AL/TN Joint Council Meeting Held

by Justin Rudolph

Mayor Eugene Shannon called the joint meeting of the Alabama and Tennessee Councils to order at 7 o’clock in the Ardmore, AL Town Hall.

Present at the meeting were AL Councilmen Ricky Mitchell, Mary Hobbs, Melody Duffey, Billy Shannon, and Moody King as well as Police Chief Doc Oliver, Town Clerk Darla Daly, Street Superintendent Terry Barkley. Ardmore, TN Mayor Bobby Hastings, Aldermen Laurene Schrimsher, Janice Reece, Ken Crosson, Raymond Crabtree and Tim McConnell were also present along with City Recorder Mary Prier, guests and media.

Alderwoman Reece made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 2, 2006 joint meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Duffey and passed unanimously.

First order of business was to review the Personnel Committee Report pertaining with pay raises for: Officer Kennedy, $0.50 pay increase; Officer Posey, $0.50 increase; Michael Turner of the Street Dept., $0.57 increase; Robert Hodge of the Street Dept., $0.90 increase. The joint council unanimously approved all pay raises.

The board also confirmed Donald Tucker as the new Street Dept.’s Bush Hog Operator.

The next order of business on the agenda was to review the state bids for new police vehicles. Anderson Ford of Birmingham placed a bid of $19,067 for two patrol cars, and the best bid from TN was over $22,000. Police Chief Oliver stated that some of the cars on patrol were having severe problems and would be pulled from the road upon the arrival of the two new cars.

Mayor Hastings made a motion to purchase the two patrol cars from Birmingham and allow Chief Oliver to equip the car with the necessary tools and technology of approximated costs of $2500 per car. The motion was seconded by Councilman Shannon and passed with no opposition.

The Ardmore Police Dept. should have the vehicles within six to eight weeks.

The board discussed the possibility of adding a new police officer to maintain two officers on duty at all times. Mayor Hastings also mentioned hiring an officer with experience to a higher position such as Lt., Capt. or Asst. Chief. “We need to see what’s out there, and whom all we have apply,” he said.

Alderman Crabtree made a motion to accept applications for a new officer, seconded by Councilman Shannon and the motion was passed.

In final remarks, Alderwoman Reece had two complaints from citizens. The first complaint was for speeding traffic on Main Street, and the second for the repeated use of firearms inside city limits. Police Chief Oliver said that his officers were taking care of the firearm problems around Austin Whitt Rd. and the Mill Race subdivision where the complaints originated.

Steve Hall presented the board with a tri-fold brochure for the 7th annual Ardmore Quarterback Club Car Show. He asked that each council represented donate $500 to offset production costs of the 15,000 full color pamphlets to be printed with advertisements for the hopeful 500-entry turnout. Last year the car show had over 300 entries and raised $18,000. The event continues to grow with over 600 recipients on the mailing list and this year’s added support of the Ardmore Boys and Girls Club Volunteers who will receive a cash donation to the club for their efforts.

Councilwoman Hobbs made a motion to grant $500 for the costs of production. The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Reece and passed with no opposition.

Councilman Shannon made a motion to adjourn and was unanimously supported.