Charley Gaines

Hartselle Enquirer

Hartselle City Council met Tues., July 26 to discuss several city business items of interest and to congratulate several community members for their service to Hartselle as they move into the next phases of their careers.

Frank Miller’s “career phase” as Hartselle Parks and Recreation Director is ending as he moves into retirement. The council called him forward to recognize and congratulate him on the move out of civil service. Council members and other attendees stood to say how much they’ll miss Miller.

“I’m not going to say congratulations to Frank,” said City Clerk Rita Lee at the end of the meeting. Looking straight at Miller, she genuinely echoed the council’s sentiments toward the Parks and Rec veteran by adding, “I’m going to tell him how much I’m going to miss him. Anytime you call Frank and asked him to handle something, he would never say no.” All five of the council members said almost the exact same thing.

City attorney Larry Madison read the following resolution for the council recognizing Frank Miller for his outstanding service as Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Hartselle, Alabama: “WHEREAS, Frank Miller, beginning working for the City of Hartselle in July of 1984, working for a combined total of 32 years, serving as Director of Parks and Recreation; and

WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Hartselle, Alabama, wishes to express its gratitude to Mr. Miller and to recognize his outstanding service to the City of Hartselle, Ala.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hartselle, Alabama, that it extends its sincere expression of gratitude to Mr. Frank Miller for his outstanding service of more than 32 years as the Parks and Recreation Director of the City of Hartselle, Alabama. The Council recognizes that Mr. Miller did and outstanding job as Parks and Recreation Director during his tenure as such, often going above and beyond the call of duty and as part of his compensation for such service, to issue to him the commemorative sign from Miller-Pounders Field upon his retirement.

The Council, speaking for itself, the Mayor, the Parks and Recreation Department, the City and its citizens, commends Mr. Frank Miller for a job well done and wishes him the best of luck in his future undertakings.

DONE this 26th day of July, 2016.”

Miller’s family watched as he humbly made his way to the front of the room and, smiling, accepted the sign from Miller-Pounders Field. Mayor Smelser stopped him on Miller’s way back to his seat and presented him with a silver tray in recognition of his services. Smelser said, “This tray comes with a heart-felt thank you and gratitude for everything that you’ve done for us.” Handing Miller a card he added, “The people that signed this card gave a lot of thought in their signing. We will truly miss you.”

Miller looked around the room and thanked everyone that just stood and applauded him for his years of service to Hartselle.

Before the final presentation and resolution for Miller, the Council handled several other items of business for the city. Hartselle’s current City Council approved resolutions for declarations to elect Councilman Kenny Thompson (Place 1), Dwight Tankersly (Place 2) and Board of Education members Mike Swafford (Place 1), Randy Sparkman (Place 2), James Joy (Place 3), Daxton Maze (Place 4) and Venita Jones (Place 5). These City Council and Board of Education members were elected for their positions because they had no opposition coming into the elections.

Council members also approved Hartselle’s application for a grant from the ALDOT for improvements to Hartselle-Morgan County Regional Airport during the 2016 fiscal year. Department of Development Director Jeff Johnson said the improvements were on wetland design and mitigation (or drainage improvement) for the airport. Hartselle would be responsible for 5 percent ($4,150) of the $83,000 project if ALDOT approves the grant. For the same project, the Council authorized the mayor to sign a contract amendment with Garver Engineers that would change the scope of services and payment on the original agreement.

Hartselle City Council also approved the following:

Budget adjustment to gasoline funds to authorize payment to Reed Contracting Services for resurfacing Nanceford Road – $260,910.95

Budget transfer request – Public Works to sanitation

Budget transfer request – police department

Declare item surplus for police department

Authorize mayor to sign SCSEP Host Agency Agreement with NARCOG

Declare item surplus for administration (computers)

Approve Safety Award Winners for 4th quarter – (Lakeshia Collier – city hall; Phillip Kelso – fire dept.; Greg Reeves – Parks and Rec; Tania Burgess – police dept.; Lance Sandlin – public works)

Accept Council Member Tom Chappell’s resignation.