Regular Session Minutes of the
Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
July 11, 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 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 Neisa Gooch. 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 June 27, 2024 council meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Chris Edwards. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #6 – Old Business –Bob Conrad from MidSouth Engineering and their attorney Charlie Beavers were present along with our attorney Jim Brakefield. They are here to answer any questions and move forward with their offer to purchase the property off River Road for their project. They related after their project is completed, they would deed the property back to the City of Dora.
Randy Spears made a motion to sell the one-acre property off River Road to Mid-South Engineering in the amount of $50,000 (fifty thousand and no/100 dollars) with the agreement that once their use of the property has ended, the property will be returned/deeded back to the City at no additional cost. Norman Holt seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Gary Thomas-YES; Norman Holt-YES; David Box-YES; Mayor Walker-YES; Randy Spears-YES; George Sides-NO; Chris Edwards-YES; Robert Busby-NO; YES=6; NO=2. The motion carried.
Randy Spears made a motion to give Jim Brakefield the authority to begin the title process for the property to be sold to MidSouth Engineering. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Mayor Walker related that Nelson Engineering is evaluating the road situation at the intersection of Sharon Boulevard and Railroad Avenue. Their recommendation is to have a company perform a video inspection of the pipelines in the area of the pothole. Randy Spears made a motion to authorize Nelson Engineering to contract a company to have the video inspection of the underground pipelines underneath the pothole at the intersection of Sharon Boulevard and Railroad Avenue to be conducted. David Box seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Randy Spears received a project summary from Nelson Engineering detailing all the current financial obligations the City of Dora will have to meet and explained this summary to the Mayor and Council. The City will be responsible for $1,193,550.00 (one million one hundred ninety-three thousand five hundred fifty and no/100) for Heritage Landing Sewer Extensions and we will also be responsible for $215,000.00 (two hundred fifteen thousand and no/100) which is our portion for the golf course pump station for a total of $1,408,550.00 (one million four hundred eight thousand five hundred fifty and no/100). This does not include our financial obligation to Drummond Company as outlined in the master development agreement nor does it include any obligations to Love’s.
Item #7 –Bill List-Norman Holt made a motion to accept the bill list dated July 10, 2024. George Sides seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #8-Departmental Reports A-G-Randy Spears made a motion to approve the departmental reports A-G. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #9-Walker County Community Action Agency Donation- Randy Spears made a motion to donate $1,500 (one thousand five hundred and no/100) to Walker County Community Action Agency from the opioid litigation funds. Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion passed.
Item #10 – Police Officer Cadet Pay– Randy Spears made a motion to pay a police cadet $16.50/hour (sixteen and 50/100) while he is in the police academy program. The pay rate will increase to $20/hour (twenty and no/100) upon completion of the program. There is now a three-year commitment from the officer to the city that we send to the program.
Mayor Walker related there will be a work session on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Mayor Walker opened the floor for public comment. There were none made.
Item #11-Adjourn- Randy Spears made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the meeting was adjourned.