SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Council met on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 6:00 p.m. with a work session prior at 5:00 p.m.
The following agenda items were addressed at the meeting:
Two public hearings were held, one to consider the rezoning of property located at 1321 Coaling Rd. as recommended by the Planning Commission, and the other to consider a request to enter into a development agreement with Wharf Casual Seafood Sylacauga LLC for a new restaurant to be located on U.S. Hwy 280.
The city council accepted the recommendation of Police Chief Kelley Johnson to approve Resolution #11-2023 declaring two police vehicles as surplus property and authorizing their disposal on GovDeals.com.
Also accepted was the recommendation of EEFS and Street Superintendent Reed Calfee to approve Resolution #12-2023 authorizing a contract with G&H Ventures to clean out a ditch along Central Ave. for $8,700.
The council authorized the purchase of a transportation van through East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission and ALDOT, at a cost of $92,489, with a 20 percent local match of $18,600. Action repeals Resolution #03-2023 approved on Jan. 5, 2023; additional action necessary due to an increase in cost of van.
They approved Resolution #14-2023 consenting to a tax abatement by the Talladega County Commission for Omya Inc.
Approval was given for an application for Lounge Retail Liquor – Class II Package store received from Bunnat Heng, owner of Alex City Package Store located at 630 Old Birmingham Hwy, Sylacauga.
The Sylacauga City Council accepted the recommendation of Fire Chief Nate Osgood to approve a change of status for Fire Lt. Scott Kines to Interim Fire Captain effective Feb. 1, 2023, and authorize a 5 percent pay increase.
Osgood’s second recommendation to approve a change of status for Firefighter John Bryan to Fire Lt. effective Feb. 1, 2023, and authorize a 5 percent pay increase was also accepted.
A number of training courses for fire and police department personnel were approved, including:
- Travel and training expenses for PD Lt. Willis Whatley, Lt. Renea Cummings, and Lt. Ryan Gaither to attend the following CLEEP training in Jacksonville: Effective Management in Volatile Society for the Police Executive on April 6 and Dealing Effectively with the External Environment on April 7. Registration fee of $99 per employee per course. No additional expenses. Employees will carpool in a city-provided vehicle.
- Travel and training expenses for PD SRO Officer Harry Brown to attend the TAASRO 24th annual 2023 Safe Schools conference in Orange Beach, June 5-9, 2023. Registration fee of $200. Additional expenses for lodging, meals, and use of a city-provided vehicle will be incurred. BOE has agreed to reimburse half of the lodging fees. Total estimated expenses for Brown will be $1,930.85.
- Travel and training expenses for PD Lt. Ryan Gaither to attend the Stop Stick Instructor Course in Birmingham, March 1, 2023. No registration fee; no additional expenses other than use of a city-provided vehicle.
- Travel and training expenses for PD Lt. Ryan Gaither to attend The Power of Trust-based Law Enforcement Leadership in Wadley, March 7, 2023. No registration fee. Expenses for a meal and use of a city-provided vehicle will be incurred. Total estimated expenses for Gaither are $20.
- Travel and training expenses for Firefighters Matt Carpenter and Brett Autrey to attend the Alabama Fire College Apparatus Operator: Pumper course hosted by the Anniston Regional Training Center, April 3-7, 2023. No registration fee. Expenses for meals and use of a city-provided vehicle will be incurred. Total estimated expenses for Carpenter and Autrey are $75 each.
- Travel and training expenses for Fire Inspector Chad Toland to attend the Hands-On Electrical Fire/Arson Investigation course hosted by the Anniston Fire Department, April 4-6, 2023. Registration fee of $350. Additional expenses for meals and use of a city-provided vehicle will be incurred. Total estimated expenses for Toland are $395.
Three recommendations from Police Chief Johnson were accepted as well. They include:
- Approve PD pay plan to become effective with the pay period beginning March 25, 2023
- Increase night shift differential for eligible sergeants and patrol for $42 per pay period to $84 effective March 25, 2023
- Increase night shift differential for eligible lieutenants from $40 per pay period to $80 beginning March 25, 2023
A budget amendment was made to transfer funds totaling $135,991.86 received from FEMA reimbursement due to Hurricane Ivan in regards to police salaries.
The city council accepted the ability to transfer funds (if needed) at the end of FY23 from unused PD salaries to supplement cost of new PD pay plan up to an amount of $33,011.07.
They accepted the balance of January Accounts Payable invoices in the amount of $404,896.87 and the January payroll in the amount of $454,071.73.
The next Sylacauga City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, March 7, at 6:00 p.m.
