By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council hosted a special awards presentation during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019.
The SSG Michael W. Hosey American Legion Post 205 presented Sgt. Joseph Dunn with the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award.
Dunn has been with the Trussville Police Department since 2008 and is assigned to the traffic division. He is also a firearms instructor and a motor scout instructor. Dunn served in the United States Airforce from 2002 to 2008. In his community, Dunn is known for volunteering at his local church.
Sgt. Dunn presented Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award by Howard Summerford.
American Legion Post 205’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award presented to Sgt. Joseph Dunn.
During the council meeting, Police Chief Eric Rush also announced the new Chaplaincy program with the Trussville Police Department. The program consists of five volunteers from faith-based organizations. Chief Eric Rush said the program came to be after a conversation with Pastor Derrick Jordan.
“He did almost all the work,” said Rush. “They will be on call 24/7. This is going to be a great program. This will benefit the citizens of Trussville as well as city employees.”
Michael Edwards, II, Derrick Jordan, Ric Camp, Steve McCarty and Police Liaison Lt. Greg Cardwell. (Steven Strange, not pictured.)
The pastors are volunteering their time and will not be paid for responding with police to incidents such as death notifications, homicides, domestic violence, suicides and fires. They will also be available to council city employees with stress management and critical incidents. The chaplains could be called for prayer at city council meetings, awards ceremonies, building dedications and retirement ceremonies.
“I couldn’t be prouder to have these men as a part of this program,” said Rush.
The pastors who will be acting as chaplains are Senior Pastor Derrick Jordan, Ric Camp, Michael Edwards, II, Steve McCarty and Steven Strange.
BUSINESS AND PROPERTY MATTERS
The rezoning of property at 6588 Memory Lane, from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-2 (Single-family Residential), was approved unanimously during the city council meeting. The property was then annexed into the city of Trussville with another unanimous vote.
2059 Gadsden Highway Rezoning Map
The city council also unanimously approved the rezoning of 2059 Gadsden Highway from C-P (Commercial Preferred) to C-2 (General Commercial). The request to rezone came from J&JT Realty and was recommended by Trussville’s Planning and Zoning Board. The 1.4 acres is rezoned with a qualifier prohibiting a gas station at the address.
Other matters approved included the rezoning of 6701 Service Road from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-2 (Single-family Residential) and the annexation of 6621 and 6630 Bedford Circle into the city of Trussville.
The city also approved the purchase of three pickup trucks, one for police and two for public works.
OTHER MATTERS
Mayor Buddy Choat announced four LED lights will be added to the new section of Valley Road. There will also be four lights added on Watterson Parkway.
“Both of those are going to help the lighting and the safety on both of those roads,” said Choat. “Both roads are well-traveled.”
The additional lighting was approved as part of the consent agenda.
The city of Trussville renewed its contract with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.
A resolution was also passed to consider changing the order on Braden Plaza and on the Linden Street parking lot. This resolution allows for the changing of the scope of work for Russo Corporation. The company was originally awarded a bid for the work in Quadrant 1, in downtown Trussville. Since then, additional work has been added, including the installation of the Rotary Club clock that will be in Braden’s Plaza. The resolution will allow for that work and other items to be added to the contact with Russo. A change order will be submitted at a later date, by Russo Corporation.
The city of Trussville also proclaimed Nov. 19, 2019, Retired Teachers’ Day and the month of November Palliative Care Month.
ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA
Accounts payable
Fire Chiefs Executive Development Conf -Hopper. -Tuscaloosa -$185.00 -Feb 3-6.2020
Approve professional services agreement ·with Tillman Consulting for appraisal and acquisition assistance services for downtown loop road.
Authorize Mayor to sign contract for periodic deep cleaning at City Hall with Pritchard Industries Southeast, Inc.
Approve streetlights
Valley Road – 4
Watterson Parkway – 4
Acknowledge retirement of Children’s Librarian Karen Davis on January 1. 2020
Acknowledge resignation (transfer) of Sandi Wilson, Senior Center
Accept resignation Officer Thomas Freeman effective Nov 16, 2019
Hire Wesley Hudgins -part-time Civic Center. effective 11-16-2019. Grade 7. Step 1
Merit increases effective November 23. 2019
Vivian Zimmermann -Library -Grade 12. Step 5
Mary Bryant -Parle & Rec -.Grade 7. Step 4
Timothy Robinson -Police -.Grade 17. Step 9
Diane Payton. Dispatcher -Grade 16. Step 10
Accept resignation of Jane Bailey as Mayor’s representative on Planning Board
Appoint Steve Turner as Mayor’s representative on Planning Board through 10-31-2020
Accept quotation from Powers & Associates for City Hall door replacements with accessibility function (3) $12.083.75 and weather-strip remaining doors $450.00
