STATE OF ALABAMA

 

COUNTY OF ETOWAH

 

CITY OF RAINBOW CITY-COUNCIL MEETING-JULY 24, 2006

 

The City Council of the City of Rainbow City, Alabama, met in regular session at City Hall at 6:30 P.M., and upon roll call by the City Clerk, Barbara T. Wester, the following members answered present:

 

Terry John Calhoun, Mayor

 

Council members:

 

Jeff Overstreet

Bobby McCartney

Lloyd Matthews

Bryan Stone

Kris Cornutt

 

The same constituting a quorum of the City Council, the following business was transacted.

 

1.  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Calhoun.

 

2.  Invocation was given by Kris Cornutt.

 

3.  Mayor Calhoun led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

 

4.  Mayor Calhoun presented the minutes of July 10, 2006 for review and asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions.  There being none, Lloyd Matthews moved and Bobby McCartney seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented.   Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

5.  Mayor Calhoun stated that the bid opening for lights at the Vivian Maddox Sports Complex was opened at 6:00 P. M.   One bid was received from Morgan Electric for $116,000.00.    Mayor Calhoun asked that the records show that a bid opening will be at l0:00 A.M., Tuesday morning to open bids for labor and both bids will be presented at the next council meeting.

 

6.  Mayor Calhoun stated that bids were opened for the street resurfacing project at 11:00 A.M. in the council chambers.  (Montrose, Dunaway, Horseshoe Bend and Gilmer Lane.)

Two (2) bids were received:   McCartney Construction for $l66,465.00 and Good Hope Construction for $l49,487.23.  Lloyd Matthews moved and Kris Cornutt seconded the motion to award the bid to the lowest bidder, Good Hope Construction.   Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

7.  Mayor Calhoun asked the council to give him the authority to sign an updated Franchise Agreement with Comcast Cable for fifteen (l5) years, expiring June 21, 2022.

Bryan Stone moved and Jeff Overstreet seconded the motion for the mayor to sign the contract.   Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

8.  Mayor Calhoun presented Resolution no. 06-05, giving him the authority to sign a contract with the Alabama Department of Transportation to widen and resurface Brown Avenue from Sutton Bridge Road to Highway 411 in Rainbow City.  The city will have to pay 20% and the Department of Transportation will pay 80%.   Lloyd Matthews moved and Bryan Stone seconded the motion to adopt this resolution.   Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

9.  Mayor Calhoun presented estimates for the purchase of a flat bed trailer for the street and sanitation department.  Lloyd Matthews moved and Kris Cornutt seconded the

motion to table the estimates until the next council meeting.   Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

10.  Mayor Calhoun presented an ad request from Westbrook Warriors.   Kris Cornutt moved and Lloyd Matthews seconded the motion to purchase an ad in the amount of $125.00.   Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

11.   Kris Cornutt stated that the summer reading program is about to close.  The party will be Wednesday, July 26, 2006 for the kids who read fifteen (15) books or more.   He stated the Rainbow City Lions Club will serve refreshments.

 

12.  Lloyd Matthews moved and Jeff Overstreet seconded the motion to put the city clerk on salary.   The amount of salary will be determined at the next council meeting.   Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

13.  Jeff Overstreet thanked the mayor and council and citizens for their understanding of his missing two (2) council meetings due to sickness in the family and vacation.  Jeff also stated that he and Chief Potter has been discussing the feasibility of expanding the department by hiring three new firefighters.  When the minimum staffing levels get at seven (7) per shift, this will give us one extra on each shift to cover absences and vacations, etc.  Also, these new officers will “float” to help alleviate some of the overtime that the department has dealt with.  The new officers will come from applications already in hand and has a history of involvement with the city or other municipal fire department. The city will pay a reduced hourly pay for these hires in exchange for them to attend rookie school at the city’s expense.  They will be required to complete the CPAT (comprehensive physical aptitude test) prior to employment.  They will be required to work under a “condition of employment” agreement requiring them to stay in Rainbow City’s employ for two (2) years to offset their expense to rookie school and any additional training the city provides them to get certified.   The pay will be $9.50 per hour to start (plus benefits) and will change to $l0.50 per hour after rookie school has been completed.   Jeff stated that Chief Potter has committed to him that he will pay these salaries by eliminating overtime to cover the cost.  With an overtime expense of $240,000.00 in FY 2004-2005 it’s easy to see this will be a good move for the city.

Jeff moved and Bryan Stone seconded the motion to hire Kris Hawkins, Landon Ball and Nick Hill.  Their starting date will be August 11, 2006.   Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.  Mayor Calhoun stated that the hiring of these three (3) fire fighters will come out of the projected overtime, and overtime will be cut out, or there will have to be a lay off.  He stated the city does not have the financial resources to do this otherwise.  

 

14.  Bobby McCartney moved and Kris Cornutt seconded the motion to purchase a full page ad from the Golden Hawk Association.   Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

15.  Mayor Calhoun stated that Larry Murray is the contact person for Rainbow City and he is working with the Alabama Department of Public Health Center for emergency preparedness concerning the bird flu.  Mayor Calhoun stated Larry was doing a great job, and the council would be updated at every council meeting.   Larry stated that if the flu enters the United States it will take six (6) to eight (8) months to get the vaccine ready.   

 

There being no further business to come before the council at this time, Bryan Stone made a motion to adjourn.

 

Time Adjourned:  6:55 P. M.

 

                                                                        ____________________________________

                                                                            Barbara T. Wester, City Clerk/Treasurer