Jasper City Council awards concrete contract and authorizes $282,781.50 match for firefighter hiring grant

The Jasper City Council on June 2 approved multiple routine contracts and measures, including awarding an on‑call concrete services contract to Karma Infra LLC and authorizing Mayor Gates to provide a $282,781.50 local match for a grant to hire additional firefighters.

Jessica, a city staff member who led the procurement review, told council members she had evaluated three bids and "recommend we award this contract to Karma Infra LLC who was the lowest responsible bidder." The council moved, seconded and voted to approve the award.

Mayor Gates described the grant application the city plans to submit to help address firefighter staffing shortages and asked the council to cover the local match. "I'm seeking approval from the council to cover the match requirement for that application, which would total, $282,781.50," the mayor said, adding that the amount represents about 20% of the grant request. The council moved, seconded and approved the resolution authorizing the mayor to execute and submit the application and provide the match.

Councilors also approved authorizing the mayor to continue formal negotiations with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management on a pending agreement and to continue negotiating a separate drafted agreement previously circulated to members. The council approved a previously negotiated memorandum of understanding for execution by the mayor.

Kathy, a city staff member, introduced a proposed budget amendment (2025‑2026‑13) to fund engineering design work on a recurring flooding problem along 9th Avenue near the Jasper Feed and Seed area and the railroad track; she said the city is requesting $50,000 to come from the city's sales tax fund. That item was introduced only and no vote was taken.

Kathy also introduced a proposed franchise agreement from Charter Communications, noting the company has held a franchise with the city for about 40 years; that item was presented for review and not acted on.

On code enforcement and public‑safety items, the building inspector presented a list of addresses recommended for nuisance abatement for grass and weeds across multiple districts; the council approved the resolution. The building inspector also described three streetlights requested by residents — two on 14th Avenue Northeast near the entrance to the Eagle's Nest and one on 430 Evans Lane to replace a pole no longer paid for after a utility audit — and the council approved installation to improve visibility and safety.

Michelle, a staff member in planning, introduced an ordinance to annex two parcels in the Tate Road area petitioned by John and Catherine Vivona (including parcel number 64‑10‑06‑24‑000‑018.003 and 2700 Tate Road); if annexed, the properties would be placed in District 2. That item was introduced and will return for future action.

Mayor Gates closed the formal agenda with community updates, saying Blackpool Dairy Road has reopened and that guardrails will be installed soon. "Blackpool Dairy Road is opened as of yesterday afternoon. We still have some guardrails to install, but we can do that with the road open," he said, and he reminded residents that an election was taking place that day. Council members highlighted upcoming Juneteenth celebrations and other community events.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes of the regular meeting (06/02/2026): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Award on‑call concrete services contract to Karma Infra LLC: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Resolution authorizing mayor to submit firefighter‑hiring grant and cover local match ($282,781.50): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Authorization to negotiate with Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Authorization for mayor to continue negotiations on a separate drafted agreement: motion moved; outcome: authorized. - Authorization to execute a negotiated MOU: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Nuisance abatement resolution for listed addresses (grass and weeds): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Approval of three streetlights (two on 14th Ave NE, one on 430 Evans Lane): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

The meeting concluded after brief council remarks and a motion to adjourn was approved. Several items introduced by staff — including the budget amendment for flood engineering design and the Charter Communications franchise agreement — will return for future action.