SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Council held a meeting Tuesday evening, April 4, at 6:00 p.m. with a work session prior to the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
At the meeting, the council could not come to a majority vote for electing a new member to the Board of Education after three nominations were made.
The council made a 2-2 split vote on nominees Olwyn Twyman and Eddie Varnadore, and voted 1-3 against third nominee Blaine Green.
Councilman Nate Brewer abstained from the voting due to a conflict of interest with his status of employment with the Sylacauga City School (SCS) system.
A new voting round for the Board of Education will take place at the next scheduled meeting set for Tuesday, April 18, at 6:00 p.m.
The city council approved the request from Mayor Jim Heigl to change current budgeting and all associated records to reflect a name change from Code Enforcement Department to Building Services Department.
Mike Whetstone and Alexandra Lambert were promoted to the positions of Building Services Director and City Clerk/Treasurer, respectively, effective with the pay period beginning April 8, 2023.
Approval was given to a resolution designating signatories for checks on COS bank accounts and for conducting other financial transactions on behalf of the city.
Additionally, the council approved the resolution authorizing the use of facsimile signature of Mayor Heigl for checks drawn on COS bank accounts.
Acceptance was granted to the recommendation of Mayor Heigl to reclassify the Animal Shelter Manager position.
They established the Animal Shelter as a separate department and removed necessary reporting and supervision responsibilities of the Shelter from the Street Department.
There was a reading into the minutes of Mayor Heigl’s appointment of Jeff Turner to the Planning Commission for the six-year expiring March 2029. No council action was required.
The council approved two requests from Police Chief Kelley Johnson.
The first was to purchase up to four 2023 Ford Explorers from Stivers Ford Lincoln at the state bid price of $36,384 each. The action also authorizes the purchase of equipment such as cameras or lighting for vehicles. Total estimated cost per vehicle is $61,517.50.
The second request was to purchase an in-car camera system and cage for the K-9 unit.
The Sylacauga City Council authorized payment to Timmy Epperson in the amount of $10,676.80, plus six percent simple interest per year.
They also authorized Accounting Specialist Sandy Sorensen to attend the Certified Governmental Accounting Technician Budgeting course in Tuscaloosa, May 24, 2023. Registration fee of $150; additional expenses for meals, lodging, and mileage will be incurred. Total estimated expenses for Sorensen are $485.74.
They approved travel and training expenses for the following firefighters:
– Andrew McLain and Clint Payton to attend the Alabama Fire College Rescue Technician: Rope II course hosted by the Alex City Fire Department, May 23-26, 2023. Registration fee of $240 each. Additional expenses for lunches and use of a city-provided vehicle will be incurred. Employees will carpool. Total estimated expenses for McLain and Payton are $285 each.
– Matt Carpenter and Brett Autrey to attend the Alabama Fire College Operator: Aerial course hosted by the Anniston Fire Department, May 8-12, 2023. No registration fee; expenses for lunches and use of a city-provided vehicle will be incurred. Total estimated expenses for Carpenter and Autrey are $75 each.
– Andrew McLain to attend the Alabama Fire College Rescue Technician: Rope I course hosted by the Anniston Fire Department, April 17-21, 2023. No registration fee; expenses for lunches will be incurred. McLain will carpool with Autrey and Byrd. Total estimated expenses for McLain are $75.
– Reid Tapley to attend the Alabama Fire College Live Fire Instructor/Fire Instructor In Charge course hosted by the Oxford Fire Department, April 17-21, 2023. Registration fee of $350. Additional expenses for lunches will be incurred. Tapley will carpool with Toland. Total estimated expenses for Tapley are $425.
The council approved accounts payable invoices received to date for March in the amount of $68,545.32.
