[WATCH] Sylacauga City Council holds first September meeting

SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Council met Thursday night, Sept. 7, at 6:00 p.m. with a work session prior at 5:00 p.m.

The city council set Oct. 17, 2023 as the date for two public hearings, one for the rezoning of property at Lot 6 at Payton Park, and the other for the consideration of a Development Agreement with SHRI AKSHAR LLC.3.

The council approved the close out of the TAPAA 18/19 project and authorized final payment.

They rescinded Resolution No. 53-2022 which marked as surplus Sylacauga Police Department radios and declared the VHF mobile and portable radios and equipment as used, and authorized disposal of said items through auction on GovDeals.com or by other appropriate disposition.

The aforementioned SPD radios will now be donated to the Marble Valley Fire Department.

The council reallocated $150,000 from FY23 Special Operating Budget 012 – Capital Improvement Reserve Fund to FY24 Special Operating Budget 012 – Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.

They adopted the FY24 General Fund Operating Budget and the FY24 Special Fund Budgets.

Authorization was granted for step raises for eligible city employees effective with the first payroll ending in Oct. 2023.

Also, authorization was permitted for Mayor Jim Heigl to sign FY24 contracts for the following:

– South Talladega County ARC contract in the amount of $30,000.
– Chamber of Commerce contract in the amount of $35,000.
– Commercial Development Authority contract in the amount of $20,000.
– Industrial Development Board contract in the amount of $30,000.
– Isabel Anderson Comer Museum and Arts Center contract in the amount of $45,000 for salary subsidy for three employees and $10,000 for utilities.
– Sylacauga Police Department K9 Unit and Sylacauga City Schools contract in the amount of $3,000.
– Talladega, Clay, Randolph, and Coosa Child Care Corporation contract in the amount of $3,000.

Two recommendations from Police Chief Kelley Johnson were approved to declare four Dodge Charger Vehicles and damaged office supplies as surplus property and authorized disposal on GovDeals.com online auction or other appropriate means.

They also accepted the recommendation of City Clerk/Treasurer Alexandra Lambert to declare a Lexmark Printer as surplus property and authorize disposal on GovDeals.com online auction or other appropriate means.

Approval was given for a temporary pay adjustment for assigned hourly employees in the City Clerk’s office who are also filling vacant positions within the City Clerk’s office. The pay adjustment will continue for 90 days after new hires are made to allow current employees time to train new hires.

City Councilman Lee Perryman was appointed as the ex-officio to the Sylacauga Planning Commission.

Drainage improvements along E Clay St. and S Church Ave., S Norton Ave. and W Walnut St., and E 1st St. and Calhoun Ave. totaling $594,000 were approved.

The $50 business license fee for each individual event was waived for Sylacauga Parks and Recreation until the end of the year for each of the following:

– “Movies in the Park Events” at 470 N Norton Ave.
– “Food Trucks for Various Sporting Events” at 80 Twin St.
– “BBQ and Blues Festival” at 470 N Norton Ave.
– “Various Sporting Events” at 2 W 8th St.
– “Food Truck Fridays” at 470 N Norton Ave.

The city council approved the balance of August Accounts Payable invoices in the amount of $168,713.57 and the August payroll in the amount of $441,829.69.

The next meeting of the Sylacauga City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 6:00 p.m.