Regular Session Minutes of the
Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
December 21, 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 Mayor Hezikiah Walker, Jr. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor
Hezikiah Walker, Jr.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hezikiah Walker, Jr. Roll call was taken by Stacy
Turner. Present at the meeting were David Box, Chris Edwards, George Sides, Jr., Randy Spears, and Mayor Walker. Norman Holt and Gary Thomas were absent. A quorum was in attendance.
At this time, Mayor Walker thanked the Council for his recent appointment as Mayor and the
opportunity to serve the city for the remainder of this term.
Item #5 – Approval of Minutes-The minutes of the December 7, 2023 council meeting were
reviewed. A motion was made by Chris Edwards to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by David Box. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #6 – Old Business-
Christmas Committee – Mayor Walker recognized all those who served on the Christmas
Committee this year to include Neisa Gooch, Jeremy Hicks, Stacy Turner, Susan Uptain, Karen Walker and the entire street department who set up all the decorations this year.
Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center – Mayor Walker informed the Council of the letter
of gratitude received from the WCCAC for the City’s recent donation.
Medical Clinic – Maloy & Co. who performed the last appraisal on the medical clinic has been contacted and will update the appraisal in January for a fee of $1,100 (one thousand one hundred and no/100).
At this time, Chris Edwards made a motion to nominate Robert Busby to fill the council seat
vacancy. David Box seconded the motion. A brief discussion was had by Mayor Walker and the council members regarding this motion and this item not being on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.
Chris Edwards made a motion to add to the agenda for tonight’s meeting the appointment of a new council member to the vacant council seat. Randy Spears seconded the motion.
Chris Edwards made a motion to appoint Robert Busby to the council seat vacancy. David Box seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Chris Edwards-YES; George Sides, Jr.-NO; Randy Spears-YES; David Box-YES; Mayor Walker-NO; YES=3; NO=2. The motion carried. It was decided that Mr. Busby’s oath of office will be done at the next council meeting by the city clerk and the official oath of office ceremony for Mayor Walker and Councilman Robert Busby will be on January 25, 2024.
Item #7 – Bill List-George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve the bill lists dated December 20, 2023. Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #8 – Dora Lake Project – Pavilion Bids – The bid opening for the lake pavilion project was
held on Thursday, December 14, 2023. There were only two bids for the project. The
Pennington Group bid $313,000 (three hundred thirteen thousand and no/100) and Coston
General Contracting bid $312,061 (three hundred twelve thousand sixty-one and no/100). Chris Edwards made a motion to accept the low bid by Coston General Contracting. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
It was discussed to contact the Boy Scouts troop leader to seek permission to have the boy scout building painted which is on the lake property.
Item #9 – Ordinance #1 – 2024 – Erma Hawkins Annexation – First Reading of Ordinance #1-
2024-Erma Hawkins Annexation. Mayor Walker presented the petition from Erma Hawkins for annexation into the City of Dora.
Open Forum-The floor was open to the public for any comments. None were made.
Item #10 – Executive Session – Randy Spears made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss legal matters regarding Heritage Landing and that council would adjourn after executive session is completed. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Randy Spears made a motion to return to regular session. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Mayor Walker made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the meeting adjourned.