Regular Meeting of the Madison City Council – December 8, 2025

The Madison City Council held its regular meeting on December 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, presided over by Mayor Ranae Bartlett. All eight council members were present. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Josh Britt of Courageous Church and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions included approval of consent agenda items, public comments, a major debate on joining litigation against the Alabama Department of Revenue regarding the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT), approval of police pay scale adjustments, and several departmental resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Resolution No. 2025-330-R through 2025-334-R: Annual appropriation agreements with Madison Chamber of Commerce ($100,000), Huntsville-Madison County EMA ($68,038), National Children's Advocacy Center ($30,000), Huntsville Hospital Foundation ($7,500), and Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau ($55,000) for FY26 from the General Operating account.
• Approved Resolution No. 2025-390-R: One-year subscription agreement with Wow! Business for internet services at 1282 Hughes Road ($75.99/month from IT budget).
• Approved Resolution No. 2025-391-R and 2025-392-R: Agreements with Alabama Fiber Network for internet services at 101 Main Street and the Public Safety Annex (each $527.25/month from IT budget).
• Approved Resolution No. 2025-398-R: Amendment No. 2 to the General Capital Improvement Fund confirming a budget of $5,845,000 for the Public Safety Annex project.
• Accepted a $500 donation from Dads of Palmer Place for the Special Needs Visibility Art Crawl Event.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Maggie Minsk (District not stated): Urged the council to publicly commit that Madison police officers will intervene against unlawful acts by federal agents and that city resources will not be used for immigration enforcement operations, citing Minneapolis as a model. She asked for a public affirmation to protect constitutional rights and build community trust.
• DJ Klein (representing Launch Broadband, LLC, not a Madison resident but historically tied to the city): Corrected statements made at the November 22nd meeting, asserting that claims he received $1.9 million in city tax dollars are false. He stated the city contributed approximately $1,800 in additional equipment (invoiced but not collected) and that his company does not perform construction work within Madison. He described the accusations as defamatory and harmful to his reputation and business.
• Margie Daly (District not stated): Presented cost figures for the city's stadium project, totaling over $103 million (including principal and interest from 2017–2025) based on city agendas and audits. She also mentioned a $2 million revenue shortfall at the school last year. She criticized the city for denying her Freedom of Information requests and stated she may sue if necessary.
• John Seiford (District 7, former council member): Urged the council to vote against joining the SSUT lawsuit. He argued the council was not adequately informed (having only learned about SSUT five days prior), that lawsuits damage relationships, and that it would be better to work directly with state legislators to solve the issue.

Discussion Items

• SSUT Litigation (Resolution No. 2025-406-R): The main discussion centered on whether to join the City of Tuscaloosa's lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Revenue challenging the administration of the Simplified Sellers Use Tax.
  • Arguments in favor of joining (Councilmembers Wroblewski, Goodson, Lessmann, White, Jackson and Mayor Bartlett): Emphasized fiduciary duty to taxpayers, noting that Madison loses an estimated $2.1 million (conservatively) to $4 million (projected) annually under the current SSUT structure. They argued that waiting for legislative action (potentially 2027) is unacceptable and that joining the lawsuit secures a seat at the table. They also cited that cities such as Mountain Brook, Foley, Hoover, Alabaster, and Mobile have joined.
  • Arguments against joining (Councilmembers McKay and Bier): Raised concerns about political repercussions, strain on relationships with the county and state, direct and indirect costs of litigation, and uncertain outcomes. McKay stated he felt unprepared after only one month in office. Bier proposed a alternative: supporting the lawsuit without joining it, similar to Decatur's action. He argued that legislative lobbying is a better path and noted Huntsville and Athens have not joined.
  • Amendment: Councilmember Bier moved to amend the resolution to express support for the lawsuit but not join it. The amendment was seconded by McKay but failed 2-5 (Bier and McKay voting aye; all others nay).
  • Final vote: The original resolution authorizing Madison to join the litigation passed 5-2 (Goodson, Wroblewski, Lessmann, White, Jackson aye; Bier, McKay nay).
• Police Compensation Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2025-387): First reading with a request to suspend rules for immediate consideration. The ordinance creates a new pay scale for sworn police officers, adjusts dispatcher pay for 12-hour shifts, folds supplemental pay into base pay, and changes on-call pay from a flat $20 to one hour of straight time. The council voted unanimously to suspend rules and then unanimously approved the ordinance.
• Public Hearing – Restaurant Retail Liquor License: Resolution No. 2025-393-R for Chikinjip-Madison LLC at 12120 County Line Rd, Suite A. No public speakers. Approved unanimously.
• Court (Resolution No. 2025-394-R): Replaced retiring Presiding Judge Thomas Parker with Judge Aaron Ryan (promoted from Associate Judge) and appointed Nathan Wake as Associate Judge. Approved unanimously.
• Engineering Resolutions:
  • Resolution No. 2025-381-R: Acceptance of RS Madison Subdivision into the city maintenance program. Approved.
  • Resolution No. 2025-388-R: Amendment #1 to contract with Ivaldi Engineering for survey services at Powell and Burgreen Intersection ($1,200). Approved.
  • Resolution No. 2025-389-R: Professional services agreement with TTL for design of Eastview Sidewalk extension from McAdoo Drive to Metaire Lane ($57,100). Approved.
  • Resolution No. 2025-399-R: Contractor agreement with Wiregrass for additional inlet concrete work on Pumphouse Road drainage ($7,698.96). Approved.
• Planning (Ordinance No. 2025-378): Vacation of utility and drainage easement at 170 Rainbow Glen Circle (Lot 36, Rainbow Landing Phase 5) to accommodate a gazebo. Utilities and staff approved; variance granted by Zoning Board of Adjustment in November. Second reading and approved unanimously.
• Police (Resolution No. 2025-395-R): Property use agreement with SRI America, Inc. for emergency driver training at the old Donat Trap track (no cost). Approved.
• Recreation Resolutions:
  • Resolution No. 2025-400-R: Amendment to fee schedule with Sharon Rivers Officiating for volleyball/basketball officials. Approved.
  • Resolution No. 2025-401-R: Professional services agreement with Lydia Zaclis Devenny and Lynnda Wile for line dancing instructor services (no charge to city, $5 per person). Approved.
  • Resolution No. 2025-402-R: Professional services agreement with Tiffani Tucker for woodworking instructor services (no charge to city, $50–60 per person). Approved.

Key Outcomes

• SSUT Litigation (Resolution 2025-406-R): Passed 5-2 (Goodson, Wroblewski, Lessmann, White, Jackson aye; Bier, McKay nay). Madison joins the City of Tuscaloosa's lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Revenue.
• Police Compensation (Ordinance 2025-387): Passed unanimously after suspending rules. New pay scale and benefits effective for the pay period beginning December 22, 2025.
• Other items: All resolutions and the ordinance on easement vacation passed unanimously.
• Appointments: Matt Dermody appointed to Seat 2 of the Recreation Advisory Board; Carlos Woods appointed to the Police Citizens Advisory Committee (District 7) – both unanimously.
• Next tentative meeting: Work session scheduled for December 17, 2025 (pending confirmation).