Alba’s acting mayor Robert Kraemer opened Monday night’s City Council meeting with a special prayer for unity.

“We ask for Your Spirit of unity to be present among us. Help us to put aside any personal agendas or differences and work together in harmony toward Your common goal. Remind us of the words in Psalm 133:1 – ‘Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity!’” Kraemer prayed. “Let this be our desire as we engage in discussions and make decisions that impact others.”

The prayer seems to have been answered, as the heightened feeling of tension culpable in last month’s meeting was largely kept at bay Monday.

With city attorney Leigh Thompson’s advice, the board voted to limit city office access to city employees and those who have “a valid purpose.” Those who have legitimate business in the office will use a sign-in sheet to specify “who they are, why they’re there, and who they’re there to see,” according to alderwoman Debbie Shaddox. The motion passed; although no opportunity was provided for those opposing the vote, alderwoman Tammy Kelbe did not vote in favor of the motion.

After discussion, the board voted to post the position of retiring Public Works Director Paul Kelbe in the Wood County Monitor and with the Texas Municipal League.

Kelbe is retiring in February but may continue on as a contractor while his replacement is trained, found or licensed.

While it was ultimately tabled for the future, the city council extensively discussed the Alba City Handbook’s wording on vacation time in the personnel policy.

The council hopes to change confusing wording to allow city employees to be able to carry over vacation time in extenuating circumstances.

“I just didn’t want people to get in a position where they, in that 12th month, they earn the rest of their vacation time, but they can’t take it, because they’ve lost it. I want some way to either carry it over or they can borrow it in earlier months,” said alderwoman Tammy Kirkpatrick. 

Alongside Thompson, Kirkpatrick will continue perfecting a draft of the proposed changes, and any alterations will be discussed at a future meeting.

The council voted to accept the new park rules ordinance and an ordinance adopting and clarifying rules and regulations for establishing a city council agenda.

Other items tabled in the January meeting include the presentation by David Craig on the width of Mockingbird Street and a clarification/executive session discussion regarding the pay methods for Alba Police Chief Juan Ramirez.