Moody City Council approves routine equipment purchases and civic center foyer work; resident raises noise and safety concerns

Moody — The Moody City Council unanimously approved a slate of budgeted purchases and a small capital renovation at its March 23, 2026 meeting, and heard a resident’s complaints about neighborhood noise and safety.

In votes taken shortly after the 6:00 p.m. call to order by Mayor Nick Rutledge, the council approved purchases requested by city public safety and public works officials. The council approved a $3,600 purchase of training ammunition for the Moody Police Department from Gulf States and the replacement of ballistic vests for eight officers at a total cost of $11,423, of which The Healing Place Church committed $4,712; the city’s remaining share was recorded as $6,711 with $4,000 previously reserved from the uniform budget. The council also approved the purchase of six Rock Island Armory 12-gauge shotguns for $2,100 (Exile Armory), firefighting gear from MES for $1,700, and medical supplies from multiple vendors totaling $8,200.

Chief Reece Smith (listed in the minutes as “Chief Reece Smith (Steven Humber)”) presented the police items. Council Member Matt Morris moved to approve the training ammunition purchase; Chad Williams seconded. On the ballistic vests, Linda Crowe moved and Ellis Key seconded. All motions recorded an "AYE" vote by all present and were carried unanimously.

Public Works staff requested a capital outlay purchase of a heated pressure washer from MechMaxx at a cost not to exceed $6,000, funded from Public Works savings in the 2025–2026 budget. Lee Drummonds presented that item; Ellis Key moved to approve and Linda Crowe seconded. The council also approved a Moody Civic Center second-floor foyer and hallway renovation (site prep, build foyer walls, doors, drywall, paint, ceiling dryfall, electrical and finish flooring) with Clapper Restoration and Ashville Electric at a cost not to exceed $12,000 (capital outlay 01-526-9900). Mayor Nick Rutledge presented that project; Ellis Key moved, Matt Morris seconded, and the measure passed unanimously.

During the public comment period, resident James McElroy of 3228 Fortner Lane told the council that ballpark speakers used on Saturdays are “too loud,” that Plumb One trucks begin operating early and create excessive noise, and that children are driving go-carts on public roads. Mayor Rutledge responded that the Miracle League plays on Saturdays and said the city and police would look into the complaints. The minutes record the mayor’s pledge to follow up but do not specify a timeline or planned enforcement steps.

Votes at a glance - Approve published agenda: Motion by Council Member Chad Williams; second Matt Morris; unanimous AYE (SEG 003). - Approve council minutes (March 9, 2026): Motion by Linda Crowe; second Ellis Key; unanimous AYE (SEG 004). - Training ammunition (Gulf States), $3,600, budget 01-513-2003: Motion by Matt Morris; second Chad Williams; approved (SEG 005). - Ballistic vests for eight officers, total $11,423 (Healing Place Church contribution $4,712; city share $6,711; $4,000 previously reserved): Motion by Linda Crowe; second Ellis Key; approved (SEG 006). - Six 12-gauge shotguns (Exile Armory), $2,100, budget 01-513-4800: Motion by Chad Williams; second Matt Morris; approved (SEG 007). - Firefighting gear (MES), $1,700, budget 01-514-5500: Motion by Matt Morris; second Linda Crowe; approved (SEG 008). - Medical supplies (multiple vendors), $8,200, budget 01-514-5200: Motion by Chad Williams; second Matt Morris; approved (SEG 009). - Heated pressure washer (MechMaxx), not to exceed $6,000, capital outlay from Public Works savings: Motion by Ellis Key; second Linda Crowe; approved (SEG 010). - Moody Civic Center 2nd-floor foyer and hallway project (Clapper Restoration; Ashville Electric), not to exceed $12,000, capital outlay 01-526-9900: Motion by Ellis Key; second Matt Morris; approved (SEG 011). - Adjournment at 6:08 p.m.: Motion by Mayor Rutledge; meeting closed (SEG 014).

What this means and next steps The approvals recorded in the minutes are routine, budgeted purchases or small capital work; the minutes do not record any dissent or amendments, and each item passed with an "AYE" vote by those present. The minutes do not specify implementation timelines, vendor contracts beyond vendor names, or follow-up assignments for the resident complaints; Mayor Rutledge said police would look into the noise and safety concerns raised by James McElroy.

Reporting note: the minutes list Chief Reece Smith with a parenthetical reference to "Steven Humber"; the minutes do not clarify whether that parenthetical indicates a recording notation or an alternate name. The council minutes are signed and attested on April 13, 2026.