Hamilton City Council reviews personnel moves, approves bridge inspection contract and considers joining lawsuit over simplified sellers/use tax

Hamilton City Council convened and handled a slate of routine administrative items, personnel moves and one policy-resolution discussion.

The council opened with a motion to approve the minutes of the Nov. 17 meeting and to approve November accounts payable. The chair called for motions and seconds on both items, and the minutes and vendor payments were presented for the council's vote.

Council members discussed holiday scheduling and personnel leave for December; the body voted on a recommendation allowing city employees to use a vacation day for Friday, Dec. 6 and confirmed that Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 will be paid holidays, with Dec. 26 requiring the use of a personal vacation day.

On economic development, the council reviewed a proposed $25,000 membership for fiscal year 2026 in the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance, to be paid from the city's general fund. A motion to table consideration of that membership was reported as made by "Frankie" and seconded; the transcript records that a council member named Shane opposed the tabling motion. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally for the final disposition of the membership item beyond that opposition being noted in the meeting audio.

The council authorized Porter and Higginbotham Engineering Inc. to inspect and certify…