City Council Minutes for December 28, 2005

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Westover

Dec. 6, 2005

The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Town of Westover, Alabama is held in the Town of Westover, Town Hall in Westover, Alabama at 7:00 p.m. on December 6, 2005, at the regular place for such regular sessions.

Upon roll call, the Mayor declares a Quorum present and the regular session open for transaction of business.

In attendance are:

Councilmembers Ed Bahr, Jeanne Champion Fisch, Larry Riggins, Susan Strickland, Annette Tyler, and Mayor Mark McLaughlin

ABSENT:

None

Invocation:

Councilmember Tyler with Mayor McLaughlin leading the Pledge of Allegiance

COMMUNICATIONS

The Mayor announces the following:

Sheriff&8217;s report will be presented later in tonight&8217;s meeting.

The Westover Park Committee is working with Shelby County on park plans.

Plans will be submitted in the near future and also a sight selection will be made and presented to the council in the near future

Remember the library in town and &8220;Reading with Santa&8221; was last Friday night.

Use the website to obtain information about events.

Use voicemail with option #3 to obtain information about upcoming meetings and announcements.

Interest is high for annexations and there will be several application heard in the near future.

FEMA letter concerning flood plains is being studied by the council and a report will be given in the near future.

The Westover Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 10 a.m. with staging at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Construction on Hwy 280 right-of-way with blue line being sewer lines and steel and yellow lines are the gas lines.

FINANCE REPORT – Clerk Jones- presents the Finance Report from November 2005.

Councilmember Riggins moves to accept finance report as presented, and Councilmember Bahr seconds motion.

No discussion .The vote is taken and Mayor McLaughlin declares motion passing with unanimous vote.

The vote is as follows:

YEAS:

Champion Bahr, Fisch, Riggins, Strickland, Tyler, and McLaughlin

NAYS:

None

ABSENT:

None

Reports of Standing Committees

ANNEXATION AND DEVELOPMENT – Councilmember Riggins-Have petitions to present later in meeting.

PUBLIC SAFETY – Councilmember Strickland-Fire Department had 50 to 60 people at &8220;Breakfast with Santa&8221;

FEMA still waiting to confirm information with other sources.

Have contacted one person and told, If accept this agreement people in floodplain have to have flood insurance.

Presents a recap of the November Sheriff&8217;s Report for activity within the Town of Westover and its police jurisdiction. (copy of report attached).

When mayor asks about COPS program, it is stated that since the Sheriff Department contract is effective, thought the COPS program is abandoned.

EDUCATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS – Councilmember Tyler- Education- No report; Public Relations- Seniors meeting Monday, December 12th at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall.

Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 10th, at 10a.m. with staging at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

SUBDIVISION AND ZONING – Councilmember Champion Fisch-Lot 2 of Carden Crest application just signed and several lots in works at this time. There is construction on 2 lots in Chelsea Square.

PUBLIC WORKS – Councilmember Bahr-Presents to the council the quotes for handrails at front entrance ramp to the Town Hall.

Bahr recommends Weldon Welding for design, manufacturing and installation.

This should take place in approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Of more than 6 companies contacted, only 3 responded.

REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Parks and Recreation:

Councilmember Bahr-Park plans are in works at this time.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS

GUSC, Chair, Mr. Larry Riggins- No report.

PLANNING COMMISSION

Chair Michael Sampsell- In absence of Chairman Sampsell, Councilmember Champion-Fisch states no report for Planning Commission.

HISTORICAL AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD

Historical Commission- Councilmember Tyler-No report

Beautification- Next meeting, Saturday, December 17, at the Town Hall, at this meeting the December Beautification Award will be decided.

TOWN ATTORNEY

Mr. Butch Ellis not present tonight.

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Member Vickie Alexander presents report from November meeting.

Old Business: None

New Business:

Motion to Apply for a grant and or loan for the purpose of water line expansion to accommodate fire hydrants.

Motion by Councilmember Riggins with second presented by Councilmember Tyler.

Discussion- Councilmember Strickland asks how much the project will cost.

Councilmember Riggins states that no costs have been determined at this time.

Engineering estimates have not been done at this time.

Meetings will have to be held to determine costs and what areas are to be affected.

Councilmember Riggins states that an approximate cost is $10,000.00 per mile.

Councilmember Strickland wants fire hydrants but doesn&8217;t want water lines to be installed along 280 to attract new business or incorporation of land into town. Question is called by Councilmember Riggins, and the mayor puts the motion to a vote.

The motion passes with a majority vote and is recorded below.

YEAS:

Bahr, Champion Fisch, Riggins, Strickland, Tyler, and Mayor McLaughlin

NAYS:

Strickland

ABSENT:

None

Motion to accept annexation agreement for Kelley Property along Hwy 280.

Councilmember Tyler moves motion and Councilmember Bahr seconds motion.

Discussion- Clerk Jones reads into the minutes the agreement between the Town of Westover and landowners wishing to annex into the town.

Councilmember Strickland does not agree with the town being liable for debt if they do not develop property or move away, or sell as single resident properties. Also, the only way that agreement will be considered is if the council will pay off the debt before the end of the present council term.

Councilmember Tyler asks if any town money has been spent for any of the sewer project and states that money is needed to be spent for water lines and that are needed in this area.

This area in discussion already has water and these lines need to be improved.

Councilmember Riggins asks to be recognized and stated that the annexation agreement states water lines to be installed at time of property improvement but no sooner than six months after annexation.

Anticipates it will take 3 or 4 months to secure funds for project.

If funding not made and improvements made, then land will be deannexed.

To improve waterlines in the area will take a loan that may take financing of 30 or 40 years.

Point of order called by Councilmember Tyler to bring meeting back to motion on floor and end discussion.

Discussion on motion will now resume at next regular council meeting.

Motion to approve handicap ramp handrail installation.

Motion by Councilmember Tyler and second by Councilmember Bahr.

Discussion- Councilmember Bahr recommends Weldon Welding for contract of work.

Councilmember Riggins requests clarification of pricing.

Councilmember Tyler asks location of company.

Since this is an expense of monies this will lie over to the next meeting for approval.

Possible installation last of January or early February.

Motion to approve a petty cash account for the Westover Public Library in the amount of $100.00 to be spent for miscellaneous items that are needed for library functions.

Motion by councilmember Champion Fisch and a second by Councilmember Tyler.

Discussion- None

This will be taken up at the next meeting due to expenditure of funds.

RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, ORDERS, AND OTHER BUSINESS

ORDINANCE

Mayor McLaughlin presents the following ordinances

for annexation of property into the municipal limits of Westover, Alabama.

Ordinance 2005-12-06-070 is read into the minutes by clerk Jones.