February 6, 2006

The City Council of the City of Lanett, Alabama, met in regular session on Monday, February 6, 2006, 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 Duskin, Councilmember Yarbrough, and Councilmember McCoy. Councilmember Malone and Councilmember Heard were absent. Mayor Oscar Crawley was present and presided over the meeting.

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

Councilmember Duskin made the motion to adopt the prepared agenda. Councilmember Heard seconded the motion. Motion unanimously carried.

Councilmember McCoy made the motion to dispense with reading and to adopt the minutes of the regular scheduled meeting of January 19, 2006. Councilmember Yarbrough seconded the motion. Motion unanimously carried.

Councilmember Malone read a “Proclamation Black History Month”. The month of February is therefore proclaimed as “Black History Month in the City of Lanett”. Malone read his “State of the City” address because it was time to stop and think about what direction of the City of Lanett is heading. Councilmember Malone said that it was not about his hopes and dreams that it was about the people of the City of Lanett. Councilmember Malone said the City of Lanett is being run like a business, which is for profit and it should not be run that way. Councilmember Malone said the City of Lanett should be run as “a social needs” of its citizens. Councilmember Malone stated the citizens are complaining about their high heating bills and the fact that we’re not willing to work with them on other payment options. The citizens are worried about paying the bills. Councilmember Malone said the senior citizens shouldn’t have to do without their medicine in order to pay the utility bills and the City of Lanett should help them. Councilmember Malone stated that in the last administration the City of Lanett helped with utility bills and the City of Lanett should make this option available to the citizens.

Councilmember Malone said that City Manager Holley stated that the City of Lanett is a business and should be run like a business. Councilmember Malone asked the question if City of Lanett is a business, and who owns the business? Councilmember Malone states the City of Lanett has a good cash flow, but the City of Lanett is stepping backwards on listening to the concerns of the citizens.

Councilmember Malone says the City of Lanett would be enjoying prosperity again, but says that it won’t happen if the City of Lanett just sits around and waits. The City of Lanett must attend to our infrastructure, streets, curbing and the beautification, if the City of Lanett is to advance. Councilmember Malone believes that it is time that the City of Lanett had a major comprehensive plan for the next several years and the City of Lanett must plan to build new parks and walking trails. Councilmember Malone says the City of Lanett needs to explore constructing new playground sites through out the city. Councilmember Malone states that if the City of Lanett does not attend to the citizen’s quality of life, the City of Lanett will not grow. Councilmember Malone said that if the new automobile plant comes to the City of West Point, this will boost the City of Lanett.

Councilmember Malone asked the Police Chief Ron Docimo to explain three notices in the department related to career advancement that were posted. Police Chief Ron Docimo stated the three notices posted for investigator had been approved. Couniclmember Malone asked who gave Police Chief Ron Docimo permission to post these openings, which Councilmember Malone stated had to be approved by the mayor and councilmen. Mayor Crawley stated that the department heads have the authority to post those jobs, because several investigators had left for other jobs and Police Chief Ron Docimo has the authority to fill the vacancies. Councilmember Malone asked again who gave Police Chief Ron Docimo the authority to make the job postings. Police Chief Ron Docimo stated that he went to City Manger Holley and had them approved. Councilmember Malone said that Police Chief Ron Docimo was still not answering the question. City Attorney Nix said that Police Chief Ron Docimo had answered the question correctly and that Councilmember Malone was out of order. Councilmember Malone said that Attorney Nix always gave advice on his own way of thinking. Attorney Nix stated that he was operating according to Robert’s Rules of parliamentary procedure, which had been used for a number of years.

Mayor Crawley said that the gas rates were set by the former Administration and the City of Lanett was going with a new company, which should help the bills drop. The present Mayor and Council did not set the gas rates and they were here when the new Mayor and Council took office.

Councilmember Heard made a motion to adopt “Resolution 02-06-01 – Truck Bid”. Langley Motors won the bid on the 2006 GMC 1500 pickup truck for $13,299.50

Councilmember Duskin asked about getting a used vehicle for the Animal Control Officers. Councilmember McCoy said that those vehicles are purchased on a priority basis and that would come under the Police Department. Councilmember McCoy said at least three other vehicles in other departments were ahead of the Animal Control in desperate need.

Councilmember McCoy had nothing this evening. The only thing I have is the answer to Councilmember Malone about the gas rates. The former mayor and council set the gas rates. Councilmember McCoy said that this mayor and council had made strides and that the City of Lanett was better off than they were one year ago.

Councilmember Duskin had nothing this evening.

Councilmember Yarbrough had nothing this evening.

Mayor Crawley said that I received a letter today from Representative Mike Rogers. The U S Congress has approved and the President has signed a $550,000.00 for the City of Lanett Airport Improvement Project from the Department of Transportation. The money will help improve the airport.

Katie Walton and Maudie Taylor came before the Mayor and Council for help with the cleanup drive in the West Shawmut area of the City of Lanett on Saturday February 11, 2006. Mrs. Taylor asked for the City of Lanett to furnish trash bags and that the City of Lanett would pick up the garbage. Ms Taylor asked that the citizens be able to move the old cars from their yards at no cost to the owners. Superintendent Mike bass stated that he could have a truck out there on Saturday, February 11, 2006 or it could be picked up Monday, February 13, 2006, but please separate kitchen garbage.

Mayor Crawley stated that the City Manager Holley would be sending a letter of condolences to the family of Coretta Scott King who died last week.

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

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Oscar Crawley, Mayor

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Deborah Daniel, City Clerk