Tag Archives: Joe L. Powell

Eutaw City Council deals with financial matters; IRS lien lifted

Posted on by
Mayor Latasha Johnson presents Proclamation for National Diaper Need Awareness Week (September 27 to October 3, 2021) to Danielle Edison, of the Bottoms Up Diaper Bank, that distributes diapers to families that need them, at Woman-to-Woman in Eutaw. The Mayor is joined by Council members Valerie Watkins and LaJeffrey Carpenter.

At its regular Eutaw City Council meeting on September 14, 2021, the council dealt primarily with financial matters.

Mayor Latasha Johnson announced that the city had received a Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien from the Internal Revenue Service stating that tax debts for the years 2015, 2018 and 2019 for employee taxes had been paid and satisfied. “We have been negotiating with IRS and provided documentation of payments made, so we paid much less than was listed on the lien to satisfy these back payments. The lien release has been recorded in the Greene County Probate Office,” said Mayor Johnson.

The Council authorized Mayor Johnson to negotiate a loan of up to $500,000 with Merchants and Farmers Bank for purchase of a new knuckle-boom truck, to pick up limbs and other debris from the city roads and streets; a street sweeper, three police cars and other utility vehicles needed by the city. Mayor Johnson said, “We have cash resources in our Capital Improvements Fund and other funds to purchase this needed equipment, but we felt financing it over 4 to 5 years would give us more flexibility for other projects and allow us to budget our funds more clearly and accurately. We explored various options including leasing and Merchants and Farmers agreed to meet the rates of other financing agencies.”

The Council agreed to various resolutions to close a USDA bank account at Citizens Trust Bank, close an Airport Grant Account and give the funds to the Airport Authority and to create a new account for currency seized by the Police Department.

The Council authorized a sale of surplus items including cars, trucks, a van, tractor and other items through a bidding process. Items are listed on the City’s website along with bidding documents. The bids will be opened at the next regular City Council meeting on September 28, 2021.

A request for rental space at the R. H. Young Civic Center was approved for the Warrior Academy EMS Institute, which will be training people for certification in the medical emergency field.

The Council approved participation in the Rural Water Apprenticeship Program for up to three positions. These people will be trained to become water and waste water treatment licenses operators. The Alabama Rural Water Association will pay half of their wages while in training. The Water Department also submitted a list of needed equipment to the Council and reported that they were continuing to work on water leaks.

The Council approved a Proclamation for National Diaper Need Awareness Week (September 27 to October 3, 2021) and presented it to
Danielle Edison, Director of the Bottoms Up Diaper Bank, that is sponsored by Woman to Woman in Greene County. The program provides diapers and related supplies to families interested in keeping their babies clean and healthy. Persons interested in supporting the program may contact: bottomsupdiapers35@gmail.com, website at http://www.bottomsupdaipers35.org or call 205-539-2696.

In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

• Approved a contract with CCI Construction for $14,799 for a new roof on the Registrars Office building, which is owned and rented by the city.

• Approved payment of bills.

• Approved travel for Joe L. Powell, Assistant Clerk, to a conference on community and economic development in Tuscaloosa.

• Heard a report from City Engineer Torris Babb that FEMA drainage projects, the roof for the R.H. Young Community Center, lagoon clearing, GIS utility mapping and street paving project applications were all moving forward.

• Approved plans to hold National Night Out at 4:00 PM on October 21, 2021 at the R. H. Young Community Center to celebrate police community relations.

• Police Chief Johnson announced that he and the Police Department are holding a firearms training program, focused on training women, on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, including classroom instruction coupled with experience at the shooting range.

City Council grants liquor license to John’s club Eutaw recognizes National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend

Posted on by

Girl Scott

Shown Back Row L to R: Councilpersons LaTasha Johnson, Bennie Abrams, Joe L. Powell, Sheila Smith and LaJeffery Carpenter. Front Row L to R: Girl Scouts Madisyn Harris, India Duncan, Troop Leader Miriam Leftwich, Eutaw Mayor Raymond Steele, Girl Scouts Diamond White and Mackenzie Harris

The Eutaw City Council, at its February 27, 2018 meeting presented a proclamation honoring local Girl Scout Troop 408 for National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend.  The Proclamation stated that the City of Eutaw proclaims the week of February 23-25 as National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend. Members of Girl Scout Troop 408, with their troop leader Miriam Leftwich were present.  Leftwich announced that there were boxes of cookies for sale.  Following the presentation, Girl Scout Diamond White thanked the city for its continued support of Girl Scouts.

In other business, the council approved a liquor license for John’s club on Main Street, with councilpersons Sheila Smith and LaJeffery Carpenter abstaining. The council approved the $4,000 bid for demolition of a dwelling at 409 Tuscaloosa Street.
At its meeting on February 13, 2018, the Eutaw City Council approved a liquor license for Chuck Wagon which will be moving to a new location in West End from its current space on the Prairie Avenue side of the Courthouse Square.
At the request of Greene County Health Services, the council approved the use of the former National Guard Armory as an alternative location in the event of a natural disaster. At the February 13th meeting, the Council approved use of the National Guard Armory for the non-profit ANSC’s Black & White Heritage Ball.
The council approved payment of bills, although the clerk was unable to print the documents for the council due to technical difficulties.
The council approved a request from the local Boy Scout Troop to use the city’s property on Boligee and Washington Streets for an Easter Carnival.
In his reports to the council, Mayor Steele stated that the power pole on Morrow Street will be removed by next week. At the prior meeting, Mayor Steele announced that the new water tank was cleaned, filled and placed on line as part of the City’s enhanced water system. He also stated that the grass in the cemeteries is ready to be cut, but the workers are waiting for a break in the rain.
At the first meeting of the month, the Council approved adding the new City Clerk as a signatory on the bank account to assist with paying bills. The Council authorized payment of February bills and claims on hand at that time.
Councilwoman Johnson noted that there are still vehicles illegally parked on Lock 7 Road.  Mayor Steele said these will be towed and the owners will be fined. The Councilwoman Smith said the caution light on Boligee St. was still not working.
Councilman Carpenter requested that the council and Mayor set a date to update the City’s Handbook.  The body agreed to March 21 at 5:30 pm, to begin the process.
City Attorney, Ken Aycock, presented a draft of the city’s proposed Public Records Request Policy.  He recommended that the council consider charging for staff time and for copying regarding request for public records.

Eutaw hires Katherine Bir as City Clerk

Posted on by

 

Mayor and Secretary

 

Eutaw City Mayor Raymond Steele and City Clerk Katherine Bir.

In a called meeting held Friday, February 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., the Eutaw City Council hired Katherine Bir as City Clerk and transferred Grace Sanford to the City Magistrate’s position. The Magistrate’s position was held by Daedra Thomas, who resigned November 22, 2017. Bir and Sanford will assume their respective positions Monday, Feb. 5.
Eutaw Mayor Raymond Steele stated that Ms. Bir stood out among approximately 20 individuals in the applicant pool. She holds a M.A. Degree in accounting and has held previous jobs in that area of expertise.
“She will be able to assist us with our budgeting process as well as with our bookkeeping,” Steele said.
Bir is a former resident of Eutaw and currently lives in Northport. She indicated that she is planning to relocate to Eutaw.
When an inquiry was made as to the public announcement of the City Council’s call meeting, City Attorney Ken Aycock stated that a 24 hour posting is all that was necessary. The council members, mayor and attorney recessed to executive session prior to formerly voting to hire the new personnel.
Council members present included LaTasha Johnson, Bennie Abrams, Joe L. Powell, Sheila Smith and LaJeffery Carpenter.