Council Minutes

The Town Council of the Town of Steele, Alabama, met in Regular Session at 6:30 PM on Monday, February 3, 2020 at Steele Town Hall. Upon roll call the following members were · present:

Present: Roger Adams, Mayor
Richard Reynolds, Councilmember Michael Stevens, Councilmember Philip Gleason Jr., Councilmember Rick Barnes, Councilmember Nancy Miller-Borg, Councilmember

Absent: None.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Adams, who then asked Councilmember Barnes to lead everyone in a word of prayer.

The Town Council having read the minutes from the Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, motion was made by Councilmember Miller-Borg to approve the minutes, seconded Councilmember Barnes and approved by the Town Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Barnes, Reynolds, Stevens and Miller-Borg. Nays: None.

The Town Council having read the minutes from the Council Work Session Meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, motion was made by Councilmember Miller-Borg to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and approved by the Town Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Barnes, Reynolds, Stevens, and Miller-Borg. Nays: None.

The Town Council reviewed the December financial reports. The motion was made by Councilmember Reynolds to approve the December financial reports, seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Town Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Barnes, Reynolds, Stevens, and Miller-Borg. Nays: None.

Steele Citizen Luther Hare thanked the Fire Department and medics for responding when he had a medical emergency Tuesday morning.

A contract for a public safety surveillance camera program with Alabama Power had been tabled at the last meeting. The cameras will be taking pictures of car tags and can notify our Police Department if that tag may be registered to a stolen vehicle or it could be with someone with an outstanding warrant in another city. Alabama Power retains ownership of the camera system, and the Police Department retains ownership of aJI data collected. AH support and maintenance to operate the system is included. The a2reement with Alabama

Mayor Adams asked if the Council would be interested in purchasing a secure, glass cabinet to house a Bible donated by Ms. Mary Lou O’Barr along with an original railroad ledger. This would be placed on public display in Town Hall. After discussion, Councilmember Barnes agreed to look into options for a cabinet and report back at the next Council meeting.

Mayor Adams reported that the C4evrolet Tahoe is no longer on the State Bid List and it is not known if they will be back on the, list before November or December, if then. Donohoo Chevrolet, where we obtain our bid list vehicles, has ordered 150 vehicles and will sell on a first-come, first-serve basis. The base price for a 2-wheel-drive, 2020 Tahoe is $30,739.00 +
$1,377.64. With the lighting package ($10,715.00), radio ($1,000.00), and striping ($750.00), the total price for the vehicle would be $44,581.64. This would probably be built in March for April delivery. The Mayor asked the Council to consider this purchase and have further discussion at the next meeting.

Mayor Adams noted the St Clair County Board of Education is holding a Board meeting on February 6, 2020 to discuss the possible move of the 7th and 8th grades from Steele JHS to Ashville. He asked that the community attend to show support of our school.
He also stated that February 17, 2020, is President’s Day and the Town offices will be closed. The next meeting of the Steele Town Council will be Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Councilmember Stevens has been in contact with Waste Management concerning the quarterly use of a dumpster. Dates for 2020 are: March 27 – April 3; June 19 – 26; September 25 – October 2; December 28 – January 4, 2021.

Councilmember Gleason, Jr. stated that July 4, 2020 will be on a Saturday. It was agreed to have the July 4th celebration on that Saturday.

Councilmember Barnes said that if the Town was interested in having a cybersecurity manager, we need to start working on the project.

Councilmember Miller-Borg noted that Town Clerk Martin will be going on maternity leave shortly and introduced Donna Ambrosius who will be filling in during Martin’s absence.

Town resident Brent Dunn announced the First Responder dinner will be February 15, 2020 and the members of the Town Council are invited to attend.

Librarian Lynda Fann announced the Library plans to host the flashlight Easter egg hunt during the week of March 23 – 28 when the children are on break. She would like to ask for donations from our local businesses. She is also planning to have an egg decorating contest again this year. The Library will be receiving $550, unrestricted, from the closing of the County Library.

Residents Brent Dunn and Brandon Crawford discussed more about the proposed move of the 7th and 8th grades.

With there being no further business to come before this Regular ‘Council Meeting of February 3, 2020, Councilmember Barnes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded Councilmember Miller-Borg, adjourned at 7:15 PM.
The minutes were taken by Clerk Jessica Martin and transcribed by Councilmember Miller-Borg.