Regular Session Minutes of the
Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
July 10, 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 Gary Thomas. Mayor Hezikiah L. 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 David Box, Norman Holt, George Sides, Jr., Gary Thomas, Robert Busby and Mayor Walker. Chris Edwards and Randy Spears were absent. A quorum was in attendance.
Item #5—Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the June 26, 2025 regular meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by Norman Holt to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by David Box. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #6— Departmental Reports A-F- Gary Thomas made a motion to approve the
departmental reports A-F. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion
carried.
Item #7 – Bill List – A motion was made by Norman Holt to approve the bill list dated July 9, 2025. Motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #8-Old Business- Storm Shelter Rules-George Sides made a motion to approve the storm shelter rules and instructions as written. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed. It was discussed that the police department may be the best option to open the shelter in the event of a weather emergency since they are staffed 24/7. There was also a discussion about a volunteer within the city being a key-holder to open it and to advertise the need for a volunteer within the community. There was also a discussion about obtaining an electronic door lock to automatically lock and unlock the shelter door.
Item #9-Storm Shelter Concrete parking quote- Norman Holt made a motion to approve
pouring a concrete parking area at the storm shelter 80×40 side and 20×14 front in the amount of $15,500.50 (fifteen thousand five hundred and 50/100) from Clean Slate Services. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #10- Fire Department Requests-
- Fire Chief’s Conference-Robert Busby made a motion to approve Fire Chief Adrean Booth to attend the Fire Chief’s Conference at Perdido Beach August 3-6 in the amount of $1,325 (one thousand three hundred twenty-five & no/100). Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
- Rescue Truck Purchase/Funding options-Fire Chief Booth presented the information from First Government Lease Company to finance a total of $423,000 (four hundred twenty-three thousand and no/100) on a ten-year term with an annual payment of $68,737 (sixty-eight thousand seven hundred thirty- seven & no/100). This quote includes the purchase of sixteen air packs for a total cost of $163,695 (one hundred sixty-three thousand three hundred ninety-five and no/100) and a rescue truck for $262,250 (two hundred sixty-two thousand two hundred fifty and no/100).
George Sides made a motion to purchase eight air packs for $81,847.50 (eighty-one
thousand eight hundred forty-seven and 50/100). Robert Busby made a motion to approve
the purchase of the rescue truck in the amount of $266,250 (two hundred sixty-six
thousand two hundred fifty and no/100). David Box seconded the motion. There was a
discussion about getting additional quotes from different lenders. Robert Busby withdrew
his motion. Norman Holt made a motion to table the item until further quotes can be
obtained for this purchase. Gary Thomas seconded the motion. All in favor and the item
was tabled.
Item #11- PTO Policy- Mayor Walker related Officer Barry Elam’s son was hospitalized with
third degree burns and he has used all his PTO (paid time off) to be with his son and he is in need of more paid time off to be able to care for his son during this period of time. Officer Harold Cox has turned in his resignation and has offered to donate his PTO to Officer Elam. The donation of an employee’s PTO to another employee is not addressed in the city’s PTO policy. David Box made the motion to allow Officer Harold Cox to donate his balance of 104.62 hours of PTO to Officer Barry Elam and amend the PTO policy to allow the donation of PTO time to another employee to happen in the future. Gary Thomas seconded the motion. Mayor Walker suggested this be handled in two separate motions (one motion to address the PTO policy and one motion to address Officer Cox’s PTO donation to Officer Elam). George Sides suggested paying Officer Elam four weeks of pay and addressing the policy if this situation ever occurred again in the future. Mayor Walker repeated the motion to allow Officer Harold Cox to be allowed to donate his 104.62 PTO hours to Officer Barry Elam. George Sides voted NO to this motion because he would like to pay Officer Elam four weeks PTO. The motion carried.
Item #12-Public Comment-Jessica Mashburn made several comments regarding the opening of the storm shelter to include implementing an inclement weather policy, considering paying someone to open the shelter and to monitor it and suggested the street department be responsible for cleaning of the shelter after it is used. She also suggested an extended illness bank or supplemental short-term disability policies for the employees to assist in emergencies when there is no longer available PTO.
Item #13-Adjourn- Robert Busby made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Norman Holt
seconded the motion. All in favor and the meeting was adjourned.