[WATCH] Sylacauga City Council appoints new Historical Commission and Zoning Board members

SYLACAUGA, Ala. – At the Sylacauga City Council meeting held Tuesday night, a combined seven positions on the Historical Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals were filled.

Steve McClure was appointed to seats on both the commission and the board. His tenure expires in March of next year.

On the Historical Commission, Missy Turner and Tara Douglas were both appointed until March 2024.

As for the Zoning Board, Fred Crum will serve until March 2024 and Jeff Turner until March 2025.

Also, Ryan Colman, whose spot on the Historical Commission expired in March, had his position renewed for three years until March 2025.

The following agenda items were also addressed:

The city council declared certain Street and Police Department vehicles as surplus to requirements and authorized the sale and/or disposal of said vehicles.

The council authorized an agreement to accept cats and canines from the town of Oak Grove for the period of April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. Oak Grove has agreed to pay the city $500 per quarter for services provided.

They granted easement to Alabama Power Company to install, operate, and maintain their equipment and facilities on city-owned property located on Old Sylacauga Hwy. The action authorized Mayor Jim Heigl to sign agreement with Alabama Power Company.

The city council accepted the recommendation of HR Specialist Jayne McGhee and Interim Code Enforcement Director Mike Whetstone to approve new job descriptions for Building Services Department (formerly Code Enforcement).

The council also approved a request from Street Superintendent Reed Calfee and HR Specialist Jayne McGhee to promote Kenneth Kromer to Assistant Street Dept. Superintendent at Step A08, Step 2.

The city council approved travel and training expenses for PD Investigator Ben Layton to attend the FLETC Basic Incident Response to Digital Evidence course in Birmingham, June 28-30, 2022. No registration fee; expenses for meals and use of a city-provided vehicle will be incurred. Total estimated expenses for Layton are $75.

As well, the council approved travel and training expenses for PD Chief Kelley Johnson, Capt. Rondell Muse, Lt. Renea Cummings, and Lt. Willis Whatley to attend the AACOP Summer Conference in Orange Beach, July 31 – August 4, 2022. Registration fee of $200 per employee; additional expenses for lodging, meals, and fuel will be incurred. Estimated expenses for Johnson, Muse, and Cummings are $1,474.48 each. Estimated expenses for Whatley are $500.

They also approved travel and training expenses for Fire Chief Nate Osgood to attend the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs/Alabama Association of Fire Chief’s Leadership Conference in Mobile, June 20-24, 2022. Registration fee of $362.33; additional expenses for lodging, meals, and fuel will be incurred. Estimated expenses for Osgood are $1,534.49.

The Sylacauga City Council approved a request from PD Chief Kelley Johnson to purchase the Virtual Reality Simulator: Two Person Configuration from InVeris Training Solutions at a cost of $62,500. This will be paid from the Capital Improvement Fund.

Additionally, the council also approved a recommendation from Shop Superintendent Ed Ford to repair a four-door 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe that was damaged in an accident at Scott’s Auto Custom and Collision at a quoted price of $15,215.98. This action also authorizes Ford and Fire Chief Osgood to negotiate the purchase of the Tahoe from ALFA.

The council accepted the April payroll in the amount of $623,770.64 and the balance of Accounts Payable for April in the amount of $375,923.06.

A work session was held prior to the meeting at 5:00 p.m., and after the above items were addressed, the council moved into an executive session where the public and press were not permitted to attend.