Council hears Vehicle Maintenance Department

Clarion Top News

Thursday, 03 March 2022 14:25

Scottsboro City Council held a work session on Monday, February 21, 2022 to discuss several items, the first of which was in regards to changing a job description for the Vehicle Maintenance Department. Currently the job description states that any mechanic applying for a job with the department must be in possession of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with 160 hours of training or attend a program to earn their CDL at a cost of $3,300. The cost of the class would also be added to the cost of their pay and expenses, which run an average of $3,000 – $3,200 at cost to the department. In an effort to eliminate these costs and the risk of paying for all the training only to possibly lose the employee to another agency as soon as they are licensed, the Vehicle Maintenance Department is requesting to remove the CDL requirement from the job description. Instead, the mechanics will be allowed to drive the vehicle on their property, and in the instance that driving it on a public road is necessary, they will hire a licensed driver to drive the vehicle from point A to point B. Council moved this to the next meeting where it will be voted on.
With a new hire for the Building Inspection Department, they are now in need of an additional truck for this new employee. Council also moved this to the next meeting.

Council discussed selecting voting delegates for the upcoming Alabama League of Municipalities convention. One delegate will be allowed to cast one vote for their municipality. This was moved to next week for a vote.

The Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) recently applied for a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Award of $14,805 and was awarded the grant. The grant will be used to purchase 19 portable radios that are required to be split with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office under the grant’s regulations. Currently, SPD is using portable radios that are over 10 years old and aren’t made anymore. Each new portable is in the $800 range, and for the 45 officers SPD currently employs, nine new radios will be handed out. SPD is currently seeking out other grants and funds to secure the other 36 radios that are needed along with any necessary equipment. Council moved this to the next meeting.

The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) recently informed the Scottsboro Fire Department that one of the weather sirens on their property was in need of four batteries replaced. The batteries will run at a cost of $985, and should arrive within three to four weeks. Fire Chief Gene Necklaus was present to discuss adding this to the budget. Council moved this to the next meeting.

Council also announced two vacancies coming up on the Tree Commission. These terms expired on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Anyone interested in applying for one of these vacancies should apply in person at the City Clerk’s office by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.