State recognizes Mayor Oden, Councilman Carl for work with City
On Oct. 24, Mayor Terry Oden and Councilman Jack Carl attended their final city council meeting. Over the years, Oden and Carl have declared many proclamations and approved many resolutions, and for that, their city thanked them.
“Tonight, I wanted to make sure I was here, and that’s for a very special reason,” said State Representative David Faulkner. “Judge, I do want to thank you for your service. We do appreciate what you have done, not only serving our county, but also serving out city,” he said of Carl.
Faulkner also brought a resolution passed by the Alabama legislature that recognized Oden for his outstanding 20 years of service to Mountain Brook. “You don’t get to read this one,” he said.
The proclamation then described the efforts he has made with the city and the work he has done within the community. “He leaves a legacy of monumental changes for the city,” it said, noting that Oden is “a splendid example of public service.”
“We all knew that you had the best interest in your heart for this city,” said Faulkner.
In addition to recognizing Carl and Oden for their commitment to Mountain Brook, the city council also heard updates from Richard Caudle of Skipper Consultants regarding the Crestline Traffic Study previously addressed during city council on Sept. 16.
About one month ago, the council approved nearly all resolutions but refrained from changing the intersection of Vine Street and Dexter Avenue from a two-way to a four-way stop pending a discussion with Mountain Brook City Schools Superintendent Dicky Barlow and Crestline Elementary principal Laurie King. Skipper Consultants met with Barlow and King, who expressed their concern of increased thru-traffic through the school parking lot caused by additional stop signs.
The council voted to keep the intersection as a two-way stop, which Caudle noted does not have an affect on safety. The council also voted unanimously to approve an ordinance which designates Vine Street as a one-way street between the hours of 7:30 to 8 a.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Otherwise, the city has proceeded with the suggestions provided by Skipper Consultants, except for installing flashing beacons at the Church Street pedestrian crossings. This action is awaiting a decision to recycle old beacons or purchase new ones.
Also at the meeting on Oct. 24, council members:
- Approved the minutes from the Oct. 10 regular meeting.
- Announced that on Oct. 19, the mayor issued a declaration of water service emergency pursuant to the BWWB declaration of a Stage 3 Drought Warning. Under the warning, BWWB will impose surcharges for water customers violating the mandatory restrictions which are: irrigation only on Mondays and Thursdays; hand watering only on Tuesdays and Fridays; no watering on Wednesdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- Proclaimed Nov. 17 as “World Pancreatic Cancer Day in Mountain Brook.” This proclamation comes during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, as noted by The Reed Foundation.
- Heard from Attorney Nakita Blocton’s spouse, who spoke on her behalf as a candidate for Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge, Domestic Relations Division, Place 20.
- Heard from Lee Cleveland, who is running for District Court, Civil Division, Place 5.
- Heard from Judge William Bell Jr., who is running for Jefferson County District Court, Place 4.
- Viewed the semi-annual Chamber of Commerce report to the city council, which saw an increase in membership and tax revenue according to Dan Bundy, president of the chamber’s executive committee.
- Approved the resolution authorizing the installation of two street lights on existing poles at 4004 Royal Oak Court and 4028 Royal Oak Court. Although there were some community members who were opposed to the idea, the council agreed to look in to adjusting the lighting fixtures to shield excess light from certain houses.
- Approved the resolution authorizing the execution of an Agreement for Services between the City and Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham with respect to an 80 percent APPLE-funded Mountain Brook Sidewalks Study.
- Approved the resolution declaring certain personal property surplus and authorizing its sale at public internet auction.
- Approved the motion authorizing the execution of an audit engagement letter for the City’s annual financial and compliance audit as of and for the year ended Sept. 30, 2016.
- Approved the resolution granting an underground utility easement to Alabama Power Company with respect to the City’s landfill property and proposed storage building.
- Approved the resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement for the city’s participation in a law enforcement (white collar crime) task force overseen by the U.S. Secret Service and Jefferson County District Attorney.
- Approved an ordinance amending Section 54-1(b) and (g) of the Mountain Brook Municipal Code, “Declaration of emergency by the mayor.”
The next organizational meeting will take place in council chambers on Nov. 7, 2016 at 7:30 a.m.