[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6235288,"mediaKeyId","3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32","parentId",3405983,"title","Council to pursue additional planning-director interview amid concern about candidate pool","audioSeconds",232,"startMs",3180000,"endMs",3412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32&start=3180&end=3412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32/thumbnail_3180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6235288/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/Council-to-pursue-additional-planning-director-interview-amid-concern-about-candidate-pool","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235288-73f785b288a9699dd9f538dcb6d271d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083985&Signature=FRxLqNqpGyrDH0vyczfIpdO1UxEpSnS9z5IOrBHixUUCj5dH5~wtFfGs8xXZK4IKqQHH~a8NLIEOZx3VMNMFDKrW1yynTS-ik9FQnBMobeRWfdheIEozyVxyLbeiNcVd5zeDJPo~8p00xfmBZHou--je-OroO9rdHAZhT98uf0cYKDRm5oQtFsthByfmAv0V21353TsP6Pqv8Hby0Mo3Cm04rTqF-Ql6VnTesNoQw0xe8EiMY-0eOZTujbYFn3kIRrw8I4HLZe8nxkrGKlNpv2cxqSIe9snt0XTIH9~pX-SiIQouhHZvFobIHJxpMUmsXZyR9gq9KNIrAtRkJINjzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Decatur City, AL","date","2025-05-20T15:58:03Z","article","Councilmembers discussed the recent round of interviews for the city’s planning director and agreed to pursue an additional candidate recommended by former local planning leadership while continuing to consider the candidate interviewed last week.

One councilmember said the candidate interviewed last week was “sensational” but urged that the council also interview Mr. Bowman (identified in the meeting as a candidate based in Memphis) because a former planning director had recommended him and the city should “uncover every stone” before making a selection. The council asked staff to attempt to schedule an interview with the additional candidate this week if possible so the process does not delay hiring.

Several councilmembers praised the top candidate from last week for experience and competence and said they were concerned about losing that candidate to other offers if the process is delayed. Council discussion noted uncertainty about the out-of-town candidate’s reasons for leaving his current post (which he attributed to a change in mayoral leadership) but did not treat that as disqualifying. The council asked staff to coordinate schedules and return with availability for any additional interviews.

No formal appointment or final vote occurred at this meeting; the council’s direction was to proceed quickly with any additional interviews while continuing consideration of candidates already interviewed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Agenda Work Session & Council Meeting 05:19:25","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmembers agreed to seek and, if available, interview an additional planning-director candidate this week while moving forward with a strong candidate previously interviewed; members emphasized the importance of due diligence given the role’s impact on development.","taxTitle","Decatur City, Morgan County, Alabama","taxId",5148,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6235293,"City approves Class 2 lounge liquor license for The Reserve; enforcement questions raised in public hearing",196,2538000,2734000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32&start=2538&end=2734","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32/thumbnail_2538000.jpg","/articles/6235293/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/City-approves-Class-2-lounge-liquor-license-for-The-Reserve-enforcement-questions-raised-in-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235293-e4351036e7b888b670b4fe80f6a29313/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083985&Signature=oSQvFRETHd83j0cN~5I8kEmtKnX549-yRelToZl5uyVGzINNM-DD7PtGYuekK~qXyliLyVX8AIxA1fWhtKw0Md-bSQPMH9glqqZoe2Z5kiKG68oqgu0dFrSeSm65TZfa1-8pDw4T2hPOgfLvIRjagQtbZfcY-kC-x8zHMGvxwh1TCjREUE25UIXgkM6VURuzVPSqYwp5NYoseo7rlDx2bcz34~Dr34Q5SM08Ah-gTPzly7Eq4ygy7xjA6BQvA9Ue2AziGJc5fn1ZyNRixa65na~jfMmiEqtAX1r4vFjr5Bx1ScUS7hYwkiA7PVudm6spYaM5R3yCcMuAjcZ~SyWA7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur City Council approved Resolution 25-092 granting a Class 2 lounge liquor license (beer and wine, on premise) for Mahatma, Inc., doing business as The Reserve at 1406 Beltline Road. City staff said the applicant met all criteria and the resolution passed by unanimous roll call vote.

During the public hearing, a resident raised concerns about enforcement of previously approved outdoor-alcohol permissions at Ingalls Harbor and how alleged violations are handled. The resident said an earlier approval authorized outdoor alcohol at a venue and asked whether moving service indoors without authorization would constitute a violation. City staff advised that suspected violations should be reported to the revenue department for investigation.

Council members asked staff to confirm enforcement responsibilities and whether the revenue department or other city offices had followed up on specific complaints. Staff said the revenue department normally handles compliance questions and that the resident could file a report if they believed a violation occurred; staff did not report any confirmed enforcement action in the hearing.

The council closed the public hearing after receiving no additional public testimony and approved the license by unanimous vote.","The council approved a Class 2 lounge liquor license for Mahatma, Inc. (doing business as The Reserve at 1406 Beltline Road) and noted the applicant met criteria; during the public hearing residents questioned enforcement of prior approvals for outdoor alcohol presence at Ingalls Harbor and how violations are reported.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6235298,"Council approves ordinance updating voting-district descriptions to reflect recent annexations",2672,430000,3102000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32&start=430&end=3102","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32/thumbnail_430000.jpg","/articles/6235298/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/Council-approves-ordinance-updating-voting-district-descriptions-to-reflect-recent-annexations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235298-d09ca02c88e82233c16094b9ab328fbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083985&Signature=KTw2RMSmqikQxEdFVOX33x40iBmWTkJXZu2YihGklJatEF6mhZKgid9Z8FbMjsrUz~4jTLA6LmxIzfc9ftah1zuqlEMCKZ7zspCPkkav9PyJbYacKkio8nkFpBRxG9Ex5mWCZkgTOEpbHZdSkT2~OsHSYsnH4dOvJ8a7YFlVB21j7fHmKZjKRf9Ci~1nlmdxDQAuhiQLZXb269CvtmE-GXpVpNe7NYT6Sp1XNCdBHxywbWGmCAXUSTf5rIpMduP0qccMoGVI3eIwPKEdXdGtJfbLizFCfh9FgOuKGMAwXdVPU3wM4Vi07uqIOhQCReuBCTw43c4qqAfzX0vZ0~fRxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur City Council adopted an ordinance on first reading to update voting-district and voting-center descriptions to incorporate recent annexations, with council members saying the adjustments should have little effect on overall district populations.

City staff said the ordinance “incorporates any annexations since the last election” and that the change is necessary to meet publication and timing requirements. The presiding officer noted there is a legal deadline tied to the election calendar and said failure to act would require a special meeting because changes must be completed at least six months before the election.

Council members approved immediate consideration and advanced the ordinance by roll call vote. Staff and one councilmember said the annexations involve few new residents and therefore “minimum impact, if any, to the overall percentages.” A councilmember asked whether a map or population figures could be provided; staff responded that there were very few residents in the annexed parcels.

The ordinance was advanced by unanimous vote for committee consideration and will follow the city’s normal ordinance-adoption timetable.

The council credited City Clerk Stephanie Simon with preparing the updated descriptions and said the action is administrative to ensure the voting descriptions reflect current municipal boundaries.","The council approved immediate consideration and committee passage of an ordinance updating voting districts and voting-center descriptions to include properties annexed since the last election; staff said the change should have minimal impact on district populations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6235303,"Council tables Enterprise Fleet lease after members flag insurance, contract concerns",2778,160000,2938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32&start=160&end=2938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32/thumbnail_160000.jpg","/articles/6235303/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/Council-tables-Enterprise-Fleet-lease-after-members-flag-insurance-contract-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235303-a44b98e30bad18c2437714a2b4b771a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083985&Signature=oAXrSfZy4lI1WEgFncJTpzGhUI-fz0boeC9eQE2zlN-fzGxcGfGbuKHGBDM155xIGSGbYsxuQQ-VJJ-dcxUHnwT0BZaVFtBohvdVDaUxlU6AgBB-58cbUzJ9mF7pY2do0e6JtcpwvdfnZ2iPQN6v-XXAQb-R~URoisJMJTEWQOpag5e5kqtI4Q6fvfVie0UnrNsfd5d0x8ybu0Gjscx2eA8pGPlXC-ETJTi1Wn18X-CO3oNB86tab5u3TdQ9iaW~6BO0diyhJ4OvWk5LUBjBZe9-s3hL4PwuZi5RaUzw9FJpD3PO2ZeMko1t1h~cEU9sDvpz4UtmnPqMfNheLIUBlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur City Council voted to table action on a proposed lease and sale agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management Inc. after councilmembers raised concerns about insurance language and other contract provisions that they said require more review.

Council staff said an addendum was added the morning of the meeting that would allow the city to self-insure liability coverage in the Enterprise agreement in addition to previously included comprehensive/property-damage self-insurance. A staff speaker said, “There's a slight change to the betterment of the city ... there's an addendum which allows the city in this agreement to self insure liability insurance.”

Several councilmembers asked for additional time to review contract language, citing specific concern about sections 4, 6 and 8 of the contract. Councilmember Jackson moved to table the item to the council’s June 2 meeting; the motion was seconded by Councilmember McMasters and the motion to table passed. The item will return to the council for further review on June 2.

Council discussion did not produce a final decision on whether the city will accept the self-insurance addendum; councilmembers asked staff to provide more information about financial exposure, deductible arrangements, and how self-insurance would change the city’s risk profile under the proposed lease. One councilmember said he was uncomfortable approving the contract without a fuller discussion of incurred expenses linked to leasing.

The transcript shows the motion to table was adopted and the resolution authorizing the mayor to approve the agreement was postponed to the June 2 meeting for additional review.","Councilmembers postponed action on an Enterprise Fleet Management lease of city vehicles after staff added an addendum allowing the city to self-insure liability; several councilmembers asked for more time to review contract sections and financial impacts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6235307,"Decatur council limits public comment during work sessions as residents press police oversight",2610,1951000,4561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32&start=1951&end=4561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405983-ac4883b434dc23340dae18e145c5cf32/thumbnail_1951000.jpg","/articles/6235307/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/Decatur-council-limits-public-comment-during-work-sessions-as-residents-press-police-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235307-7f3aa9612630e8e0c36cd4dbc086096f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083985&Signature=QgoPvG4SMC~zlY2tnSN8g4AmIVXnyAKLIdJ~hKw~2O2EzgvS~cKWgadktwNEyokz96AvALCfMgjQeWZAr0QKTs3M1k9UuVWD2XWfGZqcPxpWpcz8neguBTj~XKrsBHn8KCKgZ4moIdmHIU1RzHx7Rc6Qi9riJyrNwJtKxheFI86jvNncs25ZSKC9-G62vU3uEbCvfUxGtpYUPgz67LAk2jvjBGUyMG8nk1d004WBvS0LPZ5ndaULVY4T3O2vVp8bCEpnYOc2FDBEfYuPvuu4Z-0~Y9CVfLcDEj6FIb~pULsTom0m2BZdb0HvO9fkvlEJcXU0Sk3d~9CnRm0x3FG2cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The presiding officer of the Decatur City Council announced that public comments will no longer be allowed during council work sessions and outlined new limits for formal council meetings, drawing strong objections from residents who said the change undermines public accountability and called for police oversight reforms.

Councilmember Jacob, the presiding officer, told the meeting that “there will be no public comment period during work sessions,” saying the sessions are intended for council and staff discussion and that public comment will continue at formal meetings under the existing structure. He cited the Alabama Open Meetings Act while explaining that the law guarantees the public the right to attend meetings but does not require that the public be allowed to speak.

The change’s proponents said it preserves the intended purpose of work sessions; opponents said it will silence residents. “I get anxiety when I come in here now,” resident Lisa Bradley said during the public-comment period, adding that she is grieving and disappointed that city leadership has not reached out to families affected by recent police incidents. Bradley and several other speakers urged the council to create permanent civilian oversight, with one commenter asking, “Police advisory board, where do we stand on that?”

Councilmember Jacob told the chamber the presiding officer implemented the new rule based on practices in other cities and said the council can vote to change the procedural ordinance if members wish. He explained the adjustment is administrative and can be revisited: “If the council wishes to change that matter, they’ll have to vote,” he said.

Several residents framed the change as part of a broader accountability concern after recent high-profile police incidents. One public commenter pressed the council to denounce alleged misconduct and to act on recommendations for a police advisory board. Another asked for clarity about how and when allegations are referred to the city’s revenue or enforcement divisions, noting perceived gaps in enforcement of permit conditions for events serving alcohol.

The council did not adopt a formal ordinance at this meeting to remove public comment from the procedural code; the presiding officer’s direction took effect for work sessions. Councilmembers discussed the possibility of putting any procedural change to a formal vote under the city’s procedural ordinance. Several residents repeatedly urged immediate independent action on police oversight, including establishing a police advisory board with membership and scope to be determined by the council.

The public reaction included repeated calls for elected officials to use their authority to denounce perceived corruption, and several residents said they would press the issue in the coming months. The council’s presiding officer said he would work with other council members and the city attorney to determine next steps if the council wishes to take formal action.","The Decatur City presiding officer announced a new rule ending public comment at council work sessions and set stricter limits for formal meetings; the change drew forceful public reaction focused on police conduct and calls for a civilian oversight board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council to pursue additional planning-director interview amid concern about candidate pool

City approves Class 2 lounge liquor license for The Reserve; enforcement questions raised in public hearing

Council approves ordinance updating voting-district descriptions to reflect recent annexations

Council tables Enterprise Fleet lease after members flag insurance, contract concerns

Decatur council limits public comment during work sessions as residents press police oversight