City Council approves payments, rejects land purchase
MADISON – At its Oct. 23 meeting, Madison City Council paid larger bills pertaining mainly to road improvements and Dublin Park.
The major expenses involved these needs:
* Geotechnical engineering services for Dublin Park Pool air-supported covering, OMI Inc., $30,252.50.
* Document management services, PowerDMS, $4,692.
* Mill Road bridge replacement over Bradford Creek, Miller & Miller, $5,844.15.
* Relocation of fiber optic cables under Madison Boulevard in flood-prone area, AT&T, $19,428.43.
However, council rejected a resolution for the city’s purchase of 1.85 acres from Papa Jack’s Inc. on Kyser Boulevard for $229,900.
Jon Howell, CEO of HEMSI, summarized local opioid cases. This year, Madison has had 48 events with 43 patients ranging from teenagers to a person 70-plus years old. In these cases, 75 percent were male. First-responders pronounced two cases dead on the scene. Madison County had 725 cases in the same time.
Kathy Larson with JustServe organization thanked council for the city endorsing its services in connecting volunteers with needs of nonprofit and government organizations. “JustServe is a unifying tool for the community. We’ve seen the good that can come from hardships when working together,” Larson said.
The city will buy a 2018 Dingo utility loader for public works. County Commissioner Steve Haraway donated a television that Madison Senior Center will use.
The city has accepted an insurance settlement from Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation for police department vehicles determined as total losses from an Oct. 1 incident. The settlement offers were $9,750 for 2013 Dodge Charger and $4,200 for 2010 Ford Crown Victoria.
City Attorney Megan Zingarelli received approval to assess costs for weed abatement (grass mowing) at approximately $380 each to three tax bills of property owners at Rainbow Glen Circle, 311 Lena Cain Blvd. and 130 Crescent Circle.
The engineering department will add Moore’s Creek, Phase 4, into the city’s maintenance program. The revenue department gave a first reading of increase in lodging tax from 7 percent and $1 per room per night to 9 percent and $2 per room per night. The police department will pay $4,930 for officers to pursue PoliceOne Academy online training agreement.
The planning department will enter a $144,881 contract with Goodwyn Mills Cawood for preparation of an industrial area plan, which city leaders will use in recruiting companies to locate in Madison.
Wendy Moeller updated council about amendments to city sign regulations. Local realtor Heather Batchelor read a letter from Huntsville Area Board of Realtors directed to local real estate professionals urging them to follow Madison’s sign ordinance. “We’re committed to working with the city to find a solution to benefit everyone,” Batchelor said.
City Clerk/Treasurer Melanie Williard received approval for $4,896 contract with Accela for board-commission software.
Mayor Paul Finley thanked city employees for maintaining safety during parades for Madison Street Festival and high school homecoming parades. Finley designated the week of Oct. 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week.
District 1 Councilwoman Maura Wroblewski reminded residents that Madison Police Foundation’s Halloween Bash will be held on Oct. 27 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Insanity Complex.
