October 19, 2021
COUNCIL MINUTES – OCTOBER 18, 2021
The Town Council of the Town of Steele, Alabama, met in Regular Session at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, 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 Gleason Jr., to lead everyone in a word of prayer.
The Town Council having read the minutes from the Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 4, 2021; motion was made by Councilmember Barnes to approve the minutes, second by Councilmember Gleason and approved by the Town Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None.
The Council received the Financial Reports for August, 2021. They will be voted on at the next Council Meeting.
Mayor Adams declared a vacancy on the Council as of this meeting to replace Councilmember Richard Reynolds who resigned effective October 4, 2021.
Sr. Center Director Ruby Reynolds is retiring on December 31, 2021, which creates a job opening for a Senior Director. The job was posted in three places, as required, and there were two applicants. One applicant didn’t turn in their application before the deadline. Beverly Stevens submitted her application within the deadline. She stated that her salary requirement would be $9.75 an hour. Mayor Adams stated that he feels she is qualified and would like to hire her as soon as possible so that she can start training. Councilmember Barnes, stated that we would have to amend the pay scale for 29 hours a week at $9.75 an hour. Councilmember Barnes made a motion to amend the pay scale to $9.75 and hire Beverly Stephens as the Senior Center Director, seconded by Councilmember Deweese and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None
Peppy’s Feed and Seed Lease Agreement, was brought to the Mayor’s attention several months ago. He spoke to Owners, Scott and Candi Dean, and they were agreeable to a rent reduction for a one-year lease. The new Lease Agreement states that rent will be $500 a month, for a period of one year. Councilmember Barnes asked if the town would be sharing responsibility for repairs now, Mayor Adams stated that the town would be responsible for the repairs. Motion to approve the Lease Agreement with Peppy’s was made by Councilmember Gleason Jr., seconded by Councilmember Barnes and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None
Town Council Meeting
October 18 2021
Page 2
Street resurfacing and street light update: Mayor Adams stated that he was contacted by Vulcan, who has the umbrella contract for St. Clair County on hot mix asphalt. They will be submitting a quote, which will be itemized by street. If the Town wants to lock in the price it would need to be done before the end of the year.
Street Light update: Mayor Adams stated that a lot of the street lights have been replaced with LED bulbs and Alabama Power is working on getting them all replaced.
Councilmember Barnes stated that we have approximately 10 roads on the repair list. He recommends doing the pipe replacements first. He said that the county stated that they just renewed their contract with the pipe supplier and the cost has gone up 50%. This will be a significant increase for the road repair projects.
Councilmember Barnes stated that Office 365 expires on November 3, 2021 and needs to be renewed. He stated that several months ago he contacted Lookout IT regarding Office 365 renewal. If the renewal is purchased through Lookout IT, it can improve the Town’s cyber security level. Councilmember Barnes stated that if he doesn’t hear back from Lookout IT, he will reach out to the group that we originally purchased it from.
Mayor Adams brought up an invoice for $600.00 from the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham for fiscal year 2022. Councilmember Barnes made a motion to approve this expense, second by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None
Mayor Adams also brought up an invoice, in the amount of $3,750.00 from St. Clair County Commission for the School Resource Officer for fiscal year 2022. Councilmember Deweese made a motion to approve this invoice, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None
Resolution 2021-009 – Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday for February 25, 2021 through February 27, 2021 was read by Mayor Adams. Councilmember Barnes made a motion to adopt Resolution 2021-009, seconded by Councilmember Gleason Jr. and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None
Mayor Adams stated that a line of communication started today between himself and members of the Fire Department and he feels like they see a pathway to providing emergency medical services on a 24-hour basis for this fiscal year. Chief Martin stated that as most know, there was a schedule cut, but based on communications today, 24-hour service will continue. Councilmember Barnes made a motion to amend the current contract with Chandler Mt. Fire Department to provide emergency medical services on a 24 hour basis. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Gleason Jr. and approved by the council.
Ayes: Stevens, Deweese, Barnes, and Gleason Jr.
Nays: None
Town Council Meeting
October 18, 2021
Page 3
Mayor Adams asked if Town Attorney Mr. Richard Rhea (who was present) agreed that this motion was correct, and Mr. Rhea replied that it was. Councilmember Barnes, stated that he felt like we all knew it was 24-hour availability but wanted to make sure that it was in the contract.
Councilmember Stevens stated that Arrow recycling does not offer dumpster service but he has been searching and trying to find dumpsters. He stated that the Town could get a one-time approval through Wise Environmental to service this area and provide a dumpster, which would be at a cost of $3,000.00. The Council would have to vote to approve the dumpsters for 4 times a year for one year, with the dates being set at the beginning of the year. He stated that he could ask to have one brought out after Christmas, but the Council will have to vote on it.
Councilmember Deweese thanked everyone who supported the National Night Out and stated that approximately 140 people attended. She stated that signs are needed for Trunk or Treat , on October 30, 2021. Councilmember Deweese also reported that she has scheduled Santa Claus to be here on December 16, 2021 for the Christmas Event.
Councilmember Barnes stated that he took some training classes from Alabama League of Municipalities at a total cost of $90.00, and he is requesting reimbursement. Councilmember Deweese made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Barnes, Stevens, Deweese, Reynolds & Gleason Jr
Nays: none
Mayor Adams stated that the deadline to report North American Rescue Plan Funds has been extended to April 30, 2022. It was originally set for October 30, 2021.
Mayor got an email from Engineers of the South, who oversee our Sewer System. He stated that there were no violations for September. However, the first monthly sample for October, showed that the ammonia level was high. Councilmember Barnes stated that Mike Walraven from Engineers of the South mentioned to him that most of the sewer customers are businesses, there are only a few residential customers. The Public Works department is working with Engineers of the South to correct the problem.
The Mayor had asked the Council if anyone knew of someone who could give a quote to repair the roof on Peppy’s building. He has contacted a Contractor and they will be coming out this week to give a quote. Mayor Adams stated that he will bring this quote to the Council when he gets it.
With there being no further business to come before this regular Council Meeting of October 18, 2021, Councilmember Barnes made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Adjourned at 7:35 PM.
The next Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting will be held on Monday, November 1, 2021.