Janice K. Koch

The agenda for the meeting includes standard procedural items, the approval of the minutes from the January 20, 2026 Council Meeting, and various reports from the City Administrator, City Attorney, and Standing Committees. Key discussions involve the Finance Committee to address the appointment of a delegate alderman for monthly bill approval and an alternative alderman. A proposed ordinance (Bill No. 4100) is scheduled for consideration, which pertains to approving a contract with J. Oros Environmental, Incorporated for the removal and disposal of biosolid materials at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, budgeted at $100,000 and extending until December 31, 2028. The agenda concludes with a planned closed session to discuss Real Estate, Litigation, Personnel, and Contractual Negotiations.

The agenda for the meeting included standard procedural items such as roll call and approval of the agenda. Key discussion and action items included a request for a Liquor License Application for The Vault & Co. LLC for package liquor sales. Under the Discussion section, the monthly bills totaling $974,375.72 were presented for review and approval, detailing numerous payments including outside bonds, utilities, payroll, and insurance costs. Ordinances scheduled for consideration included Bill No. 4098, vacating a utility easement on property owned by Norma Lamb following a favorable recommendation from Planning & Zoning, and Bill No. 4099, which proposes submitting a proposition to voters to change the City Collector position from an elected to an appointed office. The meeting also scheduled time for a Closed Session to discuss Real Estate, Litigation, Personnel, and Contractual Negotiations.

The council meeting involved several key actions and discussions. The agenda was approved, and minutes from the December 16, 2025 council and closed meetings were approved. Key discussions included upcoming Planning & Zoning items: a public hearing request for the vacation of a utility easement and a conditional use permit request for an ambulance service. Under City Administrator items, approval was granted for the purchase of a 2026 Ford F-150 truck for Water & Sewer, and authorization was given to the City Engineer to apply for an AWOS upgrade at the airport. The council also approved the State Block Grant Agreement for the Airport Lighting Project rehabilitation, which involves a 95/5% cost-share. The Finance Committee appointed an alderman to review January 2026 bills. Finally, the City Clerk reported on the municipal election filings, noting no candidates for City Collector, leading to a motion to place a ballot question to change the position from elected to appointed.

The council reviewed a rezoning request from Price Rentals LLC but did not recommend changing the zoning. They approved the purchase of a Tymco 435 Regenerative Air Sweeper. They also approved a contract agreement with Reinhold Electric, Incorporated for rehabilitation of airport lighting. The council discussed two matters concerning personnel and one matter concerning litigation in a closed session. They hired Alaina Pritchett for the vacant position of dispatcher in the Police Department and approved a pay scale increase for Darion Owens.

The meeting included discussions and actions on several topics. A public hearing was scheduled for a rezoning request. Updates were provided on the Streets & Parks Building project and the configuration of computer workstations and a hypervisor server at City Hall. The payment of monthly bills was approved. An ordinance was introduced and approved for a Parks ADA Transition Plan. A city employee was commended for their utility payment process. Information was shared regarding the upcoming municipal election, including candidate filing dates and requirements. A closed session was held to discuss personnel and real estate matters, resulting in the hiring of a new police dispatcher.