Regular Session Minutes of the
Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
December 7, 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 Gary Thomas. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro-Tem
Norman Holt.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem Norman Holt. 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 and Hezikiah Walker, Jr. A quorum was in attendance.
Item #5 – Proclamation Recognizing Dora High School Marching Band Outstanding Season
was read and presented to Band Director Jeremy McFall and thirteen of the Senior Band
Members.
Item #6 – Approval of Minutes-The minutes of the November 16, 2023 council meeting were
reviewed. A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Randy Spears. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #7 – Old Business-Police Patrol Vehicle-George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve the
purchase of a 2024 Dodge Durango Pursuit Vehicle for $41,477.36 (forty-one thousand four
hundred seventy-seven and 36/100) to be paid out of the court fund. This vehicle is on the state bid list. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #8 – Bill List-George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve the bill list dated December 6, 2023. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #9 – Departmental Reports: George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve Departmental
Reports A-H. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed.
Item #10 – Golf Course Request-Don Cummings presented a quote for a used 2021 JCB 35Z-1
mini trackhoe with bushhog attachment with 695 (six hundred ninety-five) hours for $53,875 (fifty-three thousand eight hundred seventy-five and no/100). He related a warranty can be purchased for an additional $7,000 (seven thousand and no/100). Another option is to purchase the same piece of equipment new which is on the state bid list for $67,745 (sixty-seven thousand seven hundred forty-five and no/100). Chris Edwards made a motion to purchase a new JCB 35Z-1 with a two (2) year/2000(two thousand) hour full machine warranty for $67,745 (sixty-seven thousand seven hundred forty-five and no/100). David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed.
Item #11 – Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center – Chris Edwards made a motion to
donate $2,500 (two thousand five hundred and no/100) to the Walker County Children’s
Advocacy Center. Randy Spears seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #12 – Medical Clinic – There is someone interested in purchasing the medical clinic. The last appraisal from 2017 was reviewed. Randy Spears made a motion to have an updated appraisal performed at the medical clinic on 415 Horsecreek Boulevard to determine a sale price for the property. Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried. If the interested party desires to place an offer on the building, they may present the offer to the Council for review.
Item #13 – Police Officer Virtual Training- George Sides, Jr. made a motion to purchase Virtual
Academy accounts for all Dora Police Officers. The program is $45 per officer per year which
would cost the City approximately $315 (three hundred fifteen and no/100) at the average rate of seven officers employed by the City. This will be paid for out of the court fund. Randy Spears Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #14 – Fire Department Request-Chief Booth discussed the need to surplus the 2005
Chevrolet Tahoe and old firehose. Hezikiah Walker, Jr. made a motion to surplus the Chevrolet Tahoe and the firehose. Gary Thomas seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed. Randy Spears approved the request to have the emergency response package be installed on the new Command truck, to also have the truck marked to represent the Dora Fire Department, a 2023 tonneau bed cover, lights, siren, radio at a cost which may range from $8,000 (eight thousand) to $12,000 (twelve thousand). David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Chief Booth related that the part-time positions at the fire department are currently being filled by approximately four different employees. She would like to consider creating one full-time position to eliminate so many part-time employees. She related the part time employees contribute to the retirement currently so the additional cost for the City would be the cost of the health insurance coverage, paid time off and paid holidays. She relates the current pay range is $12 (twelve)-$14 (fourteen) per hour currently depending on qualifications. She would like to fill this position for an employee at the rate of $14 (fourteen)/hour. She relates she has discussed the possibility of this full-time position with her part-time employees and there are a couple who are interested in the position and she would like to offer the position to one of her current employees.
Randy Spears made a motion to approve a full-time position at the fire department. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #15 – Yerkwood Residents’ Annexation- Hezikiah Walker, Jr. related that he, Chris
Edwards, Norman Holt and Gary Thomas went to a meeting at St. Joseph Church last night and provided information about annexing into the City Limits of Dora and explained any potential costs and discussed the benefits of being annexed into the City Limits.
Item #16-Recognition of Mayor’s Vacant Seat-Chris Edwards made a motion to recognize the
vacancy of the Mayor’s seat. Randy Spears seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion
carried.
George Sides, Jr. nominated Hezekiah Walker, Jr. as Mayor of Dora.
Marion Combs stated he would like to be considered for the Mayor’s position. There was no
motion by the City Council to nominate Marion Combs.
There were no other nominations by the City Council for the election of a Mayor.
George Sides, Jr. made a motion to appoint Hezekiah Walker, Jr. as Mayor of Dora. Gary
Thomas seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: David Box-YES; Norman Holt-ABSTAIN; Chris
Edwards-NO; George Sides, Jr.-YES; Randy Spears-YES; Gary Thomas-YES; Hezekiah
Walker, Jr.-YES. YES-5; NO-1; ABSTAIN-1. The motion carried.
Item #17-Recognition Vacancy of Council Seat – Hezikiah Walker, Jr made a motion to
recognize the vacancy of a council seat. George Sides, Jr. seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #18 – Oath of Office – City Clerk Stacy Turner administered the Oath of Office to Mayor
Hezekiah Walker, Jr.
Mayor Walker made a motion to adjourn. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.