Regular Session Minutes of the
Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
January 11, 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 Mayor Hezikiah Walker, Jr. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor
Walker.
The meeting was called by Mayor Walker. Roll call was taken by Stacy Turner. Present at the
meeting were David Box, Norman Holt, Chris Edwards, George Sides, Jr., Randy Spears, Gary
Thomas, Robert Busby and Mayor Walker. A quorum was in attendance.
Item #5-Oath of Office-The oath of office was administered to Councilman Robert Busby by City Clerk Stacy Turner.
Item #6— Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the December 21, 2023, regular meeting
minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by Chris Edwards to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Randy Spears. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #7 – Old Business –
Fire Department Metal Building-There were questions regarding the wind rating on the
building from a previous council meeting which is rated for 70 mph. Norman Holt made a
motion to accept the bid from TN Steel Buildings for $6195.57 (six thousand one hundred
ninety-five and 57/100). David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Surplus Vehicles-The Fire Department has a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe which needs approximately $4,000 (four thousand and no/100) worth of repairs. It will crank and run. The police department has a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe which has approximately 175,000 (one hundred seventy-five thousand) miles and needs approximately $5,000 (five thousand and no/100) worth of known repairs. It will not run at this time. Chris Edwards made a motion to set the minimum bid for the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe at $1,500 (one thousand five hundred and no/100) and the minimum bid for the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe at $1,000 (one thousand and no/100). Bids will be accepted through January 31, 2024 and will be opened at the council meeting on February 8, 2024. Motion was seconded by David Box. All in favor and the motion passed.
Item #8— Bill List – A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to approve the bill lists dated
January 10, 2024. Motion was seconded by Norman Holt. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #9 – Departmental Reports – A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to approve
February 2023 Department Reports A-H. Motion was seconded by Norman Holt. All in favor and the motion carried.
It was noted that there were two requests in the fire chief’s report that are not on the agenda
for the meeting tonight so those will be addressed at the next council meeting. On the park
report, it was noted there were lighting issues for the baseball fields. The park director was
asked to get estimates for lighting repairs on the baseball fields. The park director was also
asked to provide a report regarding minimum requirements for baseball registration/season as well as a report regarding the upcoming league baseball meeting.
Item #10 –Ordinance #1-2024-Erma Hawkins Annexation–The proposed ordinance has been
posted for the required number of days in the Daily Mountain Eagle and public can be heard at this point regarding proposed annexation. No comments were made by the public. Randy
Spears made a motion to accept Ordinance #1-2024 to annex Erma Hawkins’ property into City Limits of Dora. The motion was seconded by Norman Holt. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #11 – Ordinance #2-2024-Bretford Griffin Annexation – First reading of Ordinance #2-
2024-Bretford Griffin Annexation was read by City Clerk Stacy Turner. The petition for
annexation from Bretford Griffin was presented.
Item #12-Resolution #1-2024-Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday – Randy Spears made a motion to approve Resolution #1-2024-Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday for the Year 2024. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #13-Human Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamation- Rachel Carr from Walker County Advocacy Center spoke regarding human trafficking awareness. In an effort to promote awareness, we have declared January human trafficking awareness month for the City of Dora. Norman Holt made a motion to accept the proclamation. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #14-Rebuild Alabama Annual Report-The Rebuild Alabama Annual Report was presented by Mayor Walker . The City of Dora has used $80,662.19 (eighty thousand six hundred sixty two and 19/100) of Rebuild Alabama funds on various road projects in the City of Dora including Phillips Street, Pratt Road, Rainbow Lane, Doc’s Drive and Glover Road. The balance of the Rebuild Alabama account is $11,161.78 (eleven thousand one hundred sixty one and 78/100) as of December 11, 2023. Mayor Walker would like to see some of the Rebuild Alabama funds used towards cleaning out city ditches in 2024.
Item #15-Police Chief Conference- David Box made a motion to pay for the AACOP Winter
Conference in Montgomery for Police Chief Jared Hall for an approximate cost of $984 (nine
hundred eighty four and no/100). Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the
motion passed.
Item #16-Dora Lake Creel Limit and Fish Attractors-Southeastern Pond Management has been maintaining the lake monthly. At this time, it is not recommended that any fish be harvested to allow the fish population to grow. They also suggested the use of 8-10 brush piles of Christmas trees as an excellent structure to add to the lake. Norman Holt made a motion to accept the recommendations to allow for catch and release only at the lake and to purchase signs to be posted stating catch and release only at this time and to authorize the Christmas trees to be placed in the lake as fish attractors. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #17-Kids and Kin and Girl Scout’s Program-Chris Edwards made a motion to allow the Kids and Kin program to meet in the small room of the civic center for their meetings twice per month. Rae Ann Moore is the director, and the meetings would last approximately 1-2 hours and would take place on a Friday and would consist of approximately 10-12 adults. George Sides, Jr. seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed. Brandy Barrett is organizing a Girl Scouts Troop in this area and needs a location to hold her monthly meetings which she hopes to begin in February. There would be approximately 25 in
attendance and would like to be able to use the small room in the civic center for their monthly meetings which would be after school hours. Chris Edwards made a motion to approve the Girls Scouts use of the civic center for their monthly meetings. Gary Thomas seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
A civic center rental agreement would need to be completed and kept on file by Rae Ann
Moore and Brandy Barrett in case of any damage. They would both contact City Hall and give
them their meeting dates and times as soon as they know their schedules, so the rooms won’t be overbooked. These rentals would be free of charge at this time until further notice is given.
Item #18-Mayor Pro Tempore Position-Norman Holt, the current Mayor Pro Tempore, read his
letter of resignation as Mayor Pro Tempore effective immediately. He will continue to serve on the City Council. David Box made a motion to accept the letter of resignation by Norman Holt as Mayor Pro Tempore. Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried. At this time, Mayor Hezikiah Walker, Jr. recommended the council consider George Sides, Jr. be appointed as Mayor Pro Tempore. There was no motion for this recommendation. David Box made a motion to appoint Chris Edwards Mayor Pro Tempore effective immediately. Norman Holt seconded the motion. A discussion was held amongst the council members regarding the methods for choosing a Mayor Pro Tempore. Mayor Walker opened the floor and public comments were heard regarding the process of choosing a Mayor Pro Tempore. The floor was closed for public comment.
Roll Call Vote: George Sides, Jr-YES; Randy Spears-YES; Gary Thomas-YES; Robert Busby-YES;
Mayor Walker-YES; David Box-YES; Norman Holt-YES; Chris Edwards-Abstain. YES-7 Abstain-1. The motion carried.
Mayor Walker opened the floor for public comments. No comments were made. Mayor Walker announced the official swearing in ceremony for Mayor Walker and Robert Busby is scheduled to take place prior to the council meeting on January 25, 2024. Light refreshments will be served after the council meeting in the civic center, and all are invited to attend.
Norman Holt made the motion to adjourn the meeting. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and meeting was adjourned.