SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Council met Tuesday night, Feb. 6, at 6:00 p.m. with a work session prior at 5:00 p.m.
At the meeting, Mayor Jim Heigl proclaimed February as National Career Technical Education Month and honored the Sylacauga City School system’s Director of Workforce Development, Deana Goodwine, and SCS students with a framed certificate.
Also, at the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Heigl announced he will be taking a temporary leave of absence to have a open heart procedure. He expects to be back in office before the end of February.
During the meeting, the Sylacauga City Council approved a Special Use Permit for AT&T to remove one tower mounted amplifier, six antennas, three remote radio units, and six feedlines.
AT&T is proposing the installation of three new antennas, six new remote radio units mounted behind the antennas, one new surge protector, and three new feedlines. AT&T is completing this project to provide improved 5G service in the surrounding area by installing/co-locating an existing telecommunications tower located at 2155 Settlement Rd.
The council declared a number of items used by the city as surplus to requirement, and authorized their disposal on GovDeals.com online auction or by other appropriate means. These items include:
19 computer monitors,
one plasma television,
13 computer keyboards,
two six-foot wide blinds,
one 2008 Ford Taurus SEL (VIN# 1FAHP24WI8GI58526),
one Martin Yale Paper Folding Machine, S/N 43H5248,
one Canon Printer – Color Image Class MF656CDW, S/N YKQ13346,
and two Toners for Canon Printer – Color Image Class
They also declared two Glock Model 17 firearms as surplus property, but instead of disposing, the council will present the firearms to retiring officers as a token of the City of Sylacauga’s appreciation for their faithful service.
The city council reassigned the Animal Control Officer from the Police Department to the Animal Shelter. This will include the budget, vehicle, and equipment.
The council set a public hearing date of Feb. 22, 2024, for the following properties for the purpose of determining whether they are unsafe at this point in time to the extent that they create a public nuisance:
805 N Main Ave.
807 N Main Ave.
809 N Main Ave.
811 N Main Ave.
100 E 8th St.
108 E 8th St.
The council accepted a recommendation from Mayor Heigl to conduct a traffic signal warrant study for James Payton Blvd. and Old Birmingham Hwy. The total cost should not exceed $8,000 and will be paid from the General Fund.
Additionally, they accepted two other recommendations of Mayor Heigl to remove reporting and supervision responsibilities of the Animal Control Officer from the Police Department with reporting duties to the Animal Shelter Manager and to approve the revised Animal Control Officer job description.
The city council amended the FY24 budget to move funding from the Police Department salary and fringe in the amount of $45,663.70 to the Animal Shelter salary and fringe.
They also moved funding from the Police Department Animal Control Operating Expense budget (010-520-42528-000) in the amount of $500 annually (FY24 balance of $120) to the Animal Shelter (010-540-42001-000).
Authorization was granted for Mayor Heigl to sign the application entering into an agreement to have the Sylacauga Animal Shelter deemed a recipient of the PetSmart Charities Adoption Partner Program.
Fred Crum, Sr. and Jason Clary were reappointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals, both for terms of three years ending April 15, 2027.
The council approved the FY24 Accounts Payable invoices in the amount of $1,562,937.34 as well as the January payroll in the amount of $462,192.81.
The next meeting of the Sylacauga City Council is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6:00 p.m.