Organizational meeting inducts city officials, recognizes Stage 4 drought
To kick off the week, Mountain Brook City Council held a special organizational meeting the morning of Nov. 7 to induct elected officials into office and to appoint council representatives to various committees.
With the help of Judge Turner Williams, mayor-elect Stewart Welch was sworn into office as was new council member Philip Black. Councilman Black will take the place of former Councilman Jack Carl.
The council also made a point to acknowledge that the Birmingham Water Works Board has announced a Stage 4 "Extreme Drought Emergency." Under the updated management plan, residents are permitted only to hand-water using a hose one day per week either on Mondays or Fridays and between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Athletic fields are only to be watered Wednesdays and Saturdays between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. when the ground is too hard and hazardous for children and school activities, and golf courses are restricted watering tees and greens on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. The BWWB will also continue imposing a surcharge to residents who use excessive amounts of water.
During the organizational meeting, the council also:
- Elected Virginia Smith as City Council President.
- Elected Billy Pritchard as City Council President Pro Tempore.
- Appointed Bishop, Colvin, Johnson & Kent and Starnes, Davis & Florie, LLP as city attorney(s).
- Appointed council representatives to various committees.
- Appointed the members of City Council as the Board of Commissioners of the Mountain Brook Emergency Communications District and nominated Virginia Smith as director.
- Adopted a resolution adding Mayor Stewart Welch as a signatory on the city's various banking accounts.
- Appointed and inaugurated Sam Gaston as City Manager; Steve Boone as City Clerk; and William "Billy" Angel as City Treasurer.
- Approved the Mayoral appointment of Mike Mouron to the Planning Commission.
The next city council meeting will take place on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.