Council hears input from school families
At the podium, Jon Bendickson asks Madison City Council to approve annexation of his property. RECORD PHOTOS/GREGG L. PARKER
MADISON – The complex question of annexation versus at-capacity schools was prominent at Madison City Council’s meeting on August 8.
Council approved zoning change and annexation to Jon and Michelle Bendickson for property west of Burgreen Road and south of Tribble Road for a single-family home. Two PTA officers voiced opposition to this request and expressed support for the school’s board resolution to suspend annexations.
Conversely, a request failed for annexation of approximately 12 acres west of Segers Road and south of Powell Road.
Dr. Terri Johnson, President of Madison Board of Education, summarized a resolution for the priorities for Madison City Schools (available at madisoncity.k12.al.us). Johnson stressed four major points:
* Support of all elected officials to resolve unfair taxation without representation for Madison residents living in Limestone County. Also, suspend annexations.
* Lobby legislators for equitable distribution of TVA in-lieu-of-tax dollars. “People think we’re a rich district. We are not. We’re right in the middle,” Johnson said.
* Ask residents to renew ad valorem taxes that benefit schools. “We’ll advocate for new ad valorem taxes for new schools,” Johnson said.
* Request the city to proceed in partnership with MCS to build a natatorium, even if the remainder of the recreation campus is delayed.
Stressing the need for education funds, MCS Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler said, “People will drive down a bad road to get to a good school, but they won’t drive down a good road to get to a bad school.”
Council’s major payments involved these needs:
* Holzheimer Bolek & Meehan, architectural and engineering services for Madison Public Library, $71,178.36.
* Madison County Commission, repair trench failures, $5,278.80.
* Traffic signal cameras for County Line/Mill roads intersection, $24,500.
* Thompson Tractor, Caterpillar 326 Hydraulic Excavator, $78,885.
District 2 Councilman Steve Smith received approval for $5,000 to help purchase high-definition projectors and microphones to enhance streaming broadcasts of council meetings.
Mayor Troy Trulock submitted his FY 2017 budget to the Finance Committee, as requested, on Aug. 8.
Mary Beth Broeren, Director of Planning and Economic Development, received approval for proceeding with the bid process for construction of Madison Public Library. On June 27, council affirmed construction documents for the new facility.
Council approved facility use agreements for Madison Baseball Association and Madison City Volleyball. The baseball association had 939 players last spring, conducted a Dizzy Dean state tournament and improved facilities for concessions. The volleyball organization has teams for 8- to 18-year-old boys and girls; this year, 156 players have registered.
Representing Madison Police Foundation, Teresa Taylor-Duncan and Jennifer Swartz requested donations for the foundation’s major fundraiser, a Halloween bash.
District 4 Councilman Mike Potter said garbage service, as of Aug. 4, has been switched from Limestone County to Madison County Sanitation for Madison residents in Limestone County.
Residents can apply for board openings, including Madison Beautification and Tree Board, Industrial Development Board, Madison City Disability Advocacy Board, Historical Preservation Commission and Water and Wastewater Board.
Council approved agreement for crossing guards and school resource officers (SRO) with Madison Board of Education.
A public forum for council candidates is scheduled at Bob Jones High School on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. A forum for mayoral candidates is scheduled at James Clemens High School on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.
Because of the James Clemens forum, council’s work session regularly scheduled for Aug. 17 will be held on Aug. 16. Council’s regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 22 was delayed to Aug. 29 because election officials need access to Council Chambers in City Hall to set up voting machines.
