Regular Session Minutes of the
Council of the City of Dora, Alabama
September 25, 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, Chris Edwards, George Sides, Jr., Randy Spears, Gary Thomas, Robert Busby and Mayor Walker. Norman Holt was absent. A quorum was in attendance.
Item #5—Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the September 11, 2025 regular session
meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by George Sides to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Robert Busby. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #6— Bill List – A motion was made by George Sides to approve the bill list dated
September 24, 2025. Motion was seconded by Robert Busby. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #7-Gas Tax Ordinance-Allan Rice presented a rough draft which has been reviewed by
Jim Brakefield for a gas tax ordinance to include a tax on diesel fuel which our current two cent gas tax does not include. A work session will be needed to discuss the amount of the fuel tax before approval.
Allan Rice also discussed the status of establishing zoning ordinances and classifications.
Item #8-Old Business
a. AL Vape Tax Ordinance-Chris Edwards made a motion to suspend the rules for
immediate consideration of Ordinance #21-2025- An Ordinance Levying a Tax Upon the
Sale of Consumable Vapor Products Within the City of Dora, Alabama. George Sides
seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: David Box-YES; Chris Edwards-YES; George
Sides-YES; Randy Spears-YES; Gary Thomas-YES; Robert Busby-YES; Mayor Walker-
YES. YES=7.
Chris Edwards made a motion to adopt Ordinance #21-2025-An Ordinance Levying a
Tax Upon the Sale of Consumable Vapor Products Within the City of Dora, Alabama to
collect ten cents per milliliter per vapor product within the City Limits of Dora. Rany
Spears seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Randy Spears-YES; Gary Thomas-YES;
Robert Busby-YES; Mayor Walker-YES; David Box-YES; Chris Edwards-YES; Geroge
Sides-YES. YES-7. The motion carried.
b. Heritage Landing Update-Mayor Walker gave an update from Drummond Company on
the progress of Heritage Landing/Love’s Travel Stop.
c. AL Power Lighting-Sharon Blvd @ Heritage Landing-Mayor Walker related that the
lighting contract had been approved for the street lights on Sharon Boulevard and
Heritage Landing entrance. After the three-year term for billing has ended, the monthly
billing will be based on usage.
d. City of Lights and Dora Fishing Team Donation Update-Mayor Walker related that he
spoke with an attorney at ALM and we are unable to donate to the fishing team due to the
type of organization they are now instead of being a school organization. The City of
Lights provides services that benefit the public and can be an acceptable donation. Mayor
Walker related he will personally donate $75 (seventy-five and no/100) to the council
approved $25 (twenty-five and no/100) donation from last meeting to donate a total of
$100 (one hundred and no/100).
e. Street Department 2026 Ford F-350 truck-Mayor Walker related Jeremy Hicks went to
Montgomery to pick up the dump truck today and it was paid for out of the general fund.
f. ARC Power Grant-Funding for water tower-The City of Dora has received approval
from ARC to submit a full application for the ARC Power Grant for a new water tower.
The application deadline is October 22. The funding will come from the general fund and
we will get a bond or a loan for our matching portion if awarded the grant.
g. Sharon Boulevard & High School water connection-Nathan Love the contractor for
the new high school construction and Darrel Waid from Walker County Board of
Education were present to discuss the open cut of Sharon Boulevard in order for the
contractor to reach the water line. It was discussed the cost of boring under the road
instead of an open cut or accessing the water line from Highway 78 on the road that runs
in front of Hillside Church and behind Sides Furniture. The contractor will speak with the
engineer about the possibility of an open cut verses boring the road.
h. Dora Utilities Fire Hydrant Update-Randy Spears provided an update on the progress
of the fire hydrant repairs and to date eight have been repaired.
Item #9-Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham Membership Dues-Chris
Edwards made a motion to approve the renewal of the annual membership to Regional Planning Membership of Greater Birmingham in the amount of $1,390 (one thousand three hundred ninety and no/100). Robert Busby seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #10-Fiscal Year 2025 Audit-The letter from Kellum, Wilson and Associates was reviewed
to initiate our fiscal year audit. Chris Edwards made a motion to initiate the audit. He then
withdrew his motion. It was decided to wait and let the upcoming Mayor make the decision on which accounting firm to audit the city.
Item #11-MunicipalClerk Fall Institute/Winter Conference-Randy Spears made a motion to
approve the City Clerk to attend the University of Alabama Fall Institute/Winter Conference in Tuscaloosa December 9-12 in the amount of $1,072 (one thousand seventy-two and no/100). Robert Busby seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.
Item #12-Ordinance #18-2025 Property Annexation of Rochelle Stewart-5098 Sharon
Boulevard (First Reading)- Ordinance #18-2025 Property Annexation of Rochelle Stewart was
presented for the first reading. The petition for annexation and a map of said property was
presented. The ordinance will be posted and published as required by law.
Item #13-Ordinance #19-2025 Property Annexation of Daphne Doaty-55 Doaty Street
(First Reading)- Ordinance #19-2025 Property Annexation of Daphne Doaty was presented for
the first reading. The petition for annexation and a map of said property was presented. The
ordinance will be posted and published as required by law.
Item #14- Ordinance #20-2025 Property Annexation of Cassandra Towns-125 Oakahalla
Drive (First Reading)- Ordinance #20-2025 Property Annexation of Cassandra Towns was
presented for the first reading. The petition for annexation and a map of said property was
presented. The ordinance will be posted and published as required by law.
Mayor Walker related a work session will be held Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Item #15-Public Comment- Mayor Walker opened the floor for public comment and none was
made.
Item #16-Adjourn- Robert Busby made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Chris Edwards
seconded the motion. All in favor and the meeting was adjourned.