MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
VALLEY GRANDE, ALABAMA
Regular Meeting
March 17, 2014
Call to order by Mayor Wayne Labbe at 6:00 PM
Meeting held at Valley Grande City Hall
Minutes submitted by: Janet Frasier, City Clerk
Presiding: Mayor Wayne Labbe
Invocation by: Jane Craig
In Attendance:
Wayne Labbe, Mayor
Tim White
Ronald Sawyer
Donna Downs
Jane Craig
Kenneth Martin
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Quorum was made with all council members present.
The minutes from the March 3, 2014 regular meeting were presented by Janet Frasier.
Motion was made by Donna Downs to receive the minutes as read. Tim White made the
second. Motion was carried by majority consent of the council by a show of hands vote.
Kenneth Martin abstained from the vote.
SHOW OF HANDS VOTE
Wayne Labbe
Tim White
Ronald Sawyer
Donna Downs
Jane Craig
Kenneth Martin
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
Abstain
NAY
Reports of Officers:
Boyd Pugh /Public Safety Director: Boyd Pugh reported 4 fire calls so far during the month
of March.
Tim White /Public Safety & Beautification Advisory Group: Tim White reported the top soil
had been delivered and spread at the Sports Complex. Cooper brothers has assembled two
of the bleachers, delivered and set them up.
Ronald Sawyer /Parks & Recreation Advisory Group: Ronnie Sawyer made a motion to
have Denise Best extend her duties to include cleaning the restrooms at the Sports
Complex. Jane Craig made the second. Motion carried by unanimous consent of the council
by a show of hands vote.
SHOW OF HANDS VOTE
Wayne Labbe
Tim White
Ronald Sawyer
Donna Downs
Jane Craig
Kenneth Martin
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
X
NAY
Mayor Labbe suggested that Ronnie present a proposed increase in pay for Mrs. Best and
present it to the council.
Donna Downs/Business/Community Development & Education Advisory Group: Donna
Downs reported that Genesis Boutique held their Grand Opening and ribbon cutting
Monday.
Jane Craig /Annexation & Zoning Advisory Group: No report.
Kenneth Martin /Public Relations & History Advisory Group: No report.
Old Business: None
New Business:
Mayor Labbe reminded the council that the Statement of Economic Interest is due by April
30, 2014. Each elected official and appointed position is responsible for filing this
statement with the Ethics commission.
Laurie Cothran with the Child Advocacy Center came before the council to make a request
for a donation. She asked that the council consider a $5,000 donation to the Child Advocacy
Center in next year’s annual budget. She explained that the center has limited funding from
the State, Federal and County and operates within an annual budget of approximately
$70,000.
A motion was made by Jane Craig to make a donation to the Child Advocacy Center. There
was no second to the motion. Motion failed.
Mayor Labbe presented the council with a six month financial report and bank account
balances. He asked that the council review the report and bring any questions to the
council next month.
Mayor Labbe called for a motion to proceed with the annual donations to the volunteer fire
departments. He explained that the Valley Grande Volunteer Fire Department has
requested that $15,000 of their donation be given to the Summerfield Volunteer Fire
Department to help with a truck payment.
Donna Downs made a motion to accept the request of Valley Grande Volunteer Fire
Department and to proceed with the annual donations to all three fire departments. Tim
White made the second. Motion carried with unanimous consent of the council by a show
of hands vote.
SHOW OF HANDS VOTE
Wayne Labbe
Tim White
Ronald Sawyer
Donna Downs
Jane Craig
Kenneth Martin
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
X
NAY
Mayor Labbe explained to the council that the balloon payment of $140.000 on the 90 acres
is due on May 1, 2014. Mayor Labbe recommended that $40,000 be paid and $100,000 be
financed for the next three years.
A motion was made by Ronnie Sawyer to authorize Mayor Labbe to negotiate a loan to
refinance the note. Jane Craig made the second. Motion carried by unanimous consent of
the council by a show of hands vote.
SHOW OF HANDS VOTE
Wayne Labbe
Tim White
Ronald Sawyer
Donna Downs
Jane Craig
Kenneth Martin
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
X
NAY
Larry Stover reported that the tee ball season started March 15th with a total of 92 players.
He stated that the council should make their top priority to hire a person to oversee tee ball
and softball.
Larry Stover further stated that the youth group at his church has volunteered to sell
concessions at the complex. However, they are not willing to rent the concession stand.
Jane Craig explained that the council had previously voted to charge for rental of the
concession stand. Therefore, the city cannot allow a select group to use it free of charge.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Labbe stated that he will call a special planning session to discuss the donations that
have come before the council. He further expressed his appreciation to Teen Challenge for
job well done keeping the litter on the roads picked up.
Mayor Labbe encouraged the residents and council to support the Summerfield Volunteer
Fire Department by participating in the Saddle up for Summerfield benefit ride. It will be
held at Camp Grist with proceeds going toward the purchase of supplies and maintenance
of Summerfield’s two fire stations.
There being no further business to come before the council, a motion was made by Kenneth
Martin to adjourn. Donna Downs made the second. The motion was carried by unanimous
consent of the council members present.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 PM.
Approved: ________________________________
Wayne Labbe, Mayor
Attested: ______________________________________
Janet Frasier, City Clerk