Dothan City Commission approves series of contracts and resolutions; names assistant city clerk employee of the month

The Dothan City Commission on March 4 approved a slate of contracts and resolutions, accepted two sidewalk easements, advanced a traffic signal project and recognized Courtney Vickers as the city’s employee of the month.

The commission voted on more than a half-dozen procurement and administrative items, including final contracting for Fire Station No. 10 and a traffic signal and right-turn lane project at Flower Chapel Road and Woodburn Drive. City officials also approved a three-year HVAC maintenance agreement and a one-year simulator maintenance and training contract for the Wiregrass Public Safety Center.

Courtney Vickers, assistant city clerk, was recognized by the city manager and commissioners for her tenure and recent professional certifications. The city manager summarized Vickers’ career with the city, noting she began in the police department in 2015, was promoted to administrative secretary in 2016 and to assistant city clerk in 2021, earned her Certified Municipal Clerk designation in 2023 and the Master Municipal Clerk designation in January 2025. A staff speaker said, “Courtney gives 110% every day to everything that she does,” and commissioners offered congratulations.

Why it matters: the contracts and appropriations approved on March 4 commit city funds and set work in motion for infrastructure and public-safety projects. The Fire Station No. 10 construction contract in particular represents a multi-million-dollar public works commitment and the commission discussed the cost savings realized through value engineering.

Key details and discussion

- Fire Station No. 10: The commission approved finalizing the contract with Lewis Construction LLC for a final total of $5,437,241.40; that figure reflects a change-order deduction of $279,758.60 for construction modifications. In discussion a commissioner said the reduced cost was “a testament” to staff efforts on value engineering and to savings for taxpayers.

- Eastgate Boardwalk: Lewis Construction LLC was also awarded the Eastgate Boardwalk Renovations project for $242,872, and the commission issued a notice to proceed.

- Traffic signal/right-turn lane: Wiregrass Construction Inc. was awarded contract and notice to proceed for the traffic signal and right-turn lane installation at Flower Chapel Road and Woodburn Drive for $687,922.65; funds were appropriated at the meeting.

- HVAC maintenance: The commission approved a three-year agreement with Train USA Inc. for scheduled maintenance at certain city facilities, with annual costs of $23,588 for year one, $24,415 for year two and $25,475 for year three.

- Public-safety simulator: A one-year agreement with Fire Blast Global Inc. for maintenance and training on the Wiregrass Public Safety Center simulator was approved at a cost of $23,080.07.

- Wiregrass Museum of Art MOU: The commission adopted an updated memorandum of understanding with the Wiregrass Museum of Art to reflect current responsibilities and to rescind previous ordinances; the city manager said the changes were primarily cleaning up the MOU to assist the museum’s accreditation efforts.

- Surplus and donations: The commission declared certain office furniture surplus and authorized the police department to donate specified items to Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity.

- Sidewalk easements: The commission accepted a sidewalk easement from Manie Clark at 568 Webb Road and a sidewalk and utility easement from the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority at 200 North Bell Street.

- Other administrative items: The commission approved designated travel, accepted smaller purchases (over $30,000 as presented), and designated Mayor Mark Saliba as the city’s voting delegate for the Alabama League of Municipalities annual business meeting in Huntsville.

Votes at a glance (as taken at the March 4 meeting)

- Resolution 2025-51 — Approve proposed amendment to articles of incorporation for the Dothan-Houston County Intellectual Disabilities Board: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-52 — One-year agreement with Fire Blast Global Inc. for simulator maintenance and training, $23,080.07: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-53 — Complete contract with Lewis Construction LLC for Fire Station No. 10, final total $5,437,241.40 (includes $279,758.60 deduction): approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-54 — Award contract to Lewis Construction LLC for Eastgate Boardwalk renovations, $242,872: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-55 — Three-year HVAC maintenance agreement with Train USA Inc., year one $23,588: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-56 — Designate Mayor Mark Saliba as voting delegate for Alabama League of Municipalities annual meeting: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-57 — Declare certain office furniture surplus and authorize donation to Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-58 — Declare certain personal property obsolete and authorize disposal: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-59 — Adopt updated MOU with the Wiregrass Museum of Art: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-60 — Award contract to Wiregrass Construction Inc. for traffic signal/right-turn lane at Flower Chapel Road and Woodburn Drive, $687,922.65: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-61 — Forward bids and approve purchases over $30,000 and appropriate funds: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-62 — Approve advanced travel requests for city employees: approved by voice vote.

What commissioners raised: Commissioners thanked staff for work on the Mardi Gras event and public safety operations, acknowledged recent community losses, and noted new street lighting installations in the 4 County area while raising concerns from constituents about vandalism and shooting out lights; one commissioner suggested exploring cameras as an option but did not propose a formal motion on that point.

Next steps and context: Several of the contracts approved will move to notice-to-proceed and implementation by awarded contractors. The traffic and public-safety projects will require coordination with city departments and contractor schedules. The Wiregrass Museum of Art MOU was described as a cleanup to assist the museum’s accreditation review.

Ending: The commission adjourned after approving the agenda items and returning to administrative session where a utilities request to participate 50/50 in extending a sanitary sewer trunk line along Murphy Mill Road for Reserve Subdivision and adjacent areas was advanced.