Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

Falkville Town Council agreed to foot the entire cost of constructing a drainage culvert and making other improvements to a portion of the Buster Road improvement project in return for ALDOT’s participation in a timely manner.

Project engineer Rob Vermillion of Volkert Inc. met with Mayor Bob Ramey and council members to discuss its options with respect to the project’s funding at a work session on Jan. 26.

“ALDOT has agreed to provide 100 percent funding of the project,” said Project Engineer Rob Vermillion of Volkert Inc.  “However, there are two issues that could cause delays: The creek crossing (culvert) and right-of-way acquisition. ALDOT suggests that if the city takes care of this part of the project, it would enable the state to complete its part of the work sooner.

“I think we need to take the culvert part and let the state move forward on the remainder of the project,” said  Councilman David Carroll.

If the city is able to secure a 50-50 matching grant, its share of the cost would be about $195,000 plus rights-of-way.

“We were always prepared to spend that amount of money on the project,” said Councilman Alton Hill.

Mayor Ramey reported receiving two bids for the replacement of the town hall roof. Josh Brown, representing Valley Roofing, submitted a bid of $20,875. The other bid, $40,625, was received from Weather Guard Metal Roofing of Birmingham.

“Falkville Library Board asked the council to consider a resolution declaring as surplus property a copier, printer and other items.

Morgan County District 3 Commissioner Don Stisher was given the go-ahead to construct a half-court basketball court at Jack McCaig Park as space permits and pursue state approval of a concrete island at the intersection of Railroad Street and State Highway 55.

The council discussed the renewal of a contract to mow Falkville Cemetery in 2016. A consensus was reached to charge $500 per month, the same rate charged in 2015.

Another item to be considered at the next regular council meeting is the acceptance of a bid to replace a culvert on Culver Road.  The low bid was $319,000. or $20,000 more than a bid, which was received from the same business several months ago. The bid will be subject to approval by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the grantor.

Town Clerk Dawn Estes reminded the council that the next regular meeting (Feb. 2) will be the last opportunity it will have to set the salaries of the Mayor and council members for the next four years (2016-2020).

An adjustment in the amount of 2% of the town’s budget was suggested.  If used, it would place the mayor’s salary at $800 per month and a councilman’s salary at $400 per month. Current salaries are $500 per month for the mayor and $250 per month for council members.

The temporary absence of Larry Madison due to a heart ailment prompted the council to consider the naming of a back-up municipal court prosecutor and town attorney to serve in Madison’s absence.

Consideration of an amended and updated personnel ordinance was discussed at length. Police Chief Chris Free objected to the ordinance’s exclusion of anyone other than town employees from riding in or driving a town-owned  vehicle.

He said from time to time he will allow a temporary police officer to use a patrol car to transport a prisoner to Morgan County Jail and questioned why such an exception was not permitted.

The question of insurance liability came up and Town Clerk Estes said she would seek answers from the town’s auto insurance provider.

“I think it depends on whether personal gain is involved,” said Councilman Ken Winkles,

“It has to be the same for everyone,” added Councilman Hill.