Mary Bragg, Pearl Shepherd, Ashley Kyser, KaTerriaeial Lewis, and Bobbie Curtis were issued certificates of election during Greensboro City Council’s July 8th meeting. In accordance with Alabama Code section 11-46-26, which outlines proceedings where only one candidate or nominee is seeking office, each of the current five Councilmembers will begin a new term on the first Monday of November this year.
City Clerk Lorrie Cook said the council met with Paul Patterson of the Patterson Law firm during a July 1st workshop and discussed with him the possibility of replacing the current City Attorney, Carolyn Steverson, when she retires early next year. Councilmember Curtis made a motion to appoint Patterson to the position upon Steverson’s retirement. Councilmember Lewis seconded the motion, and it was unanimously carried.
Councilmember Shepherd made a motion to rescind the previous authorization regarding a lease agreement with Alabama Fiber Network. Councilmember Lewis seconded the motion, and it was unanimously carried.
The Hale County Community Enrichment Society asked the Council for a $4,000 allotment for its Summer Employment Program. Curtis made a motion to approve the allotment, Lewis seconded the motion, and it was unanimously carried.
Tim Higgins addressed the council and public on Alabama Audubon’s 5th annual Black Belt Birding Festival. “I’m here to invite you all to the 5th annual Black Belt Birding Festival. Since 2019, Alabama Audubon has brought over 5,000 people to the area. People from twelve states have come here,” said Higgins. Festival attendees can climb the bird tower at Perry Lakes Park and view rare bird species in Selma. Greensboro is the hub of the festival, and the public is invited to a welcome party at Horseshoe Farms on August 1st. Author Dudley Edmondson will speak at the Greensboro Opera House during the festival, which runs from August first through third.
“Alabama Audubon is proud to have a presence in Greensboro and the Black Belt. We’re looking forward to another great year,” said Higgins.
Councilmember Curtis made a motion that the council go into an executive session. Councilmember Bragg seconded the motion, and the Council went behind closed doors for deliberation before returning to open session. No action was taken during the executive session that required a vote of the council.
During public comments, Pattie Dismukes of District 3 asked if the position of city department head is a salaried position. City Clerk Lorrie Cook said, some positions were hourly and some were contract positions.
Dismukes asked if department heads make reports to the Council. Cook said that department heads do make reports to the Council. Dismukes asked if those reports could be made public. Cook said the reports are available to the public and she had reports from every department head except the Code Enforcement Officer.
