Regular Session Minutes of the
Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
February 22, 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 Eric Tolbert. Mayor Hezikiah 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 Norman Holt, George Sides, Jr., Gary Thomas, Robert Busby and Mayor Walker. David Box, Chris Edwards and Randy Spears were absent. A quorum was in attendance.
David Box arrived at 6:02 p.m. prior to Item #5.
Item #5— Proclamation-Mrs. Doris Jean Harris-Mayor Walker read and presented the proclamation recognizing Mrs. Doris Jean Harris.
Item #6-Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the February 8, 2024, regular meeting
minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to accept the minutes as
written. The motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #7 – Old Business –Mayor Walker updated the council on various topics. The equipment
lending agreement has been signed by the Mayor of Graysville and Mayor Walker. We are
awaiting the repair facility to give us a start date for our fire engine repair to execute the
agreement with Graysville.
Mayor Walker related the trees have been cleared at the lake in preparation for Coston General Contractors to begin construction on the pavilion on March 1, 2024. He also related that the area was being prepared this week for the covered shed for their fire engine at the fire department and it was discovered there were several trees that needed removed. After Jackson Tree Service completed the tree removal at the lake, they were able to remove these trees behind the fire department.
Mayor Walker related the work session held on February 15, 2024, was productive and well
attended. He stated one of the issues discussed was the use of K-9 dog Charlie and we will get an agreement presented to council soon.
The annexation petitions are still being turned in and being worked on as quickly as possible. Mayor Walker discussed a meeting that was held with Love’s Truck Stop. He related Love’s is considering a site in Dora and beginning their due diligence with Drummond Company on the Heritage Landing property site. As for an official announcement, Love’s will wait to do an official announcement once they get through a good bit of their due diligence and have full confidence that the project will make it. Love’s did ask for council recommendations as far as choices for potential restaurant choices inside Love’s. Mayor Walker also requested a committee be formed to work on this project. George Sides volunteered for the committee. Marion Combs also volunteered for the committee.
Mayor Walker also announced a work session will be held on March 7, 2024 @ 6 p.m. at Dora
City Council Chambers.
Item #8— Bill List – A motion was made by Norman Holt to approve the bill lists dated
February 21, 2024. Motion was seconded by George Sides. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #9 –Park-Security Camera Quotes–Two estimates were received from Carter Sound
Solutions, LLC for security cameras to be placed at the park that will provide an up-close view of the basketball court, bathroom entrance, picnic area and concession stand. Carter Sound Solutions installed security cameras for the police department and this system for the park will allow the police department to view the camera footage. It will eliminate the need for a separate monthly Spectrum bill, and we could eventually network the civic center, fire department and lake pavilion to all be viewed in the police department. Gary Thomas made a motion to accept the estimate of $4,434.36 (four thousand four hundred thirty-four and 36/100) plus a one-time charge of $215 (two hundred fifteen and no/100) for a router (if needed). Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed.
Item #10 – Park-Propane Cabinet– During our loss control audit with the worker’s comp
insurance company, it was discovered the propane tanks were being kept inside the concession stand that is used for their outdoor grill. We were informed the propane tanks cannot be stored inside a building. Norman Holt made a motion to purchase the freestanding flammable liquid safety storage cabinet that can be locked for $755 (seven hundred fifty-five and no/100). David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed.
Item #11-Golf Course-Christmas Lights– George Sides made a motion to approve the
commercial Christmas Lighting Estimate for Horse Creek Golf Course for 890.86 (eight hundred ninety and 86/100). This did not include labor which may cost an additional $1775 (one thousand seven hundred seventy-five and no/100) the first year of installation. This will be paid from the golf course account. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #12-Golf Course-Daily Rates- A comparison chart was used to compare the rates from
Graysville-Mountain View Golf Course, Cullman-Cross Creek Municipal Golf Course and a
Robert Trent Jones golf course. Norman Holt made a motion to increase the daily rate per round of golf across the board $2 as follows and to also allow our weekend rates to include Friday and Holidays: Weekday (Mon.-Thur.) AM-$33; Weekday (Mon.-Thur.) after 2:30p.m.-$28; Weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays)-$43; Weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays) after 2:30 p.m-$32.; Senior Rate-$30. David Box seconded the motion. This rate increase will be in effect as of March 1, 2024. The membership and cart fees will be evaluated at a future date.
Roll Call Vote: David Box-Yes; Norman Holt-Yes; George Sides, Jr.-No; Gary Thomas-Yes;
Robert Busby-Yes; Mayor Walker-No. Yes-4; No-2; The motion carried.
Item #13-Byars and Wright Insurance Premium- Our property insurance rate for 2024 has
increased approximately $23,000 (twenty-three thousand) compared to our last year’s premium. In addition to this increase, Byars and Wright is no longer providing interest free installment arrangements. George Sides made a motion that we pay the $21,501 (twenty-one thousand five hundred one and no/100) down payment and begin monthly installments which will be $9,116.65 (nine thousand one hundred sixteen and 65/100) per month. This will result in $5,126.50 (five thousand one hundred twenty-six and 50/100) worth of finance charges. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed. Mayor Walker informed the Council the roof on City Hall and Civic Center will more than likely need to be replaced in the near future.
Item #14-Exterminator Quote- A quote was received from Blanton Exterminating who
currently provides our termite bond and fire ant/mosquito protection for the playground and ball fields to begin our quarterly general pest control for City Hall/Police Department, Fire Department and Civic Center for $240 (two hundred forty and no/100) per quarter. This would be a $40 (forty) increase per quarter. George Sides made a motion to accept the estimate of $240 (two hundred forty) per quarter by Blanton Exterminating to service City Hall/Police Department, Fire Department and Civic Center. Robert Busby seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #15-Fire Department Uniform Allowance- George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve a
$600 (six hundred and no/100) yearly uniform allowance to include items that are worn daily (polo shirts, job shirt, uniform pants, T-shirts, shoes and other items deemed necessary by the Fire Chief) for both full time employees at the fire department Gary Thomas seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #16-Fire Department-Storage Lockers-Fire Chief Booth related lockers are needed for
the bedrooms at the fire station. This will allow for firefighters to house toiletries and additional clothing items at the fire station so that showers can be taken within an hour of a structure fire as recommended by NFPA in an effort to reduce the risk of cancer. George Sides made a motion to approve the purchase of a total of six lockers at $150 (one hundred fifty and no/100) each for a total of $900 (nine hundred and no/100). Robert Busby seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #17-Adjourn-Gary Thomas made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Norman Holt
seconded the motion. All in favor and meeting was adjourned.