City of Margaret
March 7, 2023
6:00 P.M.
In attendance: Councilman James Chapman, Councilman Matthew Tortorice, Mayor Pro-Tern Daryl McIntyre, and Mayor Isaac Howard
Absent: Councilman Darius Crump & Councilman Jonathan Ray
Mayor Isaac Howard was sworn in
Discussion:
Councilman James Chapman made the Motion to approve Council Meeting minutes from 2-07-2023. Councilman Matthew Tortorice seconded the motion. The motion passed with 1 abstaining.
Council agreed to table the minutes from 2-21-2023 to allow for additional time for Council reading.
Councilman James Chapman made a Motion to approve an amount up to $3000.00 to allow the interim police chief to purchase two cameras/or the Margaret Police’s evidence closet. Councilman Matthew Tortorice seconded the motion. The motion passed with 1 abstaining.
Councilman Matthew Tortorice made the motion to allow $3000.00 for the RPCGB to redistrict lines for the City of Margaret. Motion failed from a lack of second.
Councilman Matthew Tortorice would like for the City to allow RPCGB to draw up a five-year plan/or the City of Margaret to promote growth.
Councilman Matthew Tortorice would like the following reports to be prepared for every Council Meeting: a statement of cash flow, profit/ loss, balance sheet, and detail check report.
Councilman Matthew Tortorice will get representatives from Auditing firms to attend a future business meeting.
Councilman Matthew Tortorice made a motion for the Council to approve an amount of up to $1000.00 to purchase equipment to live stream council meetings. Motion died from lack of second. The motion will be tabled until the next meeting.
Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre allowed the newly appointed Mayor of Margaret Isaac Howard to conduct the council meeting for new business.
Councilman James Chapman made the motion to approve Resolution 2023-0307 Signatures, which allows Isaac Howard to be a signatory on all accounts and credit cards at Truist Bank. Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre made the motion to approve Resolution 2023-0307 Sewer Plant Accounts, which approves newly appointed Mayor Isaac Howard to be a signatory on sewer plant accounts to be established at Well Fargo Bank. Councilman James Chapman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre made the motion to approve Resolution 2023-0307 Impact Fee Account, which approves newly appointed Mayor Isaac Howard to be a signatory on the City’s impact fee account. Councilman James Chapman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Tortorice brought up the railroad crossing at Old Acton Road and Mr. Barker the building inspector, informed the Council of quotes that he received to repair Old Acton ($238,902.00), Sunrise ($8689.00), Sunny ($1642.00), and Michael ($7417.00) streets. Sunrise, Old Acton, and Michael streets will be on the next agenda.
Councilman Tortorice introduced the Rebuild Alabama Act Grant Program and suggested that the city apply for it annually.
Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre discussed the paving the Bus Turnaround on Michael Street.
Councilman James Chapman made a motion to spend up to $2000.00 to repair Sunny St because the drain was replaced. Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Council tabled speaker Cathy Wise Fine.
Council tabled the discussion on the amendment of sewer reservation fees until the next meeting.
Erskine Funderburg reiterated that when an issue is not resolved to leave it on the agenda until it is finalized.
Council placed the discussion on animal control until the next meeting.
Interim Chief Fields brought up stray dogs and asked if we could write an ordinance for vicious dogs to make sure they are up to date on their shots. Mayor Howard and Councilman Chapman said that we have an existing ordinance about dogs. The city Clerk will look into the dog ordinance for vicious dogs and send to the Council.
Mayor Isaac Howard asked for any more comments:
Freddie Parham inquired about when the roads in the back of Brookhaven will be fixed or finished out to Old Acton. Mayor Isaac Howard will look into it.
The railroad license discussion will be discussed at the next meeting.
A concerned citizen asked how many more homes will be put in at the end of Brookhaven Lane. Then he asked the interim chief of police about the police coverage for the City of Margaret. The Chief said he had one officer per shift. What is the council going to do for the future growth of Margaret economically. He does not want to ever be in another council meeting talking about an old computer and an audit. That is ridiculous. The concerned citizen also suggested that the City of Margaret comes up with a comprehensive plan to address current and future developments for the City of Margaret. In the comprehensive plan we need an approach to operational management because the implication is that the burden always falls on the clerk and who don’t like the clerk. Have a plan that clearly outlines an operation plan and then we alleviate all the unnecessary. At his age he doesn’t want to deal with the unnecessary.
He stated that the Chief of Police said he needed police officers and asked what was the answer to that. Mayor Howard has already had a discussion with the interim chief of police about hiring more officers. The concerned citizen would also like a comprehensive plan approach to an operational plan of management. Interim Chief Fields said he is competing with other departments and he refuses to hire officers who are recycled. He said he would not say that it is safe working with just one officer, and he has discussed the need with the mayor, but he doesn’t just want to hire a body, he wants to hire someone who wants to be here. He spoke with the Judge and they said the productivity was low. Councilman Tortorice asked the concerned citizen for his name, and he refused.
Steve Perry discussed the growth without businesses and brought up implementing a moratorium on building. Mayor Howard asked Mr. Barker to find out how many platts have already been approved.
Brett Gray addressed the Council and asked about whether topics had been passed or not. He also asked about looking into how better to direct economic growth of the City of Margaret. He asked the council why they voted against Councilman Tortorice’s motions. Councilman Chapman said the Mayor needs time to get caught up. The concerned citizen also suggested upping property taxes to help pay for the city’s infrastructure and things that citizens want.
Councilman James Chapman made a Motion to adjourn. Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre seconded the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 6:51 PM.