Regular Session Minutes of the
Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
October 12, 2023
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 Hezikiah Walker, Jr. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor
Stephens.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Randy Stephens. Roll call was taken by Stacy Turner.
Present at the meeting were David Box, Chris Edwards, George Sides, Jr., Hezikiah Walker, Jr.
and Mayor Stephens. Norman Holt, Randy Spears and Gary Thomas were absent. A quorum was in attendance.
Item #5 – Approval of Minutes – The minutes of the September 28, 2023 council meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Hezikiah Walker, Jr. to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Chris Edwards. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #6 – Old Business – Brush Pickup Update-Item was tabled due to Norman Holt’s absence and his information regarding the update.
Animal Shelter Update – Item was tabled due to Randy Spears’ absence and his information regarding this topic.
Fire Department Carport Update – Chief Booth related the wind rating on the building is 70
(seventy) mph and TN Steel Buildings does follow the international building code. The item was tabled due to Randy Spears’ absence and to confirm all the questions were adequately answered before the item was voted on by the Council. Chris Edwards made a motion to table the old business. Hezikiah Walker, Jr. seconded the motion. All in favor and the old business was tabled.
Item #7 – Bill List – George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve the bill list dated October 10,
David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #8 – Departmental Reports: George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve Departmental
Reports A-G. Hezikiah Walker, Jr. and Mayor Stephens discussed the use of City of Lights gym for basketball practice and it was decided to wait and make sure there were enough children to register before the reservations were made for the use of the gym. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed.
Item #9 – Medical Clinic – Mayor Stephens related that Dora Utilities was interested in the past in purchasing/leasing the medical clinic and they have purchased property for their future office and we should decide to sell or lease the medical clinic building. He presented copies of the appraisal from 2017 with an assessed value of $580,100 (five hundred eighty thousand one hundred and no/100) with a reconciled value of $270,000 (two hundred seventy thousand and no/100) for the 4,450 (four thousand four hundred fifty) square foot building. Mayor Stephens suggested placing the building on the market with a commercial real estate agent for a list price of $289,000 (two hundred eighty-nine thousand and no/100) or consider leasing the building for $2,500 (two thousand five hundred and no/100) per month. Chris Edwards made a motion to table the item until Item #10-Dora Utilities is heard by the Council. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the item was tabled.
Item #10 – Dora Utilities – Nick Isbell presented a request from Dora Utilities to enter into a lease agreement (with option to purchase) the medical clinic. The details of the lease agreement presented included a twelve-month lease agreement with the option of two six-month extensions, $2,000 (two thousand and no/100) per month rent and they will assume all repairs and upkeep on the building while they are leasing it, and they would like to be able to take possession of the building by November 15, 2023. The option to purchase details are as follows-all the funds collected during the leasing term would go towards the purchase price of $200,000 (two hundred thousand and no/100) minus the amount collected during the term of the lease. David Box made a motion to enter into a lease agreement of the medical clinic for twelve months with Dora Utilities for $2,500 (two thousand five hundred) per month. George Sides, Jr. seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: David Box-Yes; Chris Edwards-Abstain; George Sides, Jr.-Yes;Hezikiah Walker, Jr.-Yes; Mayor Stephens-Yes. Yes-4; Abstain-1. The motion carried. Dora Utilities will discuss this with their Board and consider their options and notify the City Council of their decision.
Item #11 – Fire Department Request – Chief Booth presented her Fire Chief’s Report which
includes some requests. A quote was received by S.E.M.S to come and test the hose and ladders at the fire department. David Box made a motion to pay S.E.M.S. $3,901 (three thousand nine hundred one and no/100). Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried. Chris Edwards made a motion to approve $800 (eight hundred dollars and no/100) for a uniform allowance for the Fire Chief for the first year of service and $600 (six hundred dollars and no/100) per year for the following years of service. Davis Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed.
The Fire Chief’s 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe has 170,000 (one hundred seventy thousand) miles and needs a major repair to the brake system totaling approximately $3,000 (three thousand and no/100). This item was tabled for Chief Booth to do some research on the purchase of a new/used take home vehicle.
Item #12 – Walker County Humane Society Spay/Neuter Program – The Walker County
Humane Society is hosting their 21 st Annual Pets on Parade sponsored by The Chamber of
Commerce of Walker County. David Box made a motion to make a $500 (five hundred and
no/100) donation to sponsor the spay/neuter program. Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #13 – City of Lights Gala – Chris Edwards made a motion to purchase a table at the City of Lights Gala on November 20, 2023 at 6 p.m. for the City of Dora to attend for $175 (one
hundred seventy-five and no/100) and to also be a platinum corporate sponsor for the event for $1,500 (one thousand five hundred and no/100). David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed.
Item #14 – Lake Project Additive – George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve the additional
work items to the lake improvement project (entrance road and grading) for $66,100 (sixty-six thousand one hundred sixty and no/100). David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried. Mayor Stephens submitted his letter of resignation to the City Clerk effective November 30, 2023 after eleven years of serving the City of Dora.
Chris Edwards made the motion to adjourn the meeting. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.