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Ashville council approves personnel handbook changes, $285,695 tank contract and July 4 fee waivers
Summary
At a July 1 meeting, the Ashville City Council unanimously approved two ordinances (personnel handbook amendments for part‑time fire and police, and fee waivers for the July 4 event), reappointed two ZBA members, authorized a $285,695 tank‑maintenance contract and several smaller purchases and agreements.
Mayor Derrick Mostella and the Ashville City Council unanimously approved a slate of routine agenda items and contracts at their July 1, 2024 meeting, including amendments to the personnel handbook to extend benefits to part‑time fire and police personnel and a three‑year tank‑maintenance contract totaling $285,695.
The council opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and approved the final agenda and the June 17 minutes on motions by Councilmembers Shirley Smith and Denise Williams, respectively. Both motions passed with all voting members present (Mayor Derrick Mostella and Councilmembers Adam Abernathy, Robin Bowlin, Shirley Smith and Denise Williams); Councilmember Edward Roscoe Lane was absent.
Why it matters: the personnel handbook change creates a new benefits pathway for part‑time public safety staff, and the tank‑maintenance contract covers work on the city’s water storage tanks and ancillary facilities. Both measures affect ongoing city operations and budgets.
Key actions and outcomes
Votes at a glance
- Approve final meeting agenda — Moved: Shirley Smith; Second: Denise Williams; Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (motion approved).
- Approve minutes (June 17, 2024) — Moved: Denise Williams; Second: Shirley Smith; Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (motion approved).
- Reappoint Rebecca Bothwell and Shannon Brasher to the Zoning Board of Adjustments through June 17, 2027 — Moved: Denise Williams; Second: Shirley Smith; Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (motion approved).
- Authorize mayor to enter agreement with RPCGB for a traffic engineering grant, $10,000 — Moved: Robin Bowlin; Second: Denise Williams; Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (motion approved).
- Ordinance 2024‑008: Amend Personnel Handbook to provide benefits for part‑time fire and police — Rules suspended (moved by Adam Abernathy, seconded by Denise Williams; unanimous roll call) and ordinance approved (moved by Denise Williams; seconded by Robin Bowlin); Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (ordinance adopted).
- Ordinance 2024‑009: Waive business license and permit fees for the July 4 event — Rules suspended and ordinance approved (moved by Robin Bowlin; seconded by Denise Williams); Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (ordinance adopted).
- Purchase: truck top box for Fire Department F‑150, $3,200 (paid from 2‑mill funds) — Moved: Denise Williams; Second: Robin Bowlin; Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (approved).
- Contract award: American Tank Maintenance, tank maintenance (3 years), $285,695 — Moved: Adam Abernathy; Second: Robin Bowlin; Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (approved).
- Approve $2,500 sponsorship with Ashville Sports Foundation — Moved: Denise Williams; Second: Robin Bowlin; Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (approved).
- Streetlight upgrade at Sheffield Drive and Ebony Lane per Alabama Power recommendation — Moved: Robin Bowlin; Second: Denise Williams; Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (approved).
- Approve payment of bills due — Moved: Denise Williams; Second: Shirley Smith; Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain (approved).
Other business and announcements
The council approved routine sponsorships and public‑works upgrades and noted logistics for the July 4 celebration at the ballpark (food trucks, live music and fireworks at 9 p.m.). City Hall will be closed July 4–5; the next council meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2024, with a Zoning Board of Adjustments meeting at 5:30 p.m. The mayor called for adjournment after announcements; the motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
Who said what (attributions)
Mayor Derrick Mostella presided over the meeting and asked for motions on agenda items. Motions were made and seconded by the listed councilmembers; where the transcript records the mover and seconder, attributions above follow the meeting record. The City Clerk is Chrystal St. John (signature on the minutes). No speakers from the public are recorded in the transcript.
What the record does not specify
The transcript does not include the text of Ordinances 2024‑008 or 2024‑009 beyond their titles, nor does it provide vendor contract details beyond the awarded amount and term for the tank‑maintenance contract. Funding sources are specified for the truck top box (2‑mill funds); other budgetary impacts or implementation timelines are not detailed in the minutes.
Next steps
Procedural items and adopted ordinances will be implemented according to city rules; the council’s next meeting is Monday, July 15, 2024.
