1 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:53,560 We all ready. 2 00:01:54,399 --> 00:02:03,840 I will call this March 3rd meeting of the Andalusia City Council to order. Uh 3 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:12,000 just a couple of housekeeping things. Uh our mayor is at the power south trustee 4 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:17,599 update which is an annual meeting. He is the chairman of the power south board. 5 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:25,840 So uh he is missing the meeting here tonight. Uh Councilman Boswell 6 00:02:21,920 --> 00:02:31,200 is u not feeling well. Uh he had intended to be here. uh so would 7 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:36,239 appreciate it if you would keep him in your prayers uh tonight. If you would 8 00:02:34,319 --> 00:02:42,239 join me, I will lead us in the prayer and the pledge. 9 00:02:39,599 --> 00:02:46,720 Almighty God, we thank you for your love and for your mercy. 10 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:52,720 We thank you for the blessings that you have bestowed upon both this council, 11 00:02:49,760 --> 00:03:00,080 this city, and the residents of the city of Andalusia. 12 00:02:54,959 --> 00:03:07,760 Father, as our world is at war, we pray that you would touch the hearts and 13 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:14,000 minds of coolheaded men, that they could make decisions that would bring peace 14 00:03:10,879 --> 00:03:19,920 and that the killing could stop. As we conduct this meeting, we pray for 15 00:03:16,239 --> 00:03:27,200 wisdom and insight to make good decisions for both our citizens and our 16 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:32,560 town in Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. 17 00:03:28,319 --> 00:03:38,560 » Attention, salute, pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United 18 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:45,200 States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under 19 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:49,560 God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 20 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:49,560 » All right. 21 00:03:51,760 --> 00:04:01,360 » I'd like to welcome our guest. We have some that are special here tonight. Uh 22 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:06,720 we're going to recognize some uh young men that 23 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:11,680 have been involved in wrestling. So before we conduct any other business, I 24 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:16,560 will come down to the podium and if the young wrestlers will come and join me up 25 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:20,519 there, I will read the resolution and present them to you. 26 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:41,120 She's tough. >> All right. 27 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:45,880 And there is a young lady. So let me not miss that. 28 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:53,919 So this resolution is being presented to each of you. 29 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:58,960 Whereas the Andalusia Youth Wrestling Club is a nonprofit organization 30 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:04,240 focused on teaching competitive wrestling. And whereas the group 31 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:09,440 recently was reorganized and rebranded to compete as Andalusia Bulldogs. 32 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:15,039 And whereas parents say that the team members had improved behavior, 33 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:21,600 confidence, and discipline. And whereas every member of the 2526 34 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:28,400 team qualified to participate in regionals for their individual ages and 35 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:35,360 weight classes through team Alabama US wrestling. And whereas the Bulldogs 36 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:43,440 Railen Stacks did win the 12 and under 64 pound girls state championship. 37 00:05:40,479 --> 00:05:52,000 And whereas Jaden Lockheart did win the 8 and under 98B boys state championship. 38 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:57,360 And whereas Ronan Staxs did win the 8 and under 78B 39 00:05:54,720 --> 00:06:04,639 state boys championship. And whereas Ace Ace George did win the 40 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:09,120 six and under 56PB boys state championship. 41 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:15,840 And whereas they represented Andelusia with class, learning valuable life 42 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:22,000 lessons about the rewards of hard work. Now therefore be it resolved that I, 43 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:28,720 Major Earl V. Johnson, on behalf of the city council of Andalusia, Alabama, and 44 00:06:25,199 --> 00:06:33,600 all of its citizens, do hereby recognize Railen Stacks. 45 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:38,479 Raise your hand. Jaden Lockheart, 46 00:06:36,319 --> 00:06:45,360 Ronan Stacks, and Ace George and their coaches, and 47 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:51,840 extend to them our congratulations for their success and for representing our 48 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:59,440 community so well. Adopted and approved this the third day of March, 2026. 49 00:06:56,479 --> 00:07:03,960 And congratulations to each of you. >> Let me see if I can get one for 50 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:03,960 » Are these 51 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:10,199 Where is Michelle? >> I'll get a picture for Michelle. 52 00:07:06,639 --> 00:07:10,199 » Are these individualized? 53 00:07:11,599 --> 00:07:20,479 » No. All right. One, two, three, four. Here 54 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:23,479 we go. Congratulations. 55 00:07:28,319 --> 00:07:31,319 Congratulations. 56 00:07:44,319 --> 00:07:49,000 One, two, three. 57 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:09,360 These are the kind of young people we want growing up in our town. One day you 58 00:08:06,639 --> 00:08:15,960 will be where I am and we want you to lead our town very well, just like you 59 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:15,960 wrestle. Okay. 60 00:08:32,399 --> 00:08:42,479 It's always really good to see uh our young people rewarded for hard work. 61 00:08:39,680 --> 00:08:46,880 Hard work and discipline will take you long ways. 62 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:53,360 All right. Uh you're more than welcome to stay. It's a brief meeting. We won't 63 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:57,800 be very long. Uh or you can go ahead and and go, whichever you prefer. 64 00:08:58,959 --> 00:09:01,959 » Okay. 65 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:08,240 Understand? All right. >> Good. 66 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:11,839 » Okay. Good deal. We'll be glad to have you. 67 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:18,080 » All right. We have our minutes from the previous meeting to be approved. Uh I 68 00:09:14,959 --> 00:09:22,640 would entertain a motion to approve the 69 00:09:19,680 --> 00:09:28,160 uh February 17th me minutes. >> Mr. Mayor Pro Tim, I move for approval 70 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:32,800 of the said minutes uh from the uh meeting of February 17, 2026. 71 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:35,279 » All right, we have a motion to approve. Do we have a second? 72 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:40,160 » I second the motion. >> All right, is there any further 73 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:44,560 discussion regarding the minutes? If not, all in favor raise your right 74 00:09:42,399 --> 00:09:48,720 hand and say I. >> I. 75 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:53,760 » Any oppose the same privilege? And it carries. 76 00:09:50,560 --> 00:10:02,000 We have no unfinished business. Under new business, we have the Andalusia City 77 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:09,440 Schools education sales tax request. Uh it was presented to us last August. 78 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:14,959 Uh and we had agreed. We held off approving that, waiting for them to get 79 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:20,079 the pricing for uh an addition to the new elementary school 80 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:26,079 that came in under the price that they had anticipated 81 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:32,000 and the the board of education, Dr. Shakespeare has agreed 82 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:40,240 that we will uh approve everything but the request for the elementary school 83 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:46,560 edition pending him getting the price to redo old Maine at the high school. It 84 00:10:43,680 --> 00:10:52,000 badly needs to be redone. So once they have that number, they will bring a new 85 00:10:49,120 --> 00:11:00,160 price to us and and we will consider that then. But for now, we will uh 86 00:10:56,560 --> 00:11:08,360 approve instead of the let me find my page. Instead of 4,620, 87 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:08,360 we will approve 1,120,000. 88 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:13,519 So, do I hear a motion to approve that amount? 89 00:11:11,680 --> 00:11:19,680 » Mayor Pro Tim, I'll make a motion to approve the Andalusia City Schools 90 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:26,079 education sales tax request for 2627. >> Okay. and and it is for 2526. 91 00:11:24,079 --> 00:11:30,079 They they misprinted in in here. I forgot to tell you that correct. 92 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:32,399 » So, all right, we have a motion to approve. Do we have a second? 93 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:37,920 » A second. Motion. >> All right, we have a second. Is there 94 00:11:34,399 --> 00:11:43,279 any further discussion? Any questions? If not, all in favor of approving the 95 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:50,320 request as presented, let it be known by raising your right hand and saying I. I. 96 00:11:46,959 --> 00:11:54,640 » Any opposed? the same privilege and it carries. 97 00:11:52,480 --> 00:12:02,920 The last uh item of business tonight is a 98 00:11:57,839 --> 00:12:02,920 franchise agreement with Ceasepire 99 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:09,839 item B. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I missed the resurface. 100 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:17,200 Uh, we have a resolution 2026-02 101 00:12:13,839 --> 00:12:23,120 to appropriate $85,000 from the capital account to be 102 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:29,680 appropriated to cover the cost of resurfacing Third Avenue. The Third 103 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:36,800 Avenue project has been approved. However, the the funding was not in the 104 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:44,240 grant to pay for the resurfacing. It paid for everything else, but uh uh the 105 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:49,680 resurfacing is on the city and we have a resolution here to pay for it out of our 106 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:56,240 capital funds. So I would entertain a motion to resurface 3 avenue. Mayor 107 00:12:54,000 --> 00:13:01,480 Prom, I make a motion that we approve resolution 20 26-02 108 00:13:01,839 --> 00:13:09,120 resurfacing third avenue and the reservicing cost 109 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:13,760 not to exceed $85,000 and will come from capital. 110 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:19,680 » Okay, you heard have heard Councilman Mount's uh motion. Do we have a second? 111 00:13:17,680 --> 00:13:25,880 » Mayor Pro. I'll second that motion. >> All right, we have a motion and a 112 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:25,880 second. Is there any further discussion? 113 00:13:26,079 --> 00:13:31,839 All right. If not, then all in favor, let it be known by saying I and raising 114 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:36,079 your right hand. >> I. 115 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:41,279 » Any oppose the same privilege? And it carries. 116 00:13:37,839 --> 00:13:48,800 All right. Now we are to the point of the uh franchise agreement and I'm going 117 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:55,120 to ask uh Jake Cowan who is a senior vice president uh who happens to live in 118 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:59,600 Covington County to come and tell us about this franchise agreement if you 119 00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:02,600 can use the microphone here at the podium. 120 00:14:03,519 --> 00:14:13,519 Thank you mayor pro team council opportunity and u speak on this. So uh 121 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:20,639 ceasefire we have a a grant from the uh federal government to deploy a 677 122 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:28,079 milei uh fiber optic middle mile network which is just a a highcapacity uh fiber 123 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:33,360 network. Um it'll uh covers 27 counties in South Alabama. Of course, it includes 124 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:37,680 Andalusia and Covenant County. Um, uh, in Andalusia, we would deploy, uh, a 125 00:14:36,079 --> 00:14:42,240 high-capacity cabinet, which would be the electronics that serve fiber to the 126 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:47,040 home, um, and the underlying, uh, the network. Um, in in Andalusia, we would 127 00:14:45,199 --> 00:14:52,480 have three routes out. So, we would have multiple redundancy where if, uh, one 128 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:59,279 fiber path got cut, uh, or up to two fiber paths got cut, we could still uh, 129 00:14:54,880 --> 00:15:03,760 maintain um, a network service. Um and so as part of the grant with the federal 130 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:11,199 government, phase one would be complete the 677 mile project by July of 27. Um 131 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:16,399 and then phase two uh as soon as that's complete, we move into market expansion. 132 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:20,079 Um and as part of uh as part of the grant and taking the federal dollars, we 133 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:25,680 will operate open access and non-discriminatory network, which just 134 00:15:22,079 --> 00:15:30,000 means uh we will provide service at at uh non-discriminatory rates. uh to any 135 00:15:28,399 --> 00:15:33,839 other provider whether it's another telecom provider that competes with us, 136 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:38,399 a cell phone provider, another phone company locally. So, they could also use 137 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:42,959 the network to increase their um reliability and redundancy. 138 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:46,480 » Um Mayor Pro Tim, anything else you want me to cover? 139 00:15:43,839 --> 00:15:55,040 » Uh I think that pretty well covers it. Um, and just for general information, 140 00:15:51,199 --> 00:16:01,040 uh, the charges that Ceasefire will incur are consistent with all of the 141 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:05,120 other internet providers that have a franchise agreement with the city of 142 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:10,800 Andalusia. Um, before you start moving to homes, 143 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:13,120 we're looking at at least a year. >> Yes, sir. 144 00:16:11,759 --> 00:16:18,880 » Or or a little longer. >> Yes, sir. But for businesses that are 145 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:21,920 along the state right of way, you'll be able they'll be able to get service much 146 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:23,920 faster. >> Yeah, we hope before the end of the 147 00:16:23,279 --> 00:16:28,560 year. >> Okay. 148 00:16:25,519 --> 00:16:34,720 So, so this project is ex or or service is expected to start sometime by the 149 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:42,560 fourth quarter or a little earlier. >> Yes, sir. So, and and the city is hoping 150 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:48,160 that by having an additional internet provider that it will make the other 151 00:16:45,839 --> 00:16:53,199 internet providers um make their service uh more 152 00:16:51,120 --> 00:17:00,959 dependable. The biggest thing that I hear is that 153 00:16:56,639 --> 00:17:06,480 people uh can't use it. uh businesses have to have it to bill uh to get my car 154 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:11,039 tuned up. If the internet doesn't work, they can't do it. Uh if they get it 155 00:17:09,120 --> 00:17:17,280 tuned up and then it goes down, they can't bill me. So, all these things are 156 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:22,720 important to businesses and particularly to individuals who work from home with 157 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:28,720 the requirement of high-speed internet. So, this will make it even better for 158 00:17:25,360 --> 00:17:33,520 them. they'll have more choices and and we're hoping by having multiple 159 00:17:31,679 --> 00:17:41,679 providers uh a person can get redundancy and never 160 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:48,080 be without internet. It's not likely that two providers would be down at the 161 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:51,600 same time. So that's the thinking of the city as we enter into this agreement. 162 00:17:51,039 --> 00:17:56,720 Okay. >> Does does the council have any questions 163 00:17:53,760 --> 00:18:02,640 for Mr. Cowan? Okay. He answered most of our questions 164 00:17:58,799 --> 00:18:09,200 upstairs in the workshop. So, all right. You have before you the resolution 165 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:15,679 uh for telecommunication services and redundancies in the city of Andalusia. 166 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:20,000 Do I hear a motion that we approve the franchise agreement? 167 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:23,360 » Mr. Mayor Prom, I so move. >> All right. We have a motion from 168 00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:28,400 Councilman Nicks. Do we have a second? >> A second. A motion. All right, we have a 169 00:18:25,679 --> 00:18:32,640 second from Councilman Mau. Is there any further discussion? 170 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:37,120 If not, then all in favor of the agreement, let it be known by raising 171 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:40,799 your right hand and saying I. >> I. 172 00:18:37,919 --> 00:18:45,520 » Any oppose the same privilege? And it carries. 173 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:53,120 Let me uh that's all of the business unless someone has something. Uh let me 174 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:58,000 again say to you young people, uh we're proud of you. And uh keep in mind we're 175 00:18:56,240 --> 00:19:02,400 going to need you to take a seat up here one day. Somebody will have to run this 176 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:09,200 city because we're we're going to get old. 177 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:15,400 So you guys give that a lot of thought. All right. If there is no further 178 00:19:11,120 --> 00:19:15,400 business, then we will be adjourned.