STATE OF ALABAMA

 

COUNTY OF ETOWAH

 

CITY OF RAINBOW CITY-COUNCIL MEETING-JULY 25, 2011

 

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 Beth Lee, acting City Clerk/Treasurer the following members answered present:  Mayor Terry John Calhoun, Council members:  Anita Bedwell, Bobby McCartney, Lloyd Matthews, Larry Keenum and Kris Cornutt.

The same constituting a quorum of the City Council, the following business was transacted.  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Terry John Calhoun.  Invocation was given by Lloyd Matthews.  Mayor Calhoun led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

 

1.  Mayor addressed the audience by saying that if anyone from the audience disrespected a Council Member for any reason whether it be name calling or out of order, they would be escorted from Council Chambers by a Police Officer.

 

2.  Mayor Calhoun presented the minutes of July 11, 2011 for review and asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions.  There being none, Lloyd Matthews moved and Kris Cornutt seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

3.  Mayor Calhoun explained the CDBG drainage improvement grant for the three (3) trailers parks on Sutton Bridge Road.  This is a federal grant for drainage only and not all residents will see improvements to their driveways or pipes.  It only affects those residents who are directly affected in the engineering specs. 

 

4.  Mayor Calhoun asked for a motion to take Ordinance #475 off the table.  Lloyd Matthews made the motion.  Anita Bedwell seconded the motion.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun asked if anyone would like to make the motion for Ordinance #475.  Discussion followed.  Died for lack of a motion.

 

5.  Mayor Calhoun asked that the minutes show that a new police vehicle was recently purchased from Ronnie Watkins Ford for the same price as previously purchased in February off the state bid price. No bidding was necessary.

 

6.  Mayor Calhoun stated that the bids for the 2011 Street Resurfacing Project were opened on July 15, 2011.  Two (2) bids were received.  Good Hope Contracting, Inc. bid $525,000.00 including alternates.  McCartney Construction Co, Inc. bid $466,020.60 including alternates.  Mayor Calhoun stated this project included all of Druid Park, Rainbow Parkway, and part of Guy Lee Lake Road.  Lloyd Matthews moved to accept the lowest bid from McCartney Construction Co, Inc.  Kris Cornutt seconded the motion.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye. All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

7.  Mayor Calhoun stated that he had been given the resignation of Donna Kilgore, Accounting Clerk, and effective July 29, 2011.  He has moved Joyce Ponder, Accts. Payable/Purchasing Clerk to be the Accounting Clerk and to recommend her hourly pay be increased from $13.00 to $13.50.  He has posted the Accts. Payable/Purchasing Clerk job to close on Friday, July 29, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. with the starting pay of $12.50/hr.  Mayor Calhoun stated that Joyce replace Donna Kilgore on all the checking accounts and signatures.  Anita Bedwell moved on all the Mayor’s requests.  Lloyd Matthews seconded the motion.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

8.  Mayor Calhoun presented the retirement of Ernie Norton, Police Officer to be effective September 1, 2011 pending RSA approval.  They will meet on August 2, 2011.  If RSA approves this retirement and all paperwork is signed, Larry Keenum made the motion to post the position of police officer for 10 days. Lloyd Matthews seconded the motion.  Mayor Calhoun asked for a roll call as follows:

 

Anita Bedwell                                     yes

Bobby McCartney                              yes

Lloyd Matthews                                 yes

Larry Keenum                                     yes

Kris Cornutt                                        yes

 

Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

9. Mayor Calhoun presented an application from the new owner of Fuel Depot located at 3101 Rainbow Drive for retail beer (Off Premises Only) and retail table wine ( Off Premises Only).  Lloyd Matthews made a motion to approve this application.  Kris Cornutt seconded the motion.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

10.  Mayor Calhoun announced that a ribbon cutting for Black Creek Parkway will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.  Public is invited to attend.

 

11.  Mayor Calhoun asked Heath Williamson, Engineer, to explain the FEMA grant application for 2 “safe rooms” that will be used as shelter to the public during severe/threatening weather situations.  One would be located at the Riddles Bend Fire Station where there is an existing safe hallway.  Another would be located adjacent to City Hall.  It is a pre-fab design and ADA approved. The grant would be 75/25 and the city’s share could include land and/or in-kind services.  Lloyd Matthews made the motion for Heath to pursue the grant application.  Kris Cornutt seconded the motion.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

12.  Mayor Calhoun asked Heath Williamson to discuss the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for storm water discharges from regulated small municipal separate storm sewers.  Discussion followed.  Mayor Calhoun announced a public hearing is being held concerning this permit.  Mayor asked if anyone present would like to speak for or against this permit.  No one spoke for or against it.  Heath will provide copies in the atrium for the public to obtain copies.

 

13.  Mayor Calhoun had a request from the Etowah County Farm-City for a donation to help sponsor all Etowah County 1st graders an opportunity to learn how their food and fiber grows through the 3rd annual outdoor classroom.  It will be held in Hokes Bluff October 3rd and 4th.  Lloyd Matthews moved and Kris Cornutt seconded the motion to donate $100.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

14.  Mayor presented Resolution 11-09 which states that the cities and municipalities directly affected by the April 27, 2011 tornadoes, asking that the President of the United States, State of Alabama Congressional leaders, and the Director of FEMA to restore the federal disaster assistance to the 90% level retroactive to July 13, 2011.  Lloyd Matthews moved and Kris Cornutt seconded the motion.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

15.  Mayor Calhoun presented the following requests from Chief Rick Hill for police department training:

 

            Sgt. Tommy Spurling and Officer Deborah Overby (Patrol Response to Robberies and Burglaries) Jefferson State, Birmingham AL $25.00 each

           

            Officer Justin Gilliland (Basic SRO Training) Opelika, AL, August 1-5, 2011.  Holiday Inn $435.05.  Note: Etowah Co. Board of Education will be paying for the training.

 

            Officer James Pickard attending (SRO Training) Tupelo, MS August 22-Sept. 2, 2011.  Note:  Etowah County Board of Education will be paying for class and accommodations.

 

Larry Keenum moved and Lloyd Matthews seconded the motion to approve the training.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

16.  Mayor Calhoun presented a request from the Southside Touchdown Club for a full page ad in the football program for $175.00.  Lloyd Matthews moved and Kris Cornutt seconded the motion to approve the ad.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

17.  Mayor Calhoun introduced Bob Collins from Willie’s Woods.  He requested a contribution to this event to be held August 20, 2011 which will benefit St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis.  Lloyd Matthews made the motion to give them the same contribution as we did last year ($500) and Kris Cornutt seconded the motion.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

18.  Mayor Calhoun presented an application for a special retail-more than 30 days for Willie’s Woods to serve beer and wine at this one day event.  Bob Collins addressed the council that he received ABC approval for this special event license.  Lloyd Matthews moved and Kris Cornutt seconded the motion to approve this application.  Mayor Calhoun asked for a roll call vote as follows:

 

                        Anita Bedwell             yes

                        Bobby McCartney      no

                        Lloyd Matthews         yes

                        Larry Keenum             yes

                        Kris Cornutt                yes

 

Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

19.  Mayor Calhoun recognized Trent Thrasher and Ryan Moore.  Ryan is interested in purchasing a lot in the Lumley Road Industrial Park.  He understands that he will have to keep 5 employees as required in the covenants.  If he goes below 5 the city has the option to buy the land back at the original purchase price regardless of improvements.  Ryan told the council that he would have 5 employees by January 2012.  If he has a mortgage on the land, the payback to the city takes precedents.  Lloyd Matthews made the motion for Ryan to proceed with the purchase of a lot if he is willing to write a statement saying that he will maintain 5 employees all the time.  Bobby McCartney seconded the motion.  Mayor Calhoun asked for a roll call as follows:

 

                        Anita Bedwell             No

                        Bobby McCartney      Yes-providing he signs the letter

                        Lloyd Matthews         Yes                 

                        Larry Keenum             Yes-providing he signs the letter

                        Kris Cornutt                Yes

 

Mayor emphasized the provisions of the industrial park covenants regarding minimum employment and then declared the motion carried. 

 

20.  Mayor stated that the court report was presented. The audit was presented to the council in a work session and no discussion was made.  The Mayor presented the yard sale ordinance to the council.  No action or discussion was made.

 

21.  Lloyd Matthews stated that the Business License/Revenue Clerk, Linda Cleveland, was doing a tremendous job and wanted to recommend a $1.00 an hour raise.  Kris Cornutt seconded the motion.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

22.  Bobby McCartney stated that he had received a comment from a citizen that they were at a tournament in South Alabama and they were very appreciative of the nice facilities that we have here.  He thanked Eddie Cline for the great job he does with the city.

 

There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Kris Cornutt made a motion to adjourn.

 

Time adjourned:  7:05 p.m.

 

                                                                        ____________________________________

                                                                                          Beth Lee, Acting Clerk

 

 

                                                                        ____________________________________

                                                                                      Terry John Calhoun, Mayor