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Athens council approves body‑camera contract, utility bids, reappointments and small appropriations in unanimous vote
Summary
In a single meeting the council approved a ten‑year body‑camera contract, awarded a $469,552 substation bid, approved a $5,000 appropriation for a mobile sensory unit, paved‑lot funding, and multiple reappointments; all votes were recorded 4–0.
The Athens City Council recorded unanimous votes on a package of routine and budgeted items at its meeting.
Minutes and roll call: Council approved the minutes from Oct. 27 and a recent special meeting by voice/roll call (4 yeas, 0 nays). The council then approved the consent calendar, which included alcohol-license approvals for Days Inn and Suites by Wyndham and Texas Roadhouse Holding LLC, and small travel/education reimbursements for city personnel.
Contracts and capital: Council authorized the electric services director to accept the low bid of $469,552 from KVA Inc. for a control building and relay panels for the Elm Park Electric substation, funded from the 2022 warrant fund. The council also approved a payment of $9,176 to Shelton Railroad Construction for CSX-required track repairs serving WestRock (funded from public-works industrial-park maintenance). Council approved funding not to exceed $75,000 from FY2022 general-fund surplus capital projects to pave the Athens Activity Center parking lot.
Public‑safety technology and appropriations: Council approved a 10‑year body‑camera contract with Exxon for $300,819.50 to be funded from the Athens Police Department capital account. Council also approved a one-time appropriation of $5,000 from the City Alcohol Fund to the Makeaway Foundation (transcript also uses the phrase 'Make A Wish Foundation' in places) toward a $30,000 mobile sensory unit intended for schools and public events.
Personnel and organization: Council adopted organizational charts for the Utilities Finance Department and the City Clerk/Treasurer Department and reappointed key personnel: Annette Barnes (city clerk/treasurer) through the first organizational meeting in November 2029; James Hand (fire chief) and Anthony Presnell (police chief) through November 2029; Anne Arundel LLC as city attorney (through November 2029); Eddie Alley as municipal court judge (clarified in the meeting as a two‑year term through November 2027); and Frasier Lanier as fiscal agent through November 2029. All votes recorded were 4 yeas, 0 nays.
Councilors said the reappointments were routine and reflected confidence in department heads. Several items were taken with suspensions of the rules where applicable; specific movers and seconders were recorded in the meeting minutes for some items. No items were defeated or tabled.
