Irondale council approves equipment purchases and surplus donations; redistricting and one pay ordinance split council

The Irondale City Council moved through multiple routine and contested items Tuesday night. Key actions included approval of minutes and vendor payments, several consent resolutions affecting police fleet and recreation, and split votes on two competing ordinances on mayoral and council pay.

Minutes and bills - The council approved regular meeting minutes from 01/21/2025 (motion carried). - The council approved payment of current bills totaling $546,261.93 (motion carried).

Consent‑agenda resolutions and procurement (approved as part of consent agenda) - Resolution 2025‑R‑27: Vacation of a utility easement at 4129 Brookmont Drive (request of Robert and Peter Adams). The applicant presented the request and council placed the resolution on the consent agenda. Outcome: approved on consent. - Resolution 2025‑R‑28: Declared certain Irondale Police Department items surplus and authorized donation to the Town of Trafford (two damaged police cars). Mayor said the city had recently replaced vehicles and could donate the older 2015 and 2016 models; mileage reported in discussion was in the high teens thousands. Outcome: approved on consent. - Resolution 2025‑R‑29: Authorized purchase of two used Harley‑Davidson Police Road King motorcycles from the City of Homewood in an amount not to exceed $8,000. Police staff said the motorcycles are outfitted and one certified rider will train others. Outcome: approved on consent. - Resolution 2025‑R‑30: Authorized payment of a $1,000 cash reward to certain city employees in recognition of exemplary performance, citing Alabama Code 11‑40‑22. Outcome: approved on consent. - Resolution 2025‑R‑31: Authorized mayor or designee to execute an agreement with Truist for credit‑card processing services at Ruffner Park Sports Complex; staff said the terminal offered by Truist will auto‑batch daily and the bank provides the equipment. Outcome: approved on consent.

Deliberated ordinances and votes - Ordinance 2025‑O‑02 (second reading): Selection of a redistricting plan. Motion to adopt failed on second reading. Roll‑call recorded in the meeting: Councilman London: No; Councilwoman Cindy Cuellar: Yes; Councilman Fox: No; Councilman Sims: No; Council President (Spivey): No. Outcome: failed. - Ordinance 2025‑O‑05 (second reading): Amendment to mayor and council compensation (proposal A, by Councilman Sims). Motion to adopt passed on second reading. Recorded roll call: Councilman London: Yes; Councilwoman McQuarrie: No; Councilman Vaux: No; Councilman Sims: Yes; Council President (Spivey): Yes. Outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025‑O‑06 (second reading): Alternative compensation amendment (proposal B, sponsored by Councilwoman Cuellar). Motion to adopt failed on second reading. Recorded roll call: Councilman London: No; Councilwoman Cindy Cuellar: Yes; Councilman Fox: Yes; Councilman Sams: No; Council President (Spivey): No. Outcome: failed.

Procedure and next steps The council approved the consent agenda and advanced routine city business. A public hearing was held earlier in the meeting on a potential LWCF grant for the civic center grounds (see separate article). Council members asked for additional public outreach and for the video and materials from prior park master‑plan work to be re‑posted for residents. The council also directed staff to schedule a water committee meeting to present PFAS testing results.

Ending: The council adjourned after completing the published agenda and said it will schedule the water‑committee briefing and other follow‑up outreach.