November 2, 2021
COUNCIL MINUTES – NOVEMBER 1, 2021
The Town Council of the Town of Steele, Alabama, met in Regular Session at 6:30 PM on Monday, November 1, 2021 at Steele Community Center. The following members were present:
Present: Mayor Roger Adams
Michael Stevens, Councilmember
Tammy Deweese, Councilmember
Rick Barnes, Councilmember
Philip Gleason Jr., Councilmember
Absent: None
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Adams, who then asked Councilmember Stevens to lead everyone in a word of prayer.
The Town Council having read the minutes from the Regular Council Meeting on Monday, October 18, 2021; motion was made by Councilmember Barnes to approve the minutes, second by Councilmember Deweese, and approved by the Town Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None.
Having received and reviewed the Financial Reports for August, 2021 from the Regular Council Meeting held on October 18, 2021; motion was made by Councilmember Barnes to approve the August 2021 Financials, seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Town Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None.
The Town Council received the September 2021 Financial Reports to be approved at the next council meeting.
At the October 18, 2021 Town Council meeting a vacancy was declared on the Council. Mayor Adams stated that four people had contacted him regarding filling this vacancy; Henry Whisenant Sr., Cindy Armstrong, Martha Stewart, and Nancy Miller – Borg. Mayor Adams then opened the floor for nominations for the open council position. Councilmember Barnes nominated Nancy Miller-Borg, seconded by Councilmember Deweese. Councilmember Barnes made a motion to close nominations, seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Town Council. Nancy Miller-Borg was sworn in as a Town Council member by the Town Clerk.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None.
Mrs. Kelley Peoples, Principal at Steele Junior High was present with a request for monies for landscaping for the school. She stated that she reached out to one local company and was waiting to hear back from them. She stated that the previous contractor did come back and amend his original bid to account for the current landscaping being removed. Councilmember Barnes stated that the budget allocation for the school is $2,000, anything over that would have to be discussed by the Council. Councilmember Barnes made a motion to give $2,000 to the school for this project. Seconded by Councilmember Miller-Borg and approved by the Town Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, Miller-Borg and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None.
Town Council Meeting
November 1, 2021
Page 2
Budget Proposal; Councilmember Barnes stated that he took the previously presented budget and adjusted it to accommodate the wage and pay increase, and to include 24 hour Emergency Medical Service. Councilmember Barnes stated that he would like to give a monthly financial summary in a more brief form than what is currently being received. Mayor Adams stated that he has some concerns about the budget that is being submitted; he mentioned the Business Privilege tax being $33,000 under what the current budget shows. He also stated that the rental income from Peppy’s has dropped; and beer tax is budgeted over the amount received this past fiscal year. Councilmember Barnes stated that the important thing to remember is that the budget can be amended. Mayor Adams stated that he understands about amending the budget and stated that this budget is an $80,000 increase from the 2021 fiscal year’s budget. Councilmember Barnes made a motion to adopt the budget of $1,331,000.00. Seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Town Council as follows:
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Abstained: Miller-Borg
Nays: Mayor Adams
Office 365 renewal; Councilmember Barnes stated that the Council had previously discussed that when Office 365 was renewed, we would go through Lookout IT as they have the contract for the Town’s IT work. Councilmember Barnes stated that there are 12 users, one of which is the water department. The cost will be $1,440 per year to renew Office 365 through Lookout IT. Councilmember Barnes made a motion that we renew Office 365 through Lookout IT, seconded by Councilmember Deweese and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, Miller-Borg and Gleason Jr.
Nays: Mayor Adams
Mayor Adams stated that we have accepted delivery of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe for the Police Department, and Chief Ward is very happy with the vehicle. He asked how the Council wants to pay for the vehicle. Do they want to finance the vehicle or to pay through the Reserve Fund? Mayor Adams stated that if it is financed, the interest rate is 3.5%, for a 60 month term, which would be a cost of $800 to $900 a month. Total cost for the Tahoe is $48, 852.26. Councilmember Barnes made a motion that we transfer funds from the Reserve Fund Account to the General Fund to pay for the vehicle. Mayor Adams read Resolution 2021 – 010 authorizing the purchase of the 2021 Tahoe, funding it through the Reserve Fund Account. Motion to adopt Resolution 2021 – 010 made by Councilmember Deweese, seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, Miller-Borg, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None.
Mayor Adams stated that there is a conference for the Town Clerk February 2 – 4, 2022 in Huntsville, Alabama. He stated that the cost for the conference is $250.00. Councilmember Deweese made a motion to approve the Town Clerk attending this conference, seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Town Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, Miller-Borg, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None.
Town Council Meeting
November 1, 2021
Page 3
Mayor Adams stated that Engineers of the South provided a review and proposal regarding the sewer. They propose a 3 phase contract: (1) detail design and bid phase at an hourly rate not to exceed $14,000; (2) Construction Review / Administrative phase at an hourly rate not to exceed $9,000 and (3) lagoon site topographic survey, at an estimated budget of $3,000. Mayor Adams stated that he sent this Proposal to Richard Rhea, Town Attorney to review it and Mr. Rhea replied that the proposal looked fine, and this project does not have to be bid out. However, due to the Public Works Law, any work on the lagoon, would have to be bid out. Entering into this contract with Engineers of the South would let ADEM know that the Town is attempting to resolve the sewer issues. Councilmember Barnes made a motion to authorize Mayor Adams to enter into this contract with Engineers of the South, seconded by Councilmember Gleason Jr., and approved by the Town Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, Miller-Borg, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None
Police Chief Ward stated that this past Monday, the transmission went out in the 2015 Tahoe. When he went to pick the 2021 Tahoe up he was advised that no Tahoes could be made or ordered until 2024. He feels that we need to keep the 2015 Tahoe as a back up vehicle for the Police Department due to not being able to get another Tahoe for 3 years. He stated that the best quote he received to replace the transmission in the 2015 Tahoe was from B. J. Price at Right Price Auto of $4390.55 with a 3 year or 100,000 mile warranty. Councilmember Stevens asked if we could get it rebuilt. Chief Ward stated that B. J. Price advises not to rebuild them because they do not last. Councilmember Barnes made a motion to replace the transmission on the 2015 Tahoe, second by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, Miller-Borg, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None.
Chief Ward stated that the Police Chief conference will be February 27 – March 3, 2022 in Mobile. Has not been given a room rate yet but the registration fee is $200, Councilmember Deweese made a motion to approve the Conference, second by Councilmember Gleason Jr, and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, Miller-Borg, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None.
Mayor Adams stated that Fire Chief Martin called him earlier regarding the tanker truck that is in the shop. The Council has approved an expense of $3,000 to fix the tanker truck, however, there is now a problem with wiring on the truck. Chief Martin told Mayor Adams that he didn’t have a cost to repair it yet. Mayor Adams is asking if the Council would like to authorize the repair of the tanker truck. A motion was made by Councilmember Barnes to repair the tanker truck, second by Councilmember Deweese and approved by the Town Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, Miller-Borg, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None
Town Council Meeting
November 1, 2021
Page 4
Councilmember Stevens stated that to get a 40 yard dumpster from the Coosa Valley Landfill Authority, 4 times a year would cost $769 each time, for a total of $3,076 a year. For a 4 yard dumpster to put behind the Community Center the cost would be approximately $100 per month, with a weekly pick up. Councilmember Deweese made a motion to approve the 4 yard dumpster, at a cost of $100 per month with weekly pick up; and to have a 40 yard dumpster brought out in December. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, Miller-Borg, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None
Councilmember Miller-Borg asked the Council if they would like to host the St Clair County Mayor’s Breakfast in December. She stated that they usually plan for 40 people, provide breakfast and have a speaker come in. Mayor Adams stated that due to the pandemic happening he hasn’t been to any Mayor Breakfasts this year. He asked the Council if they would like to host the breakfast in December. After discussion, it was decided to host the St. Clair County Mayor’s breakfast on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 7:30 am.
Mayor Adams stated that he would like to make some new appointments to the different departments within the Council. He would like for Councilmember Barnes to be appointed as Finance Chair, Councilmember Stevens to be appointed to Roads, and Councilmember Miller-Borg to be appointed to the Sanitation department. The Mayor stated that since we have a full Council back again, there does need to be a Mayor Pro Tempe and asked the Council to nominate someone to be the Mayor Pro Tempe. Councilmember Barnes asked what the obligation level of the Mayor Pro Tempe was, and Mayor Adams stated that they would need to be available when the Mayor is absent, sign checks, approve payroll, etc. Councilmember Barnes nominated Councilmember Miller-Borg as Mayor Pro Tempe, second by Councilmember Deweese, and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, Miller-Borg, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None
With there being no further business to come before this regular Council Meeting of November 1, 2021; Councilmember Barnes made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Adjourned at 7:50 PM.
The next Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021.