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Ashville City Council approves public-works restructuring, new police equipment and event fee waiver
Summary
At its Aug. 19 meeting the Ashville City Council voted unanimously to restructure the public works department, add and shift several staff positions, authorize purchases of police body cameras and radios, waive vendor fees for AHS Dawg Day, and table a zoning ordinance.
The Ashville City Council met Aug. 19, 2024, and unanimously approved a series of personnel, procurement and event-related measures while tabling a proposed zoning amendment.
Mayor Derrick Mostella called the meeting to order at 6:21 p.m. and noted Councilmembers Robin Bowlin, Edward Roscoe Lane and Shirley Smith were present (Councilmembers Adam Abernathy and Denise Williams were absent). The council approved the meeting agenda and the minutes of its Aug. 5 meeting and moved the next regular meeting from Monday, Sept. 2 to Tuesday, Sept. 3 because of the Labor Day holiday.
The council suspended its rules to consider and then approved Ordinance 2024-012, an amendment to the personnel handbook that restructures the Public Works Department. Councilmember Shirley Smith moved approval and Councilmember Robin Bowlin seconded; all four present voted yes. Following that action, the council amended the FY24 budget to add one full-time public-works labor position (motion by Bowlin, second by Smith; unanimous).
On fire-department staffing, the council approved a motion to consolidate two part-time positions into one full-time position and to add two full-time temporary positions that will end Jan. 31, 2025; Edward Roscoe Lane moved, Robin Bowlin seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The council approved Ordinance 2024-013 to waive business license and food-truck permit fees for AHS Dawg Day (Aug. 17, 2024). Robin Bowlin moved to suspend rules to consider the ordinance and Bowlin and Lane recorded the subsequent motions; the ordinance passed on unanimous vote.
Procurement and contracts approved included: a Sourcewell cooperative purchase of 12 Axon body cameras for $29,999.99 over 60 months (motion by Edward Roscoe Lane, second by Robin Bowlin; unanimous approval); purchase of 10 handheld and 10 mobile P25 radios for the police department for $45,330.27 through HGAC cooperative (Robin Bowlin moved, Edward Roscoe Lane seconded; unanimous); and approval of a Lexipol agreement at $6,650.29 per year pending legal approval (moved by Lane, seconded by Bowlin; unanimous).
The council also approved renting a Dyar Outdoor billboard at the southbound exit of I-59/Hwy 231 for $750 per month with a $900 production fee (Shirley Smith moved; Edward Roscoe Lane seconded; unanimous) and authorized the mayor to execute a letter allowing Ashville to participate in the St. Clair County Solid Waste 10-year Plan (Lane moved; Smith seconded; unanimous). The council approved payment of bills due as presented.
On zoning, the council voted to table Ordinance 2024-010 (Amend the Zoning Ordinance for Parcel 110308000308001, PPIN 5750, Nathan Harris, 136 Pat’s Drive); Edward Roscoe Lane moved to table the ordinance, Robin Bowlin seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
During public comment, citizen Bob Berry asked the council for permission to add a gravel drive access to his property near the ballpark so he can keep the lot mowed; the transcript records the request but does not record a council decision on it.
Announcements at the meeting noted city offices will be closed Sept. 2 for Labor Day, the next council meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. (work session 5:30 p.m.), and upcoming fall events include a Fall Festival & Car Show on Oct. 26 and Sweets on the Square on Oct. 31. The meeting adjourned following a unanimous motion to adjourn.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2024-012 (Personnel Handbook amendment — restructure Public Works): approved unanimously (4–0). - FY24 budget amendment to add one full-time public-works labor position: approved unanimously (4–0). - Fire dept. staffing consolidation and two temporary full-time positions (ending Jan. 31, 2025): approved unanimously (4–0). - Ordinance 2024-013 (waive business license and food-truck fees for AHS Dawg Day): approved unanimously (4–0). - Resolution 2024-017 (ADEM ARPA funds): approved unanimously (4–0). - Ordinance 2024-010 (zoning amendment for Parcel 110308000308001): tabled unanimously (4–0). - Purchase: 12 Axon body cameras — $29,999.99 over 60 months (Sourcewell cooperative): approved unanimously (4–0). - Purchase: 10 handheld + 10 mobile P25 radios — $45,330.27 (HGAC cooperative): approved unanimously (4–0). - Lexipol agreement — $6,650.29/year (pending legal): approved unanimously (4–0). - Billboard rental (Dyar Outdoor) — $750/month, $900 production fee: approved unanimously (4–0).
Funding and implementation notes: several procurement approvals were made through cooperative purchasing agreements (Sourcewell, HGAC) and the minutes reference a letter from the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts attached in support of the Sourcewell purchase. The Lexipol agreement was approved subject to legal review. The transcript does not record specific budget line items or funding sources beyond the FY24 amendment and the listed purchase amounts.
Next steps: the council will meet next on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 at 6 p.m.; the transcript records no further follow-up actions or dates for the citizen property request recorded in public comment.
