Steele City Council meets

The Steele City Council met in regular session Monday, Aug. 7. The first item discussed was the payment of the bills. The council agreed to pay the $31,546.80.

Citizens of Steele were present to discuss several concerns. One was there to ask if the city wanted to sale some lawn mowers that they are in possession of. Alderman Richard Shuburte said to place an ad in the paper for citizens to bid on the appliances.

Eddie Rodgers was present to talk about the Morning Star Baptist Church’s water bill. “We have a roller coaster water bill.” After much discussion, Alderman Shuburte suggested he turn the meter off before leaving the church in order to determine where the problem lies.

One citizen was there to talk about the potholes on Gifford Street. The aldermen determined that Gifford Street should be the first street to be fixed in town.

Citizens also asked about getting portable or permanent toilet stalls at the Steele City Park. Mayor Keith Samford said the matter had been discussed before and $1,000 was already in the account for the toilets.

The chicken ordinance was discussed. Alderman Shuburte said, “I think it would help get it passed if they had a 6-foot privacy fence to keep the chickens inside, instead of them upsetting the dogs. And then when it comes to the penalties, when they have a violation, I think the first violation instead of saying it could go up to $500, I think the first time should be $50, no credit.” After discussing with Steele City Attorney Lawrence Dorroh, the aldermen decided to rewrite the ordinance and discuss the matter at the next meeting.

The council passed a motion to change the ordinance on the probation period from six months to three months on the insurance.

Next, the council talked about vandalisms at the Joe A. Saliba Memorial Park. Mayor Samford said, “The bathrooms keep getting vandalized. They tore up the men’s bathroom, and they’ve had fires in there. I really think we should start locking the bathrooms, at least at night.” Steele Police Chief Billy Joe Stanfield said, “As far as locking the bathroom doors or securing the gates, if you want the police to do it, we’d be happy to do it. I think it would be a deterrent. We just need to know what times to do it. Some walk early in the mornings.”

Mayor Samford said Derek Williams asked to be hired on full time. Council passed a motion to hire Williams and give him a 25-cent per hour raise. Steele City Code Enforcer Verlon Barnard requested a $1 per hour raise. The council agreed to give Barnard a 50-cent raise. The council also gave Officer Katie Sides a $1 per hour raise.

Steele Police Captain Randy Trimm asked to be reimbursed for boots he bought in the amount of $148.47. The council passed a motion to reimburse Trimm.

The humane officer’s truck is needing repairs that amount to $5,500. The council decided to take $2,500 out of the police car fund, $2,000 out of the humane shelter fund and $1,000 out of the capital improvements fund to repair the truck.

B&E Athletics, the gym who wants to hook up to Steele’s sewer, was the next item discussed. “It’s going to take a grinder pump system. I wanted to know what to charge them. I was thinking they could pay for the normal hookup, plus an extra fee every month.” The council agreed to charge them an extra $50 a month for hookup to the city’s water and sewer system.

Mayor Samford said the radio payment ($6,201) was not factored into the budget for the year. He asked if he could use the tourism funds to pay for it. The council agreed.

Thomas “Chris” Jones was present to address some concerns he has with the Steele Police Department. After much discussion, Jones was asked to come back the next day and fill out a complaint sheet.