CEDAR BLUFF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007 AT 4:00 P.M.

 

The Cedar Bluff Town Council of the Town of Cedar Bluff, County of Cherokee, State of Alabama, met in Regular Scheduled Session in the Council Room at Town Hall, 3420 Spring Street, Cedar Bluff, Alabama, Monday, April 9, 2007 at 4:00 p.m., pursuant to notice duly posted as prescribed by law. Mayor Martha Baker presided and called the meeting to order.  Members in attendance were as follows:

 

Martha Baker                                                               Rick Sides

Mayor                                                                          District 2

 

Forrest Pearson                                                            Ethel Sprouse_

District 3                                                                      District 4

 

Leatha Harp

District 5         

 

ABSENT

 

            Billie Burkhalter

            District 1

 

INVOCATION

     

      The invocation was given by Council member Leatha Harp.

 

FLAG SALUTE

           

AGENDA ITEM NO. 1:                      Consider approval of the minutes of the March 12 and March 13, 2007 meetings

 

            A motion was made by Council Member Sides, seconded by Council Member Harp that the minutes of March 12 and March 13, 2007, be approved as presented.     Motion carried (5-0).

 

AYE:  Sides, Harp, Baker, Sprouse, Pearson

NAY:  None

         

AGENDA ITEM NO. 2:                      Acknowledge the minutes from the following Boards and Committees.

 

a.       Planning Commission meeting of March 5, 2007

b.      Cedar Bluff Utility Board and Solid Waste Authority meetings of February 26, March 7, March 13 and March 19, 2007

         

            The minutes from the Planning Commission and the Cedar Bluff Utility Board and Solid Waste Authority meetings were acknowledged.

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 3:                      Presentation of Police Report for March, 2007 by Police Chief Walden.

 

            The Police Report for March, 2007 was presented by Police Chief Walden.

 

ARREST                                                                                               UTC’S

 

DRUGS                                                  4                              SPEEDING                            

 

DRUG PARAPHERNALIA                                2                              RECKLESS DRIVING         

 

PISTOL WITHOUT PERMIT                             1                              NO SEAT BELT

 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE                                     1                              SUSP. OR REVOKED DL   1

 

DISORDERLY CONDUCT                  1                              ATTEMPT TO ELUDE        1

 

NOISE ORDINANCE                                                                           NO INSURANCE     1

 

CRIMINAL LITTERING                                                                     IMPROPER EQUIPMENT

 

D.U.I.                                                                      1                              DOG ORDINANCE

 

U.P.P.B                                                                   2                              IMPROPER OR NO TAG

               

THEFT                                                                   1                              IMPROPER TURN

 

BURGLARY                                                                                          IMPROPER PASSING

 

PUBLIC INTOXICATION                                                  NO DL.                                    2                            

 

WARRANTS                                                        8                              CHILD RESTRAINT             1

 

OTHER                                                                 2                              OTHER                                 

 

THEFT REPORTS                                                                              TRAFFIC CRASHES

           2                                                                                                                   3

RECOVERED PROPERTY                                                              SEIZED PROPERTY

                1998 Ford Ranger Pickup

                                                           

AGENDA ITEM NO. 4:                      Presentation of Fire Department Report for March, 2007 by Fire Chief J. P. Curry.

 

            The Fire Report for March, 2007 was presented by Mayor Baker

 

Structure related alarms- 5

 

Vehicle related alarms- 0

 

Woods and Grass fires- 11

 

Medical alarms- 0

 

Wrecks or Accidents -2

 

Unspecified or other alarms- 0

Total Runs 18

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 5:                      Presentation of Code Enforcement Report for March, 2007 by Code Enforcement Officer Jimmy Wallace  

 

            The Code Enforcement Report for February, 2007 was presented by Building Official Jimmy Wallace

 

Three Building Permits for new House

One Permit for business

Five Building Permits for addition to house

One Permit for re-roof store

Two Permits for Mobile home

Nine Permits for camper setup

Twenty-one Zoning Permits

Two sign permits

Eight Electrical Permits

Seven Plumbing Permits

Six Mechanical Permits

Five Sewer Pump Station Permits

One Swimming Pool Permit

 

Twenty-one Building Permits in March 2007 total construction cost was $559,500.00

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 6:                      Consider an ordinance annexing property located on County Road 902 into the corporate limits of the Town of Cedar Bluff. (Applicants:  James & Louise Hicks, John A. Berry, Linda Woodall, Barbara Tyson Woodall)  

 

Mayor Baker advised this ordinance was to annex property located on County Road 902 into the town limits.

 

            After due and careful consideration, Ordinance No. 2007-05 was introduced and entitled “Whereas, on the 9th day of April 2007, James N. and Louise Hicks, John P. Berry, Linda Woodall and Barbara Tyson Hart; being the owners of all the real property hereinafter described, did file with the Town Clerk a petition asking that the said tracts or parcels of land be annexed to and become a part of the Town of Cedar Bluff, Alabama”.

 

            A motion was made by Council Member Sprouse, seconded by Council Member Harp, to suspend all rules and regulations which unless suspended, would prevent the immediate consideration and adoption of the said ordinance.  Motion carried (5-0).

 

AYE:  Sprouse, Harp, Sides, Pearson, Baker

NAY: None

 

            A motion was made by Council Member Sprouse, seconded by Council Member Sides, to adopt Ordinance No. 2007-05 as presented.  Motion carried (5-0)

 

AYE:  Sprouse, Sides, Pearson, Baker, Harp

NAY: None

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 7:                      Public hearing and consider a grant application to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for Community Development Block Grant for funding assistance for a neighborhood revitalization project.

 

Mayor Baker declared a public hearing open to discuss and consider a grant application to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for Community Development Block Grant for funding assistance for a neighborhood revitalization project.

 

At this time, Mayor Baker called upon Mr. Jim Crouse, Public Systems, Inc. to explain the procedures and requirements for the grant.

 

Mr. Crouse advised the deadline for the grant application would be May 15, 2007 at 12:00 noon.  He also advised it was required for the Town to hold a public hearing for the grant application

 

Mr. Crouse advised the grant proposes to improve drainage, streets and housing for the area on Spring Street, McElrath and Dykes Bridge Road.  The grant is for $400,000 with a 10 percent match.

           

Mayor Baker asked for comments from the audience with no response and the public hearing was closed.

 

            At this time, Mayor Baker deviated from the regular agenda to allow discussion of Agenda Item No. 9.

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 9:                      Consider applying for a grant for Park Equipment.

 

Mayor Baker, once again called upon Mr. Jim Crouse, Public Systems, Inc. to elaborate on the types of grants available for municipal parks

 

Mr. Crouse advised there are two grants available: Land and Water Conservation Fund which is for recreational parks, playgrounds and lighting.  The Trails Program is a waking trail or track.  He advised that a master plan is required for either of these grants and also advised the grant work must stay on a strict schedule.

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 8:                      Consider an agreement between the Town of Cedar Bluff and the Cedar Bluff Utility Board and Solid Waste Authority for providing the installation of Christmas decorations for Christmas 2007 in exchange for the monthly payments on the General Obligations Warrants Series 1998.

 

Mayor Baker advised the Council needed to table this item for now.

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 10:                    Consider the resignation of Sam Penn from the Cedar Bluff Utility Board.

 

Mayor Baker advised that Mr. Sam Penn had submitted his resignation from the Cedar Bluff Utility Board.

 

            A motion was made by Council Member Sprouse, seconded by Council Member Harp, to accept the resignation of Mr. Sam Penn from the Cedar Bluff Utility Board.  Motion carried (5-0).

 

AYE:  Sprouse, Harp, Sides, Pearson, Baker

NAY: None

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 11:                    Consider appointment of an alternate member on the Zoning Board of Adjustments. 

 

            Mayor Baker advised the Council needed to appoint someone to the Zoning Board of Adjustments and that Council Member Billie Burkhalter had mentioned someone at the Council workshop, but she was not present at the meeting to make the nomination.  No action was taken

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 12:                    Consider quotes received for road repair on Money’s Bend and Sewell Ferry Road.

 

            The Mayor advised she had received quotes from two (2) contractors for work to be done on Money’s Bend Road and Sewell Ferry Road.    

 

            Jason McElroy quoted $3,220.00 to cut up the road on Money’s Bend and use the material to fill in the holes and cover the road with chirt and to grade Sewell Ferry Road.

 

            B & W Paving quoted $21,000.00 to repair the roads.

 

            A motion was made by Council Member Pearson, seconded by Council Member Sides, to accept the quote from Jason McElroy in the amount of $3,220.00 to do road repair to Money’s Bend and Sewell Ferry Road.  Motion carried (5-0).

 

AYE:  Pearson, Sides, Baker, Sprouse, Harp

NAY: None

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 13:                    New Business (Any matter not known about or which could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the posting of the agenda)

 

            In New Business, Mayor Baker advised the Council and audience of an article in the Post regarding the legislative authority for counties to abate nuisances such as weeds, litter, sewage and animals.

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 14:                    Council Member’s Comments.

 

            There was no Council Member’s Comments.

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 15:                    Citizen’s Participation (A five minute limit per person)

 

            Mr. Greene, Cedar Bluff appeared to inquire about his choice to not have a trash can on property where he has a building that is used for storage of a vehicle.  He advised he had been told the Town had an ordinance directing all citizens who has water service to also have garbage service. 

 

            Mr. Green was advised to attend the Utility Board meeting to try to work things out.

 

AGENDA ITEM NO. 16:                    Adjournment

 

            There being no further business to be considered, a motion was made by Council Member Sprouse, seconded by Council Member Harp, that the meeting be adjourned. (4:31 p.m.). Motion carried.

 

AYE:  Sprouse, Harp, Sides, Pearson, Baker

NAY:  None

 

 

                                                                        ____MARTHA BAKER_______________

                                                                                                MAYOR

 

(S.E.A.L.)

ATTEST:

 

 

__DeLANA MARTIN___________

                TOWN CLERK

 

APPROVED 05/14/07