City Councilmen Raised Questions
By Sherri Blevins
At the August 5, 2019, Rainsville City Council workshop and meeting, Rainsville City Councilmen raised questions about whether or not to reappoint a fifteen-member Public Athletic Board. The need for this board was discovered during the recent attempt to transfer ownership of the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum from the City of Rainsville to the DeKalb County Board of Education. The council voted earlier this year to complete the transfer of the building and end the long-negotiated contract. Both groups thought the process was final, but when lawyers started the final steps in completing the transaction, they discovered that in the original deed, the Public Athletic Board was in control of the title of the property, and it was the official entity needed to sign the transfer of the deed.
The board in question has not been reappointed in several years, and many of the original members are now deceased or no longer available to serve. Only three original members remain available, so it became necessary to add twelve new members to the board. Councilman Freeman informed the council he intended to make a motion during the meeting to form the board made up of Chris Hampton, Sandy Goff, Joey Graham, Rodney Williams, Monk Blevins, Melissa Ledbetter, Scott Timmons, Sammy Smith, Kelly Bunch, Scott Kirk, Donnie Fraiser, Steve Bowman, Erick Samples, Bubba Johnson, and Skeeter Logan.
Councilman Derek Rosson questioned whether or not there was a need for the board. He felt that since the council had already voted to complete the sale, the council should have the authority to sell the building. He stated he was just hearing of the situation and wanted to table the topic until he had more time to look into the matter. He had no objection to the people willing to serve on the board; he just wanted to make sure of the need for the board. Councilman Rickey Byrum expressed his frustration in thinking the matter was settled and then finding out it was not complete. Councilman Marshall Stiefel pointed out that if the deal is not finalized, the city will be responsible for the next insurance payment of $13,000.00.
DeKalb County School Superintendent, Dr. Jason Barnett, addressed the council concerning the questions, assuring the council that he understood their frustration, and he appreciated all the city had done in the past to help the school system. He only wanted to see the issue settled.
During the official meeting, the motion was defeated so technically the building is still the property of the City of Rainsville. This situation is ongoing.
In other business, the council acted on the following items:
- Agreed to suspend the rules for immediate consideration of Ordinance 10-15-07 Section 22
- Agreed to amend Ordinance 10-15-07 Section 22 lowering the tax on rental property from $50.00 per unit to $25.00 per unit
- Agreed to send Kelly Fraiser and Tammy Mason to City Clerk Training August 28-30
- Approved the repair of a sewer line on Vista View Drive for $2000.00
- Approved the Revenue Officer Conference on October 2,3, & 4
- Agreed to rebid the Boozer Bridge Project after redesigning the plans and open bids on August 28, 2019
- Approved $9,500.00 for the renovation of the Court Clerk’s Office
- Approved $2,000.00 to replace the ceiling at the Rainsville City Hall
- Approved a supplemental agreement to the existing contract bid for resurfacing Park Lane
- Approved $6,000.00 to repair asphalt on the alleyway behind Black’s Tire
- Approved using square tubing to replace a road sign on Parker/Hwy 35
- Approved appointing the Assistant Fire Chief to serve as Secondary Safety Director with a 50¢ per hour raise
- Approved sending Fire Chief Wright and Assistant Chief Summerford to the Chief’s Conference on August 10-15
- Accepted the resignation of Chance Williams from the Rainsville Fire Department
- Opened a position at the Rainsville Fire Department to run until August 31, 2019
- Approved the hiring of Jacob Owens at the Rainsville Police Department
- Approved sending Jacob Owens to the Police Academy pending his signing of a four-year contract with the city
- Added three part-time positions at the Rainsville Fire Department
- Required all department heads to attend monthly safety meetings
- Approved appointing a current Rainsville Policeman to act as SRO at Cornerstone and local daycares
- Agreed to pay the bills
Then the council entered into executive session. After the session ended, the mayor adjourned the meeting without the council taking any further action. Even though the Rainsville City Councilmen raised questions over the fate of the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum; the answers will not come until at least the next council meeting.