CITY OF LANETT

REGULAR SCHEDULED COUNIL MEETING

January 22, 2007

The City Council of the City of Lanett, Alabama, met in regular session on Monday, January 22, 2007, in the Council Chambers of the Lanett Municipal Complex at 6:00 P.M. The roll was taken and the following were found to be present: Councilmember Malone, Councilmember Heard, Councilmember McCoy, Councilmember Duskin, and Councilmember Yarbrough. Mayor Oscar Crawley was absent. Mayor Pro Tem John Duskin present and presided over the meeting.

Reverend Gary Armes said the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance.

Councilmember McCoy made a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Yarbrough seconded the motion. Motion unanimously carried.

Councilmember Yarbrough made the motion to dispense with the reading and to adopt the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting of December 18, 2007. Councilmember McCoy seconded the motion. Motion unanimously carried.

Councilmember Malone read his state of the city address. Councilmember Malone said the City of Lanett’s future depends on the citizen’s quality of life and that is why the City of Lanett should examine what we charge the citizens for gas. Councilmember Malone said that the study should reveal what the citizens already know and will see a 10.5 percent deduction in the gas rates. Councilmember Malone told the audience, Mayor and Council, that it was important to have a compassionate ear when the livelihood of the City of Lanett’s senior citizens is on the line. Councilmember Malone said that the due dates would fall on a date before the citizen’s check would arrive and the City of Lanett should work with them so there power is not cut off.

Councilmember Malone said the senior citizens will have a new facility, but if half of their money is going to utilities and they will not have the desire to use the facility.

Councilmember Malone said this is a good start for the senior citizens, but the additional time to pay the utility bill must be extended to those who might be a little short when their bill comes due. Councilmember Malone said the cut off to the homes should be the last resort.

Councilmember Malone said that for some reason the City Manager Holley thinks he is still a judge and he seems to have no compassion toward the needs of the less fortunate. Councilmember Malone said the City of Lanett needs a city manager, not a judge, and for the salary we are paying him the City of Lanett could find someone with good experience and move the City of Lanett in the right direction.

Councilmember Malone said he wants a comprehensive plan for the City of Lanett. The City of Lanett is getting a plan, but we can’t wait until the plan is completed Malone knows that East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission will be extra beneficial. Councilmember Malone feels that the City of Lanett must start now in paving the way.

Councilmember Malone said that we must ask ourselves what will the City of Lanett look like in ten years as far as the infrastructure. Councilmember Malone asked will the City of Lanett have the same houses and will the school system be the same. Councilmember Malone said the City of Lanett must address these questions.

Councilmember Malone said that he thought the City of Lanett should move on purchasing the Lanett Mill and the old dye works buildings and land. Councilmember Malone said that this is Lanett’s history and the City of Lanett should preserve it.

Councilmember Malone said his state of the cities address could be better, because while the Mayor and Council are sitting here in the council meeting the City of Lanett is without a police chief. Councilmember Malone said that the City of Lanett still has some good and strong police officers that protect and serve the citizens every day and Councilmember Malone said that he is very thankful for them.

Councilmember Malone said that the future of the City of Lanett is bright and Kia isn’t the lifeline of the City of Lanett future. Councilmember Malone said that the City of Lanett must position them as Kia was nowhere in the picture.

Councilmember Malone said that for the City of Lanett to move forward the city needs to revitalize several areas, which adjourns Kroger and the land along the Chattahoochee River. Councilmember Malone said with the purchase of the Lanett Mill property that would put the City of Lanett in good infrastructure position. Councilmember Malone said through HUD there are

several partnership grants that could help with the revitalization in certain areas of the City of Lanett.

Councilmember Malone said in his closing remarks that he hoped the Mayor and Council would engage in dialogue regarding the purchase of property. Councilmember Malone said indeed this is the state of City of Lanett’s future.

Councilmember Heard had nothing this evening.

Councilmember McCoy commented on Councilmember Malone. Councilmember McCoy said there would be a Finance Committee meeting that will be held to discuss the finding on the rate
study on gas. Councilmember McCoy said that the City of Lanett utility bills would be late going out on February 5, 2007 in order for the Mayor and Council to approve a new gas rate.

Councilmember Yarbrough had nothing this evening except he is excited about the gas rate study and lowering the gas rates which will be brought up in the next council meeting.

Councilmember Malone asked Mayor Pro Tem if City Manager Joel Holley could give an update.

City Manager Holley said the City of Lanett hopes to get a new Seafood Restaurant.

City Manager Joel Holley stated that he accompanied possible investors to tour the Lanett Mill and they hope to include the City of Lanett in their development plans.

City Manager Joel Holley said the Fuller Center is currently looking for locations to build two homes in the City of Lanett.

City Manager Joel Holley said he had been talking to an entity who should be locating just outside the City of Lanett and wants to move into that area because of the City of Lanett utilities that would be available.

City Manager Joel Holley said the City of Lanett Airport Project is moving along and there is a possibility of self-serve aviation fuel being available at the airport soon.

City Manager Joel Holley said that in October 2007 Alabama Municipal Electric Authority has a proposed rate increase in October 2007.

City Manager Joel Holley said that he appreciated Councilmember Malone’s comments and that he wants the City of Lanett to move forward, but it has to be done legally. City Manager Holley told the Mayor and Council it was up to them whether to hold the utility bills and change the due dates in order for the customers to have more time.

Councilmember Malone asked the City Manager Holley about the secret partnership involving the Lanett Mill.

City Manager Holley said there was no partnership or secret involving the Lanett Mill. City Manager Holley said he accompanied a couple of gentlemen to tour the Lanett Mill and they had made an offer on the Lanett Mill property.

Councilmember Malone said he thinks the Mayor and Council missed a golden opportunity by not acquiring the Lanett Mill property.

Councilmember Malone made a motion to amend agenda. Councilmember McCoy seconds the motion. Motion unanimously carried.

Councilmember Malone made a motion for the Mayor and Council to request Chambers County Commission to remove the Lanett Mill from the industrial status. Councilmember McCoy seconded the motion. Motion unanimously carried.

Mayor Pro Tem John Duskin said that Cherry Drive looked good.

There being no further business to come before this Council, motion duly made, meeting adjourned.

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John Duskin, Mayor Pro Tem

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Deborah Daniel, City Clerk