The Alba City Council met Monday evening, March 2, with a full agenda that included financial questions, policy updates, and the appointment of a new city attorney.

Council members present were Donna Lansdowne, Robert Kraemer, and Tammy Kirkpatrick, with Debi Shaddox arriving during the discussion of the consent agenda. Absent were Mayor Paul Kelbe and council member Tim Westervelt. 

During the consideration of the consent agenda, Kirkpatrick raised several questions concerning insurance payments and the city’s accounting practices. She questioned why insurance funds were being paid from both the Water/Sewer Department and the General Fund. City secretary Lindy McCarty explained to her that half of Assistant Secretary Jenna Trussell’s insurance comes from sewer funds and half from the general fund. Kirkpatrick asked city administrators to review the allocation, stating she believed the amount seemed high.

Kirkpatrick also questioned a significant increase reflected in QuickBooks for the Water/Sewer Department. Kirkpatrick pointed out that the balance sheet showed an end-of-September balance of $31,559. However, between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31, the balance rose to $220,000. McCarty said the increase resulted from a $241,000 adjusting entry made by the city’s auditor for an incomplete sewer project that was ongoing. Kirkpatrick asked for clarification on the actual bank balance and how it is tracked and accounted for. McCarty made a copy of the bank statement for her. 

Lansdowne moved to approve the consent agenda. Kirkpatrick stated she would accept the minutes but not the remainder of the consent agenda, requesting to see the auditor’s adjusting entry chart. The motion did not receive a second and therefore failed.

Council then approved splitting costs for the joint election between AGISD and City Hall. The election will be held at the school. The motion was made by Lansdowne, seconded by Shaddox, and passed unanimously.

Discussion followed regarding lunch break policy and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidance. Kirkpatrick referenced information indicating that lunch breaks under 20 minutes are compensable and not considered unpaid breaks, noting this appeared to contradict the city’s current personnel policy. She stated employees are not required to take a lunch break. Kraemer suggested amending the personnel policy to align with FLSA guidance, and discussion was held about possible revisions.

Under consideration of a new city attorney, Kraemer reported contacting several attorneys with little success. Phillip Alexander of Emory was present at the meeting, and identified as the only viable candidate. Alexander currently serves as city attorney for the City of Emory and proposed a contract of $1,500 per month, which includes up to 7.5 hours of service, with additional hours billed at $200 per hour. The contract includes meeting attendance, either in person or via Zoom. His rates are lower than other candidates contacted, but higher than the city’s previous attorney. Lansdowne made the motion to appoint Alexander, Kirkpatrick seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Items eight and nine of the agenda, regarding an unauthorized discharge on Feb. 14th at the ALS lift station and the following “Whistleblower Letter,” were tabled until the next meeting. The item had been placed on the agenda by Paul Kelbe, who was not present. A pump failure was mentioned during brief discussion. 

The council next addressed fuel charges incurred by McCarty. Minutes from 1993 allowed for one tank of gas per month at a rate of $20 for city-related errands. Kirkpatrick noted that fuel costs now exceed $20 per month and made a motion to rescind the flat allotment in favor of using a mileage log for reimbursement. Lansdowne seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Reimbursement will now be based on documented mileage.

Kirkpatrick next stated the Water/Sewer budget appeared “upside down” due to bond payments and indicated income should be increased by $121,000, which would place the fund in the red. Council ultimately voted not to amend the budget, stating the amounts were already accounted for in the existing budget.

Kirkpatrick also proposed amendments to the city’s current policies that would create additional internal checks and balances. She recommended requiring department heads to confirm expenses monthly and provide reports to council members, stating that this process is supposed to occur but currently is not. Lansdowne opposed the measure, calling some concerns “nit-picking” and noting that many procedures have been in place for 10 to 15 years. She stated the mayor is the chief officer responsible for the city, with the city secretary answering to the mayor and the council overseeing all matters. Shaddox supported added oversight, referencing her experience working for a Fortune 500 company and stating supervisors should double-check charges monthly. Kirkpatrick made the motion, Shaddox seconded, and the measure passed 3–1, with Lansdowne opposed.

Kirkpatrick presented edits to reorganize the personnel policy by adding section headings, grouping leave policies, and creating an index. She stated the current edits are organizational only, with amendments addressing actual policy to be considered at a later date. Lansdowne made the motion to approve the edits, Shaddox seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Kirkpatrick will complete the editing process and present it for formal approval next month.

Council also discussed whether to discontinue Dish Network service at City Hall or consider a less expensive streaming option. First responders are required to have 24/7 access to news and information. The current cost is $106 per month. Kirkpatrick encouraged exploring cost-saving alternatives and possible first responder discounts. Lansdowne made a motion directing McCarty and Trussell to shop for alternatives, and the motion passed unanimously.

Under another item, it was noted that voluntary charges collected by the Water/Sewer Department for the Alba Volunteer Fire Department had been incorrectly entered as credits rather than directed to the VFD. Trussell has been instructed on the correct procedure, and no vote was required.

Council amended the May 2 election order after Kirkpatrick contacted the Secretary of State regarding confusion over at-large positions versus places. The amended order specifies places rather than listing candidate names. Lansdowne made the motion to accept the amended order, Kirkpatrick seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

The council discussed filling a part-time City Hall position. Several candidates were interviewed, and Lindy McCarty was recommended at $18 per hour for one to two days per week, totaling $14,976 annually at two days per week. To comply with Social Security requirements, hours must remain under 1,000 annually. With McCarty retiring at the end of April, council was reminded not to delay the decision too long. Lansdowne made a motion to table the item until next month, Shaddox seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

During citizen comments, Anthony Grisham, who said he has attended the past two meetings, addressed the council regarding member conduct. He stated he found the interactions between council members concerning and expressed disappointment in what he described as disrespectful behavior, urging members (specifically naming Kirkpatrick) to treat one another better.