By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council passed an amendment to the noise ordinance, exempting the pavilion and stage area in downtown. The amendment was approved in a 3 – 2 vote, with Councilor Jaime Anderson and Councilor Perry Cook voting no.
Mayor Buddy Choat said the amendment allows for performances to take place in the area without having to comply with the city’s ordinance. A security contract does have restrictions for performances and events, including sound levels and times. That contract is between Ferus Artisan Ales, who books acts, and the act itself.
Choat said the city has put too much into the future Entertainment District to not allow the stage to be used for what it was made for.
“I just think it’s the right thing to do,” said Choat. “We have invested a lot of money in our stage and sound equipment.”
“…with the creation and use of the Pavilion, it has become necessary to clarify and provide for certain restrictions related to the use of the area as a concert and entertainment area that that [sic] makes the enforcement of the existing ordinance referenced herein impractical,” the amendment states.
In November, residents spoke at a city council meeting about loud noise coming from the stage area. One citizen called it an “intrusion on the quality of our Trussville neighborhood.” City officials addressed the issue by speaking with Ferus Artisan Ales, who books events at the stage. The city also tuned and adjusted the speakers from the stage to find a balance that would allow an enjoyable experience for people in the area while not allowing the sound to travel as far.
During the council workshop, Councilor Jaime Anderson said she did not feel comfortable approving the amendment as it was written.
“I just think we should look into finding a happy medium,” Anderson said.
“I think it’s unrealistic if our expectation is that every time a citizen calls our police department, they’re going to run down there to tell them to turn the music down,” said Council President Alan Taylor.
Exemptions to the noise ordinance already include athletic contests, parades, and municipally sponsored public celebrations.
PUBLIC HEARING
During the public hearing part of the council meeting, several residents from Deerfoot Crossings spoke against a new firing range being put in the building where Sheepdog Firearms formerly operated. When neighbors heard about the closing of Sheepdog, they decided to come together to address the council, asking the council to review the city’s sound ordinance.
Also during the public hearing, resident Donna Ware spoke and asked city leaders to help restore the health of the lakes in the Windsong subdivision. Ware said residents began filing complaints in November after work being done by Signature Homes and contractors in the Stockton subdivision caused runoff issues.
“Every time it rains, the dirt from that excavation is going down to the lake,” said Ware.
The residents have also spoken to ADEM and filed complaints.
“We have tried very hard to go through the chain of command,” said Ware.
Ware said ADEM did an inspection in February and noted non-compliance. Residents in Windsong asked the city to require Stockton Partners to issue weekly updates on how they were going to address the problems.
“We tried to work with the city and with ADEM,” said Ware. “ADEM I feel is our friend right now because they are pursuing this.”
Mayor Choat said he was advised by ADEM to allow the agency handle the issue.
“I agree,” said Choat. “ADEM is their friend but also our friend. We are working closely with them. It may not appear that way, but we are. We were advised by ADEM to let them handle the situation and for us to continue to do our normal city duties, as far as inspections go.”
Choat said he expects to see the contractors fined and given a consent order.
“If I lived there I would be just as upset.,” Choat added. “We are limited on what we can do. The process is we reported it to Stormwater Management with the Jefferson County Health Department. They came out and they reported it to ADEM, both of us reported it.”
One of the problems includes a breach in a detention pond. When there is a heavy rain, silt fills the lakes in Windsong and some residents said wildlife has already been killed.
Another Windsong resident, David Livingston, suggested the city pull permits for the work until the problems are fixed.
J.R. Malchus, with the city’s Inspection Department, said Signature Homes has accepted responsibility and has already submitted remediation plans to ADEM and is awaiting approval from ADEM.
PROCLAMATIONS
In other business, the council approved a proclamation declaring March 29 National Vietnam Veterans Day. Councilor Anderson, an Air Force veteran and current Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves, became emotional during the reading of the proclamation.
“Whereas, the City of Trussville recognizes that our freedom is not free,” read Anderson, with tear-filled eyes. “And that many members of our military have proudly served our Nation, some returning to dedicate themselves to their families and community, some bearing the scars of battle. and some having paid the ultimate price of the lives that we might live in a land of liberty.”
The council also passed a proclamation declaring July 4, 2021, Trussville Freedom Celebration Day. An event will be held on the Mall from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. There will be a fireworks show at 9 p.m. The event is sponsored by First Baptist Church Trussville.
Taylor abstained from the vote because he works for First Baptist Church Trussville.
OTHER BUSINESS
Finally, the council approved an off-premises beer and wine license for La Farre. The business, at 418 Main Street, will sell luxury items including bedding, rugs, wine, candles, and gift baskets. The owner hopes to eventually host wine tastings and sell wine for consumption on-premise but for now, the location will only offer off-premise.
Other items approved by the council include:
- Accounts payable
- Resolution Authorizing Mayor to Sign a Debris Removal & Monitoring Memorandum of Understanding with Jefferson County
- Ordinance to Amend A Certain Business License Fee
- Reclassify Lauren Stanton to newly created Gymnastics Director position (Grade 23 – Step 7), effective Mar 27, 2021
- Hire Brandon Brown as Police Officer (Grade 17 – Step 9; transfer from Fultondale), effective Mar 27, 2021
- Add 10% Education Premium for Police Officer Chase Ramsey, effective Mar 27, 2021
- Appoint Alan Friday to Industrial Development Board; term ending July 14, 2025
- Appoint Jimmy Mazrano to Parks & Recreation Board, replacing Colin Sears; term ending Feb 28, 2025
- Accept the transfer of Accounting Assistant II Rheanna Poe (Admin) to Vestavia Hills, effective Apr 2, 2021
- O.D.A. Loop-based Officer Survival course for TPD Officer Jeremy Dunn, June 28-29 in Homewood. $300 registration fee. No lodging necessary
- Street Crimes Training for TPD Officers Anthony Martin Jr. & Daniel Swope, April 19-21 in Cullman. $399 registration each. No lodging necessary.
- Leasing contract extension between Quadient postage metering services (formerly NeoPost) and Parks & Recreation. $49.99 per month for 36 months. No bidding necessary since the City is based on a state contract
- Leasing contract extension between Quadient postage metering services (formerly NeoPost) and City Hall administration. $519.75 per month for 36 months. No bidding necessary since the City is based on a state contract
- Proposed Bama Fire Protection fire extinguisher services contract extension. $2267.75 annually
- Civil Engineering Continuing Education Certification Maintenance at the Association of County Engineers Annual Conference for Public Works Director Wayne Sullivan, May 11-12 in Orange Beach. $210 registration fee + $169 a night
- Pesticide class March 19th at Jeff State for Parks & Rec skilled laborer Mark Faulkner. $70 registration
- Alabama Municipal Revenue Officers Certification Training April 7-9 at Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa for Cathy Jensen, replacing Rheanna Poe. $235 registration fee + $356.14 hotel stay
- Agreement with Alabama Power to install two new poles and wire for three new flood lights at 425 Cherokee Drive. $148.23 a month
- Agreement with Alabama Power to install new pole and wire to serve a lot near the soccer field at 300 Pump House Road. $44.03 a month
- Public Safety Diving Certification for TPD Detective Anthony Martin, May 17 – June 11 in Birmingham. $625 registration fee
- Accept proposed estimates from Garner & Associates for two Parks & Recreation roofing projects (Red Gym Roof Repair @$14,939; Replacement Racquet Club Office Roof @$33,400) No bidding required per Public Works Bid Law 39-1-1(e) since it’s below the $50,000 minimum
- Accept Change Order #1 from Garner & Associates for $7625.18 in additional costs to Fire Administration Building replacement roof project. Original contract for $397,800 approved per Resolution 2020-72 in Oct 2020.