion uh for councilwoman Dykes to be the president of the Northport City Council. Second.

We have a council. We have a motion in a second. Are there any comments or questions? Hearing none. That's a motion by Councilwoman Conger and a second by Councilman Washington to elect Councilwoman Jamie Dykes as president of Northport City Council. Voting with Councilman Smith, yes. Councilman Washington, yes. Councilwoman Conger, yes. Councilwoman Dykes, yes. Councilman Hickden, no. I will now, that passes. I will now turn the gavl over to President Dikes to preside over the meeting.

Congratulations.

Thank you. First of all, thank you very much for the confidence in um the new council. Um I want to start by saying that unity is an essential principle of public service. It must remain the forefront of work as our elected officials. I recognize that the motion I'm about to make may be met with opposition or criticism. I feel compelled to do what I believe is right and in the best interest of this council and the citizens of Northport. Those who have followed Northport politics are aware that I was placed in a position where my vo voice was effectively diminished. During that time, I was unable to serve to my fullest capacity. My efforts to speak truthfully regarding matters, matters that this council has since addressed and dissolved, led to an experience that was both isolating and disheartening. I made a commitment to myself and to this community that should I ever have the opportunity to influence positive change in Northport, I would never allow any member of this body to endure the same circumstances. In that period, not only did I face challenges personally, but I recognize that the citizens of Northport were impacted. For that, I offer my sincere apology. It is now time for this council to exemplify unity, professionalism, and collaboration. We may not always share the same opinions or approaches, but we can and we should commit to disagreeing respectfully and working together for the best interest of our city. In the recent weeks, this council has had the rare privilege of receiving training and guidance from experienced municipal legal professionals outside this county, as well as the invaluable support of our dedicated staff. These experiences have allowed us to learn more about one another and to strengthen the foundation

of our governing body. I believe this marks the beginning of responsible progress for Northport. With that in mind and in the true spirit and unity of teamwork, I respectfully make a motion to elect Congressman Woodrow Washington as council pro Tim. Do I have a second? I'll second. Voting with that's a motion by Councilwoman Dykes and a second by Councilwoman Conger. [snorts] Yes. To elect Woodro Washington as a proim at Northport City Council. That is correct. Okay. Voting with Councilman Smith. No. Yes. Councilman Conger.

Yes. Councilwoman Dykes. Yes. Councilman Hickden. No. Item seven um is a resolution ratifying the current dispositories for municipal funds. Item seven is a resolution ratifying the current deposiitories for municipal funds. Mr. Davis. Uh yes, Madame President. This is a routine motion that we do each year at work each for each new council. It ratifies the current depositories and confirms that the city administrator and the council president are the signatures on our checking account.

Okay. The form of this motion is to adopt the resolution ratifying the current depositories from municipal funds. Do I hear a motion? Yes. A second. Second. Calling roll. Voting with Councilman Smith. Yes. Councilman Washington. Yes. Councilwoman Coner? Yes. Councilwoman Dykes? Yes. Councilman Hickden? Yes. Item eight is departmental business. Do we have any tonight?

Uh yes, Madam President. I have one matter I'd like to bring. As you know, normally the city meets on the first and third Mondays. Uh we're meeting today on our first Monday. we will meet again and have a what I would call a regular council meeting on in two weeks on the third Monday in November. I'm asking this council to vote to have a special call council meeting next Monday uh the 10th at 5:30 uh for the sole purpose of having an executive session so we can discuss some pending litigation and some economic development matters. There [snorts] will be no action taken by the council. Public is welcome to come but you'll be sitting here and we will not be we'll be in executive session. Uh there will uh be a motion made to go into executive session and then we will adjourn to a private room so we can discuss things that are protected by attorney client privilege. Then uh after that discussion we will return here. The only motion that will be taken will be to adjourn. This will be a very exciting meeting. I urge everyone not to be here to be boring. Nothing will happen of any consequence, but it just gives this council a chance to discuss legal matters that quite frankly we couldn't do until they were sworn in in office. So, it gives us a chance to spend a couple of hours answering questions and uh bringing you up to date on a lot of legal matters. So, I would ask that the council vote to have a special called executive, excuse me, a special call council meeting one week from tonight at 5:30 for the sole purpose of having an executive session.

President Dyes, we'll need a motion from a council member for this. Okay. Um, we need a motion um for the resolution to have a special called meeting on May 10th at 5:30. The only action that will be taken is executive session to discuss polit political um potential litigation and economic development. Do we have a motion? So move. Second. Okay, that's a motion and a second for special call meeting on November 10th. Voting with Councilman Smith. Yes. Councilman Washington. Yes. Councilwoman Conger. Yes. Councilwoman Dykes. Yes. Councilman Hickden.

Yes. Oh, it's my turn. [laughter] I'm just used to reading. Um, and I don't do that very well. Um, item nine is mayor and council business. We'll start with the honorable mayor Phillips.

Thank you, uh, President Dykes. I want to congratulate everyone here tonight. It's a win for the city to have such a an outstanding group that will be working together. Uh it's a new day in Northport, a new positive day, a new day of of aggressive leadership that will lead us into the future in a way that this city will see growth never seen before. understand and I'm going to touch on what she said. We're not always going to agree, but the great thing about this group is they're here, every one of them, I know this in their heart, they're here to serve the city and the people of Northport. And with that, we will we will achieve things that have never been seen here before. So, thank you for being here tonight. None of us could have gotten here without you people in this room. Thank you. Thank you for putting your trust in us. Uh, thank you for supporting us and allowing us to have this opportunity. Thank you,

Councilman Smith. I just want to say I'm so happy to be here [laughter] and your pictures showed it. Yes. And I just I I I want everyone to be here for every council. I want the the the the chairs to be full just like this on every council meeting. So, um just just thanks to uh to District 1 and uh the support of my family and friends um of getting here. So, just yeah, thank you. You're welcome. Count uh Pro Tim Washington.

Madam President, thank you. First, I want to tell everybody thank you for being here. Uh District 2 for sure. Thank you for the opportunity again and the trust you have in me. I promise you I will serve you well. Without a doubt, 100%. Uh I will serve this whole city well. And I want to thank my family for being here, friends as well, taking time out your day. I see some out in the hallway. Thank y'all. Uh my parents couldn't be here today, but I want to thank them for having me. And uh [laughter] you know, I'm just uh I'm I'm really excited and thanks for the opportunity to serve as council president prom. You know, the honor for me is just being here. Hopefully, we're going to move this city, not hopefully, we're going to move this city forward, and it's going to be great. I promise you. So, thanks again, city staff. Thank y'all for everything. Uh, we're going to continue to work hard for our city staff and this entire city. Thank y'all.

Councilwoman Conger, it's really hard to follow those two. Um,

I know. Thank you to District 3 for allowing me to serve you. It has been an honor to get to know all of you through this process. Um, I look forward to the great things that we can accomplish together. And I say together because that is what this group has been working on ever since you elected us. We have spent a lot of time together. A lot of time. And uh we are we are proud to work together to make this city the best it can be. And I know that we can do that. And so thank you for this honor. Thank you to my family, my kids who are here. Um thank you for for putting up with this process and supporting me and continuing to support me. And thank you to the city staff for all of your help these last few uh couple of months. Um, y'all have been outstanding and I look forward to serving with you as well. Thank you.

I just want to say thank you to my family first and foremost that have endured a lot of the things that they've had to endure um throughout this process. Um, running for political office does not just affect the candidate, [snorts] it affects the family. And when you see the keyboard warriors out there absolutely annihilating your family member, it hurts, you know. And I would ask when you're on Facebook or social media, keep the insults down to a minimum. you know, everybody up here. Trust me, we don't get paid enough to do what we do. But, you know, think about being up here and doing the best job that we can do and serving each and everybody in this citizen. The first time I ran, I ran on moving forward. This time, I ran on responsible progress. And like Councilwoman Conger said, when I was elected in 2020, I was elected and then essentially put in to this seat with nothing in between except for one meeting. And I knew I did not want that for this group because three of four of them had not been in the situation that Councilman Washington and I had been in. We have met adnauseium. The staff is sick of us. um they're ready for the first of the year just so they can have a break or the holidays so they can have a break. But I can tell you unequivocably after meeting with them for so many times and so many hours and discussions, there are times that we have not agreed. But it's been okay. And that's going to be the future. We're not going to agree on everything, but we are going to make the decisions that we think are best for

this city. And I just want to thank everybody who's here. Thank all of the citizens of Northport and being with us and continue to support us and f like Councilman Smith said, fill these chambers every time. Hold us accountable. Every single one of us ran on transparency. That's what we're trying to do. So be here. Hold us accountable. Mom, Dad, and Matherine, I love you and thank you. Councilman Hickden,

I'd like to echo that. Thank you all for coming, especially my family. I appreciate the support to this. Yeah, I see you grinning back there, [laughter] but thank you. Yeah, I do hope that this council uh chamber is full every meeting and I hope it's full of smiles uh like we have tonight and I do appreciate everyone coming and thank you for all your support. Thank you, Miss Tubs. Do we have anything else, Mr. Davis? Was that it? Yes, that was it. Okay. Um, any cut, questions, comments from the peanut gallery up here. We're ready to go.

Um, item 10 on the agenda is adjournment. The form of the motion is to adjourn the meeting at 5:55. Do I hear a motion? Second. That is a motion by Councilman Hickden and a second by Councilman Washington. All in favor say I. I. We are journed.