SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Council held a work session on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 5:00 p.m., immediately followed by a council meeting. Mike Brewer of the East Alabama Regional Planning Commission spoke to the Council about redistricting.
Brewer noted that the ten-year redistricting last took place in 2012. The goal is to have each district within the allowable differential of 2,516 residents. Districts 2, 3, and 4 are currently within that range, based on the most recent census. However, that could change as adjustments are made for Districts 1 and 5. District changes must be in place by mid-February 2025, six months before the Municipal Election. Brewer told the Council that he hopes to have it ready before the end of the year.
Mayor Jim Heigl proclaimed October as “Head Start Awareness Month” in recognition of the early childhood development program established in 1955. Heigl urged parents to have their pre-school children participate in Head Start programs.
The following New Business agenda items were addressed:
Approval was given to Resolution No. 139-2024, to obtain professional engineering services for street resurfacing 2024-2025 for paving along various streets throughout the City. It was noted that the current list of 38 streets planned for the 2025 paving project are mostly residential streets.
The Council declared various computer equipment and software from City Inventory as Surplus Property and authorized the disposal of said items on GovDeals.com online auction or other appropriate means.
The Waste Collection and Disposal Services Contract with Green Life Contract Environmental (GFL) was amended to authorize an addition of an extra collection day for the Autumn Trace Apartment Complex, effective Nov. 1, 2024.
Approval was given to hire West Pressure Washing to pressure wash the Marble City Cemetery brick pillars, totaling $750. (Funding from Marble City Cemetery Fund.)
The Council approved the purchase of a 2024 F-250 from Stiver’s Ford, State Contract Pricing for the Fire Department, totaling $63,036. This does not include outfitting lighting and graphics. (Funding from Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.)
Approval was given for the 2003 Crimson 104’ Aerial Refurbishment – Phase 2 for the Fire Department, totaling $80,000. (Funding from Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.)
The Council approved replacement for all 4 truck bay doors, tracks, motors and ancillary equipment at Fire Station 1, totaling $42,430. (Funding from Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.)
Approval for the Shop to purchase the ECO Dual Gas A/C Service Station from Hofmann was granted, totaling $9,640.59. (Funding from Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.)
The Council approved the Shop to repair the Diagnostic Scanner, totaling $7,741.77. (Funding from Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.)
Approval was granted for the Installation of rolling doors for the Shop, totaling $8,761. (Funding from Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.)
The Council approved several reimbursements for overpayment to: Jason Alexander Pickett, case # MC22-0000877, totaling $15; and Tiffany Breedlove, case # MC20-0000773, totaling $213.
Approval was granted for the request from the “Brown Bag” for an “Off Premises Only” Retail Beer and Wine license, located at 1194 Talladega Hwy.
The Council approved the Wharf Casual Seafood Restaurant for 020 – Restaurant Retail Liquor License, located at 40690 Hwy 280. (Pending approval from ABC Board and all required documents.)
Approval was given for streetlights on Brick Yard Rd., totaling $11 per month; and on S Norton Ave., totaling $11 per month.
The Council approved the purchase of 16 Dell computers to replace outdated city computers, totaling $27,251.52. This includes computers at $20,211.52, and labor at $7,040. (Funding from Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.)
Approval was granted for Administration and Finance to purchase office furniture, totaling $25,000. (Funding from Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.) The measure was approved on a 4-1, with Laura Barlow Health dissenting, “I am in favor of new furniture, but think we should be able to get it done just as well for less than that amount.”
The Council approved Payroll for the month of September 2024 totaling $571,581.60.
Approval was granted to pay Fiscal Year 2024 Accounts Payable invoices totaling $194,344.69; as well as to pay Fiscal Year 2025 Accounts Payable invoices totaling $72,145.33.
The Mayor and Council went into executive session at the urging of City Attorney Edwin Livingston, with no action to be taken afterward.