Scottsboro City Council Work Session

The Scottsboro City Council held thier first meeting of the new year tonight. Before I go into the specifics of the Work Session a word about our Mayor. Please remember our Mayor and his family in your prayers. He is hospitalized in Huntsville with a blood clot apparently due to a fall. Mayor Deason had been undergoing chemo therapy treatment for cancer. This treatment decreases the body's ability to fight off infection, Mayor Deason has developed a serious blood infection and is receiving antibiotic therapy for the infection.

1) Mike Kirkland, Scottsboro Swim Team, made a presentation concerning the needed improvements and thier costs for the swimming pool. Discussion revealed a concrete pad and sidewalk improvement for a pavilion will cost $5250; pavilion construction will cost $3500; Door installation will cost $2000. Landscaping costs of $2000 will be covered by the swim team. Total costs, less the $2000 landscaping, will be $10,750. There was discussion as to how much work can be accomplished by City Departments. 2) Judge Don Word made presentation concerning 3 needs of the City Court. (a) Computer equipment needs; (b) additional employee needs discussed; (c) Move of City Court during renovation, Court to be moved to the old Rec Com building, between the Library and old City Hall. 3) Recreation Department Advisory Board Bylaws discussed. Apparently there are several members of the Board that have not been showing up at the meetings. The bylaws state that failure to show for 3 consecutive meetings warrants removal from the Board. The council will consider a resolution on this issue to make dismissal automatic once the board member is absent for 3 meetings. 4) Reports of illegal hunting on the south part Goosepond Island have been received. Evidently hunters have become stuck in mud requiring thier vehicles to be towed from the area. A request will be submitted to Alabama Fish and Game to monitor the area for poaching of game. 5) Furniture and computer equipment cost for Assistant City Clerk discussed, cost will be $3500.00. 6) Street Superintendent appointment discussion. Council President directed Council Members to conduct individual interviews of applicants. Decision to be made at next weeks council meeting. 7) Report and discussion on vehicles for Planning Department. 8) Discussion on Holiday time off for employees. Evidently some employees received additional time off and others did not. Some Department Heads had requested time for thier personnel as an issue of fairness. It was stated by the City Attorney that the City Council is responsible for establishing Holiday time off. In isolated or rare incidents individual Department Heads or the Mayor may give an employee time off. However, it was stated, this does not mean that all city employees may receive time off due to a specific sections employees given time off or paid overtime. It was disclosed this has been a historical problem that has cost the citizens money due to a false perception of a fairness issue which does not exist as only the City Council may authorize Holiday pay and the time off given was a rare instance not affecting the whole organization. 9) Report on House Numbering Visibility from Chief Dawe. 10) TARCOG Highway Safety Meeting at the Jackson County Commission Chambers on Jan 17, 2008 at 6PM. The public is invited to express concerns during this meeting. 11) Next Regular City Council Meeting will be Jan 14, 2008; next Work Session will be Jan 28, 2008 prior to the Regular Council Meeting.