Regular Session Minutes of the
Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
May 9, 2024
The Council of the City of Dora, Alabama met in the Dora Municipal Building at 6:00 p.m. We
were led in prayer by a Dora Fire Department Chaplain, Mr. Rod Harris. Mayor Hezikiah L.
Walker, Jr. led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Walker. Roll call was taken by Stacy Turner. Present at the meeting were David Box, Norman Holt, George Sides, Jr., Chris Edwards, Gary Thomas, Robert Busby and Mayor Walker. Randy Spears arrived later. A quorum was in attendance.
At this time, Mayor Walker recognized former Mayor Randy Stephens and former Councilman Clyde Nix and allowed opening remarks from them.
Item #5—Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the April 25, 2024 regular meeting
minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by Norman Holt to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by David Box. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #6 – Old Business –Mayor Walker updated the council on various topics. The first
economic development strategic planning committee will meet on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 6 p.m. The Heritage Landing committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. We are gathering more details about the roof repairs. The mobile internet hot spot has been purchased for the backup internet for the golf course. The inspection by Marathon Electric for the ballpark lighting has been performed and we are awaiting the report.
Item #7— Bill List – A motion was made by Norman Holt to approve the bill lists dated May 8, Motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #8 –Departmental Reports A-G- George Sides made a motion to approve the
departmental reports A-G. Robert Busby seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion
carried.
Item #9-5K Fundraiser Children’s Miracle Network-Angela Kyzer, the Sumiton Wal-Mart
Vision Center Manager relates that yearly their store participates in a yearly fundraiser where all the profits made benefit Children’s Hospital of Birmingham. This year, she is asking for permission to use the walking trail and host a 3K walk/run with a $20 (twenty) entry fee and would also like to have a food truck in the parking area near the walking trail. This event is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, 2024 with registration at 9:00 (nine) a.m. George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve the use of the walking trail and to allow a food truck at the event for the 3K Fundraiser to benefit Children’s Hospital on June 29, 2024. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #10 – East Walker Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet–The annual banquet for the
East Walker Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for May 21, 2024 at Bevill State at 6:00 (six)
p.m. with Senator Greg Reed as their keynote speaker. Norman Holt made a motion to purchase a table to seat six for the banquet for the City of Dora to attend in the amount of $225 (two hundred twenty-five and no/100). Gary Thomas seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #11- Fire Department Surplus AED’s-Chief Booth related there are three AED’s at the
fire department which have been out of service since 2017. They are monophasic AED’s which don’t meet the current standard of care. There is no other use for these devices. She would like these items to be declared surplus property since they are no longer serviceable. She relates she would attempt to try to sell them on gov deals but it is unlikely anyone would be interested in these items and may need to be disposed of properly. David Box made a motion to surplus the three AED’s. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #12-Golf Course Spreader- Interim Golf Course Manager Keith Wright related the
spreader at the golf course is over twenty years old and is out of service. This equipment is used for spreading fertilizer, distributing sand and when the spreader is detached from the top of the truck bed it can be used to help haul materials around the golf course. Norman Holt made a motion to purchase the off-lease John Deere ProGator cart with 1,400 (one thousand four hundred and no/100) hours for $22,500 (twenty-two thousand five hundred and no/100) and to also purchase the new Dakota Truck Mount topdresser for the ProGator for $18,241 (eighteen thousand two hundred forty-one and no/100). David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #13- Golf Course Digital Signage – Gary Thomas made a motion to purchase three
commercial fifty-five inch monitors at a cost of $1,834 (one thousand eight hundred thirty-four and no/100) to be used as digital signs at the golf course and also to approve the quote the remaining accessories and installation of the equipment by Carter Sound Solutions at a cost of $2,323.13 (two thousand three hundred twenty-three and 13/100) for a total cost of $4,157.13 (four thousand one hundred fifty-seven and 13/100). David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
At this time, Mayor Walker related that a work session is scheduled for May 16, 2024 at 6 p.m.
Our auditor, Charles Wilson, will be invited to come discuss our audit with us. Also, this week we received notification from Walker County EMA that the federal funds have been obligated for our storm shelter. Regina Myers will also be invited to come to speak to us at the work session and discuss the process.
Randy Spears arrived at this time.
Norman Holt said he would like to have a resolution or ordinance written regarding the policy that employees and council are allowed to play golf at the golf course for only the cart fee. It was decided that this topic and its details would be written out and then brought before the City Council for approval after speaking with the AL Ethics Commission and determining if this would be a part of the council’s salary package for the next term.
Mayor Walker opened the floor for public comment. Arthur Lee Taylor and Randy Stephens also discussed the potential ethics violation of playing golf for free as an elected official and the steps that would need to be taken for the next term to be allowed to play golf for free. Discounted food purchases for elected officials at the golf course will also be discussed.
Item #14-Adjourn- Gary Thomas made the motion to adjourn the meeting. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and meeting was adjourned.