Moody City Council unanimously approves $840,000 pumper, adopts open‑burning ordinance and OKs several routine purchases

Moody City — The Moody City Council on April 22, 2024, unanimously approved a package of routine municipal actions that included ordering a Pierce Saber FR custom pumper for $840,000, adopting a local ordinance restricting open burning, and authorizing several budgeted equipment purchases and sponsorships.

Laura Armstrong and members of The Friends of Moody Schools asked the council to increase the city’s annual donation or sponsorship to support local schools. Mayor Joe Lee said the council and the finance committee will review that request; no funding decision was made at the meeting.

The council approved multiple budgeted items with unanimous votes. On motions moved and seconded by council members, the council authorized B‑shift officers to attend in‑service professional development training in Alexander City on April 27 at a cost not to exceed $1,400 (budgeted line 01‑513‑4300) and approved replacing the windshield on patrol car #354 (vendor: Bama Glass; $600; budgeted 01‑513‑4502).

Public Works purchases were also approved. The council authorized buying 1,000 feet of 5‑inch supply line from Bull Dog Hose Company for $11,500 (budgeted 01‑514‑5400). The council also approved a capital project to remove an old white wood fence at the city park and construct 2,200 linear feet of four‑rail wood fence (vendor: Clapper Restoration), not to exceed $35,000; that project was listed as a capital budget item.

Mayor Joe Lee presented Ordinance M2024‑04‑22, relating to open burning in the City of Moody. Council Member Matt Morris moved to suspend the rules and to adopt the ordinance; the motions were seconded and, by roll‑call of those present, all voted AYE and the ordinance was carried.

The council approved a $5,000 sponsorship to the Moody Miracle League from the Mayor and Council expense line (01‑510‑1200) and adopted a proclamation recognizing April 21–27, 2024, as Parental Alienation Prevention Week.

In one of the meeting’s largest financial actions, the council authorized ordering a Pierce Saber FR custom pumper through the HGAC program from Emergency Equipment Professionals at a quoted cost of $840,000. The minutes state the goods were not available on the state purchasing program and that the purchase will be funded from the Reserve Project Fund, with repayment planned annually from the Fire Department general fund budget at approximately $100,000–$150,000 per year. Delivery was listed as three to three‑and‑a‑half years.

The council also approved adding a facility dog known as "Blue" to the Moody Police Department. The minutes state the dog’s owner is Officer Bryan Smith and that the city will enter an agreement with him covering facility‑dog training and insurance; funding sources listed were police confiscated funds and the 411 Foundation.

All recorded motions passed by unanimous vote of those present; Council Member Nick Rutledge was recorded as absent. Mayor Joe Lee moved to adjourn at 6:27 p.m., and the meeting concluded with no further business.

Votes at a glance: - Approve agenda: mover Linda Crowe; seconder Ellis Key; outcome: unanimous AYE (Nick Rutledge absent). - Approve April 8, 2024 minutes: mover Lynn Taylor; seconder Matt Morris; outcome: unanimous AYE. - B‑shift training (April 27): mover Lynn Taylor; seconder Ellis Key; cost ≤ $1,400; outcome: unanimous AYE. - Windshield replacement (car #354): mover Matt Morris; seconder Linda Crowe; cost $600; outcome: unanimous AYE. - 5" supply line (1,000 ft): mover Lynn Taylor; seconder Ellis Key; cost $11,500; outcome: unanimous AYE. - Ordinance M2024‑04‑22 (open burning): mover Matt Morris; second Linda Crowe/Ellis Key (rules suspension moved and seconded); roll‑call AYE of those present; ordinance adopted. - Park fence project (2,200 ln/ft): mover Lynn Taylor; seconder Ellis Key; cost ≤ $35,000; outcome: unanimous AYE. - Moody Miracle League sponsorship ($5,000): mover Matt Morris; seconder Linda Crowe; outcome: unanimous AYE. - Proclamation (Parental Alienation Prevention Week): mover Matt Morris; seconder Linda Crowe; outcome: unanimous AYE. - Pierce Saber FR pumper order: mover Matt Morris; seconder Lynn Taylor; vendor Emergency Equipment Professionals; cost $840,000; funded from Reserve Project Fund with annual repayment estimated $100,000–$150,000; delivery 3–3½ years; outcome: unanimous AYE. - Facility dog addition ("Blue"): mover Linda Crowe; seconder Lynn Taylor; owner Officer Bryan Smith; funding: police confiscated funds and 411 Foundation; outcome: unanimous AYE.

The council did not take final action on the Friends of Moody Schools sponsorship request and referred it to the council and the finance committee for review. The meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.