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[WATCH] Sylacauga City Council approves master planning project for recreational facilities & economic impact study

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SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Council is taking steps to find out what the community needs when it comes to improved recreational facilities.

The council came to a 3-2 vote to approve a proposal from Chambless King Architects for master planning for the City’s Parks and Recreation facilities, programming for the Recreational Catalyst Project at a cost of $132,500.00, and an Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis at a cost of $9,750.00, authorizing Mayor Jim Heigl to sign the required documents.

“Chambless King has been engaged to help develop a master plan focused on improving and enriching all of the city’s recreational facilities”, said City Council President Lee Perryman. “The project — which will include a comprehensive review of existing facilities, community engagement to confirm what the community wants and needs, and economic impact studies to help guide informed decisions on what to do and how to fund it — is expected to take about six months.”

According to the Chambless King proposal, “all existing recreational facilities will be evaluated and improvements will be recommended.”

“Our Parks & Recreation department is responsible for five city parks and recreational facilities including the J. Craig Smith Community Center, the Maxye Veazey Senior Adult Activity Center, the Verlie B. Collins Center, Lake Howard, biking-hiking trails, tennis and basketball courts, and baseball and softball fields,” Perryman added. “We know, for example, that we must replace our municipal pool, and other assets also need proactive attention as we look to the future. Having a master plan to drive our execution strategy and funding considerations will help us efficiently and hopefully more cost-effectively meet the needs of our community, and a new pool, which may incorporate other recreation functions, could be part of a ‘catalyst’ project to be prioritized as part of the council’s early review.”

The city’s comprehensive plan was adopted earlier this year.

Montgomery-based Chambless King, established in 1961, has coordinated master planning projects for the Wetumpka Riverwalk, Alabama State University, and the City of Montgomery. Among its largest and most recent development projects was the 135-acre Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater in Albertville.

Other agenda items voted on at the meeting:

1. Authorized Reciprocal Agreement with the State of Alabama Department of Revenue for the exchange of tax information, and authorizing Mayor to sign agreement.

2. Accepted $12,000 Alabama Historical Commission grant to be used for repairs in Sylacauga Cemetery, and authorizing Mayor Heigl to sign required grant documents.

3. Authorized Fire Chief Nate Osgood to replace FD Station #1 radio/PA system at a cost of $6,608.10 from Sci-2-Way.

4. Authorized Fire Chief Nate Osgood to contract with JMCM Consulting to prepare application for 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $100,158.00 for the purchase and installation of a fully automatic MagneGrip Diesel Exhaust Extraction System for Fire Stations #1 and #2, to be used to remove apparatus exhaust emissions.  If awarded, grant requires 5% local match ($4,769.43) and 5% grant-writers fee ($4,542.31).

5. Authorized contract with Auburn University Government and Economic Development Institute to evaluate existing job descriptions, develop an updated classification plan, and prepare a proposed pay plan at a fee of $14,427.79; and authorizing Mayor Heigl to sign required contract.

6. Accepted request from Mayor Heigl to approve change of status for Admin Asst. Kassey Epperson from AO6 Step 3 to AO6 Step 4, effective October 23, 2021, due to successful completion of Associate of Science Degree in Business from Columbia Southern University.

7. Accepted recommendation from Fire Chief Nate Osgood to approve revised Fire Department Incentive Policy.

8. Approved request from Fire Chief Nate Osgood to hire Firefighter Gregory Lowery effective November 20, 2021 at PS-1 Step 2, due to 13 years of firefighting experience.

9. Approved request from Mayor Heigl and recommendation from Police Chief Kelley Johnson to grant up to six weeks of leave without pay to Lt. Mike Moore beginning October 29, 2021 through December 10, 2021.

10. Accepted recommendation from HR Specialist Jayne McGee and Street Supt. Reed Calfee to approve new Street Department job descriptions.

11. Accepted recommendation from HR Specialist Jayne McGee and Shop Supt. Ed Ford to approve new Shop Department job descriptions.

12. Accepted recommendation from HR Specialist Jayne McGee and Street Supt. Reed Calfee to approve new Animal Shelter job descriptions.

13. Approved travel/training expenses for Wade Fuller (Street Dept.) to attend ADEM’s Visible Emissions Certification Program in Montgomery December 1-3, 2021. Registration fee of $360.00.  Additional expenses for meals and use of a city-provided vehicle will be incurred.  Estimated total expenses for Fuller are $420.00.

14. Approved of additional FY21 Accounts Payable invoices in the amount of $125,437.33.

15. Balance of Accounts Payable invoices received for October in the amount of $355,010.58.

16. October payroll in the amount of $608,717.99.

 


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