Council to vote on gas tax April 25
Sarah Sledge, Branch Manager of Madison Public Library, and Assistant Manager Amanda Campbell, from left, recognized poster contest winners Clark McKee, first place; Puja Chopade, second; and Josie Lyons, third. Mayor Troy Trulock and David Butler, president of Madison Friends of the Library, also congratulated the winners. RECORD PHOTOS/GREGG L. PARKER
MADISON – At Madison City Council’s meeting, Councilman Mike Potter presented first reading of the ordinance to raise the local gasoline tax by 3 cents (from 2 to 5 cents).
Council will vote on this ordinance on April 25. Potter has written “3-Cent Gas Tax White Paper” to explain his rationale (www.madisonal.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9365).
In public comments, Vickie Morris with Madison Family & Friends Cemetery Committee asked for “good will” from City Council and Madison Municipal Cemeteries Committee and claimed “unwelcoming and insulting” behavior from them (excluding Trulock).
“The city doesn’t seem to care,” Morris said. She asked for council to make a formal motion for a stop-work moratorium (except for mowing) at cemeteries and amend bylaws for the municipal committee to include two members from ‘friends’ group.
Council President Tim Holcombe said council did not want to add two more members to the nine-member municipal committee, which will meet again on April 19. Other council members stated that ‘friends’ supporters had posted derogatory remarks on social media.
Council approved payment of $20,949.49 to Littlejohn for County Line Road, Phase II; $25,500, Milam Logging, tree/stump removal at Garner Street Extension; and $206,062.39, Wiregrass Construction Co. Inc., work on Mose Chapel Road.
Council paid $79,133.57 to Nola-VanPeursem for architectural services for the recreation campus on Celtic Road.
During presentations, David Butler with Madison Friends of the Library gave $16,000 to branch manager Sarah Sledge with Madison Public Library. Mayor Troy Trulock recognized April 10-16 as National Library Week.
Council approved $40,000 annual appropriation to Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Trulock designated April as 9-1-1 Month, and EMA Director Jeff Birdwell discussed the organization’s work.
Trulock proclaimed April as Donate Life Month. Heart transplant recipient Steve Burcham commented on the value of organ donation.
Steve Smith said auditors found the city finances in good standing.
Councilman Tommy Overcash said council members are collaborating with Food Truck Round-Up organizers to hold the monthly round-ups downtown on first Fridays. Councilman Gerald Clark said the water board and Madison City Disabilities Advocacy Board will have openings this fall.
First reading was presented for Madison to observe State Sales Tax Holiday during first weekend of August 2016. Council approved vector control (for mosquitoes, ticks) with Superior Services for Palmer and Dublin parks.
The city will use electronic vote-counting devices for municipal elections. Madison’s municipal election will be held Aug. 23, with subsequent run-off, if needed, on Oct. 4.
