Gardendale City Council Meeting Monday April 20, 2020 7:00 pm

The Gardendale City council met in pre-council work session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday April 20, 2020, at City Hall located at 925 Main Street to discuss general business relating to City operations and to review agenda items for tonight's regularly scheduled council meeting.

Members present were as follows: Alvin Currington Allen Jerkins Adam Berendt Greg Colvert Will Hardman

Absent: none

Also attending: Stan Hogeland

Mayor Hogeland asked City Clerk about installation of city lights and why they are asking if we want regular lighting or LED. Melissa responded she would send Natalie Bailey the information that we only do LED lighting.

Discussion of COVID-19 on city operations as it pertains to revenues and expenses. Had department head meetings last week and today about the possible effects COVID may have on the city, such as freezing capital expenditures. Also mentioned possible reduction of expenditure approvals would have to be approved by the Mayor. Told them could affect hires or part-time positions in the future . The effect on revenues on the city is currently unknown as taxes are remitted in arrears. Councilor Currington said employee wise the only employees we have currently what are we doing with the crossing guards. They are getting paid for work done with the Police Department, cleaning up trash at parks, and city buildings, firing range, etc. They are also retraining for traffic assignments.

We are corning back to 8 hours a day April 27. Departments were told to prepare their offices to be open, but an open date has not yet been determined.

Are we okay financially to hire a vacant position, part time summer employees, or should we have a hiring freeze except for police officers? Councilor Currington stated he is more inclined to fill the full -time vacancy but not fill the part time worker positions. Councilor Hardman thinks we need to table the decision until the first week of May. Mayor Asked Melissa to gather the costs of the part time employees to the city for discussion as well as any revenues that come Ill.

Worst case scenarios (not being asked to implement at this time) Also suspending training, travel, capital, limiting overtime and comp time, hiring freeze, parking city cars, reducing part time hours or furlough part time. Right now, there is not a proposal, but if there is a sentiment to do something mayor needs to know.

Councilor Currington stated he would hope that the trend back to normal would be seen in May or June.

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Councilor Jerkins stated think to hire the full-time position in PW, Councilor Berendt agreed, Councilor Colvert, Councilor Hardman asked what his position was. Mayor Hogeland stated entry level person weed eating and litter pick up. Councilor Currington said if part time positions aren't hired then this is a more important position. Councilor Hardman stated he is okay with paying for it.

Part time positions are capable of applying for unemployment and crossing guards may make more filing than working.

Mayor stated that the crossing guards are working reduced hours (10 from 20) but Monday they are at actual hours worked. Tom has taken a aggressive stance about the crossing guards and has not liked what our decisions have been so far, but that is not different than any department head with their own employees. Mayor will be talking to Mike about what happens with them. Councilor Hardman stated there are things they could do in other departments, it might not be what they want to do but would get in hours, if they don't work, they can't get paid. Chief Walker stated is fear is that the crossing guards don' t come back next year. Mayor stated he doesn't have a means to treat the crossing guards differently that another part time employee. To get paid for 4 hours they will have to work 4 hours.

Mayor mentioned the governor's task force plan that was published last week for the governor's review. Mayor stated he supports it ifit is done smartly.

Mayor said to Councilor Colvert that we have some big trees across Cades Cove. We will have to correct it and there is also some silt issues we are looking at. We are meeting with some people to get pricing for repairs.

Councilor Hardman stated he would like the tennis courts and disc golf open. Mayor sated until he sees something more definitive from the governor, he is not comfortable opening. No more contact than batting cages or baseball fields. Councilor Hardman stated a lot of municipalities have them open, Mayor stated he would like a list of the ones that have tennis courts open. Councilor Hardman stated as long as the governor's order says something about communal property sports then we have to follow her orders. Mayor read an email from Director of governmental affairs that said that tennis is okay, but governor's order states shared equipment sports are not okay

The Gardendale City council met on Monday April 20, 2020, at 7:00 pm for a regularly scheduled council meeting. Councilor Currington presided over the meeting and Melissa Honeycutt acted as recording secretary.

Council President Currington called the meeting to order. Councilor Hardman led the pledge of allegiance.

Councilor Jerkins delivered the invocation.

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Melissa Honeycutt called roll and asked for a voice response from those in attendance.

Members present were as follows: Allen Jerkins Adam Berendt Alvin Currington Greg Colvert Will Hardman

Also attending: Mayor Hogeland

Council president Currington called for a motion to approve the minutes of the April 6, 2020 council minutes. Councilor Jerkins made a motion to approve the minutes which was seconded by Councilor Berendt and was approved by all.

Visitors: none

Announcements: Mayor Hogeland presented a proclamation of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week to Chief Walker to present to his dispatch staff. Chief walker states they do a tremendous job. They dispatch and watch the jails, is a very trying job. Do a good job supporting our first responders and is very appreciative of this.

Council President Currington called for a motion to approve the bill list. Councilor Jerkins made a motion to approve the bills as presented which was seconded by Councilor Colvert and was approved by all.

Council Reports:

District 1, Allen Jerkins no report

District 2, Adam Berendt no report

District 3, Alvin Currington stated the county began paving New Castle Road near Paradise Valley.

District 4, Greg Colvert no report

District 5, Will Hardman said someone came and knocked on his door road bike from Warrior who was deaf, our police department responded and officer Rodney who knew sign language and was able to help communicate with him.

Departmental Reports for this meeting were suspended and not listed on the agenda. Chief Walker states he hopes everyone takes this virus seriously even as the community opens back up. It is affecting our citizens and ask everyone to be very careful.

Old Business: Councilor Jerkins made a motion to allow payment of capital spending for F-150 trucks in the police department as they were ordered earlier in the year and scheduled for delivery this month. The motion was seconded by councilor Hardman and upon a voice vote passed unanimously.

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New Business: none

Council president Currington recognized the following ordinances: None

Council president Currington recognized the following resolutions:

Resolution 2020-039 to Authorize Mayor to enter into a second amendment of the exclusive pouring agreement with Coca-Cola was read by councilor Berendt who made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion was seconded by councilor Jerkins and upon a voice vote the motion passed unanimously.

Resolution 2020-040 to award bid for asbestos mitigation at 2275 Mount Olive Rd and authorize contract of same was read by councilor Hardman who made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion was seconded by councilor Jerkins and upon a voice vote the motion passed unanimously.

Resolution 2020-041 to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with AlaCourt for e-fiJe access to Jefferson County Circuit court system for use in the Municipal Courts was read by councilor Colvert who made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion was seconded by councilor Jerkins and upon a voice vote the motion passed unanimously.

Resolution 2020-042 to surplus fIrearms was read by councilor Hardman who made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion was seconded by councilor Berendt and upon a voice vote the motion passed unanimously.

Council President Currington recognized Mayor Hogeland for Mayor communications as follows: is thankful and proud of departments and how they have dealt with COVID and continue to deal with it. There are many aspects to reopen Alabama, and we support the effort with people taking precautions and being careful. City operations continued during this period as the citizens depend on the employees whether they realize it or not. Also, very proud of our citizens, very few reported problems. People have treated this the right way. Feels greatly for the smaJl business owner who was unable to continue operations, struggle to see how to aJlow bigger stores to continue to operate while shutting down others that same similar products if they practiced the correct safety controls and distancing. The city will continue to follow the governor and state health offIcials, while preparing for operations to come back to normal. We have to prepare for things now, instead of waiting until the last minute when reopening orders are given.

Council president Currington opened the floor for Public Comments & Other Business as follows: No comments

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned.

Submitted:

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Al . n Currington, Council President

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