Moody City Council approves routine purchases, festival funding and museum board; one no vote on fireworks

The Moody City Council met on June 26, 2023, and approved a series of budgeted purchases, event permits and appointments during a brief meeting called to order by Mayor Joe Lee at 6:00 p.m.

Council members voted to approve the published agenda and the minutes of June 12, 2023; the minutes approval passed with Council Member Matt Morris recorded as abstaining. The council then moved through agenda items approving routine equipment repairs, training and event expenses.

Highlights of the council’s actions included approval of engine replacements for two city vehicles: car #346 (2017 Tahoe) at $7,947 (vendor Moody Automotive) and car 350 (2018 Chevy Tahoe K9) at a not-to-exceed $8,000 (vendor Express Oil). The council approved multiple equipment repairs and purchases charged to existing budget lines, including a $1,600 repair for a 2008 Ford 550 bucket truck (L and D Diesel), a $1,364.93 repair for a Massey Ferguson tractor (Coblentz Equipment), and three Binder Lift patient-assist devices for $2,425 (PHASE).

Public-safety and operational purchases approved included a narcotics control vault and one-year software license from KNOX BOX for $2,750 and two tires for the Fire Marshal’s vehicle from Moody Auto for $525. The council approved lodging costs of $600 for Officer Jason Townes to attend L.E.A.D.S. training in LaGrange, Georgia, a curriculum intended for the 2023–24 school year.

The council approved community and festival items on the agenda: a Spooktacular fundraiser and Witches Ride proposed by Eryne Gallant of ARC St. Clair County; a community Shred‑It event scheduled for Sept. 23 (total cost $900, city cost $300) sponsored by the City of Moody, the St. Clair County District Attorney’s Office and Metro Bank; and city funding of $3,000 to the Moody Chamber of Commerce for Oktoberfest.

Mike Staggs presented the request to hire Pyro Shows of Alabama for the annual fireworks display at a cost of $12,500 (Festival Expense 01-560-1000). That motion carried, with Council Member Linda Crowe recording the sole vote against the fireworks contract. The council also approved an additional $2,500 for festival-related expenses (entertainment, sale items, portable restrooms) with unanimous support.

Other nonoperating items approved included up to $600 for audiovisual equipment for outdoor movie events, $1,121.24 to purchase plants for the City Hall property, and the addition of July 3, 2023 to the city’s holiday list for 2022–2023.

Mayor Joe Lee nominated three people to serve on the new Moody Historical Museum board: Linda Crowe, Denice Taylor and Chad Williams. The council approved the appointments; Linda Crowe is recorded as abstaining from that vote. The meeting was closed at 6:16 p.m.

Votes at a glance: approve agenda (unanimous); approve minutes (Matt Morris abstained); ARC Spooktacular (unanimous); engine replacement, car #346 $7,947 (unanimous); Officer Townes training lodging $600 (unanimous); bucket truck repair $1,600 (unanimous); tractor repair $1,364.93 (unanimous); outdoor-movie AV NTE $600 (unanimous); Fire Marshal tires $525 (unanimous); three patient lifts $2,425 (unanimous); narcotics vault $2,750 (unanimous); fireworks contract $12,500 (Linda Crowe opposed); additional festival costs $2,500 (unanimous); City Hall plants $1,121.24 (unanimous); Shred‑It event $900 (city cost $300) (unanimous); add July 3 holiday (unanimous); Chamber Oktoberfest funding $3,000 (unanimous); engine replacement car 350 NTE $8,000 (unanimous); Moody Historical Museum board appointments (Linda Crowe abstained).

The council attested the minutes on July 10, 2023. No ordinances, statutes or contested hearings were recorded in the minutes for this session.