MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
VALLEY GRANDE, ALABAMA
Regular Meeting
July 18, 2011
Call to order by Tom Lee at 7:00 PM
Meeting held at Valley Grande City Hall
Minutes submitted by: Janet Frasier, City Clerk
Presiding: Mayor Tom Lee
Invocation by: Patsy Moore
In Attendance:
Tom Lee, Mayor
Gene Middlebrooks
Donna Downs
Libby Ezelle
Patsy Moore
Steven Neighbors
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Quorum was made with all council members present.
The minutes of the July 5, 2011 regular meeting were read by Janet Frasier. Motion was
made by Libby Ezelle to accept the minutes as corrected. Steven neighbors made the
second. Motion carried by unanimous consent of the council by a show of hands vote.
SHOW OF HANDS VOTE
Gene Middlebrooks
Donna Downs
Libby Ezelle
Patsy Moore
Steven Neighbors
Mayor Tom Lee
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
X
Reports of Officers:
Boyd Pugh /Public Safety Director: No report.
Steven Neighbors /Public Safety & Recreation Advisory Group: No report.
Patsy Moore/Parks & Beautification Advisory Group: No report.
Libby Ezelle /Annexation & Zoning Advisory Group: No report.
NAY
Gene Middlebrooks/Public Relations & History Advisory Group: No report.
Donna Downs/Business & Community Development Advisory Group:
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Mayors Report:
Mayor Lee reported that he met with Phoenix Water Resources and received additional
information regarding their articles of incorporation. He has since received an attorney
opinion stating that Phoenix Water Resources is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is
not eligible to receive public funds. The only way that the City could dispatch funds to
Phoenix Water Resources would be if they were working under contract, with the City
owning the system.
Mayor Lee presented the council with Ordinance 2005-04 adopted in February, 2005. This
ordinance created a Planning Commission to consider zoning within the City. The Planning
Commission is an independent body from the council. It is a non compensated body
consisting of 9 members, one of which is a council member. In addition, the Mayor, an
administrative officer of the City, and 6 other appointments made directly by the Mayor
serve on the commission. Mayor Lee stated that Libby Ezelle was appointed to the
Planning Commission in a previous session.
Mayor Lee asked that the council consider the creation and appointments of the Planning
Commission to be addressed at a later date.
Since the tornados across the state in April, the federal government has allocated 120
million dollars to the State of Alabama for storm shelters and safe rooms. Mayor Lee met
with the Grant writer and Rhonda Abbott of Dallas County EMA to discuss the possibility of
two shelters in Valley Grande. The structures can be used for other purposes such as
community centers, etc. as long as they serve as safe rooms when storm warnings are
sounded. The government will provide 75% of the funds with a 25% local match. The
match can be made by in-kind or by land owned by the City.
Mayor Lee has proceeded with the pre-application for two structures in Valley Grande. The
pre-application does not obligate the City but allows the City to be considered for this
grant.
The areas tentatively proposed for the shelters are directly behind the walking trail and the
property at Summerfield Fire Station #2 on Highway 14.
There being no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Donna
Downs to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Libby Ezelle.
The motion was carried by unanimous consent of the council.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 PM.
Approved: ________________________________
Tom Lee, Mayor
Attested: _______________________________
Janet Frasier, City Clerk