1
00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:15,160
just

2
00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:54,160
I sure

3
00:01:04,559 --> 00:01:07,640
I'm ready.

4
00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:15,799
I saw her.

5
00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:21,960
Yeah.

6
00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:48,759
I had a little bit.

7
00:01:54,079 --> 00:01:58,920
probably makes sense to you right.

8
00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:22,239
» Welcome everybody. We're going to
kick off our work session for tonight.

9
00:02:19,599 --> 00:02:28,680
First uh item that we have on the work
session, Katherine Sledge, Thomas'

10
00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:28,680
Legacy of Love nonprofit.

11
00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:47,599
» Good evening, Mayor.
>> Good evening, council members and staff.

12
00:02:44,959 --> 00:02:53,440
My name is Katherine Sledge and I'm
representing Thomas's Legacy of Love

13
00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:58,720
Incorporated of Tusc.
have attended the council meeting to

14
00:02:55,519 --> 00:03:05,360
share our nonprofit and to request a
financial donation of $2500 to support

15
00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:12,959
scholarships for Sheffield High School
seniors and to support two hygiene

16
00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:16,959
project sponsored by Thomas's legacy at
Sheffield High School and Sheffield

17
00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:22,319
Junior High School.
The mission of Thomas's legacy is to

18
00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:28,000
empower and to enrich the community
through education and faithbased

19
00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:33,280
initiatives. Our vision is to be the
best positive difference in the lives of

20
00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:38,480
people and the shows.
I will begin with a brief history of

21
00:03:36,239 --> 00:03:43,040
Thomas's legacy,
move into the scholarships, the hygiene

22
00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:49,760
posit, and then complete my
presentation.

23
00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:54,239
Thomas's legacy over 501c3
attends the community

24
00:03:52,319 --> 00:04:03,920
of his name
Thomas 19 to 19 to 2022

25
00:04:00,560 --> 00:04:09,200
after surviving a near fatal motorcycle
accident

26
00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:16,160
sled began an almost 50 year record of
service to the show

27
00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:21,600
his family Catherine Rashad
Faith and Haley have chosen to focus on

28
00:04:19,199 --> 00:04:27,759
three areas that were of utmost
important to Thomas. Education, faith,

29
00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:32,639
and community. We're reaching out
because we believe that you share the

30
00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:37,600
importance of his vision.
For over 26 years, Thomas assisted Jerry

31
00:04:35,199 --> 00:04:43,840
Mills to Sheffield High School Council
to secure scholarships for any graduate

32
00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:49,600
student wanted to attend a technical
two-year or fouryear institution.

33
00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:56,160
In preserving Thomas's legacy of
commitment to education,

34
00:04:52,160 --> 00:05:00,720
Thomas's legacy has to continue awarding
two $1,000 scholarships as he did in

35
00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:08,960
2023,
2024, and 2025.

36
00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:15,360
I would like to share that we have a 67%
success rate for the students who

37
00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:19,919
receive the first six scholarships.
Look it on to the hygienic father. The

38
00:05:17,919 --> 00:05:25,199
board developed a plan aimed at
improving high school graduation rates,

39
00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:31,759
retention, self-esteem, and overall
student success. Through Thomas' care

40
00:05:28,639 --> 00:05:37,600
closet, we will provide essential
hygiene products, undergarment, socks,

41
00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:42,720
and belts to support students. A limited
number of co items casual and

42
00:05:39,840 --> 00:05:47,840
professional will be accessible to
enhance student success for interviews

43
00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:54,479
of civic engagement
as shown by the attached letter from

44
00:05:51,199 --> 00:06:01,039
superintendent Dr. Carlos Nelson. She c
students has expressed full support for

45
00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:05,759
the vision and work of Thomas of love.
The board endorsed the partnership

46
00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:11,199
between Shepard High School and the
organization that we anticipate will

47
00:06:08,319 --> 00:06:16,319
benefit the broader community.
Approximately

48
00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:22,400
71% of students at Sheffield Junior High
and Sheffield High School fit within

49
00:06:20,319 --> 00:06:29,280
I do not have the exact number, but I'm
going to uh guesstimate from my most

50
00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:33,520
recent inquiry that's around 375
students. Our board is working closely

51
00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:40,400
with the school mental health
coordinator and uh who is Morgan Smith

52
00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:45,039
and the community engagement leader
Major Atkins

53
00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:50,240
through a holistic approach of
addressing each individual student and

54
00:06:47,840 --> 00:06:56,319
by providing the necessary items we
anticipate improvement in the quality of

55
00:06:52,960 --> 00:07:01,440
life of the disenfranchised students.
The potential impact and outcomes of

56
00:06:59,280 --> 00:07:06,240
Thomas's causes will be a positive for
the students, school, family, and the

57
00:07:04,639 --> 00:07:11,440
community.
Today, Thomas Legacy Love is facing

58
00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:18,440
substantial
physical challenges. We will benefit

59
00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:18,440
from a gift from 2500

60
00:07:19,199 --> 00:07:25,680
donation as we continue to support the
show's period. We believe that like

61
00:07:23,759 --> 00:07:30,400
Charles said, you ought to invest in the
future of our students and are committed

62
00:07:27,919 --> 00:07:35,759
to meeting people where they are and
leaving them at a better place,

63
00:07:32,319 --> 00:07:40,880
especially those who are in need. Your
kindness and financial support will

64
00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:46,240
allow us to continue programs that honor
Thomas's life and make a positive impact

65
00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:53,440
in our
we extend our deepest gratitude in

66
00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:58,400
advance for your support and enriching.
Thank you for allowing to be here and

67
00:07:55,759 --> 00:08:02,199
thank you for allowing our president.
Thank you. Thank you. Thanks.

68
00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:26,599
We'll talk about
running town. You know, I was going to

69
00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:26,599
ask at least it wasn't me this time.

70
00:08:33,519 --> 00:08:39,760
It's approximately three grand I think
that we have left in the fiscal year.

71
00:08:36,959 --> 00:08:43,279
Approximately 3 I think it's $3,06
somewhere up there. Miss Sledge, when

72
00:08:41,599 --> 00:08:49,760
were you uh requesting the money be
given? Is it urgent quick turn?

73
00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:55,120
» Urgent school has already begun and I
have already

74
00:08:51,519 --> 00:08:59,279
u taken things up twice since school has
started.

75
00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,279
Okay.

76
00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:02,680
Got the feedback.

77
00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:08,760
» I'm sorry. Feedback
feedback.

78
00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:39,160
Check, check, check, check. Okay, there
we go.

79
00:09:39,920 --> 00:09:43,959
» Yeah, there you go. All right.

80
00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:48,560
Um, if this is something we we can get
through the month, it would be on the

81
00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:54,080
next fiscal year. I don't know if the
council wants to discuss that at all.

82
00:09:51,519 --> 00:10:00,640
any any thoughts?
>> Um I think it's a it yeah it's a worthy

83
00:09:57,440 --> 00:10:05,760
program. It goes directly to
our kids schools

84
00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:15,560
» uh in the form of scholarships
and the uh

85
00:10:09,839 --> 00:10:15,560
the care as well for

86
00:10:16,079 --> 00:10:22,240
giving out money. We always said that
we wanted to directly affect kids in our

87
00:10:21,680 --> 00:10:25,920
schools.
>> Yeah. So,

88
00:10:24,079 --> 00:10:32,040
» okay. So, we want to put this on the
agenda as a resolution.

89
00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:32,040
» Any other comment on

90
00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:41,680
» course?
Yeah. Yeah. We have one more, you know,

91
00:10:40,240 --> 00:10:46,600
we have one more council meeting before
the next fiscal year begins. So, yeah.

92
00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,760
Yeah.

93
00:10:53,200 --> 00:11:00,600
» Okay. Carol says
>> all right.

94
00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:00,600
All right.

95
00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:05,000
» 14 resolutions.

96
00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:11,480
2500. Yep.

97
00:11:14,399 --> 00:11:20,600
and music ledge. I also have an
organization that will partner with

98
00:11:21,862 --> 00:11:23,882
[clears throat]

99
00:11:34,399 --> 00:11:38,120
Yeah, pretty good.

100
00:11:59,279 --> 00:12:08,920
We have number two,
Miss Alli Lee, director of attention

101
00:12:04,959 --> 00:12:08,920
homes requested.

102
00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:18,800
» I walked out of my office today and I
left all my notes on my desk. So, I made

103
00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:24,000
a few notes on my phone. Uh, so I don't
go too far off topic. Uh, but my name is

104
00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:29,519
Ally Lee and I'm the director of the
Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama.

105
00:12:26,639 --> 00:12:34,480
Uh, I stepped into this role in January.
Um, following the footsteps of Terresa

106
00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:39,760
Robertson who was in this position for
42 years. Uh, so I have quite the big

107
00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:44,160
shoes to fill. Um, but I thought I would
take this opportunity this year to

108
00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:48,720
attend all of the meetings and introduce
myself and a face to the name. Um, and

109
00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:52,880
then also if you're not familiar with
the Attention Homes, explain a little

110
00:12:50,959 --> 00:12:57,600
bit about what we do and impact that we
have on the community. Um, so the

111
00:12:55,920 --> 00:13:03,120
Attention Homes has been serving youth
in Northwest Alabama since 1973.

112
00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:07,680
Uh, we have two homes as residential
facility. Uh we have our girls home

113
00:13:05,519 --> 00:13:12,160
which is located over in Florence and
then our boys home is located here in

114
00:13:09,839 --> 00:13:17,040
Sheffield. So y'all are extra special to
us. Um and our homes are for kids that

115
00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:23,360
are involved in the juvenile court
system. Um so all of the kids that enter

116
00:13:19,360 --> 00:13:28,399
our home are aged 10 to 18 um boys and
girls and they are on juvenile probation

117
00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:33,200
of some sort whether that's for truency
or whether they have domestic violence

118
00:13:30,079 --> 00:13:36,880
charges um family altercation substance
abuse they're involved in the court

119
00:13:34,959 --> 00:13:44,240
systems and the judges have ordered them
to um stay with us. Um our homes give

120
00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:48,399
the kids an alternative to detention.
Um, so the kids that we're serving are

121
00:13:46,399 --> 00:13:52,000
kind of at the point where a judge is
looking at them and they're saying,

122
00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:55,120
"Hey, this kid really needs we have to
take them out of the home. We're going

123
00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:59,279
to put them in a juvenile detention
center." Um, and that's kind of where

124
00:13:57,519 --> 00:14:04,639
the attention homes came into play was
let's give an alternative or maybe a

125
00:14:01,279 --> 00:14:08,639
step down um in a cell um and put these
kids in a stable environment and see if

126
00:14:06,560 --> 00:14:12,959
we can really work on the behavioral and
issues in that way instead of just

127
00:14:11,279 --> 00:14:17,040
putting them in detention center for
months off. Um so we're a step down from

128
00:14:15,279 --> 00:14:21,839
the juvenile detention center and we are
a diversion program through the state of

129
00:14:18,959 --> 00:14:25,680
Alabama. Uh while they're with us they
have a safe place to live. They have

130
00:14:23,519 --> 00:14:29,760
structured meals, transportation to
schools. Uh we enroll them in mental

131
00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:34,160
health services. So we get a lot of them
enrolled in counseling. We get their

132
00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:39,199
medications looked at. Uh they attend
group with us as well as our girls are

133
00:14:37,199 --> 00:14:43,199
involved in a community action girls
program. And our boys are starting to go

134
00:14:41,199 --> 00:14:47,360
to the jump program. So we're trying to
keep them as involved in the community

135
00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:53,040
as we can. Um, which is another
alternative to why the extension is so

136
00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:58,240
important is we're keeping Scholes area
kids in the Scholes. Uh, so if you look

137
00:14:55,440 --> 00:15:00,720
at other diversion programs or programs
that operate like we do, most

138
00:14:59,980 --> 00:15:04,959
[clears throat] of them are going to be
in South Alabama. Um, and so really

139
00:15:03,279 --> 00:15:10,320
without the attention homes, we're
looking at shipping these kids down to

140
00:15:08,079 --> 00:15:13,519
do Mobile and that's where they're going
to stay for three to four months

141
00:15:11,839 --> 00:15:18,320
completely away from family in the
community that they're in. Um, so we're

142
00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:25,279
able to keep them here locally. Uh, last
year we served 54 kids and provided more

143
00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:29,440
than 2,300 nights of care. Uh, this year
we're already at 66 kids. So we've

144
00:15:27,519 --> 00:15:34,480
already um exceeded that number this
year. U, however, last year 89% of our

145
00:15:32,399 --> 00:15:38,079
kids successfully completed our program.
So whenever they come to our program,

146
00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:42,480
they stay anywhere from three to nine
weeks just depending on what the judge

147
00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:47,600
orders. Um, and they have to maintain a
level system. So, they have to show good

148
00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:52,079
behavior, do their chores, and stay out
of trouble um for three to nine weeks

149
00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:57,360
based on what the judge orders. And we
did have 89% of the kids that were able

150
00:15:54,240 --> 00:16:01,839
to that. Um our kids stay with us on
average for 51 nights. Um so, they're

151
00:15:59,759 --> 00:16:05,680
with us for a good amount of time. And
that's something that we're really proud

152
00:16:03,199 --> 00:16:09,920
of. Um we try to the kids that come in,
they can normally the first week or two

153
00:16:07,759 --> 00:16:12,639
is usually the hardest. Um, but once we
can get them in that structure and that

154
00:16:11,279 --> 00:16:17,199
routine, we're proud to be able to keep
them for a while. Um, until we're able

155
00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:20,320
to kind of reintegrate them back into
their home and work with their parents

156
00:16:18,959 --> 00:16:24,800
or their family or whoever their
guardian is, but try to reintegrate them

157
00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:31,839
slowly, um, so that they don't end up
coming back to us. Um, so that's a

158
00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:36,800
little bit of an overview of what we do.
Um, again, I just kind of wanted to

159
00:16:33,839 --> 00:16:41,279
explain what we do, introduce myself. um
we are here in Sheffield. So, I'm trying

160
00:16:39,199 --> 00:16:46,800
to be as involved in the communities
that we operate as I can be. Um so, I'm

161
00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:52,560
grateful for y'all and all that y'all do
um for allowing us to be here, but I'd

162
00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:58,399
love to answer any questions.
>> Where's the bulk of your funding?

163
00:16:55,680 --> 00:17:02,959
» Our funding. So, a large portion of our
funding comes from UIS, Department of

164
00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:07,520
Services of Alabama. um we receive a
large diversion grant from them and then

165
00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:14,640
other than that it's mostly city and
county funded. Um and the reason behind

166
00:17:09,919 --> 00:17:18,720
that is especially counties um the kids
that we serve are not in detention beds

167
00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:23,600
whereas if those kids were being put in
a detention bed the county would be

168
00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:28,480
paying that nightly rate $138 a night to
keep a kid. Um so we're kind of an

169
00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:33,000
alternative to that. Um we keep those
costs.

170
00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:33,000
So

171
00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:42,160
» it is. Yes. All of our kids are court
ordered by um the juvenile judge. We

172
00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:46,000
operate in Lauderdale, uh Coart, and
Franklin County. And then we actually

173
00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:50,160
starting October 1st, we're expanding
into Lawrence County as well. So we'll

174
00:17:47,919 --> 00:17:54,120
have four counties um that the judges
will use as a resource.

175
00:17:57,039 --> 00:18:04,400
went to what matter you ask.
>> So, historically, um I don't know what

176
00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:09,600
we've asked for because I just started
in January. Um but historically, I went

177
00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:15,360
through the past couple years. Um and
for the past five years, we've received

178
00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:21,200
$1,000. I'm asking for 5,000 this year
for this next year's budget. Um just due

179
00:18:18,559 --> 00:18:26,400
to raised cost just, you know,
everywhere else. Um we've had a loss of

180
00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:30,400
a couple grants. Um the grant world is a
little crazy right now. Um so we've lost

181
00:18:28,559 --> 00:18:34,480
two of our grants this year and that's
that's not us. That's just everybody.

182
00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:40,400
All the nonprofits um have been losing
them. So um and then of course just

183
00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:45,559
rising cost, groceries, staffing,
>> right? So

184
00:18:42,559 --> 00:18:45,559
historically

185
00:18:57,200 --> 00:19:03,440
wait till October.
>> Oh yeah, actually this is for next

186
00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:10,840
year's budget. Yes, it was
forget next year's budget.

187
00:19:06,559 --> 00:19:10,840
» Thank thank you for doing what you do.

188
00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:18,080
You don't think that?
>> Oh, yeah.

189
00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:21,360
You don't even know. You didn't know
where it was.

190
00:19:19,919 --> 00:19:24,799
» You really wouldn't. Um, that's
something, too. If y'all have never been

191
00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:29,679
to the home, um, I would love to have
y'all come see it. Um, we're located

192
00:19:27,120 --> 00:19:33,200
just right over on Shville Drive. And
like he said, if you didn't know what it

193
00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:37,440
was, you would never It's It looks just
like mine in your house. We walk inside

194
00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:41,919
and it looks like our inside, too. It's
a couple bedrooms. Um, we try to make it

195
00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:46,600
as cozy as we can. So, we try to make it
seem as normal of a life as possible.

196
00:19:48,799 --> 00:19:58,320
» Great notes.
>> Thank you. To be

197
00:19:55,600 --> 00:20:04,080
» to be transparent, this is my eighth or
ninth of city council meeting, so I it's

198
00:20:01,679 --> 00:20:06,960
coming out.
>> Thanks.

199
00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:09,600
» Thank you for your time. I appreciate
Thank you.

200
00:20:11,763 --> 00:20:13,783
» [clears throat]

201
00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:24,919
» Uh the next three items are u
new introductions um be pretty quick.

202
00:20:27,120 --> 00:20:35,440
The item of neo gov platform
it's about modernizing some of the most

203
00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:40,159
basic administrative functions that we
perform every day. are payroll, employee

204
00:20:38,559 --> 00:20:45,760
time and attendance, benefits
administration, core HR, onboarding new

205
00:20:43,120 --> 00:20:50,240
employees, and the related year-end
payroll.

206
00:20:47,679 --> 00:20:55,600
Right now, too much of this work is
fragmented and requires a manual process

207
00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:59,840
that costs staff time. It creates
duplicate work, makes routine personnel

208
00:20:57,919 --> 00:21:05,360
and payroll administration harder than
it needs to be. The NEOGV proposal

209
00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:09,440
brings those functions into a more
integrated system. Quoded package

210
00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:14,960
includes
benefits, core HR, payroll,

211
00:21:12,799 --> 00:21:20,880
time and attendance,
onboard and payroll services along with

212
00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:26,480
the associated implementation and setup.
First year cost a little over $53,000 at

213
00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:31,280
5341
and40. the quoted second year incurred.

214
00:21:29,679 --> 00:21:35,559
It's a little less minus the
implementation of $49,14945.

215
00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:43,120
So I don't look at this as buying
software simply because we'd like newer

216
00:21:40,799 --> 00:21:46,720
software. The question is whether we can
make payroll timekeeping and benefits

217
00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:50,799
and [clears throat] employee
administration more efficient, more

218
00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:54,880
consistent, and less dependent on manual
work.

219
00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:58,880
This also matters as we move into fiscal
year 2027.

220
00:21:57,039 --> 00:22:03,440
We're serious about modernizing the way
the city operates internally. Our

221
00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:08,640
administrative systems have to be a part
of that effort. My recommendation is

222
00:22:05,919 --> 00:22:12,799
that we move it forward the first year
implementation evaluate the platform and

223
00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:19,200
based on actual performance and staff
experience and continue the subject

224
00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:23,440
to subject future uh expenditures to our
normal budgeting and authorization

225
00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:34,559
process.
Uh the uh the good news is we received a

226
00:22:29,440 --> 00:22:44,400
refund from a 2010
project grant. Um and so we actually

227
00:22:39,360 --> 00:22:49,919
have um the funds additional funds to
pay for this platform uh as well as the

228
00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:55,120
vast majority of the next platform that
I'm going to introduce. So those funds

229
00:22:52,799 --> 00:23:01,600
did come in. So it won't be a matter of
do do we have those? Yes, we do. Because

230
00:22:58,159 --> 00:23:04,600
we after 16 years, we finally got a
refund.

231
00:23:06,159 --> 00:23:14,480
And uh so that's uh that that's where
that's where the funds would be coming

232
00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:21,120
from to uh support this first year of uh
of this plan.

233
00:23:17,360 --> 00:23:27,440
And that cuts off dozens and several
more dozen hours of uh manual

234
00:23:24,799 --> 00:23:32,400
time cards. Uh especially when it gets
to the year end with the W2s

235
00:23:30,720 --> 00:23:37,760
and things like that. Is that correct?
Yeah. And

236
00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:41,360
let's see. So are the subscriptions
two-year subscriptions. Is that what it

237
00:23:39,440 --> 00:23:46,240
like mean after we get to year three if
we were to go through with this would we

238
00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:50,000
still have we'd be on for the same?
>> Okay. Yeah, similar cost.

239
00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:55,840
» It was just point it's pointing out uh
the first year includes an

240
00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:59,840
implementation and onboarding fee uh to
get the system set up because they go

241
00:23:57,440 --> 00:24:04,840
through and do an awful lot training and
things like that and then second pos.

242
00:24:06,080 --> 00:24:14,000
» No, no, next year it'll go down and then
uh either remain the same or go up.

243
00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:19,760
Nothing's going down anyway.
>> Probably stay. Yeah, pretty much. And um

244
00:24:17,039 --> 00:24:24,720
as I understand it and they do they've
got some legal ease in there that does

245
00:24:22,159 --> 00:24:32,000
it does cap how much that would go up if
they did go up like it's like less 5%.

246
00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:35,039
» For clarification, mayor, did you say
that the refund covers the first year?

247
00:24:34,559 --> 00:24:40,720
» Yeah.
>> Okay. The first year.

248
00:24:36,799 --> 00:24:45,240
» Yeah. We got uh roughly 55 a little over
55,000 back in that refund.

249
00:24:47,360 --> 00:24:56,960
Which carries us into number four. So
the city plus doc access city's

250
00:24:54,080 --> 00:25:01,679
municipal and police department websites
including document accessibility

251
00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:07,279
implementation recurring service
and proposed authorization. So we're

252
00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:12,080
modernizing the city's website.
uh that is uh that's taking a back seat

253
00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:19,360
to some other development which I'll
introduce here in a minute uh for our

254
00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:24,880
fiscal year 2027 budget which is taking
a primary role in my time as far as any

255
00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:29,279
development goes. Uh so one of the
things we have to address is

256
00:25:26,320 --> 00:25:34,640
accessibility uh even by state law. We
publish a tremendous number of PDF

257
00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:38,960
documents online, agendas, minutes,
budgets, audits, ordinances, forms,

258
00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:43,039
reports, and other documents. Simply
putting a PDF on a website does not

259
00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:48,159
necessarily make that document
accessible to someone using a screen

260
00:25:44,799 --> 00:25:54,400
reader or other assisted technology.
That's what that doc addresses.

261
00:25:51,840 --> 00:25:58,640
scans, converts, and monitors PDF
documents on our website to support our

262
00:25:56,240 --> 00:26:04,840
ADA and section 508 accessibility
efforts. Uh the proposal covers both

263
00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:04,840
cheffield.gov.net

264
00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:14,640
and cheff police.org.
Uh the first year cost is $6,361

265
00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:20,400
including implementation cost for the
first year. Uh then current annual

266
00:26:17,360 --> 00:26:26,480
recurring service after that uh is
$4,861.

267
00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:30,720
Uh so that's roughly $100 over the
implementation fee on the first year. I

268
00:26:29,120 --> 00:26:35,120
also want to make one distinction clear.
It's not a public records request

269
00:26:32,880 --> 00:26:37,840
system. So it does not mean we're
putting every [clears throat] city

270
00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:42,320
record online, but it does not change
how we handle records request or any

271
00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:47,600
fees associated with those requests.
This deals with documents we have

272
00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:51,600
already chosen to publish publicly. It
makes those documents more accessible.

273
00:26:50,159 --> 00:26:58,240
Alternative is either putting the
remediation bing burden on city staff

274
00:26:54,559 --> 00:27:02,559
i.e. me document by document or leaving
the accessibility issue addressed

275
00:27:00,320 --> 00:27:06,720
completely. I don't think either one of
those is a good option. We are we're

276
00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:11,840
already investing in a better city
website. So it doesn't make much sense

277
00:27:09,679 --> 00:27:16,240
to build a modern website then fill it
with documents that some of our

278
00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:22,720
residents can't properly access or in
violation of state ordinances uh for us

279
00:27:19,279 --> 00:27:26,880
to maintain that accessibility
for the cost involved particularly for

280
00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:33,039
both websites covered. I think it's a
reasonable investment

281
00:27:29,679 --> 00:27:40,080
which leads me to item number three. Uh
both of those uh we

282
00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:45,679
both of those so far are on our general
feed to vote on as resolutions tonight.

283
00:27:43,520 --> 00:27:51,679
Uh as is [clears throat]
number five.

284
00:27:48,559 --> 00:27:57,039
Um it's temporary authorization
for an additional open AI chat GPT and

285
00:27:54,720 --> 00:28:01,919
codeex uh development environment
capacity. I want to be clear what we're

286
00:27:59,279 --> 00:28:08,399
paying for with this. This is not simply
an upgrade to my chat GPT account. Uh

287
00:28:05,840 --> 00:28:13,679
we're we're using these tools as
development capacity uh for the

288
00:28:10,960 --> 00:28:19,200
Sheffield municipal operating system and
for the fiscal year 2027 budget

289
00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:23,120
development process. Uh Sheffield
Municipal Operating System is the

290
00:28:21,360 --> 00:28:28,720
internal financial and executive
management platform that I'm developing

291
00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:34,399
to and through budgeting financial
analysis, reporting scenario analysis,

292
00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:39,520
and the way we uh the way we present
municipal financial information. Right

293
00:28:37,120 --> 00:28:46,960
now, I'm in an accelerated development
period since uh we're trying to get our

294
00:28:43,039 --> 00:28:53,760
fiscal year 2027 budget out on time uh
for the first time, I think, in reported

295
00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:58,240
history. And and uh that means sustained
coding, debugging, testing, and working

296
00:28:55,840 --> 00:29:05,039
with large amounts of financial data and
repeatedly refining the system as I

297
00:29:01,039 --> 00:29:10,880
build out the uh 2027 budget. that type
of development work uh can consume the

298
00:29:08,080 --> 00:29:16,559
included chat GPT and codeex usage
capacity which I already have a beta

299
00:29:13,039 --> 00:29:20,880
account um and I end up hitting the
usage limits on a daily basis now

300
00:29:18,960 --> 00:29:25,600
because of the amount of data and the
progress I'm more than halfway through

301
00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:31,840
with that development and insert uh but
now every evening I have to put it off

302
00:29:28,159 --> 00:29:37,440
until the next day because uh the usage
limits on the account that I have uh

303
00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:42,159
shut the process down until the next day
and of course it's a 24-hour reset

304
00:29:40,080 --> 00:29:46,480
waiting period before those uh those
credits reset.

305
00:29:44,159 --> 00:29:50,080
Uh so right now uh so the type of
development

306
00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:55,039
uh
yeah so there there it is when the type

307
00:29:52,320 --> 00:30:00,159
of development work that uh consume the
included with by included package and

308
00:29:57,600 --> 00:30:06,799
usage capacity and they hit those limits
it stops until it resets. Uh, so I'm

309
00:30:03,600 --> 00:30:12,559
asking for a very narrow authorization,
not more than $1,000 total. Uh, it

310
00:30:09,840 --> 00:30:17,760
probably won't even be that much. Uh,
and not more than three months. Uh, that

311
00:30:15,600 --> 00:30:22,399
gives us enough flexibility to keep
development moving during this intensive

312
00:30:20,399 --> 00:30:29,360
budget period without creating an
open-ended expense. Um, if we reach that

313
00:30:26,399 --> 00:30:33,919
thousand cap, that's it. Uh, anything
beyond that comes back to the council.

314
00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:37,840
Uh the relevant question isn't whether
the city needs a more expensive AI

315
00:30:35,840 --> 00:30:42,960
subscription. The question is whether a
temporary CAT development expense is

316
00:30:40,640 --> 00:30:49,279
justified to keep a city software
project and our fiscal year 2027 budget

317
00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:55,000
work moving forward given the amount
involved and the work we're getting from

318
00:30:51,200 --> 00:30:55,000
it. I believe it is

319
00:30:55,360 --> 00:31:03,279
um any questions on that?
>> So this could be less than $1,000.

320
00:30:59,360 --> 00:31:09,840
» It's it's Yeah. So, I'm upgrading uh I I
have a 20 $20 a month uh subscription

321
00:31:06,880 --> 00:31:13,840
now. Uh this upgrades it to a $200 a
month subscription for the next three

322
00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:17,200
months. So,
realistically relationship more

323
00:31:15,286 --> 00:31:20,679
[clears throat] like $600 than a,000.
And uh

324
00:31:20,880 --> 00:31:33,120
but it's also just for the purpose of
getting to this uh fiscal year 2027 mark

325
00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:39,279
and a usable uh publishable uh budget
from that and then the additional work

326
00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:48,000
that comes after that I can go back to
uh at my own expense uh to the previous

327
00:31:43,679 --> 00:31:48,000
my previous uh subscription tier.

328
00:31:55,440 --> 00:32:04,159
Uh and then in tonight's meeting, we're
also going to uh we're going to end up

329
00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:09,519
discussing a 2.5% utilities rate
increase and we're going to have a

330
00:32:05,919 --> 00:32:13,840
public uh public input period. So, we're
going to do that in our a regular

331
00:32:11,279 --> 00:32:20,279
meeting, not a work session. So, and
we're going to do that. So we're not

332
00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:20,279
waiting there making everybody wait.

333
00:32:21,360 --> 00:32:30,559
And on tonight's regular meeting,
uh we'll announce the yard of the month

334
00:32:28,159 --> 00:32:35,519
for August 2026.
Uh we'll have a public input period for

335
00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:43,120
the proposed 2 and a half% Sheffield
utilities electric rate increase. I will

336
00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:46,120
uh reconsider the adoption of ordinance
2026-0817.

337
00:32:46,320 --> 00:32:54,480
It's an ordinance providing for the
refill of the resolution creating the

338
00:32:50,799 --> 00:32:59,279
Sheffield Recreation Board. Uh and then
consider Sheffield utility rate

339
00:32:56,640 --> 00:33:05,440
increase. will consider approval for
Mayor Van Deander to execute the

340
00:33:02,000 --> 00:33:10,000
contract with NACOG fiscal year 2027 for
the senior center and consider

341
00:33:07,919 --> 00:33:14,960
authorizing Mayor Van Deander to let
bids for garbage services city of

342
00:33:13,200 --> 00:33:20,720
Sheffield
uh and consider approval of 2027 severe

343
00:33:18,559 --> 00:33:28,159
weather preparedness tax holiday
February 26 through 28th of 2027.

344
00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:36,159
I will consider hearing Jeffrey
Mckendle and Andre Gala Day as police

345
00:33:33,039 --> 00:33:40,000
officers to fill the vacancies in the
police department. We'll consider

346
00:33:37,919 --> 00:33:48,320
declaring the following vehicle surplus
in the parks and recreation department.

347
00:33:41,840 --> 00:33:53,519
A 2002 Ford F-150 and a 1997 Ford F150.
I will consider approval in the expenses

348
00:33:50,240 --> 00:34:00,559
of $634 for Scholes Autoglass to repair
a windshield for a 2024 GMC Yukon

349
00:33:57,039 --> 00:34:05,840
damaged by the street Sheffield Street
Department. Consider approval of

350
00:34:03,039 --> 00:34:10,320
reimbursement in the amount of $85
to Rodney Ruby for mailed lab work and

351
00:34:08,720 --> 00:34:15,440
consider approval of reimbursement in
the amount of $9.99

352
00:34:12,879 --> 00:34:19,760
to Evalu Richardson for DreamHost
Software at the library.

353
00:34:17,919 --> 00:34:25,760
We'll consider approval of expense in
the amount of $2,000 for eight employees

354
00:34:22,720 --> 00:34:29,520
to attend the EMR medical emergency
medical responder training. We'll

355
00:34:27,919 --> 00:34:32,960
consider adoption of a resolution
authorizing the city of Sheffield to

356
00:34:31,119 --> 00:34:37,359
enter an agreement with Civic Plus for
doc access services for

357
00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:45,560
chefalabama.net.gov
and police.org at an initial term cost

358
00:34:42,159 --> 00:34:45,560
of $636140.

359
00:34:45,839 --> 00:34:51,359
will consider authorization for
temporary

360
00:34:49,679 --> 00:34:56,000
temporary
open AI check GPT codeex development

361
00:34:54,159 --> 00:35:01,200
services for Sheffield municipal
operating system and fiscal year 2027

362
00:34:58,720 --> 00:35:06,880
budget preparation and an amount not to
exceed $1,000 for period not to exceed

363
00:35:04,000 --> 00:35:11,599
three months. will consider adoption of
a resolution authorizing the city of

364
00:35:08,880 --> 00:35:16,960
Sheffield to enter into an agreement
with neo gov/powers

365
00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:21,119
EMS for payroll benefits court HR time
and attendance on boarding and payroll

366
00:35:18,880 --> 00:35:26,480
services
and then we have an announcement of

367
00:35:23,359 --> 00:35:33,599
rescheduling for the city of Sheffield.
We'll start taking the bids um

368
00:35:30,560 --> 00:35:40,000
for the property located at 1616 shop
pipe starting September 8th today until

369
00:35:37,200 --> 00:35:43,760
Monday, September 21st. And that's on me
because I didn't get the bid package out

370
00:35:41,599 --> 00:35:46,960
last time. So, we basically have just
delayed that process. So, nobody's

371
00:35:45,440 --> 00:35:54,480
missed out on anything. We haven't
accepted any bids. Uh we haven't seen

372
00:35:49,440 --> 00:35:58,200
any bids. And u yours truly is the uh
result of that delay.

373
00:36:00,400 --> 00:36:12,400
» It's it's on me. Uh and then uh of
course we'll vote on Thomas legacy of

374
00:36:06,960 --> 00:36:15,839
love donation of contribution of $2500.
>> And so mayor just point clarity. So a

375
00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:16,880
lot of these things we'll discuss during
the

376
00:36:16,320 --> 00:36:22,920
» Yes.
>> Okay. All right.

377
00:36:19,680 --> 00:36:22,920
those resolutions.

378
00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:31,520
» All right. So, that concludes our work
session. We're gonna get into uh

379
00:36:29,440 --> 00:36:37,640
I'll call our general meeting into
order. And you guys will join me in the

380
00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:37,640
pledge of allegiance

381
00:36:43,839 --> 00:36:51,520
of
the republic for which it stands. One

382
00:36:48,079 --> 00:36:56,079
nation under God, indivisice, liberty,
and justice for all.

383
00:36:53,680 --> 00:37:00,720
» Let's pray.
Dear God, we come to you uh with

384
00:36:58,160 --> 00:37:03,920
grateful hearts full of gratitude. Um
Lord, I thank you for all the blessings

385
00:37:02,079 --> 00:37:08,560
that you've given us here in this city.
Uh I pray not only for our future, but

386
00:37:06,000 --> 00:37:12,960
for the present. Um God, I pray over our
discussion tonight and our decision-

387
00:37:10,000 --> 00:37:18,320
making. Lord, I pray that you give us
wisdom and understanding to discuss even

388
00:37:15,760 --> 00:37:22,960
with those who we may disagree that we
work together to acch achieve a common

389
00:37:20,720 --> 00:37:26,640
goal and moving the city forward. Uh
God, as always, I pray that we love each

390
00:37:24,640 --> 00:37:31,560
other the way that you love us. Guide us
in our discussion tonight. Your name I

391
00:37:28,320 --> 00:37:31,560
pray. Amen.

392
00:37:36,480 --> 00:37:42,480
» I have a motion to adopt the agenda as
amended.

393
00:37:40,800 --> 00:37:46,880
Second.
>> Second.

394
00:37:44,960 --> 00:37:51,760
» All in favor say I. I.
>> All oppos same.

395
00:37:49,280 --> 00:37:56,160
» Approval of the minutes from the council
meeting from August 17, 2026. Do I have

396
00:37:54,480 --> 00:38:00,240
a motion?
>> No move.

397
00:37:58,320 --> 00:38:04,000
» Second.
>> Second.

398
00:38:02,560 --> 00:38:07,920
» All in favor say I.
>> I.

399
00:38:04,480 --> 00:38:11,920
» All post same.
All right. You want to talk to this one?

400
00:38:10,160 --> 00:38:15,599
» Yeah, I can. Uh, so we want to make a an
announcement. The beautifification of

401
00:38:13,040 --> 00:38:19,520
Tree Board um has announced their yard
of the month or maybe it's the lawn of

402
00:38:17,040 --> 00:38:23,359
the month, one of the two. Um, for the
it's actually for September for this

403
00:38:21,359 --> 00:38:29,200
month. Um, and so the yard of the month
goes to James and Constance Hooks on 801

404
00:38:26,720 --> 00:38:33,280
South Nashville, so over in district 4.
Um, and they they told me the uh the

405
00:38:31,760 --> 00:38:36,960
grandson over there gave them a good
show and they were putting a sign up.

406
00:38:34,800 --> 00:38:40,720
So, I want to congratulate them. Uh if
you have any yards that you would

407
00:38:38,240 --> 00:38:44,400
recommend for the month of October, um
we'll we'll get those uh in the next uh

408
00:38:42,960 --> 00:38:48,920
in the next beautifification tree board
meeting on Monday. So

409
00:38:59,599 --> 00:39:02,920
there we go.

410
00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:10,560
So tonight before we begin this public
input period on the proposed ship of

411
00:39:08,560 --> 00:39:15,040
utilities rate adjustment I want to
explain how we're going to conduct this

412
00:39:13,040 --> 00:39:20,720
so that uh everyone who wants to be
heard has a fair opportunity to speak

413
00:39:18,480 --> 00:39:25,200
every speaker
have three minutes and please state your

414
00:39:23,119 --> 00:39:30,560
name before the beginning after our
minutes so we'll be able to record that.

415
00:39:27,680 --> 00:39:35,359
Uh those three minutes are yours. You
may tell us whether you support or

416
00:39:32,720 --> 00:39:40,079
oppose the proposal, explain how it
would affect you, raise concerns,

417
00:39:37,680 --> 00:39:45,119
provide information, or ask questions.
Simply ask that your comments remain

418
00:39:41,920 --> 00:39:49,119
focused on the proposed rate adjustment.
If you have questions, please state them

419
00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:54,960
during your three minutes. We will log
those questions as you speak and address

420
00:39:51,839 --> 00:40:00,160
them after uh everyone else has had an
opportunity to be heard. Uh now we're

421
00:39:58,160 --> 00:40:04,000
going to uh we're not going to have uh
back to back and forth discussion

422
00:40:02,160 --> 00:40:08,720
between individual speakers and
Sheffield utilities or members of the

423
00:40:05,760 --> 00:40:12,800
council during your three minutes. If I
need to clarify a question to make sure

424
00:40:10,640 --> 00:40:16,640
we have not that we have recorded it
correctly, I may ask you to clarify it.

425
00:40:14,720 --> 00:40:22,079
Otherwise, once your three minutes are
complete, we'll move on to the next

426
00:40:18,640 --> 00:40:26,240
speaker. Uh after everyone has spoken,
we'll go back through the questions that

427
00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:30,800
were raised. Technical and factual
questions will be directed to the

428
00:40:28,400 --> 00:40:36,079
Sheffield utilities personnel that are
here and policy questions are questions

429
00:40:33,680 --> 00:40:40,880
for the governing body. This will allow
everyone in the room to hear the same

430
00:40:37,920 --> 00:40:45,359
questions and the same answers. I also
ask that we avoid unnecessary

431
00:40:42,640 --> 00:40:49,040
repetition. So, someone before you has
already made the same point you intend

432
00:40:47,119 --> 00:40:53,520
to make, you're welcome to tell us that
you share that concern and then use the

433
00:40:51,119 --> 00:40:58,160
remainder of your time for anything
additional you would like for us to

434
00:40:55,520 --> 00:41:02,720
consider. So, please keep the discussion
respectful. You're welcome to disagree

435
00:41:00,800 --> 00:41:07,119
with this proposal, criticize a
question, or tell us why you believe we

436
00:41:05,040 --> 00:41:12,560
should vote against it. Personal attacks
will not help us make this decision and

437
00:41:10,160 --> 00:41:17,440
will not be permitted. Uh when your
three minutes have expired, I'll ask you

438
00:41:15,119 --> 00:41:22,079
to conclude so that we can provide the
same opportunity for the next speaker.

439
00:41:20,240 --> 00:41:26,079
The purpose of this public input period
is straightforward. Before the council

440
00:41:24,240 --> 00:41:30,319
makes a decision, you have the
opportunity to be heard. We will listen.

441
00:41:28,480 --> 00:41:36,160
We will record your questions and after
everyone has spoken, we'll address those

442
00:41:32,640 --> 00:41:42,400
questions before moving forward. Uh and
also after this public input period uh

443
00:41:39,680 --> 00:41:50,640
we will move directly to that item on
our general uh uh our general meeting

444
00:41:46,800 --> 00:41:56,480
and the council will have
opportunity uh for input.

445
00:41:53,839 --> 00:42:01,040
Uh with that we'll begin. Does anybody
anybody have anything they'd like to say

446
00:41:58,160 --> 00:42:06,119
about the proposed 2 and a half% rate
increase utilities electric rate?

447
00:42:07,440 --> 00:42:10,440
Okay,

448
00:42:10,880 --> 00:42:16,599
» I wasn't expecting that.
>> That's good. Um,

449
00:42:20,640 --> 00:42:31,760
so now, oh, I messed that up. We're
going uh to reread this uh ordinance for

450
00:42:28,880 --> 00:42:38,920
the regular
first and then go into the rate

451
00:42:35,359 --> 00:42:38,920
adjustment resolution.

452
00:42:48,720 --> 00:42:51,960
You have

453
00:42:52,720 --> 00:43:00,079
got it. I got it.
So, some ordinance providing for the

454
00:42:57,839 --> 00:43:05,119
rebuild of the resolution creating the
Sheffield Recreation Board. It's an

455
00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:11,760
ordinance uh authorized uh authorized by
act 350 general acts of Alabama in 1945

456
00:43:09,280 --> 00:43:16,000
creating the Sheffield Recreation Board
and to include the parks and recreation

457
00:43:13,839 --> 00:43:21,200
department in the city of Sheffield
general fund. Uh be it ordained by the

458
00:43:19,040 --> 00:43:28,000
city council of the city of Sheffield,
Alabama as follows. Section one readal

459
00:43:25,599 --> 00:43:33,280
of the uh the resolution by the board of
commissioners of the city of Sheffield,

460
00:43:30,400 --> 00:43:38,400
Alabama, authorized by act 350, general
acts of Alabama 1945 creating the

461
00:43:36,319 --> 00:43:43,680
Sheffield Recreation Board is hereby
repealed. Section two, personnel. The

462
00:43:42,000 --> 00:43:47,119
director and staff of the Sheffield
Parks and Recreation Department will

463
00:43:45,280 --> 00:43:51,920
become employees of the city of
Sheffield and the director of the parks

464
00:43:50,000 --> 00:43:56,400
and recreation department will report
administratively to the mayor. The

465
00:43:54,160 --> 00:44:00,720
director will supervise the staff of the
parks and recreation department. The

466
00:43:58,640 --> 00:44:04,960
position of director of parks and
recreation and staff positions created

467
00:44:02,800 --> 00:44:09,280
by the Sheffield recreation board be
transferred to the city of Sheffield and

468
00:44:07,680 --> 00:44:13,200
included in the city of Sheffield
personnel system governing the

469
00:44:11,119 --> 00:44:18,880
appointment, removal, salaries, tenure,
and official conduct of employees.

470
00:44:15,680 --> 00:44:22,880
Section three, funds. Funds appropriated
to the Sheffield Recreation Board be

471
00:44:21,040 --> 00:44:26,960
transferred to the city of Sheffield
general fund to allow for the sums

472
00:44:25,119 --> 00:44:31,760
necessary
uh for the sums necessary for

473
00:44:29,680 --> 00:44:35,760
expenditures of the parks and recreation
department. Expenditures for the parks

474
00:44:34,240 --> 00:44:39,280
and recreation department will be
included in the city of Sheffield

475
00:44:37,119 --> 00:44:44,880
general fund budget and paid from the
city of Sheffield general fund. Section

476
00:44:42,240 --> 00:44:48,640
four, assets, control over lands,
buildings, equipment, and such other

477
00:44:46,960 --> 00:44:52,960
facilities assigned to the Sheffield
Recreation Board will be transferred to

478
00:44:50,400 --> 00:44:57,599
the city of Sheffield. Section five,
abolished. The Sheffield Recreation

479
00:44:56,079 --> 00:45:01,760
Board created by the board of
commissioners. The city of Sheffield is

480
00:44:59,680 --> 00:45:06,960
hereby abolished and all resolutions
ordinances relating to the Sheffield

481
00:45:03,520 --> 00:45:16,480
Recreation Board are hereby repealed.
Uh and we have this is a a customary

482
00:45:13,040 --> 00:45:22,960
reread of this and we voted on this last
last time as a formal what was it called

483
00:45:19,920 --> 00:45:27,760
formal the first reading and this is the
second reading of that order right

484
00:45:26,796 --> 00:45:30,760
[clears throat]
and

485
00:45:31,599 --> 00:45:37,640
do we have
do we have a motion to

486
00:45:39,839 --> 00:45:46,520
that
>> make

487
00:45:43,520 --> 00:45:46,520
second

488
00:46:02,800 --> 00:46:10,359
or just voting right now.
Yeah. What was

489
00:46:18,800 --> 00:46:23,000
» Yes.
>> Yes.

490
00:46:37,119 --> 00:46:41,960
ordinance does not pass.

491
00:46:42,560 --> 00:46:45,640
All right.

492
00:46:48,640 --> 00:46:55,440
So,
uh, before we vote tonight on the

493
00:46:53,520 --> 00:47:00,319
proposed rate adjustment for Sheffield
Utilities, I want to explain where I

494
00:46:57,599 --> 00:47:05,760
stand, what I believe this council owes,
the people we represent. Uh, over the

495
00:47:03,520 --> 00:47:09,760
past several weeks,
I tried to put more information about

496
00:47:07,599 --> 00:47:15,440
Shelard Utilities in front of the public
than has traditionally accompanied

497
00:47:12,640 --> 00:47:20,240
a rate discussion. I did that because if
we're going to ask people to pay more,

498
00:47:17,359 --> 00:47:25,280
even a relatively small amount, we have
an obligation to explain why. I have

499
00:47:23,359 --> 00:47:30,720
asked questions. I've reviewed the
numbers. I've looked at staffing, wages,

500
00:47:28,400 --> 00:47:35,680
operating expenses, capital needs,
infrastructure, surrounding utility

501
00:47:32,960 --> 00:47:40,560
rates, system size, reliability, and the
demands that are coming down the road.

502
00:47:38,480 --> 00:47:44,720
What the information shows is that
Sheffield Utilities operates a very

503
00:47:42,560 --> 00:47:48,319
large system with relatively few
customers spread across. While the cost

504
00:47:46,800 --> 00:47:51,680
of maintaining and replacing that
infrastructure has increased

505
00:47:50,000 --> 00:47:57,440
dramatically,
we are maintaining approximately 1,730

506
00:47:55,040 --> 00:48:01,760
miles of electric line and 18
substations.

507
00:47:59,680 --> 00:48:06,079
At major substation transformers have
failed unexpectedly. Other substations

508
00:48:04,000 --> 00:48:11,440
require testing and upgrades. poles,
wires, transformers, vehicles, breakers,

509
00:48:08,880 --> 00:48:16,319
relays, regulators, and other essential
equipment to have to be maintained and

510
00:48:13,280 --> 00:48:22,079
replaced. At the same time, we are not
simply maintaining yesterday's system.

511
00:48:19,119 --> 00:48:25,760
We are preparing for tomorrow's demand.
Virginia Transformer is beginning

512
00:48:23,760 --> 00:48:30,800
operations within Sheffield Utility
Service Territory, requiring utility

513
00:48:28,079 --> 00:48:34,880
infrastructure upgrades. Uh Adrienne's
development to the west of us in Barton

514
00:48:32,640 --> 00:48:39,200
requires us to begin preparing existing
infrastructure for significant new

515
00:48:37,280 --> 00:48:43,680
industrial demand and the additional
development we hope will follow along

516
00:48:41,119 --> 00:48:48,800
with it. Those are the industries
investments and higher paying jobs that

517
00:48:45,839 --> 00:48:52,640
we've spent years saying that we want
but economic development does not happen

518
00:48:51,200 --> 00:48:58,960
without infrastructure and
infrastructure cannot be built after we

519
00:48:55,200 --> 00:49:06,480
need it. I also recognize
uh that $4 matters to some households.

520
00:49:03,839 --> 00:49:12,079
Uh groceries cost more, medicine costs
more, insurance costs more, nearly

521
00:49:09,280 --> 00:49:18,319
everything costs more. I'm not
dismissing any of that. Uh neither

522
00:49:15,440 --> 00:49:21,839
should anyone else.
That's exactly why I wanted another

523
00:49:20,079 --> 00:49:25,280
question answered before supporting the
name.

524
00:49:23,440 --> 00:49:30,240
What has Sheffield Utilities done to
control its own costs? We asked those

525
00:49:28,640 --> 00:49:36,000
questions,
sent a list of 28 questions to Sheffield

526
00:49:33,119 --> 00:49:39,599
Utilities and they responded and
answered all of them which I included in

527
00:49:38,079 --> 00:49:47,520
the information that I sent out to all
of you earlier in the weekend.

528
00:49:43,520 --> 00:49:52,559
Uh, so I looked at staffing, payroll,
vehicles, travel, tree trimming,

529
00:49:50,240 --> 00:49:57,680
equipment operations, and other areas
where savings might be possible. Every

530
00:49:55,119 --> 00:50:02,400
organization should continue continually
look for efficiencies, and Sheffield

531
00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:07,839
utilities should be no exception. But
efficiencies do not make the underlying

532
00:50:04,800 --> 00:50:13,680
infrastructure obligations disappear.
And that's the central point tonight. A

533
00:50:10,240 --> 00:50:19,200
no vote does not eliminate a transformer
that needs to be replaced. It does not

534
00:50:16,319 --> 00:50:23,760
eliminate substation work. It does not
reduce the cost of poles, wire or

535
00:50:21,520 --> 00:50:28,400
equipment. It does not eliminate the
infrastructure needed to serve new

536
00:50:25,680 --> 00:50:32,079
industry. It does not eliminate future
water system requirements. And it does

537
00:50:30,319 --> 00:50:36,319
not make
inflation go backwards. Those

538
00:50:34,160 --> 00:50:40,960
obligations will still be be there
tomorrow morning. And so earlier this

539
00:50:38,559 --> 00:50:46,240
year, I proposed allowing Sheffield
Utilities Board to handle ordinary rate

540
00:50:43,359 --> 00:50:51,119
adjustments within defined limits. And
this council considered that proposal

541
00:50:48,240 --> 00:50:54,800
and chose to retain the authority here.
I respect the council's authority to

542
00:50:53,119 --> 00:50:58,240
make that decision. But retaining
authority also means accepting

543
00:50:56,400 --> 00:51:01,359
responsibility for the decisions that
come with it.

544
00:50:59,920 --> 00:51:05,680
Every member of this council has the
right to vote yes or no tonight, but I

545
00:51:03,760 --> 00:51:10,960
believe the public deserves more than
six votes without explanation. If you

546
00:51:08,079 --> 00:51:15,359
vote yes, explain why. Uh if you vote
no, explain why. And more importantly,

547
00:51:13,520 --> 00:51:20,559
explain what you believe the alternative
should be. If this adjustment is not the

548
00:51:17,839 --> 00:51:25,119
answer, then what is? How do we pay for
the maintenance? How do we replace aging

549
00:51:22,800 --> 00:51:29,920
infrastructure? How do we prepare the
system for a new industrial load? How do

550
00:51:28,240 --> 00:51:34,319
we meet the obligations that are coming
without providing the revenue necessary

551
00:51:31,680 --> 00:51:39,200
to do it? The no vote is a legitimate
vote, but no by itself is not an

552
00:51:36,240 --> 00:51:43,599
alternative plan. Not asking any member
of this council to agree with me. I'm

553
00:51:41,760 --> 00:51:47,760
asking every member to own the
responsibility this council chose to

554
00:51:45,760 --> 00:51:52,559
retain and tell the public what you
believe we should do. I've studied this

555
00:51:50,160 --> 00:51:55,870
issue. I've challenged the numbers. I've
listened to Sheffield Utilities. I've

556
00:51:54,160 --> 00:51:59,200
listened to our residents. And
[clears throat] based on the information

557
00:51:56,960 --> 00:52:04,400
before us, I believe this adjustment is
necessary and justified, I will vote

558
00:52:02,000 --> 00:52:08,319
yes. If the majority of this council
reaches a different conclusion tonight,

559
00:52:06,160 --> 00:52:12,640
then tomorrow morning, I will still be
mayor. Chev utilities will still have

560
00:52:10,559 --> 00:52:16,720
the same infrastructure responsibilities
and every one of the costs we have

561
00:52:14,079 --> 00:52:21,440
discussed will still exist. So the
answer from this council is no, then the

562
00:52:18,480 --> 00:52:25,400
next question cannot be ignored. What is
the plan instead?

563
00:52:33,760 --> 00:52:43,480
So, do you guys have any any input on
on this rate increase?

564
00:52:43,839 --> 00:52:49,520
» I'll hop in there. So, you know, as
anyone else in this room, nobody wants

565
00:52:47,839 --> 00:52:53,920
to pay more in the rates, including
myself. Um but we sat down at a utility

566
00:52:52,319 --> 00:52:58,400
board meeting and they walked us through
the complexity of their system um and

567
00:52:56,640 --> 00:53:02,026
the fact that you know it's the
inflation how that's increased over the

568
00:53:00,160 --> 00:53:07,040
years but the rates haven't. Um
[clears throat] so uh my vote for yes

569
00:53:04,640 --> 00:53:10,079
will be um because of the capital
investments that are coming and

570
00:53:08,160 --> 00:53:16,400
everything that you outlined in your
statement itself.

571
00:53:12,960 --> 00:53:24,880
And one additional is the fact of the
future of our ability to borrow money in

572
00:53:20,480 --> 00:53:30,559
the bond market. Uh and the operating at
a negative budget at the utility level

573
00:53:28,000 --> 00:53:34,240
would negatively impact the rate that we
will get on that going to end up costing

574
00:53:32,640 --> 00:53:41,480
us millions of dollars over the next
decade. So that's also under

575
00:53:36,640 --> 00:53:41,480
consideration in this vote as well.

576
00:53:50,319 --> 00:53:59,280
I'll be voting no. And the reason I got
no further is there a lot of the

577
00:53:56,720 --> 00:54:06,160
questions I've got with accountability
that I don't seek and I'm going to get

578
00:54:03,040 --> 00:54:10,319
with you Steve and Tyler that we need to
talk about. There's

579
00:54:08,480 --> 00:54:14,559
some questions I need answered before I
can vote yes.

580
00:54:12,400 --> 00:54:21,200
And the questions have to be answered
before I even change my mind. Right now,

581
00:54:18,800 --> 00:54:24,960
I don't see
I put it this way. [clears throat] I see

582
00:54:22,559 --> 00:54:28,079
too much.
I'm not going to drag everything. This

583
00:54:26,800 --> 00:54:34,079
is going to be between me and you and
Tyler when I bring this up. Some of the

584
00:54:31,200 --> 00:54:38,880
things that I've seen
has kind of bothered me.

585
00:54:36,559 --> 00:54:43,680
I just and I've had a lot of people in
my district and other district tell me

586
00:54:41,359 --> 00:54:49,680
they just can't afford a rate increase
at this time and I understand the

587
00:54:46,240 --> 00:54:57,599
expense as well as anybody of how to
operate that place but right now I

588
00:54:53,040 --> 00:55:01,920
cannot in good conscience yes and like I
said when I get time I'm going to sit

589
00:54:59,760 --> 00:55:06,240
down with you two
and we'll hash out

590
00:55:05,119 --> 00:55:12,400
what
But I'm not going to do any vote. That's

591
00:55:08,480 --> 00:55:17,119
just between us three right now.
>> Why? Why wait? Why wait? Why wait till

592
00:55:15,359 --> 00:55:20,359
the night of the vote to say that you're
going to wait?

593
00:55:20,480 --> 00:55:25,839
» I've been saying no all along. I mean,
this ain't nothing new to every one of

594
00:55:24,240 --> 00:55:30,160
y'all sitting up here. You could ask
this question last month, two months

595
00:55:27,680 --> 00:55:33,920
ago. We talked about this story, but
this is the first time I've seen them

596
00:55:31,920 --> 00:55:36,400
face to face. been too much. We can talk
about that.

597
00:55:34,640 --> 00:55:40,000
» Can I approach?
>> Sure.

598
00:55:37,680 --> 00:55:44,000
» So, yeah, I appreciate I appreciate all
of you and I'm not going to be

599
00:55:41,119 --> 00:55:49,440
campaigning tonight for it, but so for
everybody for everybody's information,

600
00:55:46,000 --> 00:55:53,280
uh we had the meeting uh we had the
meeting with all of y'all to see how we

601
00:55:50,960 --> 00:55:59,599
run our business, you know, and it's not
uh it's it's a complex system. It's an

602
00:55:55,839 --> 00:56:04,640
$80 million operation. Uh and we take it
very seriously. All my board members are

603
00:56:02,160 --> 00:56:09,200
here and uh they take it very seriously.
But so I just want everybody to know we

604
00:56:06,799 --> 00:56:15,040
have tried to set up a meeting with
John.

605
00:56:11,440 --> 00:56:18,640
» So four four board meetings. We've had
four board meetings. So we've tried to

606
00:56:16,480 --> 00:56:25,040
set up Tyler has called numerous of
times in your in your work. But so we

607
00:56:22,079 --> 00:56:28,559
have tried we have tried to set up
meeting to explain it hadn't happened.

608
00:56:27,680 --> 00:56:32,960
So, so
>> it's on me. I mean, I've been busy and

609
00:56:30,559 --> 00:56:35,760
that's just my my style, my lifestyle
right now.

610
00:56:33,680 --> 00:56:38,720
» So, and my last statement would be this
because I think the mayor, you've done a

611
00:56:37,520 --> 00:56:45,520
good job. The count's done a good job
putting on social med.

612
00:56:41,680 --> 00:56:49,680
We know that. Uh, and believe me, we're
conservative. My board is conservative

613
00:56:47,760 --> 00:56:54,559
board. My board don't come up with a
rate increase. We've got a consultant

614
00:56:51,440 --> 00:57:01,760
that serves 90 other local utilities in
the seven state region. They look at our

615
00:56:57,599 --> 00:57:05,520
data on a monthly basis. They we have uh
monthly or bimonthly uh meeting with

616
00:57:04,240 --> 00:57:10,079
them. They tell us what we should be
doing. So it's not my board that says or

617
00:57:07,920 --> 00:57:14,720
none of the management team. But you
know the fact is I'll stop there because

618
00:57:12,079 --> 00:57:18,799
you explained it mayor pretty good. Uh
and I've been there 14 years. When I

619
00:57:16,640 --> 00:57:23,280
walked the door 14 years ago I only took
the job those that don't know I took the

620
00:57:20,720 --> 00:57:27,680
job for 90 days. The reason I took the
job 90 days before I took it permanent

621
00:57:25,200 --> 00:57:33,359
because I looked at the balance sheets.
Fred's here, he was the CFO. There's

622
00:57:30,079 --> 00:57:37,599
some things going on, but we was at our
numbers. We was borrowing money to make

623
00:57:35,440 --> 00:57:43,280
payroll was borrowing money. And it took
us six years, 2012,

624
00:57:40,720 --> 00:57:48,000
six years later to get us out of that uh
TVA uh era that they they're saying you

625
00:57:46,400 --> 00:57:52,319
got to have a rating. So, it took us six
years to get there. We just now uh in

626
00:57:50,480 --> 00:58:00,160
the last four or five years got out of
that uh because inflation 47%

627
00:57:56,960 --> 00:58:03,599
47% inflation over the last 14 years.
I've had four rate increases since I've

628
00:58:02,000 --> 00:58:11,200
been a general manager. Them rate
increases my four years there was 6.6%

629
00:58:07,200 --> 00:58:14,799
over the 14 years. I came in the month I
came in October they had just done the

630
00:58:13,280 --> 00:58:20,240
highest rate increase they've ever done
2.2%. So I walked in the door. They

631
00:58:18,480 --> 00:58:24,400
needed a rate increase then because they
was in in a bind. But so it wasn't in

632
00:58:22,799 --> 00:58:30,240
good shape and took us that long to get
us out of it. Uh the 47% rate increase

633
00:58:28,720 --> 00:58:34,480
47%
uh inflation

634
00:58:31,599 --> 00:58:41,040
» inflation is eat our lunch. And I'm a
conservative. My board is conservative.

635
00:58:37,040 --> 00:58:45,119
And we thought transformers when when uh
when the when things started going up

636
00:58:43,359 --> 00:58:49,599
really high transformers dealt with. So,
okay, them transformers, they're going

637
00:58:46,400 --> 00:58:55,119
to come down. We waited 2022, they
didn't come down. 2023, we had a rate

638
00:58:51,920 --> 00:58:59,920
increase. 2024, they kept climbing. When
I say climbing, our transformers, so 15

639
00:58:57,440 --> 00:59:04,400
KB and a 25 KB, the ones we use the
most, increased over 100% a piece. And

640
00:59:02,880 --> 00:59:12,000
we're still buying them transformers
today. So, we're last year, we fill in

641
00:59:08,960 --> 00:59:16,799
that range of where we got to keep 8% on
reserve or $80 million operation. eight

642
00:59:14,640 --> 00:59:21,280
eight reserves. We hit that borderline
thing now. I don't want to see and it

643
00:59:19,280 --> 00:59:24,880
does like you said, mayor, it does
impact our bond rating and I'm going to

644
00:59:23,280 --> 00:59:29,200
go through the bond market within the
next 60 days to build a brand new

645
00:59:27,119 --> 00:59:35,280
substation for Virginia transformer
operation and also got to modify the

646
00:59:32,079 --> 00:59:41,440
submarine plant uh substation uh like
that. So, we're at some critical times.

647
00:59:37,920 --> 00:59:46,000
And I just want you to consider 47%
inflation, factual things that the mayor

648
00:59:43,280 --> 00:59:51,040
put out. And in 14 years since I've been
there, we've increased 6.6%.

649
00:59:48,880 --> 00:59:55,200
It just don't match up. I'll take blame
for part of that for not going up, but

650
00:59:53,119 --> 00:59:58,319
we thought things would come down and we
wouldn't wait for things to come down.

651
00:59:57,119 --> 01:00:04,160
And to be honest with you, things
haven't come down. We're we budget all

652
01:00:00,880 --> 01:00:11,280
the gasoline we buy for 68 vehicles uh
on the road and we basically $4 a gallon

653
01:00:07,920 --> 01:00:15,280
and it is uh and for diesel it went up.
Most of our equipment is diesel. So

654
01:00:12,720 --> 01:00:20,720
everything's just shot up. We don't want
to increase rates but

655
01:00:18,079 --> 01:00:25,440
uh the reality of the reality of it is
we're the second lowest utility. We're

656
01:00:23,040 --> 01:00:31,520
the second lowest utility around us. the
second lowest KWA second lowest. Our

657
01:00:28,880 --> 01:00:37,520
lowest is next door to us and they're
meeting tomorrow to go up a lot more

658
01:00:33,119 --> 01:00:42,559
than what we're going up. Uh and and and
because of that inflation. So I'm just

659
01:00:39,599 --> 01:00:47,359
saying inflation is eat our lunch. Uh
hopefully going forward we can look at

660
01:00:44,640 --> 01:00:53,680
inflation upfront and and have smaller
increases. But we don't I think we

661
01:00:49,599 --> 01:00:58,640
proved oursel in 14 years uh four rate
increases. We're not asking for a lot of

662
01:00:55,839 --> 01:01:02,160
rate increases, but when we need it, we
need it. So, have any question before I

663
01:01:01,599 --> 01:01:05,680
sit down?
>> Yeah, I do. Since you brought it up,

664
01:01:04,000 --> 01:01:11,599
you're talking about your fuel cost for
your trucks.

665
01:01:08,720 --> 01:01:16,960
How many of your trucks
and your guys on call live outside of

666
01:01:14,400 --> 01:01:20,480
Copper County? And what I'm getting at
is two weeks ago, and I wasn't going to

667
01:01:19,119 --> 01:01:25,520
bring this up in public, but since you
brought up the gas problem, I passed one

668
01:01:22,880 --> 01:01:29,680
of your trucks, your lingering trucks
way out in Florence. I was going to

669
01:01:28,319 --> 01:01:33,359
Florence. They were coming to Copper
County.

670
01:01:31,440 --> 01:01:39,040
Two and a half hours later, I was
leaving Florence, coming back to Copper

671
01:01:35,359 --> 01:01:44,480
County. He was coming back to Florence.
What I what I'm guess I'm getting at is

672
01:01:42,240 --> 01:01:51,119
that told me he lived somewhere out in
Lauderdale County. To me, if you live

673
01:01:47,200 --> 01:01:54,799
outside Yeah.
>> You know,

674
01:01:52,240 --> 01:01:58,400
» okay, here's what I'm getting at that
fuel cost for that guy to drive that

675
01:01:56,400 --> 01:02:04,000
truck and there's more than I'm sure one
that lives outside of Colorado.

676
01:02:01,359 --> 01:02:08,240
» No, I can think of one. I'll look at the
list because I'm not saying that you're

677
01:02:05,359 --> 01:02:13,200
wrong, but I think one out of
>> Okay, here's my thought. Here's what I

678
01:02:11,839 --> 01:02:16,000
We're going to bring this up in public.
I have now since we started.

679
01:02:14,640 --> 01:02:21,599
» Well, that's why we'd like to met with
the last four months. Yeah.

680
01:02:18,079 --> 01:02:26,720
» That guy on call. Can he Why can he not
leave that company truck at the shop,

681
01:02:24,400 --> 01:02:29,839
drive his personal car back and forth?
Because when he's on call, he's got to

682
01:02:28,160 --> 01:02:34,400
come to the shop and get the next
lineman or gramman that's on call, too.

683
01:02:32,480 --> 01:02:36,880
So our ground and line both drive a
vehicle home and they

684
01:02:35,599 --> 01:02:42,799
» Yes, sir.
>> Yeah. So, so they meet closer I'm sorry.

685
01:02:40,079 --> 01:02:46,400
» Yeah. Both of them drive a vehicle home.
So they meet closer to the average. So

686
01:02:44,480 --> 01:02:51,440
they don't come at the office. So the
reason we did that is to to decrease.

687
01:02:48,880 --> 01:02:55,520
» Yeah. I mean I know that I was on too,
>> right? So so they don't add to answer

688
01:02:54,480 --> 01:02:59,440
your question.
>> But what I'm getting at is that guy I

689
01:02:58,160 --> 01:03:05,200
don't know where he lives in Florence
and I don't care. But my thought process

690
01:03:02,079 --> 01:03:11,599
was he's driving that truck to and from
the office twice a day going to work and

691
01:03:08,160 --> 01:03:15,119
going home and then on call he's driving
every where the calls are.

692
01:03:13,920 --> 01:03:17,760
» You're correct.
>> And y'all are talking about your fuel

693
01:03:16,799 --> 01:03:21,440
cost is high.
>> You're talking about expense and I agree

694
01:03:19,280 --> 01:03:23,520
that is I think compared the numbers
that we're talking about.

695
01:03:22,079 --> 01:03:27,359
» I know that but I'm just saying that's
why I wanted to know how many of your

696
01:03:25,119 --> 01:03:32,559
how many your line that was.
>> Yeah. I say it's it's one and just so

697
01:03:29,119 --> 01:03:35,760
you know that our board did approve a uh
residential policy that allowed a

698
01:03:34,319 --> 01:03:39,280
certain radius because we were making
our bottom too small employees.

699
01:03:37,440 --> 01:03:44,240
» Yeah. But the radius the radius of
living in Lau County is

700
01:03:42,480 --> 01:03:47,440
» the radius of living in county is a lot
shorter than living out in a farway

701
01:03:45,920 --> 01:03:53,119
city.
>> A lot of rose trail you can luck in

702
01:03:50,799 --> 01:03:59,440
Florence to get here soon.
>> So I know your race has always changed

703
01:03:55,520 --> 01:04:04,559
understand. So, so that's how they
>> So, and all that's about John is about

704
01:04:02,079 --> 01:04:09,440
uh being able to serve customers quick
as we can. That's the reason they they

705
01:04:06,079 --> 01:04:13,520
get to take the vehicle,
you know,

706
01:04:11,200 --> 01:04:18,000
I know the process
was involved. Well, so we changed the

707
01:04:15,520 --> 01:04:24,240
residential policy because we made it a
mile radius. So we if you live in Cra

708
01:04:20,960 --> 01:04:29,359
County, you live in C
we anywhere in Copper County serve make

709
01:04:26,720 --> 01:04:34,160
a 20 mile radius but we got people we
got that one person is closer to him

710
01:04:32,240 --> 01:04:39,760
than a lot more employees in Copper
County 60 mile radius.

711
01:04:37,520 --> 01:04:46,640
» I got another question.
Last year,

712
01:04:41,760 --> 01:04:52,000
the other previous council mayor went up
on every meter or $2. It went into

713
01:04:49,200 --> 01:04:56,880
effect November the 25th.
So, is that did y'all consider is that

714
01:04:55,119 --> 01:05:03,119
considered a rate increase or just a
one? I mean, every meter in the system

715
01:05:00,319 --> 01:05:07,520
is charged $2 extra a month
>> customer charge. Yeah.

716
01:05:04,160 --> 01:05:13,760
» So, so that's a good point. So when I
came to Chef Utilities, customer charge

717
01:05:09,440 --> 01:05:18,880
was like $8 and we found out uh so well
you know proud of the board we have

718
01:05:16,079 --> 01:05:23,839
lowered kilowatt hour charges five
times. When I say lowered it in 14 years

719
01:05:21,920 --> 01:05:28,079
we lowered our kilowatt rating with what
we call revenue neutral. We lowered our

720
01:05:26,079 --> 01:05:33,039
kilowatt hour charge but raise our
customer charge. So when you raise that

721
01:05:30,559 --> 01:05:38,319
when you do that you lower kilowatt hour
charge and and have a fixed charge. What

722
01:05:35,440 --> 01:05:41,359
that does, we found out the high bills,
the low income people, the people that

723
01:05:39,920 --> 01:05:45,920
don't live in a house with high
inflation, their bills in the peak of

724
01:05:43,359 --> 01:05:50,400
wintertime, in the uh peak of
summertime, their power bills be six or

725
01:05:48,000 --> 01:05:55,359
$700. They come to our place complaining
about it. So we said, what can we do to

726
01:05:53,520 --> 01:05:59,039
lower their cost because they can't
afford it. So what we done, five tons,

727
01:05:57,280 --> 01:06:05,280
we didn't announce it to nobody. five
times. We've lowered our bill hour rate,

728
01:06:02,160 --> 01:06:09,520
lower raised our fe charge for that $2
so we don't get impacted. We're so we

729
01:06:07,359 --> 01:06:14,799
tried to cut the bills them high people
$200 a month. We was successful doing

730
01:06:12,079 --> 01:06:18,720
that. It cost Chef Utility money for
doing that, but we have the customers

731
01:06:16,640 --> 01:06:24,640
that we serve. That's why we're proud of
having one of the lowest kilowatt hour

732
01:06:21,440 --> 01:06:29,520
charge in this region here. But it's
it's it's biting us because of that. So,

733
01:06:27,280 --> 01:06:33,280
it's a good question, but and and nobody
probably on this board know that we done

734
01:06:31,119 --> 01:06:36,720
that that didn't we we didn't we didn't
advertise that. We just done it because

735
01:06:34,880 --> 01:06:41,039
it's a right thing to do. And let me
just share something else. Of all the

736
01:06:38,799 --> 01:06:47,119
utilities around here, we're connected
with all the charitable organization,

737
01:06:43,280 --> 01:06:51,280
United Way churches. Uh I guarantee you
that nobody gets you asked if they was

738
01:06:49,200 --> 01:06:56,240
here tonight. Nobody gets more calls
from our utility department than than

739
01:06:53,839 --> 01:07:00,799
us. They've also told me several times
they give us a warrant for that. Y'all

740
01:06:58,160 --> 01:07:04,960
go ask the uh y'all help the low-inccome
people to get through this. Uh or nobody

741
01:07:03,520 --> 01:07:08,559
the other ones don't do that. And we
don't advertise that either because

742
01:07:06,400 --> 01:07:12,000
guess what? We want to help the people
we serve. When that money runs out, we

743
01:07:10,480 --> 01:07:15,760
advertise that. When that money runs
out, then the money runs out. We like to

744
01:07:14,319 --> 01:07:19,440
make have a good connection, get a
relationship with all the people. And

745
01:07:17,359 --> 01:07:24,880
we've lost two of people. We've lost two
people. They both passed away that was

746
01:07:22,240 --> 01:07:28,880
big donors to that that all we got to do
is say listen we got a bill they gonna

747
01:07:26,480 --> 01:07:31,680
get cut off power and they say go ahead
with that we've lost two of them so

748
01:07:30,079 --> 01:07:38,640
that's hurt us in the last couple years
but we're serious uh we're serious about

749
01:07:35,920 --> 01:07:45,359
growing our community but I mean the
reality of this is 47%

750
01:07:42,720 --> 01:07:50,000
inflation 47% 14 years and we've
increased since I've been there 6.6 6.6

751
01:07:48,480 --> 01:07:54,000
six. That's less [clears throat] than
half a percent if you divide that half

752
01:07:51,920 --> 01:07:58,559
percent. We probably should have done it
more often. I've got board members in

753
01:07:55,680 --> 01:08:03,119
here uh who say, "Steve, we need to go
up on rates. We need to go up on rates."

754
01:08:01,039 --> 01:08:07,039
We're conservative, but we want to see,
but we was conservative at the point

755
01:08:04,880 --> 01:08:11,280
that things are not coming down and
we're still down the paper. So to put

756
01:08:09,119 --> 01:08:17,759
and correct me if I'm wrong. So to put
this proposed rate increase in

757
01:08:13,920 --> 01:08:25,520
perspective uh at 2 and a half%
stands to over a year's period generate

758
01:08:21,120 --> 01:08:32,880
uh just under 1.3. So it's 1.2 two and
some change million dollars and which

759
01:08:28,960 --> 01:08:39,440
equates out to an average user rate or
increase on their monthly bill of uh a

760
01:08:36,000 --> 01:08:42,239
couple pennies over $4 like $45 or
something like that, right?

761
01:08:40,480 --> 01:08:46,640
» And that's and we don't
>> and that's so that that that's what

762
01:08:44,159 --> 01:08:52,640
we're ask John's question.
>> You asked about the customer. So yes,

763
01:08:48,960 --> 01:08:56,480
that was increase last year.
So this increase that we're proposing

764
01:08:54,560 --> 01:09:02,600
with $63
customer charge increase and a

765
01:08:59,600 --> 01:09:02,600
016.

766
01:09:03,440 --> 01:09:10,960
So less than a ten
increase on my question I mean that's

767
01:09:09,440 --> 01:09:17,199
what I was asking. I wonder how many
citizens or people on the system knew

768
01:09:13,839 --> 01:09:24,560
that their bill went up $2
because I mean I I knew it because

769
01:09:22,560 --> 01:09:29,759
» Sheffield is different than the other
utility around here. A lot of utilities

770
01:09:27,440 --> 01:09:34,719
their board sets their rates and they'll
go to council. So I've been there. I've

771
01:09:32,799 --> 01:09:38,560
had since I've been there four rate
increases since I've been there. All

772
01:09:36,880 --> 01:09:41,600
four of my rate increase has been on the
front page of paper. everybody knew

773
01:09:40,080 --> 01:09:45,440
about.
I've never had a rate increase since

774
01:09:43,600 --> 01:09:48,080
I've been there 14 years. It been on the
front page of paper

775
01:09:46,960 --> 01:09:53,120
» and we don't want to be on the front
page of paper. That's why we try to do

776
01:09:49,679 --> 01:09:56,719
what we're doing to you know, nobody
wants it. And believe me, we don't want

777
01:09:55,920 --> 01:10:00,000
it either.
>> Well, I mean,

778
01:09:57,520 --> 01:10:05,199
» it's a necessary part of the business.
>> I know that, but I mean, I just think

779
01:10:01,920 --> 01:10:09,360
the time is bad because of how much
everything costs right now for y'all.

780
01:10:07,679 --> 01:10:11,280
for this to come down.
>> I totally agree with that.

781
01:10:10,560 --> 01:10:12,560
» I have a hard
>> What's a better time?

782
01:10:12,239 --> 01:10:15,120
» Yeah,
>> I don't know if there is a better time

783
01:10:13,840 --> 01:10:17,520
» if we But let me tell you what's going
to happen right now.

784
01:10:16,880 --> 01:10:20,880
» We wait.
>> I bet too many people.

785
01:10:18,719 --> 01:10:25,760
» If we wait though, what my two and a
half% if we wait my two and a half% will

786
01:10:23,840 --> 01:10:30,320
be and I can show you this. We've been
in the past by two and a half% it's

787
01:10:27,600 --> 01:10:35,120
going to be 4%. Then instead of $4 is
going to be six or seven dollars. Two

788
01:10:32,800 --> 01:10:39,199
two and a half the largest rate increase
I've asked since I've been here. still

789
01:10:36,800 --> 01:10:44,480
been the highest one's two then a couple
of them 1.70

790
01:10:41,040 --> 01:10:48,960
uh two and a half uh you you'll see uh
you'll see hopefully get ours pass and

791
01:10:47,520 --> 01:10:52,159
the other one it goes up well what they
going to go up it's going to be

792
01:10:50,320 --> 01:10:59,440
extremely high it's just the situation
that we in it's not it ain't it not we

793
01:10:55,520 --> 01:11:04,400
want it u and we've cut we've made cuts
we don't talk about the cuts we make we

794
01:11:01,360 --> 01:11:07,679
we the cuts we make most times based on
attrition and then we don't replace

795
01:11:06,400 --> 01:11:11,440
them. But when we don't replace
somebody's important, then we have to

796
01:11:09,440 --> 01:11:15,280
work somebody else at a different level
than we do. And so we're we're

797
01:11:13,120 --> 01:11:18,320
systematically doing the things that we
need to do. And I welcome any of you to

798
01:11:17,600 --> 01:11:21,520
come down there.
>> That's that's excuse me, Steve. That

799
01:11:20,080 --> 01:11:25,600
that's one of the things that I had
asked and I sent that out to you guys

800
01:11:23,360 --> 01:11:29,280
earlier uh in the weekend on the
questions that I did ask. And I've been

801
01:11:27,520 --> 01:11:37,040
pumping this information out to the
public for over a month now. And it's uh

802
01:11:33,280 --> 01:11:41,280
and and for no other reason than I mean
just like everybody else they find out

803
01:11:39,280 --> 01:11:46,239
about it from the paper the next day
after the fact. It's like suddenly you

804
01:11:44,400 --> 01:11:50,960
didn't know anything about it. Now it's
Sethville City Council voted to raise

805
01:11:48,400 --> 01:11:56,400
your rates and you didn't know about it.
I've been out there for a month pushing

806
01:11:53,199 --> 01:12:02,000
this out and asking these questions. Why
why why does everybody say we're the

807
01:11:58,480 --> 01:12:09,120
highest utility in the whole area when
effectively we're not uh and what what's

808
01:12:05,760 --> 01:12:13,520
been done to cut those costs and why are
we doing this now and all of those

809
01:12:12,000 --> 01:12:18,640
questions. I asked all those questions
and I've been talking about it for over

810
01:12:15,199 --> 01:12:24,080
a month now in in the public sphere and
uh sometimes getting my teeth kicked in

811
01:12:20,640 --> 01:12:28,159
sometimes not. Uh but it's uh it's been
there. It's been a discussion and it's

812
01:12:25,760 --> 01:12:36,320
the same uh all this information that I
sent I sent you guys uh out earlier this

813
01:12:31,199 --> 01:12:42,159
week and uh to uh to explain so that you
know the questions that I sent and I

814
01:12:38,640 --> 01:12:46,880
asked and uh they took took a day two
days and and got back I sent them an

815
01:12:43,920 --> 01:12:51,199
email with 28 questions on it and uh uh
and they answered every one of them and

816
01:12:48,880 --> 01:12:56,800
uh so some of them you know some of the
answers I you know I didn't care for a I

817
01:12:53,199 --> 01:13:01,600
don't want to pay I stuff my bills my
bills the same and of course I run my

818
01:12:59,760 --> 01:13:09,600
air at 68 degrees so it's always going
to be but it's uh but uh

819
01:13:06,719 --> 01:13:14,880
uh these questions that you're asking
I've already asked and I've already

820
01:13:11,520 --> 01:13:18,760
gotten the answers to and sent them out.
So it's u

821
01:13:19,600 --> 01:13:25,840
» well mayor as you asked earlier too and
you know John and you know I respect

822
01:13:23,760 --> 01:13:29,520
that you know your dension here but uh
what would your alternative be? Do you

823
01:13:27,360 --> 01:13:35,280
have a recommendation of how they make a
a budget without being in a deficit?

824
01:13:32,560 --> 01:13:37,520
» I don't have a budget.
>> You don't have to come up with a budget

825
01:13:36,719 --> 01:13:42,560
but I mean
>> I just all I all I'm one person I'm one

826
01:13:40,080 --> 01:13:45,920
person sitting up here making decision.
So

827
01:13:43,840 --> 01:13:50,080
» y'all that can make your decision.
>> So I mean

828
01:13:47,920 --> 01:13:53,120
» well it's just out of curiosity. I mean
is there an alternate solution? I mean

829
01:13:52,400 --> 01:13:57,199
» I don't know
>> that's another that's another question

830
01:13:54,719 --> 01:14:03,040
I've asked and uh I know some of the
more vocal folks that uh that responded

831
01:14:00,480 --> 01:14:08,239
to me in initially
uh seemed to they seem to know something

832
01:14:05,360 --> 01:14:13,280
that I I didn't or I wasn't I wasn't
seeing. and uh we called called in and

833
01:14:10,960 --> 01:14:17,360
had had a meeting up here at city hall
uh with one of our county commissioners

834
01:14:15,120 --> 01:14:23,280
that we thought uh maybe he'd have an
alternate solution and uh we listen we

835
01:14:20,159 --> 01:14:29,120
met with him for about two hours uh and
it turns out he he he did not have an

836
01:14:25,360 --> 01:14:33,440
alternate solution um but uh uh and
ended up agreeing with us uh as far as I

837
01:14:32,080 --> 01:14:38,719
mean we weren't trying to convince him
anything he pretty much didn't have an

838
01:14:36,159 --> 01:14:43,120
alternate solution and ended up agreeing
by his own perish

839
01:14:40,960 --> 01:14:47,600
uh that this was this is something you
know I mean nobody wants to do it but

840
01:14:45,440 --> 01:14:52,560
the need of it doesn't go away because
you don't want to do it and so if we're

841
01:14:50,560 --> 01:14:57,520
not going to do it then we it's still
there so we still have to address it

842
01:14:54,719 --> 01:15:02,000
somehow
>> can I ask a question the conversation

843
01:15:00,800 --> 01:15:06,400
with the gentleman that you just
mentioned so would it have been

844
01:15:04,000 --> 01:15:09,719
beneficial if we could have all been a
part of that

845
01:15:10,000 --> 01:15:13,840
» you can't I've got a transcript of it.
I'd be happy.

846
01:15:12,239 --> 01:15:16,800
» Well, I just mean before now.
>> Yeah. Well,

847
01:15:14,960 --> 01:15:18,159
» would it have been beneficial to have
heard that?

848
01:15:17,760 --> 01:15:22,159
» Yeah.
>> For all of us instead of just narrowed

849
01:15:20,880 --> 01:15:28,159
down to two
>> probably not because

850
01:15:25,280 --> 01:15:34,560
» and uh it wasn't uh it wasn't very
inform. It wasn't informative at all. Um

851
01:15:31,679 --> 01:15:37,440
and uh so
>> more questions.

852
01:15:35,760 --> 01:15:45,320
» Thank you.
>> Um yeah, so it wasn't uh I mean it was

853
01:15:40,560 --> 01:15:45,320
just something that you know uh

854
01:15:45,520 --> 01:15:53,199
that fell brought up some some
interesting points and we're like well

855
01:15:50,640 --> 01:15:56,719
come in and talk to us about it and see
what we're trying to figure out. I mean

856
01:15:54,640 --> 01:16:00,320
if there is an alternate solution then
let's hear it man. You know I mean I

857
01:15:59,040 --> 01:16:06,320
don't want to pay more. Nobody wants to
pay more and if we can do it a different

858
01:16:02,480 --> 01:16:12,159
way then what is that difference? Um, I
haven't found a different way. And so

859
01:16:09,040 --> 01:16:17,280
the uh I mean that's you know what what
everybody what everybody else feels or

860
01:16:14,239 --> 01:16:23,360
votes for it's fine. But we owe we owe
the public uh an explanation of why. I

861
01:16:22,000 --> 01:16:27,280
mean if you if you're not going to if
you're not going to vote for it then

862
01:16:24,560 --> 01:16:34,400
» fin
board and we approve our budget every

863
01:16:29,520 --> 01:16:38,719
year after July. My uh my budget has not
been approved this year because of this

864
01:16:36,719 --> 01:16:43,600
item right here. But I can tell you
this, every dollar and I can show you.

865
01:16:41,840 --> 01:16:48,159
I've got the handouts. We didn't get the
depths of it, but every dollar spent at

866
01:16:45,760 --> 01:16:52,400
Sheffville Utilities got a name to it.
If it don't have a name to it and

867
01:16:50,080 --> 01:16:58,080
something comes up like a tornado comes
through and and extra cost, we go back

868
01:16:55,920 --> 01:17:02,080
to the board and say this amount of
money was spent with the storm damage

869
01:16:59,920 --> 01:17:06,560
and say it being half a million dollars,
we look at things that we can push out.

870
01:17:04,480 --> 01:17:10,560
So we try to stay on a balanced budget.
We operate off a balanced budget and

871
01:17:08,640 --> 01:17:16,640
because
I I can't get there without a rate

872
01:17:13,120 --> 01:17:20,239
increase. Uh I mean I'm working under a
budget that had been approved and we're

873
01:17:18,080 --> 01:17:24,719
serious about maintaining our budget.
We're we got 14 years of history of it

874
01:17:22,480 --> 01:17:32,440
showing what we've done. I think if you
think about it 47% inflation rate of 14

875
01:17:28,159 --> 01:17:32,440
years we've been increased 6.6%

876
01:17:32,880 --> 01:17:40,239
uh rate increase 6.6% 6% of that. Uh,
and we've had a balanced budget. Uh,

877
01:17:38,480 --> 01:17:45,360
we're serious about what we do. My board
is very serious about the question,

878
01:17:42,800 --> 01:17:50,480
John, that you're asking. I They don't
stamp they don't stamp. We work several

879
01:17:47,920 --> 01:17:54,159
months on our on our budget. Uh, we meet
with the finance committee. They ask me

880
01:17:52,320 --> 01:17:59,199
every question down. So, it's not
something that just uh they staff and

881
01:17:57,360 --> 01:18:03,360
say approval. So, we're very serious
about what we do. But at the same time,

882
01:18:01,280 --> 01:18:08,159
we at the point now, I'm getting ready
to retire. We're at the point now where

883
01:18:06,080 --> 01:18:12,080
we want to be. We're at the point now,
we got two major industries coming to

884
01:18:10,080 --> 01:18:17,040
our service territory, even though
they're outside of Sheffield. Let me

885
01:18:14,080 --> 01:18:23,760
tell you this, 80% of the money that
comes in of electricity is outside the

886
01:18:20,560 --> 01:18:28,080
city of Sheffield. 80% our sales only
20% are inside. Most of our big

887
01:18:26,400 --> 01:18:31,920
industries, everything outside the city
limits. Whether you like the city limits

888
01:18:30,000 --> 01:18:35,920
or not, it is. And it cost us more to
serve. We serve 11 customers per mile

889
01:18:34,480 --> 01:18:41,920
because we serve the whole copper
county. But we're still, if you put us

890
01:18:39,760 --> 01:18:48,480
on a co-op range, which co-ops mostly
serve the county, we're on MUN because

891
01:18:44,159 --> 01:18:53,120
we earlier in Ger McN, but our cost to
serve is the cheapest in the state based

892
01:18:50,880 --> 01:19:00,239
on our number based on 11 people. So
we're proud that we serve the people at

893
01:18:55,920 --> 01:19:05,120
that cost. It's 20% as the TVA reads in
seven states. We're 20% lowest utility

894
01:19:03,600 --> 01:19:09,760
residential utilities in the United
States. 20%. We're in the lowest 20%.

895
01:19:08,239 --> 01:19:14,159
80% of the people in the United States
pay more than what we pay. The thing is

896
01:19:11,920 --> 01:19:19,360
we live in an area that's got cold
weather and cold winter. They got hot

897
01:19:16,719 --> 01:19:24,960
summers. So it is what it is. It's based
on a kilowatt hour what you use. We

898
01:19:22,480 --> 01:19:29,600
lower that. We're there's nobody one
utility that's around this whole region

899
01:19:26,560 --> 01:19:34,320
here that's uh kilowatt hour rate is
lower than us. That's factual. I mean

900
01:19:32,480 --> 01:19:37,280
thank you for appreciate.
>> Thank you.

901
01:19:34,800 --> 01:19:43,679
» Hey and and and
council the to to answer your question

902
01:19:40,640 --> 01:19:47,520
the the reason that we didn't do that
that was just my personal because I

903
01:19:46,080 --> 01:19:55,600
don't know anything about running a
utility. Uh and this is on the table. Uh

904
01:19:52,000 --> 01:19:59,679
so in my personal research and trying to
gather enough information to make an

905
01:19:57,760 --> 01:20:04,320
important decision, this was one
individual that I came across that

906
01:20:01,280 --> 01:20:08,480
seemed to have some answers. Uh so I
asked him to come in and talk to me and

907
01:20:06,480 --> 01:20:14,000
had he produced anything that was
substance at all, then I certainly would

908
01:20:11,760 --> 01:20:17,520
have shared that and but there was
really nothing to share.

909
01:20:15,199 --> 01:20:20,960
» Yeah. Well, that that's no fault. I'm
not saying that. I mean, I didn't, you

910
01:20:19,600 --> 01:20:26,560
know, I wasn't having a secret meeting
or anything. It's the but it was it was

911
01:20:24,400 --> 01:20:31,600
I mean, it was just that's my personal
quest to understand what it is we're

912
01:20:28,560 --> 01:20:37,760
dealing with and uh because you I'm an
alternate solution guy and you know and

913
01:20:35,199 --> 01:20:44,400
so I if there's a better way to do it
and we save

914
01:20:40,560 --> 01:20:49,040
pay $4 extra a month then you know yeah
let's do that. But uh uh and that was

915
01:20:47,040 --> 01:20:54,560
one individual that I thought might help
us out, but it it uh it ended up not

916
01:20:51,679 --> 01:20:59,400
producing any any any uh usable
information or any alternative ideas.

917
01:20:59,600 --> 01:21:10,400
» So let me go ahead and and go since I'm
already here. Uh so originally um when

918
01:21:07,520 --> 01:21:15,520
the proposal came to transfer the
governance we'll say for those of us who

919
01:21:13,760 --> 01:21:22,640
voted
no that was a transparency

920
01:21:19,280 --> 01:21:31,120
concern purpose
that was not a guaranteed yes for rating

921
01:21:26,640 --> 01:21:40,080
groups. That's just saying that.
But now we're here.

922
01:21:34,880 --> 01:21:46,080
As I sit right now, my vote would be no.
And at the request of our mayor to

923
01:21:42,800 --> 01:21:53,600
explain that,
do we still serve right at 19,000? Mr.

924
01:21:50,800 --> 01:21:59,440
So with that,
I feel like even though questions have

925
01:21:57,520 --> 01:22:06,400
been answered,
this feels rushed and forced.

926
01:22:03,760 --> 01:22:11,840
That's my only two answers. That's the
only explanation I can give. But when it

927
01:22:08,960 --> 01:22:18,239
affects 19,000
households, people,

928
01:22:15,199 --> 01:22:25,840
I I can't
I can't feel rushed and coerced

929
01:22:21,280 --> 01:22:31,880
and make that decision different today.
With that being said, what's the

930
01:22:28,320 --> 01:22:31,880
solution to that?

931
01:22:33,120 --> 01:22:40,480
I don't know that anymore.
I think the the questions that our mayor

932
01:22:38,320 --> 01:22:45,679
has put out on social media has been
excellent

933
01:22:42,480 --> 01:22:51,760
and it's answered a lot and he's took
backlash because I've seen it. But

934
01:22:48,880 --> 01:22:58,719
that's just who he is in transparency
and I totally agree with that.

935
01:22:55,440 --> 01:23:04,400
However, I know that Dr. Stokes and our
mayor has more

936
01:23:02,320 --> 01:23:11,920
I don't want I don't know if the term
access is correct

937
01:23:06,880 --> 01:23:17,760
but they may know more at this point
of things that may

938
01:23:15,920 --> 01:23:22,040
look differently
at the entire council.

939
01:23:22,960 --> 01:23:26,360
Maybe say

940
01:23:27,679 --> 01:23:31,320
have more information.

941
01:23:33,199 --> 01:23:38,722
I don't know if there is an opportunity
to [clears throat]

942
01:23:43,600 --> 01:23:51,280
to come together as a whole. Because
here's the thing, this is not a council

943
01:23:48,400 --> 01:23:56,880
and a mayor against Sheffield Utilities.
I don't look at it that way. We're all

944
01:23:53,360 --> 01:24:02,480
in this together. So, I feel like we
should all have

945
01:24:00,239 --> 01:24:09,120
I just feel like it should all have been
done up to this point together

946
01:24:05,440 --> 01:24:13,840
so that everything's out.
If somebody comes up with something

947
01:24:10,480 --> 01:24:19,520
extra that's not on this sheet, so big.
If there's clarity, the the fact that

948
01:24:17,040 --> 01:24:23,520
you guys were able to do that for x
amount of years to help those that

949
01:24:21,199 --> 01:24:29,280
couldn't,
that's a big deal. I know it's not made

950
01:24:26,719 --> 01:24:33,760
public, but that's a big deal. That
changes minds.

951
01:24:32,159 --> 01:24:38,320
That's not I'm not saying that's a
fault. I'm not saying that what you did

952
01:24:36,239 --> 01:24:44,960
was wrong because you didn't have to.
That that's fine. But I think that type

953
01:24:41,120 --> 01:24:50,400
of information makes a big difference
because I think also just in things that

954
01:24:47,440 --> 01:24:56,639
we've learned just through
preparing for this,

955
01:24:53,760 --> 01:25:02,880
there's way more than I knew that was a
part of. But when you have a resident

956
01:25:01,040 --> 01:25:06,639
that just hears, well, your rate's going
up.

957
01:25:04,639 --> 01:25:11,280
Everything under that umbrella they
don't know about. They have no idea what

958
01:25:08,960 --> 01:25:16,960
that means. What they know is my bills
going up $44

959
01:25:13,520 --> 01:25:20,520
if I fall into this 12275 kilowatt or
whatever that was.

960
01:25:21,040 --> 01:25:26,760
And maybe nobody wants to share that and
that's okay too.

961
01:25:27,280 --> 01:25:32,520
But I think it makes a difference.

962
01:25:33,840 --> 01:25:38,080
I'm not saying that everything should
just be laid out and put out in

963
01:25:36,480 --> 01:25:43,120
Instagram times daily. That's not what
I'm saying. I'm just saying when it

964
01:25:39,840 --> 01:25:47,719
comes to an increase
for me in this span of time,

965
01:25:51,840 --> 01:25:55,400
it just feels

966
01:25:56,000 --> 01:26:02,040
I'll just say for for me it feels

967
01:26:03,679 --> 01:26:09,600
rushed. I'll just leave it at rushed.
It

968
01:26:11,199 --> 01:26:17,400
The vote should be determined the not
period

969
01:26:20,480 --> 01:26:30,560
not right wrong or indifferent but for
my vote

970
01:26:25,199 --> 01:26:35,520
today with this amount of people
that that's just where I am.

971
01:26:33,679 --> 01:26:40,400
And
what's the answer

972
01:26:37,840 --> 01:26:47,880
or
what's the alternative?

973
01:26:42,639 --> 01:26:47,880
I don't know what that is. But

974
01:26:49,040 --> 01:26:55,480
is there
[clears throat] an opportunity

975
01:26:55,679 --> 01:27:01,719
to try to come to some type of
resolution?

976
01:27:01,920 --> 01:27:14,679
Because if it doesn't pass
and it fails, just like our mayor said,

977
01:27:08,960 --> 01:27:14,679
we're right back to right now at 6:25.

978
01:27:16,960 --> 01:27:26,120
But I at the as a city as a whole, yes,
absolutely yes. We've got to go forward.

979
01:27:27,280 --> 01:27:34,400
Is
is the two and a half best? I don't know

980
01:27:31,520 --> 01:27:40,400
what that answer is. All I know is how I
can vote right now.

981
01:27:37,120 --> 01:27:47,679
So, I don't know if there is a is an
openness to continue this or if we just

982
01:27:44,239 --> 01:27:52,719
need to black call it, vote it tonight
and let's go.

983
01:27:51,040 --> 01:27:56,000
» So,
Jack,

984
01:27:53,840 --> 01:28:01,840
» yes. So, it's there's there's more
openness, you know. So, most so most

985
01:27:59,679 --> 01:28:07,760
people's financial budgets based on
October 1st. Ours is July. So, we're

986
01:28:04,719 --> 01:28:12,320
already into a new year. Uh, but you
know, I'm going to tell you this. In my

987
01:28:09,280 --> 01:28:17,199
14 years of being here, I've served 33
years at TVA. How they done rate

988
01:28:14,080 --> 01:28:22,639
increases. Uh, I think the mayor has
gave more information than I've ever

989
01:28:19,280 --> 01:28:28,960
seen of any uh person in leadership
about what So, I hate you feel like uh

990
01:28:25,679 --> 01:28:33,920
it was a rush because we had this first
conversation at our two-hour meeting

991
01:28:31,040 --> 01:28:37,040
when we met with y'all. uh what month
that was and we talked about what we was

992
01:28:35,840 --> 01:28:41,679
going to have to do. So that was
discussed. You go back and look it's in

993
01:28:39,360 --> 01:28:45,760
your booklet you know that we have to do
that but so I hate that you feel like

994
01:28:43,600 --> 01:28:52,400
the rush but no yeah we always open
dialogue. Yeah. So we we it's 19,000

995
01:28:48,560 --> 01:28:57,040
customers uh impacted but but like I
said the fact is our kilowatt hour

996
01:28:54,880 --> 01:29:01,440
rating is not higher than anybody else.
everybody thought the facts are out

997
01:28:59,600 --> 01:29:06,000
there and you you're going to have
naysayers

998
01:29:03,120 --> 01:29:10,480
doctor negative everywhere you go but
the fact is we want to be a good utility

999
01:29:08,800 --> 01:29:18,159
and we want to serve the customers that
we serve but it takes money I mean to me

1000
01:29:14,639 --> 01:29:24,880
47% inflation over 14 years and only
increase to 6.6 six. Uh that tells you

1001
01:29:21,920 --> 01:29:29,679
we're conservative and but it's just the
timing of it. So So yeah, I'm open for

1002
01:29:27,440 --> 01:29:33,600
dialogue, you know, anytime, you know,
there's brought up about we can meet.

1003
01:29:32,080 --> 01:29:37,520
So, you know, I like to have a meeting
before the meet, you know, before we

1004
01:29:35,120 --> 01:29:40,800
have this. And I we invite to have a
meeting, but it's hard to get everybody

1005
01:29:38,960 --> 01:29:44,480
together all the time. But I like doing
that. As long as they're in a quorum, we

1006
01:29:42,560 --> 01:29:49,360
don't we're not violating anything. But
so any questions like I said and John

1007
01:29:46,960 --> 01:29:53,920
you know back to yours you know we
didn't want it to be like this but we

1008
01:29:51,520 --> 01:29:58,880
know over four meetings almost three and
a half months it is what we was busy

1009
01:29:56,960 --> 01:30:03,440
working I guess I understand that but
yeah this this ain't something that only

1010
01:30:01,760 --> 01:30:08,239
hit the front page of paper but it is
what it is I mean and at some point yes

1011
01:30:05,679 --> 01:30:13,360
we can we got to address it if we don't
if we don't then our AAA rating for our

1012
01:30:10,719 --> 01:30:16,880
bond rating will go to some other level
then it's Instead of getting 4% money,

1013
01:30:15,280 --> 01:30:22,159
we're going to get five five and a half%
money. And over 30 years, you're talking

1014
01:30:18,880 --> 01:30:27,760
about millions of dollars. So, yeah. So,
open anytime 247 we'll we'll meet

1015
01:30:25,760 --> 01:30:31,840
because it's just the urgency of what we
doing. You know, it's no different any

1016
01:30:30,159 --> 01:30:37,280
seen this morning for profit taxes
across the nation is averaging about 4%

1017
01:30:34,400 --> 01:30:41,440
increase a year. 4% increase. I mean,
uh, you think about retiring, you go 4%

1018
01:30:39,679 --> 01:30:45,840
increase on lump taxes, which that
amount like a fire bill, but 4% every

1019
01:30:43,840 --> 01:30:49,760
year, it's going to double pretty quick
and then on your fixed income. So, we we

1020
01:30:48,159 --> 01:30:54,400
take our fixed income people very
seriously to do. And like I said, we

1021
01:30:52,320 --> 01:30:57,360
don't advertise about we won't be a
little bit selfish about where that

1022
01:30:55,760 --> 01:31:03,280
money comes from and keep it for our
people. Okay. Yeah. So, open 247. I'll

1023
01:31:01,199 --> 01:31:08,159
meet with anytime Tyler will too, our
CFO and my board. I mean they're open.

1024
01:31:06,159 --> 01:31:11,199
My board's engaged that my board is not
one of them boards that steps around.

1025
01:31:09,760 --> 01:31:15,600
They're asking questions. They just
don't rubber stamp everything comes

1026
01:31:12,639 --> 01:31:20,880
through. So you know this this has been
a subject been talked about for almost

1027
01:31:17,520 --> 01:31:25,679
six months. Okay. I'm just tell
you know it wasn't it wasn't last night.

1028
01:31:23,040 --> 01:31:28,880
So yes we want to talk. Okay. We want to
work with you to make this whole

1029
01:31:27,600 --> 01:31:32,800
community successful. Not just
Sheffield. We serve the whole Carver

1030
01:31:30,719 --> 01:31:36,719
County. 80% of my customers are outside
the city of Sheffield. So that's a big

1031
01:31:34,960 --> 01:31:39,360
impact. So thank you.
>> Well, I I just want you to know that I'm

1032
01:31:38,480 --> 01:31:44,159
open
>> to that conversation

1033
01:31:41,440 --> 01:31:47,040
» and I'm available other than tomorrow.
Okay.

1034
01:31:45,520 --> 01:31:51,199
» Well, and Carol, I want to hop in real
quick. So, one thing that I've been been

1035
01:31:48,960 --> 01:31:55,280
blessed to be privy to is guy sitting
right there in a blue polo, Mike Davis,

1036
01:31:53,360 --> 01:31:58,080
who's my representative on that board.
Right. He and I have talked, I don't

1037
01:31:56,560 --> 01:32:01,360
know how many times about this this
issue over the phone, in person, and

1038
01:32:00,080 --> 01:32:04,960
then obviously at the utility board
meeting. So I I do think it's important

1039
01:32:02,880 --> 01:32:09,840
for us to have those conversations with
those who represent our district. Um so

1040
01:32:07,600 --> 01:32:14,880
I wanted to mention that. So
>> so going forward, Mr. Hardrove, so I

1041
01:32:13,360 --> 01:32:19,280
know that this has been a point of
discussion

1042
01:32:17,360 --> 01:32:25,360
that that's kind of eb and flow in and
out. We'll hear of it and then not hear

1043
01:32:20,960 --> 01:32:31,760
of it and then now it's here. So, um,
with using the word, uh, assume loosely,

1044
01:32:29,199 --> 01:32:36,960
should we go ahead and assume water and
wastewater increase rate increases?

1045
01:32:35,520 --> 01:32:41,679
We might as well just get it all out
there while we're out there.

1046
01:32:38,480 --> 01:32:46,320
» So, every inflation is inflation. Okay?
So, you know, you think about a water

1047
01:32:43,360 --> 01:32:50,800
plant and sewer plant. So, I think, and
Tyler stopped me because Tyler my

1048
01:32:48,239 --> 01:32:56,400
budget, we have not touched sewer in 14
years.

1049
01:32:51,600 --> 01:33:01,040
» 2012. So, so 2012. So, and and there's
some things going on in the water. Uh,

1050
01:32:59,520 --> 01:33:04,560
and your father-in-law knows all about
it because he gave me books about it.

1051
01:33:02,480 --> 01:33:09,280
Uh, so there's things that's going on
regulatory that's changed. So, the

1052
01:33:06,880 --> 01:33:14,080
regulatory changed has caused cost to go
up. Okay. So, we're spending where, you

1053
01:33:11,920 --> 01:33:19,440
know, we're spending uh we're not, but
the state's helping us looking at our

1054
01:33:16,320 --> 01:33:25,440
water system and looking what we can do
going forward. They're looking at should

1055
01:33:21,920 --> 01:33:33,120
we invest money uh the estimate to take
care of PAS which is a regulatory issue

1056
01:33:28,239 --> 01:33:40,080
now uh to redo our water plants 16.6
million and that's from a year ago is

1057
01:33:35,840 --> 01:33:44,400
that 24 yeah so them costs go up. So for
us the our water plants 100 years old to

1058
01:33:42,639 --> 01:33:50,080
meet the recordal requirements going to
cost 16.6 million. So the state gave us

1059
01:33:47,360 --> 01:33:55,520
half a million dollars to do a study uh
to say okay what's the best route for

1060
01:33:52,560 --> 01:34:00,639
you re redo this 100-y old plant and
modernize it for 16.6 six. I'm hoping we

1061
01:33:57,760 --> 01:34:05,120
can get it to that or uh the county
serves got several water system. We got

1062
01:34:02,400 --> 01:34:10,880
Mus shows, we got Tuscania, we got the
county. Uh is it better to partnership?

1063
01:34:08,719 --> 01:34:14,880
And if we did partnership, what will
that cost us to do? If we if we start

1064
01:34:13,440 --> 01:34:18,480
taking water from somebody else instead
of producing ourselves, what will it

1065
01:34:16,719 --> 01:34:24,800
cost? So, we don't know them answers
yet. We'll know them answers uh by March

1066
01:34:22,159 --> 01:34:28,880
to let us know what we need to do. So to
answer your question, yeah, everybody

1067
01:34:27,120 --> 01:34:33,840
you seen for the city of Florence went
up 60%. You know, you seen that front

1068
01:34:31,199 --> 01:34:38,800
page of paper, it went up 60%. So we
hope it's not that magnitude, but we'll

1069
01:34:36,000 --> 01:34:41,920
have educated uh we'll have information
that we can make an egg chain decision

1070
01:34:40,400 --> 01:34:45,120
and we'll bring it to you because you're
the one that make that decision.

1071
01:34:43,120 --> 01:34:49,199
» Are we on we're on the clock too as far
as

1072
01:34:46,560 --> 01:34:54,800
» So 2029 2021
>> 2029 there's a regulatory compliance

1073
01:34:51,679 --> 01:35:02,000
date 2029. So, it's it's very seriously
uh federal EPA came out said uh you can

1074
01:34:58,719 --> 01:35:05,120
ask for an extension to go to uh 2031,
but we're on the clock. We're on the

1075
01:35:03,440 --> 01:35:10,000
clock. So, we expect to get our
information in March to make a decision

1076
01:35:07,920 --> 01:35:13,520
that one way or another to go, you know,
and nobody wants to give up that piece

1077
01:35:11,600 --> 01:35:19,520
of pie. We understand that. But at the
same time, uh we need what's the best

1078
01:35:17,520 --> 01:35:23,600
thing for our citizens that we serve and
water is just served the city of city of

1079
01:35:21,840 --> 01:35:27,840
Sheffield. So this will be a city sheet
is it won't be anybody else residence.

1080
01:35:25,760 --> 01:35:31,440
So we'll we'll have that information
shared with you when we get it. But

1081
01:35:29,440 --> 01:35:36,400
we're looking forward to you know it
either way it's not going to be a cheap

1082
01:35:33,040 --> 01:35:41,280
thing. You know the
plants Florence looking one $200 million

1083
01:35:38,800 --> 01:35:43,840
for new water plant you know $50 million
for new water plant. So that's the kind

1084
01:35:42,800 --> 01:35:49,199
of things we're talking about. We're
talking about huge amounts of money when

1085
01:35:45,520 --> 01:35:54,320
you don't have but uh 5,000 customers.
talk about going up for 16 million. If

1086
01:35:52,880 --> 01:35:59,360
you don't have 5,000 customer, you're
talking about going up 10 to 12. That's

1087
01:35:56,400 --> 01:36:05,480
what you're talking about.
>> So that's March for water.

1088
01:36:01,679 --> 01:36:05,480
» Yeah. Yeah.

1089
01:36:07,760 --> 01:36:13,320
» Thank you.
>> Thank you.

1090
01:36:10,320 --> 01:36:13,320
» Thanks.

1091
01:36:20,880 --> 01:36:30,520
So in light of
what she brought up

1092
01:36:26,800 --> 01:36:30,520
there is

1093
01:36:31,520 --> 01:36:40,120
would you would would you propose that
we table this so that you do have time

1094
01:36:37,120 --> 01:36:40,120
to

1095
01:36:40,320 --> 01:36:43,960
find out and

1096
01:36:44,639 --> 01:36:50,480
There's
>> Yeah,

1097
01:36:47,600 --> 01:36:53,880
» she mentioned not having a ton.
>> There's a lot.

1098
01:36:53,920 --> 01:37:00,080
I'm gonna be honest. Not speaking for
Carol or anybody else up here. I feel

1099
01:36:58,560 --> 01:37:05,280
bullied.
Point blank. I feel bullied into making

1100
01:37:02,480 --> 01:37:09,840
a decision on this tonight. And I don't
like being back

1101
01:37:07,600 --> 01:37:17,159
and I feel like that's what I'm being
backed into making a decision right now.

1102
01:37:12,800 --> 01:37:17,159
And I don't like it. And that's why I'm

1103
01:37:17,440 --> 01:37:24,960
It seems like everything to me. It seems
like everything's just being bombarded

1104
01:37:22,639 --> 01:37:28,960
on one or me. I'm not speaking for
anybody else.

1105
01:37:25,679 --> 01:37:33,360
» I mean, I guess it is you because this
mean I know I've been I've been reading

1106
01:37:30,960 --> 01:37:35,920
all your stuff. I mean, so this has been
a long time coming. This isn't something

1107
01:37:35,119 --> 01:37:41,119
just came out of
>> I understand that. I've been keeping up

1108
01:37:37,440 --> 01:37:48,560
with everything and but right now I just
don't feel like I can vote yes.

1109
01:37:46,480 --> 01:37:54,000
That's just my
my take.

1110
01:37:50,880 --> 01:38:01,080
» I would say for me mayor
for me I don't know about anyone else if

1111
01:37:57,760 --> 01:38:01,080
we could take

1112
01:38:02,639 --> 01:38:10,000
» Well, I mean I'm I'm not opposed to
that. Is that something we can do? I

1113
01:38:06,320 --> 01:38:15,600
mean procedurally can can yeah
>> then then let's say you can take a vote

1114
01:38:12,480 --> 01:38:18,800
and take one next meeting there more
than one

1115
01:38:16,880 --> 01:38:23,360
» this is just the first reading right
>> well this is this isolution that's not

1116
01:38:21,920 --> 01:38:28,400
» it's not an ordinance so it's just a
resolution but

1117
01:38:26,719 --> 01:38:32,400
I mean I don't I don't want you to feel
pressured and you know and I don't want

1118
01:38:31,119 --> 01:38:38,320
you to feel pressured I don't want
anybody to feel pressured um said I

1119
01:38:36,239 --> 01:38:44,239
I've got I'm going to make my time come
down there and speak. I mean that's only

1120
01:38:42,000 --> 01:38:50,880
you know that I mean of course I mean
now

1121
01:38:46,560 --> 01:38:55,760
you know I have I mean I you guys all do
something else you know and uh so I mean

1122
01:38:54,400 --> 01:39:00,239
I've been getting my teeth kicked in
over this thing for over

1123
01:38:58,080 --> 01:39:04,480
and I mean so but this is something
that's been on the table for a while and

1124
01:39:02,320 --> 01:39:09,600
I started well over a month two three
months ago asking these questions just

1125
01:39:06,880 --> 01:39:12,480
because well I was worried and because I
didn't know anything about it and I

1126
01:39:10,880 --> 01:39:19,440
still don't know feel like I even know
enough. Uh but it's I mean we fresh then

1127
01:39:17,440 --> 01:39:24,320
what's
we got to vote on this tonight. We vote

1128
01:39:21,199 --> 01:39:30,560
on it the 21st when we come back and we
vote on it October whatever the first

1129
01:39:26,480 --> 01:39:33,040
one in October. I mean, you know, I
mean, I'm just speaking I'm not speaking

1130
01:39:32,320 --> 01:39:38,880
for anybody,
>> but I don't want you to feel that that's

1131
01:39:34,880 --> 01:39:42,960
not the point of I'm approaching this as
something that, you know, it's been on

1132
01:39:40,320 --> 01:39:47,360
the table for a while and this is just a
natural progression of thought. It

1133
01:39:44,960 --> 01:39:52,239
doesn't feel rushed at all. Uh, as a
matter of fact, it's probably something

1134
01:39:48,480 --> 01:39:58,000
we probably should have done already um
address, but it uh I mean, it is what it

1135
01:39:55,440 --> 01:40:03,520
is. I mean, and and I apologize if I
made you guys feel

1136
01:40:00,320 --> 01:40:10,920
bullied or or whatever, but it's that's
not that's not unusual for you.

1137
01:40:05,679 --> 01:40:10,920
» Well, well, it it kind of is.

1138
01:40:11,920 --> 01:40:21,040
And uh so uh you know, I'm I'm all for
hanging on to um

1139
01:40:19,520 --> 01:40:25,760
» Well, just like I stated, I don't know
if it was the last council meeting of

1140
01:40:23,360 --> 01:40:27,760
the time board. I mean, we're all in
this together.

1141
01:40:26,639 --> 01:40:30,080
» Yeah.
>> And

1142
01:40:29,440 --> 01:40:36,400
» well, that's right.
>> If anybody feels a friction

1143
01:40:33,840 --> 01:40:44,400
that shouldn't be
um because we're just starting

1144
01:40:39,760 --> 01:40:47,960
and we have residents, we have folks who
depend on us.

1145
01:40:48,480 --> 01:41:01,040
And I don't want division a seed of some
division to be in put somewhere

1146
01:40:57,199 --> 01:41:06,480
because we can't work that way.
So if to table it helps it then I'm for

1147
01:41:04,480 --> 01:41:11,760
it 100%.
>> Well I mean the reason for tableling it

1148
01:41:08,239 --> 01:41:16,239
would be to give more time for question
answers more time for discovery.

1149
01:41:14,320 --> 01:41:20,480
» Right. I'm not asking for it to go away.
That's not what I'm saying at all.

1150
01:41:19,440 --> 01:41:23,520
It's something that's got to be a
direct.

1151
01:41:21,119 --> 01:41:26,159
» Yeah. Well, and to that point, it's it's
not going to go away. You know, we can

1152
01:41:24,960 --> 01:41:29,600
keep hunting it, but it's going to be
just like Florence, right? And so,

1153
01:41:28,400 --> 01:41:33,920
that's one thing that it's it's
unfortunate. I know it's unpopular. I

1154
01:41:31,280 --> 01:41:39,840
don't like it either, but need to get as
much information as we can. And, you

1155
01:41:35,760 --> 01:41:45,760
know, so I mean, I I send I can send out
more. Um, you know, pretty much

1156
01:41:42,800 --> 01:41:49,119
everything that I've been given I uh I
sent to you guys. And I know it's a lot

1157
01:41:47,600 --> 01:41:57,119
when you get an email. It's got six
attachments on it. Um and uh so

1158
01:41:54,159 --> 01:42:01,719
uh and that's a lot of data uh to look
at and uh but

1159
01:42:02,000 --> 01:42:10,639
that's all I have. I mean that's all
information I have. Um so it's

1160
01:42:08,560 --> 01:42:15,920
so for me not to be prevy to something
that nobody else has to arrive at some

1161
01:42:13,360 --> 01:42:20,800
sort of conclusion. That's uh
>> And when I said that, I just meant

1162
01:42:19,040 --> 01:42:25,760
that you're able to go to these board
meetings and and maybe have more

1163
01:42:23,600 --> 01:42:28,719
information than what I would what I
would have because I don't

1164
01:42:27,280 --> 01:42:30,400
» I don't have that freedom.
>> Yeah. Okay.

1165
01:42:29,760 --> 01:42:36,000
» That's all.
>> I get that's So,

1166
01:42:34,080 --> 01:42:42,719
» all right. Well, I mean, I'm I'm I'm in
favor of of hanging on to this and to to

1167
01:42:40,239 --> 01:42:49,520
get you guys and then I'm available and
I know any one of those guys are

1168
01:42:44,639 --> 01:42:53,040
available um to uh I mean, my answers
are going to come as I understand it. I

1169
01:42:51,440 --> 01:42:58,080
mean, so you might, you know, you might
want to ask somebody else [laughter]

1170
01:42:56,159 --> 01:43:05,440
because I pretty much laid out exactly
what I was thinking anyway. So uh uh but

1171
01:43:02,320 --> 01:43:10,080
as I mean but then again I don't know
anything about running them. I don't

1172
01:43:07,520 --> 01:43:16,320
know I don't know that I mean so the
people that are uh most most of the most

1173
01:43:14,080 --> 01:43:22,159
the folks uh in charge of running our
utility are sitting here. Um those are

1174
01:43:20,000 --> 01:43:25,520
the folks
uh that provide the answer. That's who

1175
01:43:23,840 --> 01:43:31,040
I've been anyway. That's where I've
gotten my information.

1176
01:43:28,639 --> 01:43:36,480
So Mr. Harrow
and

1177
01:43:32,560 --> 01:43:40,400
and Keith, so is there there is there an
opportunity that we can meet

1178
01:43:38,159 --> 01:43:44,159
collectively?
>> You forum is established. It's a it's a

1179
01:43:43,280 --> 01:43:47,760
meeting.
>> Okay.

1180
01:43:44,480 --> 01:43:49,600
» So it has to be noticed and it's going
to be open.

1181
01:43:48,800 --> 01:43:57,639
» Okay.
>> Just like tonight, you have a special

1182
01:43:52,400 --> 01:43:57,639
meeting, but it has to be noticed if

1183
01:43:57,679 --> 01:44:04,119
two can be
>> that's what I'm saying if only two

1184
01:44:04,159 --> 01:44:11,880
» but you got three then you establish a
quum so it's got to be a call

1185
01:44:12,239 --> 01:44:17,080
» sure I mean the laws allow

1186
01:44:18,800 --> 01:44:24,480
» but it's all gather
>> it's up to three of us

1187
01:44:22,480 --> 01:44:29,520
» that's correct
>> or Exactly.

1188
01:44:27,920 --> 01:44:33,760
» We do that often. I do that with my
board me.

1189
01:44:31,040 --> 01:44:38,960
» What is the what is the problem with I
mean you're not talking about the death

1190
01:44:36,239 --> 01:44:41,760
sent to somebody. You're talking about
utility. I mean what's the problem

1191
01:44:40,320 --> 01:44:45,840
having somebody outside of the
committee? What's the matter? What's the

1192
01:44:43,840 --> 01:44:49,920
problem with having the media there? I
mean it's you're not going to be

1193
01:44:47,760 --> 01:44:53,679
invading anybody's privacy. You're not
talking about any personal. You're just

1194
01:44:51,840 --> 01:44:58,400
talking numbers and how you can get
together. I don't see what I know I'm in

1195
01:44:56,000 --> 01:45:05,920
the media, but I don't really see the
issue of trying to keep it oyster

1196
01:45:04,239 --> 01:45:10,400
the rules that we're held to.
>> Well, I think Steve's point is why not

1197
01:45:08,239 --> 01:45:15,360
just all of us get together and just
have a public meeting.

1198
01:45:12,400 --> 01:45:18,400
» Somebody wants to show up, they show up
>> and and I'm fine with that as well. I

1199
01:45:17,760 --> 01:45:26,239
mean,
>> yeah, there's any of those other, you

1200
01:45:21,360 --> 01:45:30,199
know, meeting that I wouldn't be afraid
>> for anyone else to say.

1201
01:45:30,400 --> 01:45:37,199
» Well, when it's something that's this
important, [clears throat]

1202
01:45:34,080 --> 01:45:42,560
I don't think that we should pass
on trying to

1203
01:45:40,159 --> 01:45:48,800
» correct. Well, the public has a right to
know what's going on and and the more

1204
01:45:46,400 --> 01:45:56,560
important it is, the more the public's
right comes into play. With all respect

1205
01:45:53,600 --> 01:46:02,400
and and again, we're not talking life or
death. We're talking about utility. I I

1206
01:45:59,440 --> 01:46:06,880
just don't understand why such crime
having media or uh any citizen of

1207
01:46:05,280 --> 01:46:10,800
Sheffield
sit in on the meeting. They don't have

1208
01:46:08,800 --> 01:46:14,719
to contribute. They just have to be able
to observe and hear what's going on,

1209
01:46:12,480 --> 01:46:20,560
learn something about the process. I I
don't see a problem.

1210
01:46:16,719 --> 01:46:24,440
As a member of the media,
>> I'll meet anywhere anytime.

1211
01:46:25,668 --> 01:46:27,688
[clears throat]

1212
01:46:31,840 --> 01:46:40,000
» All right. So, what do we do?
Table that.

1213
01:46:38,239 --> 01:46:49,719
» Okay.
What do we need to do officially?

1214
01:46:44,880 --> 01:46:49,719
We can just y

1215
01:46:59,280 --> 01:47:02,840
» a few of y'all.

1216
01:47:02,960 --> 01:47:09,840
No, I think I think uh for just in the
interest of time, not that we're rushed

1217
01:47:07,679 --> 01:47:14,159
or in a hurry, but if we can all get
together, the only reason we would have

1218
01:47:11,600 --> 01:47:20,800
a second meeting would be is if somebody
couldn't make the purchase, right?

1219
01:47:18,560 --> 01:47:25,040
» You mean the next scheduled meeting?
>> Yeah. No. Well, no. Let's Yeah, because

1220
01:47:23,199 --> 01:47:29,679
she's saying we need to
>> schedule a time for a meeting

1221
01:47:28,000 --> 01:47:32,560
or
>> everybody's going

1222
01:47:30,960 --> 01:47:35,920
» to discuss this.
>> Yes.

1223
01:47:33,199 --> 01:47:42,000
» Yeah. Can I make a suggestion?
>> So, we're open, you know, so at any time

1224
01:47:39,280 --> 01:47:45,360
and a lot of y'all drop by anyway. So,
if you just let us know at that time,

1225
01:47:44,000 --> 01:47:50,000
could be one of you, two of them, and we
can answer individually. That way y'all

1226
01:47:47,840 --> 01:47:54,320
can, you know, go about your own
business one onone has got questions at

1227
01:47:52,719 --> 01:47:57,600
the time, you know, set up appointment
with them. We'll we'll be prepared for

1228
01:47:55,840 --> 01:48:01,199
that. We we're prepared. We got all the
information. So that way you don't have

1229
01:47:59,600 --> 01:48:05,440
to go all your out of your way. I know
you work. So if it's after hours, we

1230
01:48:03,119 --> 01:48:09,199
can, you know, it won't be pressure
packed either. We just give you the

1231
01:48:06,560 --> 01:48:12,239
information and we make it work. I'm
fine with that. I mean,

1232
01:48:10,239 --> 01:48:16,159
» yeah. Yeah. So I think it's just a that
way you know John can come down there

1233
01:48:14,239 --> 01:48:20,960
and spend time with whoever he wants to
you know we can answer your questions.

1234
01:48:17,840 --> 01:48:24,400
So it's it's just a it's a meet I call
it a meeting before the meeting you know

1235
01:48:22,800 --> 01:48:28,000
you know I like to have a meeting before
the meeting then they know there's no

1236
01:48:25,920 --> 01:48:30,719
surprise nobody likes to comes to meet
and have surprises. That's the reason we

1237
01:48:29,360 --> 01:48:33,760
have a meeting before the meeting. This
is going to be brought up and we discuss

1238
01:48:32,480 --> 01:48:39,344
it. You know
>> yeah it works well. Yeah. So I just

1239
01:48:37,324 --> 01:48:39,344
[clears throat]

1240
01:48:44,639 --> 01:48:49,960
» okay
>> if it's works for

1241
01:48:46,960 --> 01:48:49,960
» everybody

1242
01:48:54,480 --> 01:49:02,480
number two
>> number two

1243
01:49:00,159 --> 01:49:10,360
» consider approval for mayor van deer to
execute contract agreement with for 2027

1244
01:49:06,639 --> 01:49:10,360
for the senior center.

1245
01:49:11,119 --> 01:49:17,360
» Yeah, mayor. So, what you had this
packet here we didn't really discuss.

1246
01:49:14,080 --> 01:49:21,400
What is this including?
>> Lisa, you want to help us?

1247
01:49:21,679 --> 01:49:30,000
» This is just our senior grant that's
done every year. That's where the money

1248
01:49:26,320 --> 01:49:36,400
comes in. They all lot us like $7,600 I
believe for the senior center

1249
01:49:32,400 --> 01:49:39,920
» covers meals and um the whole the
package of everything that they call

1250
01:49:38,080 --> 01:49:43,840
provides for our seniors.
>> Okay. He's just we're basically signing

1251
01:49:41,520 --> 01:49:48,440
off. Okay.
>> All right.

1252
01:49:44,480 --> 01:49:48,440
» Basically a reform

1253
01:49:55,920 --> 01:49:59,719
» that way everybody can get.

1254
01:50:03,920 --> 01:50:07,960
» Okay. So

1255
01:50:14,159 --> 01:50:21,360
» yeah.
>> So do I have a motion to uh give me the

1256
01:50:18,880 --> 01:50:25,679
authorization to execute that contract
agreement with?

1257
01:50:23,440 --> 01:50:29,320
» So move.
>> Second.

1258
01:50:26,080 --> 01:50:29,320
» I'll second.

1259
01:50:31,360 --> 01:50:36,920
» All in favor say I.
>> I. All finished.

1260
01:50:37,360 --> 01:50:46,639
Okay. Um
so the next item

1261
01:50:43,760 --> 01:50:51,679
authorizing uh
Mayor Van Debers for garbage services.

1262
01:50:49,600 --> 01:50:56,719
So just
so as we begin developing this 2027

1263
01:50:54,480 --> 01:51:00,400
budget, I want us to know exactly what
it costs the city to operate certain

1264
01:50:58,560 --> 01:51:05,040
services and what those same services
would cost if they were provided in

1265
01:51:02,159 --> 01:51:10,639
another way. this request for
alternative solution.

1266
01:51:07,520 --> 01:51:14,560
And uh so I want to be very clear. Uh so
I'm asking tonight for authorization to

1267
01:51:12,639 --> 01:51:18,159
solicit bids for citywide garbage
collection services. So I want to be

1268
01:51:16,080 --> 01:51:23,760
real clear what that is and what it's
not. Uh we uh we have not made a

1269
01:51:21,920 --> 01:51:27,199
decision to outsource garbage collection
and this is not a proposal to

1270
01:51:25,360 --> 01:51:33,360
discontinue service that we're providing
today. Uh and frankly that's not my

1271
01:51:30,480 --> 01:51:38,560
objective at all. uh this just merely
due diligence. So we know what it cost

1272
01:51:36,080 --> 01:51:43,119
us to operate our existing service. What
we don't know is what the private market

1273
01:51:40,800 --> 01:51:48,639
would charge uh Sheffield to provide
comparable citywide services until we

1274
01:51:45,679 --> 01:51:55,520
solicit those bids. We're just guessing.
Um I know in the past there are other uh

1275
01:51:52,400 --> 01:52:02,480
there are other companies uh in the
market now. So I expect four maybe five

1276
01:51:59,679 --> 01:52:07,599
other bids come in on that. So then we
could do a sideby-side comparison on

1277
01:52:05,119 --> 01:52:12,239
what we spend today on these services
inhouse relative to what they would cost

1278
01:52:10,159 --> 01:52:17,119
to outsource just the garbage pickup. It
would be the refuge pickup or anything

1279
01:52:14,080 --> 01:52:19,520
like that. Not the big trucks. Uh just
the what comes out of the house and the

1280
01:52:18,880 --> 01:52:20,639
garbage can
>> strictly the household.

1281
01:52:20,400 --> 01:52:24,800
» Yeah.
>> Okay. Here's another question about

1282
01:52:21,840 --> 01:52:31,440
that.
the revenue that we get off of that

1283
01:52:29,119 --> 01:52:37,199
you by any intent and I'm I'm asking a
question I'm sure but I try to look back

1284
01:52:33,920 --> 01:52:43,040
in our budget thing
what's the you have any idea what the

1285
01:52:39,280 --> 01:52:48,000
revenue how much a year the garbage
generates I know there's

1286
01:52:45,920 --> 01:52:52,400
» what four I know that's
>> that's where I'm

1287
01:52:51,040 --> 01:52:55,199
» that's what I'm saying and that's what
I'm saying you're talking.

1288
01:52:54,159 --> 01:52:59,840
» I know.
>> So, the the idea is we we get we'll get

1289
01:52:57,599 --> 01:53:05,599
these bids in. So, and then come back
with a full, you know, this is this is

1290
01:53:03,119 --> 01:53:10,560
what it costs and this is the revenue
that generates. This is what that would

1291
01:53:08,239 --> 01:53:14,480
look like going to this company, that
company, that company or anything like

1292
01:53:12,080 --> 01:53:20,800
that. Just compare it and see.
>> This is just basically just

1293
01:53:16,639 --> 01:53:25,440
» it's just due diligence. So, it's not
going to contract. No, no, no, no, no.

1294
01:53:23,840 --> 01:53:29,599
It's just just to find out. We don't
have to accept what is we're we're doing

1295
01:53:27,679 --> 01:53:34,159
due diligence just to figure out what it
would cost because we don't know.

1296
01:53:31,679 --> 01:53:39,520
» Uh because at one time years ago when we
did outsource that there was really only

1297
01:53:36,400 --> 01:53:44,960
one player in the game now. Yeah.
name and and I used to work in that

1298
01:53:42,000 --> 01:53:50,719
business in the early 2000s and uh it's
it it was it was a it was a wild west

1299
01:53:47,760 --> 01:53:55,920
back and but things have changed now and
there are other companies in the game

1300
01:53:52,800 --> 01:54:01,840
now in the market and uh so it's just
it's a due diligence uh exercise is is

1301
01:53:59,840 --> 01:54:07,440
all it is. This doesn't obligate us for
anything. it just authorizes me the

1302
01:54:04,239 --> 01:54:12,239
ability to solicit those bids uh and
then we bring those in and look at that

1303
01:54:10,320 --> 01:54:16,880
as a relative comparison to what we're
doing.

1304
01:54:14,560 --> 01:54:22,639
Okay.
So, do uh

1305
01:54:19,520 --> 01:54:27,440
do I be a resol do I have a motion to
allow Mayor Van Deer be a resolved by

1306
01:54:25,520 --> 01:54:32,800
the city council city of Sheffield that
Mayor Vander isn't hereby authorized to

1307
01:54:29,840 --> 01:54:37,199
let bids city garbage services? Do I
have a motion?

1308
01:54:34,960 --> 01:54:41,840
» Motion
have a second.

1309
01:54:39,520 --> 01:54:46,400
» Second.
>> All in favor say I.

1310
01:54:43,440 --> 01:54:49,760
» I. All oppose. Same.
Uh, be it resolved by the city council

1311
01:54:48,320 --> 01:54:55,599
of the city of Sheffield that the city
will participate in the 2027 severe

1312
01:54:52,800 --> 01:55:02,159
weather preparedness tax holiday which
begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, February

1313
01:54:58,239 --> 01:55:10,159
26, 2027 and ends at 12 midnight on
Sunday, February 12, 2027.

1314
01:55:05,599 --> 01:55:14,000
Do I have a motion? So move.
I

1315
01:55:10,239 --> 01:55:15,920
» have a second. Second.
>> All in favor say I.

1316
01:55:15,520 --> 01:55:20,000
» I.
>> All oppose. Same.

1317
01:55:18,320 --> 01:55:25,199
And be a resolved by the city council of
the city of Sheffville that Jeffrey

1318
01:55:22,239 --> 01:55:30,159
McKindall and Andre Day be and are
hereby hired as police officers to fill

1319
01:55:27,760 --> 01:55:33,760
the vacancies in the police department.
Do I have a motion?

1320
01:55:31,520 --> 01:55:40,000
» So move.
>> Second. Second.

1321
01:55:37,599 --> 01:55:43,199
» All in favor say I.
>> All post same.

1322
01:55:41,679 --> 01:55:46,639
be resolved by the city council of the
city of Sheffield that the following

1323
01:55:44,639 --> 01:55:53,199
vehicles be and are hereby declared
surplus in the parks and recreation

1324
01:55:48,320 --> 01:56:00,639
department uh 2002 Ford F-150 and that
van number

1325
01:55:55,280 --> 01:56:04,639
and a 1997 Ford F-150 at that bin. Do I
have a motion?

1326
01:56:02,560 --> 01:56:07,920
» Make a motion.
>> Second.

1327
01:56:06,080 --> 01:56:13,239
» Second.
>> All in favor say I.

1328
01:56:09,520 --> 01:56:13,239
» I. All pass

1329
01:56:18,719 --> 01:56:25,599
be resolved by the city council city of
Sheffield that expenses in the amount of

1330
01:56:22,239 --> 01:56:31,599
$634 be uh be and are hereby approved
for Scholes auto glass to repair a

1331
01:56:28,560 --> 01:56:35,760
windshield for a 2024 GMC Yukon damaged
by the shut street.

1332
01:56:34,480 --> 01:56:40,480
But I mean, I'll make the motion, but
I'm just curious what happened on that

1333
01:56:38,080 --> 01:56:43,760
side.
>> Rocks

1334
01:56:42,719 --> 01:56:48,800
tree.
>> Yeah. Chunk chunked a piece of a tree,

1335
01:56:46,320 --> 01:56:51,200
hit somebody.
>> Yeah.

1336
01:56:49,280 --> 01:56:52,560
» I'll make a move.
[clears throat]

1337
01:56:51,280 --> 01:56:56,960
» Second.
>> Second.

1338
01:56:55,520 --> 01:57:00,239
» All in favor say I.
>> I.

1339
01:56:57,440 --> 01:57:04,480
» All post same. uh be resolved that city
council of the city of Sheffield that

1340
01:57:01,679 --> 01:57:09,040
expenses in the amount of $85
be and are hereby approved for

1341
01:57:06,080 --> 01:57:15,119
reimbursement to Rod Rodney Rippy for
mailed lab work. Do I have a motion?

1342
01:57:12,239 --> 01:57:19,199
Motion
second.

1343
01:57:16,239 --> 01:57:23,760
» I'll say all in favor say I.
>> I. All same. Be it resolved by the city

1344
01:57:22,400 --> 01:57:28,880
council of the city of Sheffield that
expenses in the amount of $9.99

1345
01:57:27,280 --> 01:57:34,400
be and are hereby approved for
reimbursement to Eva Richardson for

1346
01:57:31,360 --> 01:57:39,679
Dream Host Software at the library. Have
a motion.

1347
01:57:37,520 --> 01:57:41,840
» Motion
second.

1348
01:57:40,320 --> 01:57:46,239
» I'll second.
>> All in favor say I.

1349
01:57:43,440 --> 01:57:49,520
» I. All same.
Be it resolved by the city council of

1350
01:57:47,760 --> 01:57:54,880
the city of Sheffville that expenses in
the amount of $2,000 be and are hereby

1351
01:57:52,400 --> 01:58:02,159
approved for eight employees to attend
the EMR emergency medical response

1352
01:57:58,400 --> 01:58:05,159
responder training without a motion.
>> Motion

1353
01:58:05,280 --> 01:58:13,520
a second.
>> I'll second.

1354
01:58:09,760 --> 01:58:18,000
» All in favor say I. I have those same.
What were the employees in the certain

1355
01:58:16,080 --> 01:58:21,320
department?
Okay. Gota

1356
01:58:25,119 --> 01:58:28,360
and then

1357
01:58:31,199 --> 01:58:41,880
that's so resolution authorizing city of
Sheffield to enter an agreement with

1358
01:58:35,760 --> 01:58:41,880
Civic Plus for doc access services. uh

1359
01:58:43,679 --> 01:58:49,280
whereas the city of Sheffield provides
public documents and information to

1360
01:58:47,280 --> 01:58:55,760
citizens through its municipal websites
and whereas the city desires to improve

1361
01:58:52,639 --> 01:58:59,920
accessibility of PDF documents published
through its websites for individuals

1362
01:58:57,760 --> 01:59:05,119
with disabilities and to support the
city's efforts to comply with applicable

1363
01:59:02,320 --> 01:59:11,040
accessibility requirements by the state.
And whereas civil civic plus offers doc

1364
01:59:08,320 --> 01:59:15,760
access a document accessibility platform
that scans converts and monitors PDF

1365
01:59:13,360 --> 01:59:20,159
documents published on websites and
whereas civic plus has submitted

1366
01:59:17,679 --> 01:59:25,280
statement of work quote uh which is
included package to provide doc access

1367
01:59:23,199 --> 01:59:32,239
services for the city's websites at
cheffield Alabama.net chefalabama.gov

1368
01:59:29,360 --> 01:59:36,480
uh and the cheffel.org.
Whereas the initial term of the

1369
01:59:34,159 --> 01:59:45,719
agreement shall run from October 1st,
2026 through September 30th, 2027 at a

1370
01:59:41,040 --> 01:59:45,719
total initial term cost of $6,36140

1371
01:59:45,920 --> 01:59:53,280
with annual recurring services
thereafter as provided in the agreement

1372
01:59:50,400 --> 01:59:57,760
uh with the second year being $1,500
less. Um now therefore be it resolved

1373
01:59:56,400 --> 02:00:01,840
that by the city council city of
Sheffield uh [clears throat] hereby

1374
01:59:59,599 --> 02:00:08,159
approves the acquisition of civic plus
dock access services pursuant to the

1375
02:00:05,040 --> 02:00:12,239
statement of work quote. Uh the mayor is
hereby authorized to execute the

1376
02:00:10,320 --> 02:00:19,199
statement of work and such other
documents as may be reasonably necessary

1377
02:00:15,840 --> 02:00:24,560
to implement the dock access services on
behalf of the city of Sheffield. Subject

1378
02:00:20,880 --> 02:00:30,960
to review and approval as to form
uh by the city attorney. Uh the

1379
02:00:27,199 --> 02:00:34,159
expenditure of $6,36140
for the initial term is hereby

1380
02:00:32,639 --> 02:00:39,119
authorized from the appropriate city
fund uh or account determined by the

1381
02:00:37,280 --> 02:00:45,280
city clerk or treasurer with a portion
of that coming from what's remaining

1382
02:00:41,599 --> 02:00:49,840
from uh what the neo god does pay. And
so a portion of that would be coming

1383
02:00:46,880 --> 02:00:54,639
from that refund that we got. Mr.
President, uh do I have a motion?

1384
02:00:56,560 --> 02:00:59,800
A second.

1385
02:01:02,639 --> 02:01:08,360
» All in favor say I.
>> I. All same.

1386
02:01:15,040 --> 02:01:23,320
Resolution
authorizing city of Sheffield to enter

1387
02:01:18,639 --> 02:01:23,320
an agreement with Neo gov power EMS

1388
02:01:25,360 --> 02:01:33,920
a resolution
authorizing temporary expenditures for

1389
02:01:29,840 --> 02:01:39,920
enhanced open AI check codeex
development services for Sheffield

1390
02:01:35,679 --> 02:01:45,920
municipal OS and fiscal year 2027 budget
preparation. City of Sheffield

1391
02:01:42,960 --> 02:01:50,320
mayor is developing Sheffield municipal
OS as an internal financial and

1392
02:01:48,320 --> 02:01:54,159
executive management platform intended
to approve the city's budgeting,

1393
02:01:52,239 --> 02:01:59,360
financial analysis, and reporting and
decision making process by the city.

1394
02:01:57,199 --> 02:02:03,520
Whereas the city is currently utilizing
the development of Sheffield municipal

1395
02:02:01,199 --> 02:02:10,480
OS in connection with preparation and
analysis presentation publication of the

1396
02:02:06,239 --> 02:02:15,760
city's fiscal year 2027 municipal budget
and whereas additional open AI chat GPT

1397
02:02:13,440 --> 02:02:20,480
development capacity is temporary
temporarily necessary to support

1398
02:02:18,159 --> 02:02:24,239
continued software development and avoid
interruptions caused by usage

1399
02:02:22,159 --> 02:02:28,320
limitations during this accelerated
development period. Now therefore, be it

1400
02:02:26,719 --> 02:02:34,800
resolved by the city council of the city
of Sheffield, Alabama, that the mayor is

1401
02:02:30,800 --> 02:02:41,679
hereby authorized to expend an amount to
not to exceed $1,000 for enhanced of an

1402
02:02:38,400 --> 02:02:46,560
AI chat GPT codeex development services
related usage for a period not to extend

1403
02:02:44,480 --> 02:02:51,199
three months for the purpose of
completing Sheffield Municipal OS and

1404
02:02:49,280 --> 02:02:56,000
supporting the development, analysis,
presentation, and publication of the

1405
02:02:53,119 --> 02:03:01,119
city's fiscal year 2027. Seven municipal
budget.

1406
02:02:57,599 --> 02:03:04,719
» Yeah, I have a motion.
>> So move.

1407
02:03:04,080 --> 02:03:07,360
» Second.
>> I'll second.

1408
02:03:07,199 --> 02:03:09,280
All
>> in favor say I.

1409
02:03:08,639 --> 02:03:13,520
» I.
>> All oppose same.

1410
02:03:12,080 --> 02:03:17,040
Now,
>> a resolution authorizing the city of

1411
02:03:15,440 --> 02:03:23,040
Sheffield to enter into an agreement
with Neoga Power DMFS for human

1412
02:03:20,320 --> 02:03:27,599
resources, payroll, benefits, time and
attendance, and onboarding services.

1413
02:03:25,440 --> 02:03:31,840
city of whereas the city of Sheffield
desires to modernize and consolidate

1414
02:03:29,679 --> 02:03:36,480
administrative functions associated with
the employee payroll benefits

1415
02:03:33,840 --> 02:03:42,159
administration core human resources time
and attendance employee employee

1416
02:03:38,639 --> 02:03:47,280
onboarding and related payroll services
and whereas Neo gov power DMS has

1417
02:03:44,960 --> 02:03:53,440
submitted an order form to the city of
Sheffield for benefits core HR payroll

1418
02:03:51,119 --> 02:03:58,239
time and attendance onboarding and
payroll service subscriptions s together

1419
02:03:55,840 --> 02:04:03,040
with associated implementation and setup
services. And whereas the proposed

1420
02:04:00,639 --> 02:04:07,199
services are intended to improve the
efficiency, the consistency and

1421
02:04:05,199 --> 02:04:13,119
administration of the city's employee
and payroll process. And whereas the

1422
02:04:10,239 --> 02:04:17,316
order form provides for a firstear total
of $53,45140

1423
02:04:15,296 --> 02:04:17,316
[clears throat]

1424
02:04:18,000 --> 02:04:26,400
with a period beginning October 1st
through October 1st, 2026 and ending

1425
02:04:23,119 --> 02:04:31,480
September 30th, 2027 and identifies a
second year recurring total of

1426
02:04:28,480 --> 02:04:31,480
$49,14945.

1427
02:04:32,800 --> 02:04:39,599
Now therefore, be it resolved the city
council the city of Sheffield, Alabama

1428
02:04:37,280 --> 02:04:45,119
as follows. City hereby approves the
acquisition of the Neo Gov power DMS

1429
02:04:42,800 --> 02:04:50,560
benefits core HR payroll time and
attendance onboarding and payroll

1430
02:04:47,119 --> 02:04:55,599
service subscriptions associated setups
substantially in in accordance with the

1431
02:04:52,560 --> 02:04:59,280
order form presented to city council. Uh
the mayor is hereby authorized to

1432
02:04:57,280 --> 02:05:04,400
execute the applicable agreement order
form and such other documents as may be

1433
02:05:01,599 --> 02:05:08,239
reasonably necessary to implement the
services on behalf of the city of

1434
02:05:06,239 --> 02:05:13,360
Sheffield subject to the review and
approval as to form by the city

1435
02:05:10,800 --> 02:05:17,239
attorney. The expenditure of an amount
not to exceed $53,45140

1436
02:05:17,599 --> 02:05:23,360
for the first year term is hereby
authorized from the appropriate city

1437
02:05:20,800 --> 02:05:27,360
fund or account as determined by the
city clerk or treasurer which would be

1438
02:05:26,639 --> 02:05:33,040
the [clears throat]
refund that would be received from the

1439
02:05:29,760 --> 02:05:37,760
2010 grant. Any renewal or expenditure
beyond the approved first year shall

1440
02:05:35,760 --> 02:05:42,159
remain subject to the city's applicable
budget and expenditure authorization

1441
02:05:39,679 --> 02:05:46,599
procedures.
Do I have a motion?

1442
02:05:43,440 --> 02:05:46,599
» So move.

1443
02:05:48,080 --> 02:05:53,199
» Second.
>> Second.

1444
02:05:51,599 --> 02:05:57,560
» All in favor say I.
>> I. All oppose. Same.

1445
02:06:03,920 --> 02:06:10,639
be resolved by the city council of the
city of Sheffield that contribution in

1446
02:06:08,480 --> 02:06:17,320
the amount of $2,500
be and hereby approved

1447
02:06:13,840 --> 02:06:17,320
for the

1448
02:06:18,000 --> 02:06:22,119
Thomas Legacy of Love

1449
02:06:22,159 --> 02:06:28,760
scholarship fund and
it contribution.

1450
02:06:29,679 --> 02:06:33,520
So move.
>> Second.

1451
02:06:31,920 --> 02:06:35,360
» Second. All
>> in favor say I.

1452
02:06:34,800 --> 02:06:38,920
» I.
>> All same.

1453
02:06:48,159 --> 02:06:57,280
» Just case. All right. I got a comment.
>> Now we got public comment. Anybody got

1454
02:06:54,719 --> 02:07:02,960
something they want to say? [laughter]
Yes, ma'am. Please.

1455
02:06:59,760 --> 02:07:06,159
very very quick.
Good evening.

1456
02:07:04,000 --> 02:07:09,760
» I like your shirt. I like your shirt.
Thank you.

1457
02:07:07,520 --> 02:07:14,719
» My name is Valerie Burks and I'm a
co-chair for the Sterling Sheffield High

1458
02:07:12,480 --> 02:07:19,280
Union Committee and I just want to come
here and thank you guys for all of your

1459
02:07:16,400 --> 02:07:23,840
support and everything uh to help us
execute.

1460
02:07:22,159 --> 02:07:30,880
We really would like to thank you for
the uh approval of renaming the park

1461
02:07:26,960 --> 02:07:36,480
from Avalon Park to RS Community Park.
Thank you for the signage uh getting

1462
02:07:33,440 --> 02:07:40,960
that fabricated and installed before the
really appreciate all like to thank the

1463
02:07:39,040 --> 02:07:46,159
police department, the fire department
for their participation. Uh you at the

1464
02:07:43,760 --> 02:07:50,800
open ceremony, superintendent still at
the open ceremony

1465
02:07:48,159 --> 02:07:55,920
uh down at the unveiling. I mean
everything. You guys were great. We had

1466
02:07:52,960 --> 02:08:00,560
a great time. So, fire department, uh,
sanitation department, parks and rec,

1467
02:07:58,560 --> 02:08:04,239
you guys all support. So, just want to
say thanks.

1468
02:08:03,280 --> 02:08:10,480
» Thank you.
>> I'm not asking for anything. [laughter]

1469
02:08:07,920 --> 02:08:10,480
» Thanks.

1470
02:08:14,960 --> 02:08:24,480
And so yeah, the uh I guess the the
other announcement would be rescheduling

1471
02:08:20,320 --> 02:08:28,960
the city uh on taking the bids at 1616
shot.

1472
02:08:26,400 --> 02:08:34,000
Um
>> I got a question. You dropped the ball.

1473
02:08:31,760 --> 02:08:36,320
» I did. Yeah, that's the reason that's
me.

1474
02:08:34,560 --> 02:08:41,119
» So that's the reason because there was a
couple came up last week put in a bid.

1475
02:08:38,480 --> 02:08:46,400
» Oh, we got we got a half dozen or eight?
We got like seven or eight.

1476
02:08:42,880 --> 02:08:49,760
» I got I only got one phone call.
>> I said I got a bunch.

1477
02:08:48,320 --> 02:08:53,800
» So that's the reason they couldn't put a
meeting in.

1478
02:08:50,800 --> 02:08:53,800
» Okay.

1479
02:08:53,840 --> 02:09:03,520
Yeah, sorry. Okay, mayor.
>> Another announcement, mayor, that um

1480
02:09:01,440 --> 02:09:07,119
there's a produce distribution at Food
Bank of North Alabama and Shedville

1481
02:09:04,960 --> 02:09:11,760
Farmers Market, but we'll be providing a
variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

1482
02:09:09,840 --> 02:09:15,040
Uh come by for fresh produce. This event
is free and open to the public. This

1483
02:09:13,199 --> 02:09:19,280
will be on Wednesday, September 16th.
So, that's next Wednesday, correct?

1484
02:09:16,239 --> 02:09:24,480
Yeah. from 11 to 12 at First Missionary
Baptist Church, 11:03 Sterling

1485
02:09:21,760 --> 02:09:27,280
Boulevard, Shan, Alabama. Just want to
make that announce.

1486
02:09:26,000 --> 02:09:31,040
» Okay.
>> And then next Saturday at 9:30,

1487
02:09:30,000 --> 02:09:36,159
» this Saturday.
>> This Saturday

1488
02:09:32,880 --> 02:09:42,400
at 9:30 at Olly Harrisville.
The game is on uh city kickball game.

1489
02:09:40,880 --> 02:09:47,040
» What's it for?
>> It is. Uh Oh, yeah. There's there's a

1490
02:09:44,880 --> 02:09:54,000
reason for it. uh do bring non-p
perishable goods uh with you and those

1491
02:09:50,079 --> 02:09:59,560
will go to kids
and uh it's my team versus even

1492
02:09:59,599 --> 02:10:07,040
this was the event's idea and so we've I
guess been training. Have you been

1493
02:10:04,079 --> 02:10:12,320
training?
Bro, don't be train.

1494
02:10:10,960 --> 02:10:15,920
» But it should be should be a good time
and hopefully we can get a lot of

1495
02:10:14,000 --> 02:10:19,360
donations both monetary and and
donations of canned food, non-p

1496
02:10:17,440 --> 02:10:23,520
perishable foods uh for the city
schools. So, we're excited about it.

1497
02:10:20,960 --> 02:10:31,400
» It it should be it should be a lot of
fun to watch.

1498
02:10:25,440 --> 02:10:31,400
Yeah, I will pull. I got one thing about

1499
02:10:31,440 --> 02:10:36,159
I know y'all know everybody getting
tired when we talk about this

1500
02:10:34,639 --> 02:10:41,599
especially.
Is there any way and I know it shouldn't

1501
02:10:38,560 --> 02:10:45,760
be a hard thing to do at the first of
every month.

1502
02:10:43,360 --> 02:10:49,840
Each one of us have a sheet of checks
and balance what goes in and out of the

1503
02:10:47,920 --> 02:10:53,440
record.
That gonna be I mean I know you're on

1504
02:10:51,599 --> 02:11:00,079
the board so I mean I fig it' be easy
for you to do that for us and that way

1505
02:10:57,440 --> 02:11:05,000
we'll have a record
>> that should go. So that

1506
02:11:07,360 --> 02:11:12,560
» Yeah.
>> Okay.

1507
02:11:10,639 --> 02:11:19,199
» Hey, and
John in that in that in that regard. Get

1508
02:11:15,119 --> 02:11:23,679
with me and um we'll go to that and then
we'll like formally request them to come

1509
02:11:21,920 --> 02:11:27,079
present.
How about that?

1510
02:11:27,920 --> 02:11:35,560
» Let's do that. Okay. Just let me know
what I mean. I just came up with the

1511
02:11:32,560 --> 02:11:35,560
idea

1512
02:11:36,239 --> 02:11:42,280
» the All right. Anybody got anything?
Anybody standing?

1513
02:11:43,280 --> 02:11:50,760
» Do I have a motion to adjurnn? So move
second.

1514
02:11:46,800 --> 02:11:50,760
» All in favor say I.

1515
02:12:27,040 --> 02:12:30,199
It works.

1516
02:12:52,639 --> 02:12:56,639
Thank you.
>> Okay.