Kathy Chambless

The meeting featured the proclamation of May 2026 as Water Safety Month and Mental Health Month. The council discussed and approved various event permits, including those for community events and school activities. Contracts for grease, oil, and lubricants, pool chemicals, and concessions operations were awarded. Financial matters addressed included the introduction of midyear budget amendments and funding requests for police equipment, fire department imaging equipment, environmental department needs, and engineering for industrial drive repaving. The council also authorized negotiations with the Curry Water Authority, approved sign permit fee waivers, addressed nuisance abatement for grass, weeds, and unsafe structures, and introduced an ordinance to annex a parcel of land. Additionally, an award was presented to an employee of the Walker County Children's Advocacy Center, and updates were provided on the Black Wall Dairy Road project and federal funding for flood mitigation.

The council meeting included a proclamation for Autism Acceptance Month and a discussion of upcoming community events. Two event permits were approved for a resource fair and a 5K fundraiser. The council authorized the procurement of bids for physician services, on-call concrete services, and animal shelter improvements. Budget amendments were adopted to allocate funds for child advocacy center renovations, property acquisition near Memorial Park, Blackwall Dairy Road improvements, and additional access lanes on Highway 78. A permit fee waiver for the final phase of construction at the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center was also granted.

The council approved several event permits, including a community Easter sunrise service, a 5K run, and a home and garden show. Bids for concessions operations, animal adoption, and pound services, as well as an auction, were tabled for further review. The council granted permission to seek bids for grease, oil, and lubricant contracts and adopted a budget amendment for the purchase of court computers and body scanner maintenance. Additionally, the council adopted a resolution for nuisance abatement and an ordinance rezoning a property to allow for a retail farm and market. The meeting concluded with recognition of a city employee's act of service and the presentation of a Silver Risk Management Award to the city.

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of previous regular meeting minutes and the amendment of the agenda to include waving the Jasper Housing Authority's permit fee. The council approved an event permit for the second annual Hometown Heroes 5K and one-mile fun run benefiting the youth leadership program of Walker County. Contracts for sports officials (basketball, baseball, softball awarded to Walker County Sports Officials; volleyball awarded to Smith Lake Volleyball Association) and the tree removal service contract (awarded to Newman Tree Service) were approved. Permission was granted to solicit bids for exclusive nonalcoholic beverages for the parks and recreation department, and ground maintenance services for North Jasper Park and two cemeteries. The council also approved the renewal of the fuel contract with Petroleum Traders for one year. Budget amendment 20252026-08 was introduced for funding body scanner maintenance and the purchase of nine computers for the court system. Approval was granted for the installation of a streetlight across from North Jasper Park at 3602 Coral Boulevard. An ordinance to rezone a 1.6-acre parcel at 1509 9th Avenue from R1 to B2 was introduced for introduction only. The waiver of the Jasper Housing Authority's permit fee for a new roof was approved. The Mayor provided updates on a successful 'Discover Jasper' event, the submission of an appropriations request for strategic infrastructure expansion, and the awarding of a bid to Alabama Power for improved lighting at Valley Park. Recognition was given for a new literacy initiative at the Walker County Jail and an update on the homeless response framework, which is ahead of schedule regarding steering committee formation, HMIS enrollment, and data collection. Council member comments included discussions on youth activities, requests for pet areas, and updates on apartment playground development and the planned new animal shelter.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance. Key agenda items included the approval of minutes from the February 3rd regular meeting and the approval of the current meeting's agenda. The Council approved an event permit for the annual Briars Bluegrass and Barbecue event scheduled for April 4th, which required street blockage for setup and operation. The Council also received a report and awarded the dual wall polyethylene contract to J&G Culver's as the lowest responsible bidder. Resolutions were adopted to dispose of surplus personal property, including used vehicles, equipment, and furniture, by auction in March. Furthermore, Budget Amendment 2025/2026-07 was unanimously approved to fund a citywide IT assessment, purchase electric bicycles for the police department, and allocate discretionary funds for the welcome center. Two resolutions were adopted authorizing Mayor Gates to enter into agreements: one for a systems and network security vulnerability assessment, and another to contract with Advan Research for local data and analytics to aid in developer relations and retail recruitment. Finally, Council Member Smith was authorized as the voting delegate, with Mayor Gates as the alternative, for the Alabama League of Municipalities convention. The Council also adopted an ordinance levying ad valorem taxes without increasing current rates, conducted a public hearing to rezone a parcel to a B4 I22 business corridor zoning district, and received updates from the Mayor regarding the passing of a maintenance worker.