[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6208388,"mediaKeyId","3747906-6dcbac914c97898ece649f2c48a62839","parentId",3747906,"title","Council hears first reading of ordinance making bypassing security checkpoints an offense; members question who can be exempt","audioSeconds",188,"startMs",2684000,"endMs",2872000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3747906-6dcbac914c97898ece649f2c48a62839&start=2684&end=2872","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3747906-6dcbac914c97898ece649f2c48a62839/thumbnail_2684000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6208388/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/Council-hears-first-reading-of-ordinance-making-bypassing-security-checkpoints-an-offense-members-question-who-can-be-exempt","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208388-26ec8d921cfbbd62e0bd2611d0738efd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178851&Signature=P41yS9iRa9KQgwx1fSrQ99lFkk~F255cwookhVR0gLAzhCj8le1wW5dl~zM3PWb9lqJMuSmxexYtBMsQ26OmyFAIYtXR5F6R5q6ibE7Il5KRpygge6Kq~hLvtTEnH15xj7F1Nj-YHSDcndkm0NVzI8shokXMifIcVVfjuJJHUpsXk-Gvv4lZmpsSfp0nSQIsSCVeXQyBgh959c8HqkA6n6IQzhSqBD2WdPm0SejSkeareC-A03lqkQWSKxIxKkRkcYAkC~1rSYPOrGuD570LNU-VkLOyd3RehisFn8o0meEPn1kniFwxNj0wyd0rAuaGhav1Q~VG9YtOZ8FEE9PSNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Decatur City, AL","date","2025-06-10T23:39:02.753Z","article","The Decatur City Council conducted a first reading of an ordinance that would make bypassing designated security checkpoints a standalone offense and discussed how authority and enforcement would work.

A staff presenter explained the ordinance’s purpose: after conversations with police and other cities, a standalone code section was drafted to make evading a security screening a discrete violation that is easier to enforce and to prosecute than relying on trespass law alone. The draft specifies three ways to violate the section: ignoring or disobeying a security person’s instruction, avoiding the checkpoint altogether, or assisting someone to bypass screening. The penalty range was described as the catch‑all for section 16: up to a $500 fine and up to 180 days in jail, with actual sanction left to judicial discretion.

Council members pressed staff on who would be considered “authorized” to bypass a checkpoint. A council member asked explicitly whether elected officials or employees could be exempt and how authorization would be assigned. Staff responded that the authorization would rest with the controller of the secured area — for example, a stadium’s governing body, a private business owner or the manager of a city facility — and that day‑to‑day operational decisions about access are typically made by the facility manager or mayoral operations, not by an ordinance. The presenter said on private property the owner determines authorization, and on city facilities the manager or appropriate designee would set access policies.

Members raised concerns about consistency and fairness if some people (employees, officials) routinely bypass checkpoints while others could be prosecuted for doing the same. Staff said those questions were operational and would be handled by policy decisions at the facility level rather than by trying to enumerate every authorized class in ordinance text.

The item was presented as a reading; the council did not adopt the ordinance during the session. Staff indicated further policy work and implementation planning would be needed to clarify how authorizations are granted and communicated to the public and to enforcement officers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special Called Council Meeting & Agenda Work Session 06:09:25","oneSentenceSummary","The Decatur City Council held a first reading of an ordinance that would make bypassing a designated security checkpoint a separate offense and discussed who would determine authorized access.","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},6208393,"Decatur staff presents FY2025 mid‑year budget review; staff highlights revenue gains and targeted mid‑year requests",165,1657000,1822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3747906-6dcbac914c97898ece649f2c48a62839&start=1657&end=1822","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3747906-6dcbac914c97898ece649f2c48a62839/thumbnail_1657000.jpg","/articles/6208393/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/Decatur-staff-presents-FY2025-midyear-budget-review-staff-highlights-revenue-gains-and-targeted-midyear-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208393-48535d562ed9e7cdb39a7c828eeaec79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178851&Signature=oS6iJY75oDSb7l2StUMsdlx7x-AmvKWQhTCBbV~nckPcIOADrz2gaBUfjlxXW12dx15Zw8~WAdxwWBexv7Xx6LgPuA8FhCw8069VumJqCpCEV4nId3E1U5YNSfuqgbL71tFnihbz49Do8558igBAWEeZosnl4XvSQrOW8PNqW0K1Ln9-ygfFEwt7K3rcXTP6FMezHFiQGru-Ug1S3aJm5zN~tKPIUnBnAIvUmSRqDbXJyEbhcwTe5PrQeIsVDF0Ffgd9mwOD~H3YgNpqUj3VnclVse9k5t7mzZAMfHNujXV9-hYRO5TWTtmawHsDPt~hOBlIZmWru~dWYtArLwq8Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff presented the FY2025 mid‑year budget review to the Decatur City Council and outlined revenue performance, areas of decline and proposed mid‑year adjustments and capital priorities.

The presenter summarized overall results for FY2024 and current tracking for FY2025. “What should you know about City of Decatur finances at mid year?” the presenter asked the council before listing figures: the General Fund closed FY2024 with $96,700,000 in revenues; current FY2025 general fund revenues were tracking about 5.58% higher than FY2024. The presenter noted that roughly 46% of the general fund is derived from sales and use tax.

Staff highlighted revenue increases in several categories and named specific declines. General fund gas tax receipts were down about 39% year‑over‑year; staff said this reflected a one‑time back‑tax collection in FY2024 (more than $200,000) that did not recur in FY2025. Outdoor‑recreation revenues were also softer: camping fees were down about 17% and golf green fees about 16%; staff attributed those drops in part to higher rainfall (reported as 36.91 inches year to date) and changes in consumer spending patterns.

The mid‑year materials included proposed adjustments and a prioritized P2 list of capital/non‑budgetary requests reviewed by the finance committee (mayor, Mr. Ladner, Mr. McMasters and the presenting staff). Notable items staff flagged included a $500,000 local match tied to a $1,000,000 appropriation from Senator Arthur Orr for trail upgrades at Wheeler Wildlife Refuge; $100,000 for downtown farmer’s market upgrades; and $1,500,000 for street resurfacing. Staff said the street resurfacing allocation would be determined by the city engineer using software that ranks road condition and usage.

Council members asked for additional details on sales and use tax trends and the software rollout for planning and permitting systems. Staff said work was under way to integrate permitting and revenue systems (CityView) and that a late‑year go‑live remained the target.

The items were presented to the council for consideration at the mid‑year review; staff invited council members to propose additions to the P2 list before next week’s meeting. The budget adjustment resolution was introduced on the agenda for council action.","City finance staff told the Decatur City Council during a mid‑year review that FY2025 general fund revenues were tracking higher than FY2024 while several revenue lines were down, and staff presented a list of proposed mid‑year adjustments and capital priorities.",{"_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},6208397,"Decatur Council approves temporary AC rental for downtown library amid multi‑phase HVAC repairs",90,652000,742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3747906-6dcbac914c97898ece649f2c48a62839&start=652&end=742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3747906-6dcbac914c97898ece649f2c48a62839/thumbnail_652000.jpg","/articles/6208397/Decatur-City/Morgan-County/Alabama/Decatur-Council-approves-temporary-AC-rental-for-downtown-library-amid-multiphase-HVAC-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208397-cbcc5b3508abab4cfc9c51485c5fd54b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178851&Signature=Ba4abyP1N32ja2nfeBr-fy7H-41Z3ru4URWBrTmog~A-o7-SzJfisUOBjQQ~WWncfHZpq4xrMJBDs9KxZYVQnxvMH7UhZawvtAIga1WbMPE-QwEpgKG1xOcozWyiYnJNiBI7Orqp31tjBIfkrZZwnNwkb7oGcc~od3aD6tPDESC8le0WGDh2Yg8qIrvgWn853YJsmxmZsPewyw4RJerl2PM4lqq9SYpphmaTqYDyqmE5NarkR~wAIvQ0iqld9SHHErBEV8lEnPB-ZK97wH2o-92yFNBeNMV~vUIoyeLH79NcUbDyQgweD0cBf8CrbMJTfksFn2v48sGAoVulyaW2Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur City Council on a 4–0 vote approved an agreement to rent temporary air‑conditioning units for the Decatur Public Library while a phased HVAC replacement is completed.

Stephanie McClain, who identified herself as representing Decatur Parks and Rec, told the council the library’s interior temperatures were “sitting somewhere between the temperature, average temperature of 76 to 85.” She said the city previously approved a Phase 1 repair with a target delivery and one‑month install period on July 26, but that additional work — “Phase 2” — has a longer lead time and could take up to 24 weeks.

“To begin cooling the building now,” McClain said, carrier representatives recommended installing temporary area units. “They’re suggesting we start with 10 units. Each unit is a 1 ton unit.” McClain gave the cost numbers before the council: $8,250 for delivery, setup and rental for the first month for the 10 units, and $750 per unit for each additional month (which she calculated as $7,500 per month for all 10 units). She said staff was asking the council to authorize the rental through the fiscal year — specifically for July, August and September — and that some units could be removed if Phase 1 completes earlier.

Council Member Pepper moved for approval; Council Member McMasters seconded. Following brief questions about expected effect and timing, the council approved the resolution by voice vote; members individually said “Aye.”

McClain said the Phase 2 quote was still pending and that the temporary units are intended to bridge the gap until permanent replacements can be installed. She described the temporary units as similar to arrangements used previously at other city facilities.

The contract approved covers rental, delivery and setup; McClain said staff will return with additional details if Phase 2 proceeds on an accelerated schedule and individual units are removed earlier.

The council did not discuss long‑term funding for Phase 2 during the item. The library HVAC replacement and the temporary rental were presented as operational actions to maintain building comfort and services while permanent repairs proceed.","The Decatur City Council approved a contract to rent 10 temporary air‑conditioning units for the Decatur Public Library while a multi‑phase HVAC replacement proceeds; staff said the rental will cover July through September and carry an initial month cost of $8,250 plus $7,500 for subsequent months if all units remain in place.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears first reading of ordinance making bypassing security checkpoints an offense; members question who can be exempt

Decatur staff presents FY2025 mid‑year budget review; staff highlights revenue gains and targeted mid‑year requests

Decatur Council approves temporary AC rental for downtown library amid multi‑phase HVAC repairs