Madison City Council Regular Meeting - November 24, 2025

The Madison City Council held its regular meeting on November 24, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The agenda included approval of minutes, a presentation on the new community calendar, public comments, a finance committee report, council member reports, board appointments, a public hearing on a rezoning request, several department reports, and an executive session for economic development discussions. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Regular bills: Routine and periodic bills were approved as part of the finance committee report.
• Resolution 2025-382-R: Authorized agreements with Canon Financial Services and The Lioce Group for rental and maintenance of multi-function network devices across city departments ($4,973.95/month for 36 months, allocated among department budgets).
• Resolution 2025-383-R: Authorized a similar agreement for the Madison Public Library ($485.85/month for 36 months from the Library Fund).
• Reimbursement to Intergraph Corporation: Authorized $107,287.50 from the Contingency Budget for property tax proration related to prior property purchases (Public Safety Annex and Fitness Center properties).
• Equipment Donation: Accepted a $10,000 railroad crossing camera and monitoring solution from Creative Cities, pursuant to a contractor agreement with Launch Broadband.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One member of the public addressed the council, criticizing the previous executive session that excluded the public and alleging that a former council member, DJ Klein, has received approximately $2 million in city funds through his company, Launch Broadband. The speaker opposed any tax increases, claiming the need for sales tax is driven by debt payments rather than infrastructure. He urged transparency and opposed blind siding by the council.

Discussion Items

• Approval of Minutes: Council approved the minutes of the regular meeting on November 10, 2025, and the organizational meeting on November 3, 2025. A correction was noted regarding the nomination for the Police Advisory Committee (listed as Mara should be the council member for that district).
• Community Calendar Presentation: Didra Briscoe, Communications and External Affairs Officer, presented the new community calendar on the city website, allowing residents to view and subscribe to events. Events can also be added via email. Mayor Bartlett encouraged council members to share the resource.
• Council Member Reports: Mayor Bartlett reported on Veterans Day events, Christmas decorations, and the swearing-in of the first pup mayor. Council members reported on their district activities, including attendance at the Civic Awareness Academy, recognition of first responders, updates on park improvements (Palmer Park LED lighting, traffic flow), Parks and Recreation field restoration, tours of fire stations, Chamber of Commerce news, Madison Senior Center programs, and the open District 7 police advisory committee position.
• Board/Committee Appointments: Council appointed Councilmember Billie Goodson to the Huntsville-Madison County Emergency Management Agency by acclamation (unanimous).
• Public Hearing – Rezoning Request (Ordinance 2025-307): A public hearing was held to consider rezoning 1.28 acres at the northwest corner of Hughes Road and Eastview Drive from R-1A (low-density residential) to B-2 (community business). Planning staff presented that the property has been vacant, and the owner tried unsuccessfully to sell as residential. The comprehensive plan recommends commercial use. The Planning Commission had voted 7-1 to recommend approval. Residents Valerie Miles and her husband (across the street) expressed safety concerns about exiting their driveway due to heavy traffic and requested consideration. Resident RG Daly also cited traffic and safety issues at the intersection, questioning the adequacy of the traffic signal and asking about permitted uses (e.g., liquor sales). Staff clarified that liquor stores are not permitted in B-2, and any alcohol sales at a restaurant or convenience store would require separate approval. Council discussed the comprehensive plan, traffic impact, and setback standards. The matter was approved.
• Engineering Department Reports:
  • Resolution 2025-377-R: Approved $4,500 to Kimley-Horn for additional survey work on a right-of-way parcel for the Hardiman/Burgreen road improvement project.
  • Resolution 2025-379-R: Accepted Bellawoods Subdivision Phase 4 into the city maintenance program, with bonds covering defects for two years.
  • Resolution 2025-380-R: Accepted The Heights at Town Madison Phase 15 into the city maintenance program.
• Planning Department Report (First Reading): Ordinance 2025-378 was introduced to vacate a portion of a utility and drainage easement at 170 Rainbow Glen Circle to allow a fire pit and gazebo. No action was taken; it will return for a vote at the next meeting.
• Police Department Report: Resolution 2025-376-R was approved, accepting a Safety-First Grant of $14,914 from Norfolk Southern Corporation for the police drone program, to be deposited into the Police Donations account.
• Executive Session: The city attorney advised the council to enter executive session under Alabama law to discuss economic development negotiations. Council voted unanimously to convene and subsequently adjourned the meeting without returning to open session or taking further votes.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of November 3 and November 10 approved (both unanimous).
• Consent Calendar approved (unanimous), including regular bills, two copier agreements, Intergraph reimbursement, and Creative Cities donation.
• Board appointment: Billie Goodson appointed to Huntsville-Madison County EMA (acclamation).
• Rezoning approved: Ordinance 2025-307 passed unanimously (7-0) to rezone 1.28 acres from R-1A to B-2.
• Engineering resolutions approved: 2025-377-R ($4,500 to Kimley-Horn), 2025-379-R (Bellawoods Phase 4 acceptance), 2025-380-R (Heights at Town Madison Phase 15 acceptance) – all unanimous.
• First reading of easement vacation: No vote; scheduled for second reading on December 8.
• Police grant accepted: Resolution 2025-376-R approved unanimously.
• Executive session: Council entered executive session and adjourned without further public action.