By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council met in a rescheduled meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. The meeting was originally set for Tuesday, Aug. 25, but the date had to be changed because of municipal elections. The council and the public followed social distancing guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic.
During the workshop, the council discussed a request for Trussville Memorial Cemetery and a joint agreement between the city and Trussville City Schools concerning facility usage.
MEMORIAL CEMETERY
Mayor Buddy Choat said the managers of the cemetery across from City Hall are asking the city to take over the care and upkeep of the cemetery. The city attorney will review an agreement for the Trussville Memorial Cemetery Association to donate the cemetery to the city. The council approved the mayor to continue negotiations as part of the consent agenda during the meeting.
FACILITIES USAGE AGREEMENT
Mayor Buddy Choat announced he is working on an agreement concerning the use of school facilities. The agreement was drafted after controversy erupted over the use of the football stadium and it is still a work in progress. The lacrosse teams in Trussville asked to use the stadium but were not given permission by the school system. After concerned parents and players approached the city council about the issue, the city realized there was no written protocol for the use of the city-owned facility and other facilities. Now, instead of a handshake agreement, Mayor Buddy Choat said having the protocol in writing will help clear up any future concerns over the use of the stadium and other school facilities, as well as the school’s use of city facilities.
The drafted agreement states that the city and the school system agree to cooperate in coordinating programs and activities in or on school facilities. It gives TCS first priority in scheduling events.
The draft includes details about supervision, security and inspections. The city would be responsible for supervising activities at school facilities and would enforce TCS rules, regulations and policies during any programs at the school facilities during city-related or third-party events. The city would also agree to “exercise due care in the use of the Facilities” by maintaining and being responsible for custodial services.
The city would also be obligated to ensure any third-parties would comply with all rules, regulations and policies concerning school facilities. Any third-party use would have to fall under youth activities and programs, city adult programs or activities or other adult programs for activities.
Any approved third-party would also have to provide proof of insurance for use of any facility.
Choat said some things need to be added to the agreement concerning what the school system will need to do in order to use city facilities but he wanted the council to be aware that an agreement is being discussed between himself and TCS Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill.
“Tonight was just kind of an information thing and I have noticed some things that aren’t in there that need to be in there,” Choat said.
Choat asked council members to review the draft and offer feedback before the next meeting.
The drafted agreement will undergo further review and revisions by city attorneys and will be brought before the council at a later date. After the council approves the agreement as a resolution, it will be sent to the Trussville City Schools Board of Education for review.
“It basically gives the city and the school to continue doing what they’re doing now, which is sharing facilities,” Choat added.
ANNEXATIONS
The council unanimously passed an ordinance annexing the property at 8421 Will Keith Road into the city. The ordinance came to the council recommended by the Planning and Zoning Committee. Another property annexed was the property at 7290 Poston Road. It was also recommended by the Planning and Zoning Committee. The council approved the annexation unanimously.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
Two resolutions were also passed concerning right-of-way purchases. One was for 10 tracks along Gadsden Highway, for the Highway 11 widening project and the other was for the downtown loop road project. The resolutions approve purchases of several properties for the projects, as well as temporary construction easements. Councilman Alan Taylor was the only council member to abstain from the vote on the downtown loop road project acquisition because he works for Trussville First Baptist Church, which has been a part of the acquisition process.
During reports, Choat said the first event for the new entertainment district will be on Saturday, Sept. 26, in conjunction with City Fest. Three on a String will provide entertainment on the new stage.
Before adjourning, Choat wished all council candidates the “best of luck” next Tuesday, Aug. 25, on municipal elections and thanked those who have served over the past four years.
CONSENT AGENDA
Several items were approved as part of the consent agenda:
Accounts payable
AMROA 52nd Annual Conf – Shipp, Sept. 2-4 – Hoover – $265.00
AMROA Certification – Poe, Hamilton, & Mathis – Oct. 7-9 – Tuscaloosa – Pre-paid for cancelled class in April, plus lodging
ADEM Permit renewal MS4 – $7,060.00
Approve Team Viewer – Remote access software – $20,375.00
Detective & New Criminal Investigator – Deloach & TBD (New) – Calera Oct. 12 – 16 – $525.00 each
FTO Instructor – Hicks – Irondale – Sept. 23 – 25 – $150.00
Trussville Memorial Cemetery Request (Councilman Alan Taylor abstained from vote because he has purchased plots in the cemetery)
