By Crystal McGough, For The Tribune
IRONDALE – Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. and Council President David Spivey addressed citizens at the Irondale City Council meeting Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, regarding comments that were been made concerning an ordinance that allowed the Irondale Police Department to assist the Birmingham Police Department during the World Games.
At a council meeting on July 5, Councilwoman Cindy Cuellar requested that the council strike portions of the agreement that said the city of Irondale would not discriminate against hiring officers based on gender identity while under the timeframe of the agreement.
“That’s a Birmingham policy, not an Irondale policy,” Cuellar said on July 5. “We’re not required to do that.”
The ordinance failed to pass approval of the council that night but was approved the next day at a special-called city council meeting.
Since that time, residents of Irondale have reached out to the city through emails and public comments at council meetings to express their feelings on the matter. While some citizens have asked for a public apology from Cuellar, others have defended her right to stand by her beliefs.
During the mayor’s report on Aug. 2, Mayor Stewart said, “We (the city of Irondale) comply with state and federal law, including following the rules and regulations of the personnel board of Jefferson County. Know this, as mayor, I’m working to ensure we have a healthy work environment, free of discrimination on all levels and if any complaint comes to me, we investigate and we make sure the right thing is done.”
Council President David Spivey also addressed the citizens’ concerns during his comment time.
“Each individual on the council has been elected to serve and each council members’ opinions are their own,” Spivey said. “We do not condone any discriminatory remarks that demean or demoralize any individual, period. The city of Irondale is committed to following state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace and consistently strives to maintain a healthy work environment. The policies of the city reflect this and are in line with the Jefferson County personnel rules and regulations, as well as state and federal laws. We want you all to know that the city has been providing a non-discriminatory work environment and will continue to provide that same environment in the future to come.”
Councilwoman Cindy Cuellar, Councilman Robert Box and Councilman John London did not speak on the matter. Councilman Aaron Sims was not in attendance.
During council deliberation, the council discussed a resolution to authorize the city to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Marshals Service on behalf of the City of Irondale and the Irondale Police Department.
“What this will enable us to do is we can have a TFO (Task Force Officer),” Irondale Police Lieutenant Paul Kellogg said. “That officer, which is a detective, will be assigned to the United States Marshals Task Force. This enables them to have a liaison with our agency and it enables us to expand our investigative capabilities, particularly in the areas of fugitive apprehension.”
Resolution 2022-R-135, authorizing the MOU with the United States Marshal Service, passed unanimously.
The council approved Resolutions 2022-R-142, 143 and 144, authorizing the city to enter into contracts with Alabama Power for surveillance camera installations at Irondale Public Works, Cahaba Trail and Beacon Park, and Ruffner Park.
Additionally, the council approved four resolutions declaring the following items surplus and authorizing their disposal through donation, trade-in, or sale: 49 sections of 5” fire hose, a 2011 John Deer 85D excavator, a 2016 Pierce 100’ Ladder Truck and multiple Tasers previously utilized by the Irondale Police Department.
Under the consent agenda, the council also approved:
- 2022-R-128, authorizing the city to accept a grant from ADEM in the amount of $311,777 for the purchase of a curbside collective vehicle and 64 curbside carts
- 2022-R-130, authorizing the city to enter into agreements with Chambless Math Carr, P.C. for the performance of ambulance billing services
- 2022-R-131, revising Statement of Work – 07 between the city of Irondale and Ingenuity, Inc., the provider for vehicle and boat registration software and services, to extend the terms of the agreement with the city
- 2022-R-132, authorizing the mayor to execute a resolution for an agreement with ALDOT regarding micro-milling, OGFC Safety Treatment and Traffic Stripe of I-459 from Grants Mill Road to 0.27 miles south of SR-7(US-11)
- 2022-R-134, modifying Res. 2022-R-120 and 2022-R-121 to include specific employee position information as requested by the Jefferson County Personnel Board related to the compensation increases for firefighters and public safety employees
- 2022-R-136, authorizing the city to join as participants in certain opioid litigation settlements
- 2022-R-137, authorizing the donation of $14,480 to the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School for use for educational purposes
- 2022-R-138, authorizing the execution of a service agreement with The Exchange Club of Irondale, Inc. in the amount of $6,000 for flag replacement and maintenance services on Crestwood Blvd.
- 2022-R-139, authorizing the lease of two buildings located at 3521 Ratliff Road to Zamora Shriners of Central Alabama
- 2022-R-145, authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham for a trail study at Shades Creek in an amount not to exceed $11,995.40
Under new business, the council approved:
- 2022-R-141, authorizing the execution of an equipment proposal with Emergency Equipment Professionals and a 15-year lease/capitalized purchase agreement with Republic First National in the amount of $1,654,000 for a 2022 Pierce Aerial Truck for use by the Irondale Fire Department
- 2022-R-146, authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with Warrior Tractor & Equipment Company, Inc. for the purchase of two John Deer excavators and other ancillary items in an amount not to exceed $373,619.96
- 2022-R-148, authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to add new licenses and equipment to the city’s current plan with Axon that will provide seven new body cameras for use by the police officers in an amount not to exceed $16,716 per year
The next meeting of the Irondale City Council will be Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, beginning at 6 p.m.
