SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Council met Monday after meetings were postponed last week due to health concerns at City Hall.
The work session was opened with a brief statement by newly-elected State Representative Ben Robbins who addressed the Council.
“Thank you for your votes. I want to represent Sylacauga and all of District 33,” said Robbins.
Some of the new Representative’s priorities include rural broadband, workforce development, economic growth, and recruiting new industry.
“We need an even better workforce. [We have a] great location here. We need to improve our workforce,” said Robbins. “I’m excited to get to work for the citizens of Sylacauga.”
During the work session, Councilwoman Tiffany Nix brought up the desire to repair numerous concrete streets in her district including Ash St. and Wetumpka St. After discussion, Council President Lee Perryman requested that the Street Department provide a list of the concrete streets that could use repair.
At the meeting, the Council:
- Adopted an ordinance authorizing participation in the 2021 Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday February 26-28, 2021.
- Approved resolution authorizing Renewal Amendment for Grant Agreement with East Alabama Regional Planning & Development Commission (EARPC) Area Agency on Aging for Title III Aging Supportive/Nutrition Services during the person from Oct. 1, 2020 – Sept. 31, 2021 including the commitment of $82,395.98 in local/matching funds to provide said services.
- Approved a Change Order #1 to the Veteran’s Memorial in Pinecrest Park project with Clements Dean Building Company in the amount of $6,998.00 to undercut unsuitable soil and modify footings.
- Approved resolution designing signatories and use of facsimile signature of Mayor James Heigl for checks drawn on City of Sylacauga bank accounts and for conducting other financial transactions on behalf of the City of Sylacauga.
- Approved appointment to Commercial Development Authority – four-year term of Michael L. Richardson expiring March 15, 2021. Richardson has reapplied for another four-year term.
- Approved appointment to Commercial Development Authority – four-year term of Bryan Taunton expiring March 15, 2021. Taunton has reapplied for another four-year term.
- Approved request from the Sylacauga Housing authority to redirect payment of $6,274.98 to the Sylacauga Board of Education for FY19 Payment in Lieu of Taxes paid to the City in error.
- Approved recommendation from Mayor Heigl to authorize the roll-over of any unused 2020 vacation leave to the 2021 vacation allocation of those affected employees who were unable to use the leave due to COVID and/or other departmental circumstances beyond their control.
- Approved balance of accounts payable for December in the amount of $226,308.73, December payroll in the amount of $506,556.28, and additional invoices for FY20 Accounts Payable received after year-end close on September 30 in the amount of $18,901.30.
- Approved repairs to ARC building and Comer Museum
- Approved posting of positions for City Clerk/Treasurer and Director of Code Enforcement
Monday night also marked the last City Council meeting for Tricia Carden. After serving the City of Sylacauga for more than 43 years, Carden is set to retire at the end of the week. Councilmen Fowler and Perryman thanked Carden for her dedication to the City of Sylacauga.
At the next meeting, the Council will examine language regarding COVID-19-related absences from work.
Mayor Heigl was not present at the meeting due to surgery.
