Mayor Latasha Johnson presents certificate of completion for City Clerk’s training over a four-year period at the University of Alabama, to Joe Powell, Assistant City Clerk. Shekelvia Spencer, City Clerk, earned a similar certificate but she was not able to attend the meeting.

The Eutaw City Council met on Tuesday October 22, 2024, for the third meeting this month and completed consideration of issues posed in the prior meetings on October 8 and 15, 2024. All Council members were present.

The Council heard a report from Craig Williams, Thompson Engineering of Tuscaloosa about outstanding projects. The concrete work for Streetscape is nearing completion for sidewalks and universal access around the old Courthouse Square. The final landscaping phase, where trees and shrubs will be planted is yet to come.

Williams said the project cost was $1 million paid to the contractor and a matching $270,000 for 20% matching and design and engineering cost. There was an agreement between the County Commission, Industrial Development Authority and the City to share in the matching. The GCIDA did contribute $80,000 but the County Commission said it could not find authority in its minutes to pay a share of the matching costs. This left the City of Eutaw to bear an additional part of the cost.

Williams also reported that the Rebuild Alabama Project to repave 3 miles of the Lower Gainesville Road has been awarded and signed by S. T. Bunn, prime contractor. The State will pay $316,672 for the project, in a lump sum up front payment. The City will be responsible for the remaining matching and engineering cost of $113,000 for this project. This project will be started in November and be finished by the end of the year.

The Eutaw City Council approved Resolution No. 2024-28 which allows the City of Eutaw to borrow up to $300,000, from Merchants and Farmers Bank, for the completion of the Streetscape and Lower Gainesville Road projects. The resolution allows the City to pledge revenues from its Four Cent and Seven Cent Gas Tax Accounts for a period of up to 24 months,
as security for the loan.

With this loan, the city will be able to satisfy its financial matching obligations for these two important projects. The City had planned to use the gas tax funds, for matching, to make these and other improvements to roads and bridges in the city, so these resources will still be committed to this purpose. The City may need to schedule additional road improvement work, based on funds available in the gas tax funds, taking into account the loan repayment.
The City Council approved Ordinance No. 2024-7 which raises garbage collection rates from $15.00 to $18.00 for residential customers and $18.00 to $21.00 for small businesses. These rate increases go into effect immediately and will be reflected in the next water and sewer bills for the month of October. The Council already approved an increase in water and sewer rates to cover the costs of these city services.

The Council also adopted Draft No. 3 of the City of Eutaw Budget for 2024-2025 fiscal year which began October 1, 2024. This draft reflects the new water, sewer and garbage rates, which should cover the cost of these services and not reflect a deficit, as in previous earlier versions of the budget for the current fiscal year. Other smaller changes were made to the General Fund in this third version of the budget, prepared by Ralph Liverman, Financial Advisor.

In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

• Approved Resolution No. 2024-29 establishing a credit card policy
• Approved a statement limiting overtime hours to 2 or 3 hours weekly, for employees, unless there is a disaster that requires more work time.
• Approved use of the R. H. Young Community Center Gym, at no cost, for the Greene County Childrens Policy Council, for a public purpose.
Approved $1,380 for installation of a K-9 kennel for the police dog.
Approved $4,800 yearly software subscription for the Eutaw Police Department for Code Enforcement Case Management, which is required by state regulations.
Approved reimbursements to city employees for supplies they purchased, based on receipts submitted
Approved $300 for meals, parking and other travel expenses for Mayor Latasha Johnson to attend Annual Neighborhood Community Leadership Institute in Baltimore, Maryland on October 31 to November 3, 2024
Raised questions about and did not approve a contract submitted by Eagle Internet for use of the city’s water tower for wireless high-speed internet.
Approved payment of bills.

In her mayor’s report, Latasha Johnson asked for a moment of silence for the victims and survivors of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Month. The Mayor also announced a citywide celebration for all children of Halloween on October 31, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the RH Young Community Center. This will be a safe way to do “trick or treating”.