Piedmont City Council approves payments, contracts and multiple hires at June 18 meeting

The Piedmont City Council on June 18 approved a slate of payments, contracts and staffing changes aimed at maintaining city services and completing facilities projects.

Council approved bills totaling $437,517.94 presented for payment. Council Member Richard Williams moved to approve the bills and Jubal Feazell seconded; the motion carried.

The council awarded the Civic Center interior painting contract to McCulley Painting for $41,673.00 after staff outreach to contractors; Parks/rec staff member Jeff Formby had solicited references and McCulley Painting was the responsive low bidder. The purchase of a John Deere 3025E tractor from the estate of William H. Borden for $14,000.00 was also approved.

On personnel, the council authorized staffing adjustments in parks and recreation that include hiring a part‑time senior nutrition bus driver and reassigning Laura Goza from bus driver to the membership coordinator position vacated by Alex Cash. Craig Russell and Michael Tolbert will swap roles as pool manager and athletic director. The actions were proposed by Jeff Formby and approved by motion.

Public safety items included approval of a five‑year AXON contract for police equipment and services at $14,181.36 per year; Police Chief Johnson requested council review and the contract was approved on motion. The council also authorized Fire Chief Donaldson to hire a fourth full‑time firefighter to fill vacant positions in the department.

The council granted a temporary roadblock permit for a 12U baseball team’s tournament in Gulf Shores on July 6 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., conditioned on following guidelines established by Chief Johnson. Clerk Hinton reported that bids were being advertised for upcoming trail and road repaving, and the council approved purchase of six transformers from Sunbelt Solomon for $9,020.00.

During visitor comments, Mr. Chasteen raised concerns about litter on city right‑of‑way and Mr. Brandt asked the council to consider removing a red light at Ladiga and Church Street if feasible. In council reports, Caleb Pope asked whether the city could provide interim funding to cover Arts and Entertainment expenses until two awarded grants provided funds; no formal funding action was recorded in the meeting minutes.

Mayor Baker thanked council members and city employees and expressed hope that the fire department vacancy would be filled quickly. With no further business, the council adjourned at 6:51 p.m.

The motions recorded in the minutes were approved by voice vote; the minutes list movers and seconders for each action but do not provide recorded roll‑call vote tallies.