By Nathan Prewett
MOODY – At a regular meeting of the Moody City Council on July 12, a resolution was passed to apply for a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to conduct water system improvements for two companies in the city.
Moody City Hall
The council heard monthly reports from department heads, including the police and fire chiefs. Police Chief Thomas Hunt reported that for the month of June there were 1,285 calls, 29 arrests, 120 warning tickets, 200 total citations, 93 reports, 48 misdemeanors, 40 felonies and 16,287 miles were driven.
For the month of June, Fire Chief Larry Horton reported that there were 212 total responses, three fires (two residential and one woods, grass or rubbish), 31 lift assists, 11 vehicle wrecks, 22 false alarms and one mutual aid. The average dispatch to enroute time was one minute, 16 seconds and dispatch to arrival time was 6 minutes and 31 seconds.
Horton also reported that there were 20 annual inspections, 19 re-inspections, and one fire pump inspection in June.
Following this, an invitation was made from Adams-Buggs Funeral Service owner Jared Buggs for a “Back to School Bash” celebration at the service’s location on 1716 Cogswell Ave. in Pell City. The event will be held on July 24 starting at 10 a.m.
Afterward, a public hearing was held for the resolution, which makes a proposal to apply for a community development block grant in regard to Processor’s Choice and JM Exotic Foods, both located at U.S. Highway 78 in Moody.
St. Clair County Economic Development Director Don Smith spoke to the council about the proposal, saying that both needed to improve their fire sprinkler systems. A grant would help extend the fire line for the companies, which are going through an $8 million expansion.
With 38 employees combined, Smith said that the continuing expansion will bring new jobs to the city.
“They have great reputations in the community and they’re going to be able to bring about 14 to 16 new jobs,” Smith said.
Grants from ADECA are capped at $140,000 but the fire systems improvements are estimated to be at $160,000. Smith said that the companies will pay for the additional expenditures.
No one spoke for or against the measure during the public hearing and the resolution was passed unanimously during the regular meeting.
The final action by the council was to sponsor the Moody Miracle League this year. The league is an organization that is dedicated to helping children with special needs to take part in baseball games.
A spring 2021 calendar for Moody Miracle League games has not been published online but those interested in watching or taking part can check for updates on moodymiracleleague.org.
In other business, the council:
- Approved a request from Horton to purchase a Flier thermal imaging camera for $1,500,
- Approved a request from Horton to purchase fire fighting gloves for $1,200,
- Approved a request from Horton to purchase station supplies for $1,500,
- Approved a request from Horton to purchase uniforms for $1,600,
- Approved a request from Horton to purchase medical supplies for $1,000,
- Approved a request from Hunt to repair car #337 alternator for $557.83,
- Approved a request from Hunt to purchase a new workstation for the police clerk for $2,469.37,
- Approved a request from Hunt for a new gun safe that will hold 26 rifles for $599.99,
- Approved a request from Hunt to send Assistant Chief Rusty Freeman to a conference for police chiefs in Orange Beach on July 31-Aug. 5 for $1,400,
- Appointed David Crowe as Flood Plain Administrator,
- Approved Andrea Machen to attend the ICSC Conference (Commercial Retail Growth) in Las Vegas not to exceed $3,000, and
- Approved an alcohol license for Family Dollar located at 1009 Crossroads Plaza, suite A.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave.
