Regular Session Minutes of the
Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
May 22, 2025
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 L. Walker, Jr. Mayor Walker 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 David Box, Norman Holt, Chris Edwards, George Sides, Jr., Randy Spears, Gary Thomas, Robert Busby and Mayor Walker. A quorum was in attendance.
Item #5—Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the May 8, 2025 regular session meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by Chris Edwards to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #6— Bill List – A motion was made by Norman Holt to approve the bill list dated May 21, 2025. The motion was seconded by Robert Busby. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #7-Old Business: Walking Trail Trees- Chris Edwards made a motion to contact the city attorney, Jim Brakefield, and advise him to move forward with legal action regarding the lumber company that cut the trees on the city’s right of way on the walking trail. Randy Spears seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Consulting Agreement-Chris Edwards made a motion to enter into the monthly agreement with consultant Allan Rice for $2,000 (two thousand and no/100) per month pending attorney approval of the language used in the document. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Fire Hydrants-A packet was reviewed from Dora Utilities regarding the status of the hydrants in the city that need to be repaired or replaced. The packet also included a proposal for a policy between the City of Dora and its street department, Dora Utilities and Dora Fire and Rescue, regarding responsibilities to maintain the hydrants moving forward. The estimated cost to repair and replace all the hydrants in the city is $125,000 (one hundred twenty-five thousand and no/100) per year over a five-year period and the utility board is asking the City of Dora to share this cost. George Sides made a motion to pay Dora Utilities $62,500 (sixty-two thousand five hundred and no/100) to replace the first twenty hydrants and once that project is completed, come back to the city for an update and discussion about future payments to continue the project. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Street Department: Brush Truck and Man Lift-Mayor Walker related that the City of Jasper declared the 2008 Freightliner brush truck surplus and donated the truck to the City of Dora at no cost. The paperwork was received from them, and it will be picked up soon. A man lift was purchased for the street department from ADECA for $7,500 (seven thousand five hundred and no/100) and the lift was transported to the street department by a wrecker for $350 (three hundred fifty and no/100).
Park Director-The job posting for the park director was reviewed and will be posted.
Dora High School Traffic Flow Meeting-Norman Holt related that he, Mayor Walker, George Sides and Chief Hall met with Paige Abner the principal at Dora High School and Dennis Willingham, Walker County School Superintendent and discussed a traffic plan during the construction of the new high school. A memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be prepared to give Dora Police Department authority to patrol the area and issue citations if needed during this construction phase with the traffic problems in the area.
Item #8-Freddy Wynn-847 Sharon Blvd-Mr. Wynn related he is concerned about the high school traffic crossing Highway 78 heading west specifically the median of Hwy78 at Hillside Church pulling onto the highway as it is difficult to see over the hill that direction and the amount of traffic that does this at peak school hours. He relates he has written a letter to Dennis Willingham and Governor Ivy requesting this area be turned into a school zone. Mayor Walker related the city would contact ALDOT to determine if this is an option since it is a state highway. Mr. Wynn also related that due to the sidewalk and drain on the city’s right of way which does not drain properly, his driveway floods and has washed out and asked the city to help replace his driveway. Mayor Walker related he would have the street department supervisor go look at the area and see what the issue is and if the city has any responsibility for the problem.
Item #9- Fire Department Internet Network Bridge Estimate- Chief Booth related the constant problems they have been having with the internet service at the fire department. Brandon Carter has made multiple attempts to fix the issue along with Spectrum with no permanent solution. Chris Edwards made a motion to approve the estimate from Carter’s Sound Solution for $3,612.48 (three thousand six hundred twelve and 48/100) which includes the network bridge, wi-fi to fire truck garage and a tv for fire chief’s office for weather. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #10-Ordinance #16-2025- Property Annexation of Michael Smoot-Second Reading- The ordinance has been posted for the required number of days and public comment can be heard at this time. None was made. Randy Spears made a motion to accept Ordinance #16-2025-Property annexation of Michael Smoot. Robert Busby seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE: Randy Spears-YES; Gary Thomas-YES; Robert Busby-YES; Mayor Walker-YES; David Box-YES; Norman Holt-YES; Chris Edwards-YES; George Sides-YES. YES=8. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #11- Resolution #5-2025- Back To School Sales Tax Holiday- Chris Edwards made a motion to approve
Resolution #5-2025 a resolution approving the City of Dora’s participation in the State of Alabama’s sales tax holiday July 18, 2025, through July 20, 2025. Robert Busby seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #12-Landfill Update-Mayor Walker related that Pineview Landfill will close June 28, 2025. He relates that Walker County has joined Big Sky for landfill services. Our current rate for the city to dump at Pineview is one dollar per ton and will be twenty-nine dollars per ton at Big Sky.
Item #13-High School Summer Training Program and Internship-Mayor Walker relates Akima Garner is a junior at Washington University St. Louis majoring in finance with a minor in business. She will be participating in an unpaid internship here with the Mayor and City Clerk during the month of June. Chris Edwards made a motion to allow Akima Garner to be an intern for the City of Dora in June. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
George Sides made a motion to partner with Phoenix Jet, which will pay three high school students from Dora High School $10/hour (ten dollars per hour) to work for the city in a six-week training program for students with disabilities. The parents will provide their transportation, and the company will provide liability coverage for the students. Gary Thomas seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #14- Notice of Election- The notice of election for the City of Dora was read by Mayor Walker. This is for the local election for mayor and seven city council places. The election date is Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Dora Civic Center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Qualifying begins Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 8 a.m. and qualifying ends on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 5 p.m. Qualifying fees for the mayor is $50 (fifty and no/100) and council seats is $25 (twenty-five and no/100).
Item #15-Public Comment-None.
Item #16-Adjourn- Mayor Walker related a work session will be on June 5, 2025. Norman Holt made the motion to adjourn the meeting. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the meeting was adjourned.