Council Minutes – 12/15/22

Regular Session Minutes of the

Council of the City of Dora, Alabama

December 15, 2022

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 Stephens. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Stephens.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Stephens. Roll call was taken by Stacy Turner. Present at the meeting were Norman Holt, Chris Edwards, Randy Spears, Gary Thomas and Mayor Stephens. David Box, George Sides, Jr. and Hezekiah Walker, Jr. were absent. A quorum was in attendance.

Item #5— Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the November 10, 2022, regular meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by Chris Edwards to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Randy Spears. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #6 – Old Business –None.

Item #7— Bill List – A motion was made by Norman Holt to approve the bill lists dated December 14, 2022. Motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #8 – Departmental Reports – A motion was made by Gary Thomas to approve November 2022 Department Reports A-G. Motion was seconded by Chris Edwards. All in favor and the motion carried.

Park Department Report-Chase Gant related that four families are experiencing a financial hardship and are unable to pay the fee to purchase their basketball uniforms ($50 fee). One specific family has four children playing basketball and was struggling to pay the total due for all four children participating. A motion was made by Chris Edwards for families with multiple children playing basketball that the cost be adjusted to $50 for first child, $40 for second child, $25 for third child and any remaining children in that family participating the fees will be waived. The basketball fee for the remaining three children experiencing a hardship will be waived based on Chase Gant’s knowledge of their financial situation. This fee waiver will be done on a case-by-case basis for those families requesting financial hardship paying their fees. Chase will submit the names of all the players who pay their fees in full, those who receive a discount and indicate those whose fees will be waived to the City Clerk. Norman Holt seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #9 –Al Blanton- 78 Magazine– Al Blanton of Blanton Media Group met to discuss his social media management proposal for the City of Dora and Horse Creek Golf Course. This proposal includes managing the Facebook and Instagram pages for both entities. It will include photographs of the golf course, public buildings and landmarks, information regarding job postings, announcements, road closings, city events, event room rental tee times and hours of golf course and city hall, etc. The fee for Horse Creek Golf Course is $350/month and the City of Dora will be $385/month with a one-year contract for this service. Norman Holt made a motion to accept the proposal for this service. The motion was seconded by Randy Spears.

Roll Call Vote: Norman Holt-Yes; Chris Edwards-Yes; Randy Spears-Yes; Gary Thomas-Yes; Mayor Stephens-Yes. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #10 – Human Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamation – Randy Spears made a motion to recognize Human Trafficking Awareness in the month of January 2023. Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #11-Police Department Training Requests –Randy Spears made a motion to pay for Chief Hall’s CLEEP training for three different training sessions for a grand total of $1632.01. Chris Edwards seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #12-Fire Department Request- Randy Spears made a motion to approve the request to have the out-of-date self-contained breathing apparatus bottles refilled/certified that the fire department uses in the event of a fire. The cost is $26/bottle and there are thirty bottles in all for a total cost of $780.00. Gary Thomas seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.

Norman Holt made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Randy Spears seconded the motion. All in favor and meeting was adjourned.

Council Minutes – 10/27/22

Regular Session Minutes of the Council of the City of Dora, Alabama

October 27, 2022

The Council of the City of Dora, Alabama met in the Dora Municipal Building at 6:00 p.m.

Roll call was taken by Stacy Turner. Present at the meeting were Mayor Pro-Tem Norman Holt, George Sides, Jr., Gary Thomas and Randy Spears. Mayor Stephens, Hezekiah Walker, Jr. Chris Edwards and David Box were absent. A quorum was not in attendance, so the meeting was adjourned.

Council Minutes – 10/13/22

Regular Session Minutes of the Council of the City of Dora, Alabama

October 13, 2022

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 Hezekiah Walker, Jr. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro-Tem Norman Holt.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem Norman Holt. Roll call was taken by Stacy Turner. Present at the meeting were David Box, Norman Holt, George Sides, Jr., Gary Thomas, Hezekiah Walker, Jr. Mayor Stephens, Chris Edwards and Randy Spears were absent. A quorum was in attendance.


Item #5— Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the September 22, 2022 regular meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. All in favor and the motion was carried.

Item #6 – Old Business –None.

Item #7— Bill List – A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to approve the bill lists dated October 11, 2022. Motion was seconded by Hezekiah Walker, Jr. All in favor and the motion was carried.

Item #8 – Departmental Reports – A motion was made by Gary Thomas to approve September 2022 Department Reports A-G. Motion was seconded by George Sides, Jr. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #9 –Dora Fire & Rescue– George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve purchase of approximately 58 new T-shirts for the fire department totaling $767 and to send two firemen to Rural Engine Company Academy training for a total of $450. The motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #10 – Heritage Landing – Mayor Stephens was called to give an update regarding Items #10-15 on the agenda. Mayor Stephens informed the Council about the Heritage Landing building site. The site is currently being leveled and prepared to sell hopefully by Spring 2024. A quote has been sent by Robert Nelson to the Drummond Company for a new water tower and sewer system to service potential clients on this property. Dora Utility Board has secured a loan and has a contract in place to begin the installation of a new water line from Burnwell toYerkwood towards I-22 which should be started by the end of 2022 and also for renovation of current water tower on Radio Tower Road.

Item #11-Walking Trail Lighting –Mayor Stephens informed the Council the walking trail project is approximately sixty percent complete and should have approximately one month left for completion of the project. At this time, the City has not been reimbursed from ADECA/Recreational Trails Program.

Item #12-EWSA Grant- Mayor Stephens spoke with Robert Nelson and Robert Busby and they related that a letter has been received from Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) stating the East Walker Sewer Authority will be receiving a $2.3 Million Dollar Grant to renovate the wastewater treatment plant. The City of Dora has a $170,000 ARC matching grant to renovate the sewer pumping station behind Jet Pep gas station on Highway 78.

Item #13-Lockerbie Phase II-Michael Bridges and Bobby Phillips are the developers for phase two of Lockerbie which started approximately one month ago. The construction entrance for the jobsite is off Sharon Boulevard. There have been thirty lots sold to D. R. Horton and fifty lots total are to be prepared and sold for this second phase. The first home is scheduled to be built by Spring 2023. There is a potential for phase three of Lockerbie depending on the outcome of phase two. Phase three would be located across the walking track and would require a road and approximately fifty additional houses would be constructed.

Kevin Fowler, executive director of Walker County Housing Authority is looking for property in this area to build apartments for single women over the age of 50.

Item #14-Lake Development-The demolition of the house on the lake property is complete. A meeting will be scheduled with Robert Nelson to design the project. We have approximately $225,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to spend on this project. During this phase of the project, the goal is to build a new road with a parking area and a pavilion with men and women’s handicap accessible restrooms and possibly four picnic tables depending on cost. This portion of the project we would like to be completed by Spring 2023. At a later date, we may continue the project and remove the boy scout building that is on the property and possibly build another pavilion.

Item #15-Street Resurfacing Quote-The proposal from Wiregrass Construction has been received regarding road resurfacing for the City of Dora Transportation Plan. The cost estimate for Phillips Street (14 feet wide) is $26,433.80, Pratt Road (14 feet wide) $76,364.31, Rainbow Lane (18 feet wide) and Doc’s Drive (20 feet wide) $64,615.95 for a total cost of $205,596.21. There is approximately $50,000 from Rebuild Alabama to spend towards road paving projects. At this point, the conversation was ended with Mayor Stephens. Hezikiah Walker, Jr. made a motion to commit to paving all four roads. Gary Thomas seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote: David Box-Yes; Mayor Pro-Tem-Norman Holt-Yes; George Sides, Jr.-Yes; Gary Thomas-Yes; Hezikiah Walker, Jr.-Yes, Yes-6; No-0. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #16-Christmas Decorations-George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve the $7,000 budget for the City of Dora’s Christmas Project 2022. This will include the purchase of twenty Merry Christmas banners with hardware for installation on power poles, nativity scene, snowman arch and an allowance for replacement of power cords and lights. Gary Thomas seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.

David Box made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Gary Thomas seconded the motion. All in favor and meeting was adjourned.

Council Minutes – 9/22/22

Regular Session Minutes of the

Council of the City of Dora, Alabama

September 22, 2022

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 Stephens. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Stephens.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Randy Stephens. Roll call was taken by Stacy Turner. Present at the meeting were David Box, Chris Edwards, George Sides, Jr., Gary Thomas, Hezekiah Walker, Jr. and Mayor Stephens. Norman Holt and Randy Spears were absent. A quorum was in attendance.

Item #5— Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the August 25, 2022 regular meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by Chris Edwards accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Hezekiah Walker, Jr. All in favor and the motion was carried.

Item #6 – Old Business –None.

Item #7— Bill List – A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to approve the bill lists dated September 8 & September 22, 2022. Motion was seconded by Chris Edwards. All in favor and the motion was carried.

Item #8 – Departmental Reports – A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to approve August 2022 Department Reports A-G. Motion was seconded by David Box. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #9 –Sponsorship-Dora High School Bass Fishing Team–Chris Edwards made a motion to approve sponsorship of the Dora High School fishing team in the amount of $300. The motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #10 – Horse Creek Golf Course Clubhouse Bond Payment – Chris Edwards made a motion to take an additional $400,000 from the Horse Creek Golf Course checking account along with the $50,000 principal payment due to put towards the general obligation bond on the golf course clubhouse. The motion was seconded by David Box. Roll Call Vote-Chris Edwards-Yes; George Sides, Jr.-Yes; Gary Thomas-Yes; Hezikiah Walker, Jr.-Yes; Mayor Stephens-Yes; David Box-Yes. 6-Yes; 0-No. Motion carried

Item #11-Dora Fire Department-Fire Prevention Week – Dora Fire Department will be participating in Fire Prevention Month during the month of October and will be visiting several area childcare centers. George Sides, Jr. made a motion to approve the purchase of 350 fire safe packets to be given to the children for a total cost of $451.50 (not including S&H). Gary Thomas seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #12-Brush Pickup Service- A motion was made by Chris Edwards to hire a local tree service to pick up brush in the city for $800/month with no contract. A date will be decided for this service to be performed once per month for the residents of the City of Dora. Residents will be notified of the scheduled brush pickup date and must call City Hall to place a work order for brush pickup. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #13-Civic Center Glass Replacement-George Sides, Jr. made a motion to accept the quote for Lamar’s Glass to replace two broken windows in the civic center for a total cost of $800. Motion was seconded by David Box. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #14-Executive Session-Mayor Stephens requested an Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. Chris Edwards made a motion to go into Executive Session. The motion was seconded by David Box. Roll Call Vote: David Box-Yes; Chris Edwards-Yes; George Sides, Jr.-Yes; Gary Thomas-Yes; Hezikiah Walker, Jr.-Yes, Mayor Stephens-Yes. Yes-6; No-0. All in favor and the motion carried.

Chris Edwards made the motion to return to regular session. George Sides, Jr. seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried. The council returned to open meeting.

Gary Thomas made the motion to adjourn the meeting. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and meeting was adjourned.

Council Minutes – 8/11/22

Regular Session Minutes of the Council of the City of Dora, Alabama

August 11, 2022

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 Hezekiah Walker, Jr. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Stephens.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Randy Stephens. 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, Hezekiah Walker, Jr. and Mayor Stephens. A quorum was in attendance.

Item #5— Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the July 28, 2022 regular meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by Gary Thomas to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Hezekiah Walker, Jr. All in favor and the motion was carried.

Item #6 – Old Business – RTP Grant Change Proposal by Gillespie Construction-It was decided to continue the lighting project without the change order for underground service at this time. The change order can be added at a later date if desired.

Item #7— Bill List – A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to approve the bill lists dated August 9, 2022. Motion was seconded by Norman Holt. All in favor and the motion was carried.

Item #8 – Departmental Reports – A motion was made by Gary Thomas to approve July 2022 Department Reports A-G. Motion was seconded by Norman Holt. All in favor and the motion was carried.

Item #9 – Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center – Rachel Davis, director of the Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center discussed the function and needs of the center in Walker County. It is a nonprofit organization that performs nontraumatic forensic interviews for children who are victims of physical and/or sexual abuse or witnesses of violent crime. Motion was made by David Box to donate $2,500.00 from ARPA funds to the Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center. The motion was seconded by Chris Edwards. All in favor and the motion was approved.

Item #10 – City of Dora Transportation Plan Fiscal Year 2023 – Mayor Stephens discussed paving projects for Fiscal Year 2023. The Council will look for streets needing attention and further discussion will take place at the next scheduled council meeting.

Item #11-City of Dora Public Lake Proposed Improvement-Mayor Stephens discussed the proposed improvement of the public lake. The project would consist of building a new road to the lake and building a pavilion with restroom facilities and picnic tables. The first step of the project is moving, scrapping or destroying the home that sits on the lake property. A discussion was carried out and it was decided bids will be obtained from licensed, insured contractors to demolish the home and these will be presented to the Council after bids are received for approval.

Chris Edwards made the motion to adjourn the meeting. David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and meeting was adjourned.

Council Minutes – 8/25/22

Regular Session Minutes of the

Council of the City of Dora, Alabama

August 25, 2022

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 Norman Holt. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Stephens.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Randy Stephens. 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, Hezikiah Walker, Jr. and Mayor Randy Stephens. A quorum was in attendance.

Item #5— Approval of the Minutes – The minutes of the August 11, 2022 regular meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by Norman Holt to accept the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. All in favor and the motion was carried.

Item #6 – Old Business – None.

Item #7— Bill List – A motion was made by George Sides, Jr. to approve the bill lists dated August 23, 2022. Motion was seconded by Randy Spears. All in favor and the motion was carried.

Item #8 – Resolution #11-2022-FY 2023-City of Dora Transportation Plan – A motion was made by Norman Holt to approve Resolution #11-2022-FY 2023-City of Dora Transportation Plan to include Rising Star Baptist Church Road, Cut and Curl Road, Phillips Street and Doc’s Drive at the intersection of Sonny’s Lane and Reid Road. Motion was seconded by Gary Thomas. Roll Call Vote: Randy Spears-Yes; Gary Thomas-Yes; Hezikiah Walker, Jr.-Yes; Mayor Stephens-Yes; David Box-Yes; Norman Holt-Yes; Chris Edwards-Yes; George Sides, Jr.-Yes; All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #9 – Police Department Request –The police department K-9 vehicle needs a larger dog transport box which costs $750 and a camper shell for the truck which costs $2818.75 for a total cost estimate of $3568.75. A motion was made by Randy Spears to approve this purchase to be paid out of the municipal court fund and David Box seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #10 – Hyche Center –Hyche Center has not paid rent for the month of August and has informed us that she has vacated the building. Her lease ends December 1, 2022. She owes $500 total in late fees for this year. A motion was made by Chris Edwards to inspect the property and if the property was left in good condition and cleaned with no damages then she will be responsible for only past due late fees that she owes of $500, and we will allow the lease to be terminated. If the property is found to be in poor condition with damages, then she will be responsible for the cost of the damages and the monthly rent and the late fees until the lease expires. Motion was seconded by Randy Spears. All in favor and the motion carried.

Item #11 –Lake House Demolition– There were several contractors called for bids on demolition of the lake house and only two quotes were received. Tommy Freeman made a bid of $8750 to tear down the house and shed and the block walls, haul debris to landfill with the City of Dora to pay the landfill fees and Tommy Freeman will keep all scrap metal. As an addendum to the quote, he will remove all the concrete on the driveway except twenty feet from the main road for an additional $850. A second quote was received from Jeremy Hicks to perform these services at a cost of $25,000. A motion was made by Randy Spears to accept the total bid by Tommy Freeman for $9600. Motion was seconded by Chris Edwards. All in favor and the motion carried.

Chris Edwards made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Randy Spears seconded the motion. All in favor and meeting was adjourned.

Volunteers needed for volunteer income tax assistance

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Dora Community Center

Beginning January 2023

IRS Certified Volunteers Providing FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION

Would you like to help people in your own community? You can help folks with low-to-moderate incomes and many senior citizens file their taxes. Volunteers are always needed for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs… better known as VITA and TCE.

Please contact Linda Jones, Site Coordinator

Training underway now.

(205) 478-4076

Phillippians 2:4 Not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interests of others.