Renee Sides

The City Council meeting addressed several rezoning motions for various parcels, the approval of travel expenses for the Police Chief, and the adoption of legislation concerning retirement longevity bonuses. The meeting also included authorizations for local church events in public parks, a resolution on the use of opioid settlement funds, and various departmental updates covering public works, fire and police operations, economic development, and planning commission activities.

The Council reviewed an alcoholic beverage license for Food & Fuel and heard a presentation regarding America 250. Key legislative actions included repealing ordinances related to the Park and Rec Board and Council Order of Procedure, regulating open burning within city limits, and adopting a non-judicial fee schedule. The Council also established a Junior Council, accepted ownership of a bridge from Walker County, and approved various project initiatives, including amendments to the RAISE Grant, authorization for bid packages for the wastewater grant project, and the creation of a Downtown Development District. Additionally, the Council approved a proclamation for Child Abuse Awareness Month and authorized several personnel hires and contract adjustments.

The council agenda included a variety of civic and administrative actions. Key items included the adoption of ordinances and resolutions regarding park operations and hours, a proclamation recognizing the city as a Semiquincentennial City, and the declaration of a city-wide community clean-up day and a day of community service. The council also addressed staffing matters, including the permanent hiring of a receptionist and two dispatchers, and approved a proposal for code enforcement services. Additionally, the council reviewed financial reports and considered requests for public events, such as the use of the park by a high school class and the hosting of a circus.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included reviewing financial documents such as the A/P Aging Detail Report and Statement of Financial Position. The council addressed several legislative items: adopting Ordinance 01-2026 to amend the sales tax rate, introducing Ordinance 02-2026 levying ad valorem taxes, and adopting Ordinance 03-1026 concerning parcels for economic development. Furthermore, Resolution 04-1026 was passed to appoint Robin Mitchell as City Clerk and Treasurer. Other personnel actions involved approving Susan Watkins for the Housing Board Member position, authorizing voting delegates for the League, and approving the conversion of Barry Elam and Amber Jones from part-time to full-time status as a Police Officer and Dispatcher, respectively, along with approving general employee raises for 2016. Updates were provided by the Public Works, Fire Department, Police Department, Economic Development, and Planning Commission departments.

The meeting involved discussions and actions on several key items, including authorizing retention of council to file and prosecute a claim against Susan Doan and other responsible parties relating to non-payment of utilities and nuisances at the Cordova Manor Flats, disqualifying K&L Group due to them not providing a bid bond in the bid packet, accepting bids from Tomlin Excavating, JG Willens, and George Fitzpatrick, recommending Tomlin Excavating for the project CDBG Phase 2 SM-CM-PF-23-001, and a reading of Ordinance 09-2025, an Ordinance to keep the City of Cordova's milage rate at 14.5%.