Regular Session Minutes of the Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
May 13, 2021
The Council of the City of Dora, Alabama met in the Dora Municipal Building at 6:00 pm. We were led in prayer by Hezikiah Walker, Jr. The pledge of allegiance was led by Mayor Randy Stephens.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Randy Stephens. Roll call was taken by SuLeigh Warren. Present at the meeting were David Box, Norman Holt, Chris Edwards, Randy Spears, Gary Thomas, Hezikiah Walker, Jr., and Mayor Randy Stephens. George Sides, Jr., was absent.
A quorum was in attendance.
Item #5— Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the April 22, 2021 and the minutes of the Special Called Meeting on April 29, 2021 were reviewed. A motion was made by Chris Edwards to accept the minutes of the April 22, 2021 regular meeting and the April 29, 2021 Special Called Meeting as written. The motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. All in favor and the motion was carried.
Item #6— Bill List – A motion was made by Gary Thomas to approve the bill lists for
May 6, 2021 and May 11, 2021. The motion was seconded by Randy Spears. All in favor and the motion was carried.
Item #7— Department Reports – A motion was made by Norman Holt to approve the department reports A-G for April 2021. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion was carried.
Item #8 – Old Business – Land Acquisition and Youth Football –
A. Update Land Acquisition – Mayor Stephens informed the council that the closing for the purchase the Charles and Joyce Keel property in the amount of $75,000.00 is schedule for Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Estimated closing costs is $750.00.
B. Youth Football Program – Mayor Stephens re-opened the discussion on combining the Dora and Sumiton Parks’ Recreational Football program. Mayor Stephens called on Park Director, Rodney Smithers and Dora Park football coach, A.J. Pruitt to discuss their thoughts about this merger. Each discussed positive and negatives. Mr. Smithers stated he has talked with the parents and they want to continue with a Dora team. Chris Edwards made a motion to keep the Dora program. The motion was seconded by Randy Spears. Roll Call Vote: David Box – Yes; Norman Holt – No; Chris Edwards – Yes; Randy Spears – Yes; Gary Thomas – Yes; Hezikiah Walker Jr. – No; and Mayor Stephens – Yes. Motion Carried. 5- Yes; 2- No.
Item #9 – Gutters – Mayor Stephens presented a quote in the amount of $1,802.71 from Creative Aluminum to install new 6-inch gutters at the City Hall. A motion was made by Randy Spears to approve the bid from Creative Aluminum in the amount of $1,802.71 to install gutters at City Hall. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #10 – Alcohol License – Mayor Stephens informed the council that the new Dollar General has applied for a license to sell alcohol. City Clerk, SuLeigh Warren said that all required documentation has been submitted. The legal ad will be run twice in the Mountain Eagle for public comment. The council will vote yes or no on this issue at next scheduled meeting.
Item #11 – Golf Carts – Mayor Stephens stated that the current golf carts will be 5 years old this fall. With the record-breaking activity over the past year at the golf course with no anticipated slow-down, there is a need to purchase new golf carts. Two bids to purchase new golf carts were presented. Club Car submitted a bid in the amount of $4,064.36 per golf cart with Lithium Batteries. This includes a $2,800 credit for the trade-in of old carts with a 5-year full warranty. The total cost will be $292,633.92 (72 carts). The other bid was from E-Z-Go in the amount of $4,725.00 for each Lithium Battery cart, which includes a trade-in credit in the amount of $1,750.00. Total Cost is $340,200.00 (72 carts). Randy Spears made the motion to approve the purchase from Club Car in the amount of $292,633.92. The motion was seconded by Norman Holt. All in favor and the motion was carried.
Item #12 – Executive Session – Mayor Stephens requested an Executive Session to discuss pending legal matters. Chris Edwards made a motion to go into Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Randy Spears. Roll Call Vote: David Box – Yes; Norman Holt – Yes; Chris Edwards – Yes; Randy Spears – Yes; Gary Thomas – Yes; Hezikiah Walker, Jr. – Yes; Mayor Randy Stephens – Yes. All in favor and the motion carried.
Randy Spears made a motion to return to regular session. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
The council returned to open meeting.
Gary Thomas made a motion that he thought it was in the best interest of both entities and the citizens of Dora to settle the 2018 lawsuit out of court. The motion was seconded by Norman Holt. Randy Spears and Chris Edwards stated for the record that although they are now on the Board of Directors of the Dora Utilities, they were not on that board when Dora Utilities filed the lawsuit against the City of Dora. Roll Call Vote: David Box – Yes; Norman Holt – Yes; Chris Edwards – Abstain; Randy Spears – Abstain; Gary Thomas – Yes; Hezikiah Walker, Jr. – Yes; Mayor Stephens – Yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Gary Thomas to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Chris Edwards. Meeting adjourned.