Albany City Council, meeting in regular session in the absence of Mayor Nicky Smith, who was out of town, approved first reading of the 2014-15 year fiscal budget, as well as other items on Tuesday, June 3.
Five of six council members were present and the body elected councilwoman Tonya Thrasher to chair the brief meeting in the mayor’s absence.
The council, on a motion by councilman Leland Hicks, voted unanimously to approve first reading of the city’s next fiscal year budget of a little over $3.9 million. The proposed budget is around $400,000 less than the current 2013-14 year budget.
The council had received a copy of the budget at its May meeting for review and is expected to give final approval at a call meeting later this month since the new budget becomes effective July 1.
On a motion by councilman James “Smitty” Smith, they also voted to approve a resolution authorizing the mayor apply for U.S. Department of Justice Department, Office of Policing Services funding for the Cops Hiring Program (CHP). Albany Police Chief Ernest Guffey said if funds were approved, they would be used toward police officer training.
Council members then discussed a rental property issue on Third Street in which councilman Hicks indicated the local health department had been notified. The location, which was being rented, was apparently causing a concern for area residents and council members agreed they should also talk to the property owner.
The council also discussed a water run-off problem in the area around the Garden Spot in south Albany and the need to contact the state Department of Transportation about doing a study of the traffic congestion problems near the north side stoplight where several businesses and fast food restaurants are located. Most members did agree, however, that the new bypass has helped the traffic congestion problem tremendously, mainly by taking larger vehicles away from the downtown area.
City legal advisor Norb Sohm also briefly discussed the situation with the litigation surrounding the Twin Lakes Family Wellness Center. The short discussion came about as the result of two letters that the city had received pertaining to the matter–one from local attorney David Choate, who is representing Haddix Gas and Electric and a response letter from attorney Jesse Stockton, who is also President of the Board of Directors of the Wellness Center.
Haddix Gas and Electric has filed a lien against the facility, which owes in excess of $60,000 in propane bills.
In his letter to the county, as well as the Wellness Center and the city, dated May 21, attorney Choate indicated (Weldon) Haddix had authorized the go-ahead to file suit against the county and Wellness enter in relation to the debt, which includes legal fees, court costs, etc.
Attorney Sohm said, in his opinion, “I don’t think it’s the city’s fight…they’re not going to sell the building or equipment,” adding, “the city never guaranteed payment (for the propane).” He went on to say he would hate to see Mr. Haddix lose money but indicated the letter from attorney Choate indicated the county was responsible (if the Wellness Center could not pay the bill.)
No other action on the issue was taken.
At the end of the meeting, the council also observed a moment of silence in the memory of the late Russell Shaw, who had been a city employee as a backhoe operator for more than two decades.
The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for July 1 at 5 p.m. at city hall and is open to the general public.