Madison City Council Regular Meeting Summary – January 12, 2026

The Madison City Council met at 6:00 PM on Monday, January 12, 2026, in Council Chambers. Mayor Ranae Bartlett and all seven councilmembers were present, with Council President Maura Wroblewski presiding. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor John Dees of CrossPointe Church and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Council approved minutes from the December 17, 2025 work session and the December 22, 2025 regular meeting. No amendments were made to the agenda. Unless otherwise noted, votes were unanimous.

Presentations, Awards, and Recognitions

• Driver/Paramedic Tyler Drew was recognized as the 2026 Madison Fire & Rescue Firefighter of the Year. Drew has served for seven years and was promoted to driver in 2025.
• Nathan Hankins was promoted to Captain and Michael Sedlacek to Battalion Chief, effective January 5, 2026, in a badge-pinning ceremony.
• Life Saving Awards were presented for a December 25, 2025 cardiac-arrest rescue involving Madison Fire & Rescue and HEMSI personnel. The team delivered six defibrillations, including three dual-sequential shocks, and restored a sustainable heart rhythm.
• Debbie Overcash of the Madison Station Historic Preservation Society presented 2025 holiday awards, including Christmas Capers, Christmas Tree Trail, and Christmas Parade honors. Winners included Madison Senior Center, Southernscape, Madison Greenway and Trails, SRM Concrete, Blue Origin, and Rocket City Dance Company.
• Animal Control Officer Cody Burris and Communications Officer Samantha Magnuson shared the story of Pogo, a stray dog whose injured leg required amputation. The community raised $6,200, far exceeding the $2,000 goal; Pogo was adopted by the Magnuson family, and remaining funds were earmarked for future animal medical needs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Eric J. Bright (District 2) thanked city staff for the Civic Awareness Academy and asked the Council, Mayor, and Police Chief not to make statements similar to those made by Minneapolis officials regarding federal agents. He said federal agencies acting constitutionally should be supported, not interfered with.
• Several speakers, including Mr. Hergamroder, school board members Tess Hallbrooks, Carol Welsh, Scott Newberry, Board President Travis Cummings, Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols, and the PTA Council president (Mrs. Edwards), spoke in favor of continuing the half-cent sales tax for Madison City Schools. Dr. Nichols cited growth of 300–350 new students per year and about $183 million in pressing capital needs, including expansions at both high schools.
• Margie Daly, a 22-year resident, criticized recipients of federal PPP funds, alleged that Madison had abused PPP funds and that council members had taken such funds, and called for more scrutiny of federal funds and voter rolls.
• Alex Fuller, a Clift Farm area resident, opposed the proposed Costco annexation agreement, saying a 40-year commitment of 3% of sales tax revenue to a private developer would be a long-term transfer of public wealth and asked the Council to reconsider or renegotiate.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the December 17, 2025 work session and December 22, 2025 regular meeting were approved.
• Annual FY26 appropriations were approved for the Madison Beautification and Tree Board ($7,500), Madison City Community Orchestra ($4,000), Huntsville Botanical Garden ($20,000), Crisis Services of North Alabama ($20,000), and Madison County Health Department ($30,000).
• A donation totaling $2,440 was accepted from V. Hallman, C. Johnson, and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church parishioners for Senior Center programming and the Homebound Meal Program.

Reports and Announcements

• Mayor Bartlett presented Resolution 2026-042-R, accepting a $100,000 ADECA grant for the Public Safety Training Tower; it passed.
• The Mayor also announced the passing of former City Clerk Betty Benson Drake (served 1973–1994) and said a resolution honoring her life would be brought to a future meeting.
• Councilmembers announced upcoming items: street sweeping through mid-February, Madison City Schools pre-K applications opening January 15, the Madison Chamber photo contest, the Senior Center Sages and Seekers program, and a warning that the City does not offer digital payment for planning applications.

Board/Committee Appointments

• Lisa Laurendine was appointed to seat 5 of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals, with a term expiring December 31, 2028.
• Richard Travers was appointed to the Madison Police Citizens Advisory Committee for District 2.

Public Hearings

• Resolution 2026-033-R: An on-premises beer and wine license was approved for Om Shanti - Raghav Inc., doing business as Kohinoor Indian Cuisine, at 12110 County Line Road, Suite A.
• Resolution 2026-034-R: An off-premises beer and wine license was approved for Murphy Oil USA Inc., doing business as Murphy USA #7984, at 101 Grace Scott Way.
• No public comments were offered during either hearing.

Department Reports

• Engineering: Resolution 2026-035-R awarded the County Line Road and Royal Drive Improvements Phase 1 project to Rogers Group, Inc. for $1,698,000; the bid came in under budget. Ordinance 2025-408 was adopted to make non-substantive, ADECA-required formatting and consistency changes to the city flood damage prevention ordinance.
• Human Resources: Resolution 2026-026-R approved an Engineering Department reorganization without adding personnel. Resolution 2026-027-R approved Facilities Department title and grade changes, moving eight positions from Recreation to Facilities. Resolution 2026-028-R approved a Parks & Recreation reorganization creating a deputy director and two assistant director positions; staff said the changes were budget-neutral.
• Legal: Ordinance 2025-413 authorized Madison Utilities to dispose of surplus personal property, including motors, a forklift, trucks, and heavy equipment. Ordinance 2026-036 received a first reading; it would lift the sunset on the half-cent sales tax dedicated to the Board of Education, dedicate revenue to school construction and general school purposes, and allow limited carve-outs for large economic development projects, including Costco. Final consideration was set for January 26.
• Planning: Ordinance 2025-409 vacated a portion of a utility and drainage easement at 157 Shalerock Drive. Resolution 2026-037-R authorized the annexation agreement with Clift Home Place LLC for the Costco property, which includes a 164,000-square-foot store, a gas station, and about 23.69 acres plus 0.87 acres of right-of-way. The city currently receives no tax revenue from this property. Under the agreement, the city will receive property, liquor, gas, and 0.5% sales tax revenue; the developer will receive 3% of taxable sales for 40 years; the existing 2% development fee will end; and the Board of Education will gain property tax revenue. The annexation would become effective February 18. The agreement passed 6–1, with Councilmember Jackson dissenting after calling the 3%/40-year provision unprecedented and disadvantageous to future negotiations. Ordinance 2025-421 assented to the annexation of the 8094 Highway 72 West property. Resolution 2026-031-R set a February 9, 2026 public hearing on B3 zoning for the Costco property. Resolutions 2026-029-R and 2026-030-R accepted pedestrian, utility, and drainage easements at 8721 Madison Boulevard (the former Radisson Inn property) to support hotel redevelopment and future Singing River Trail connectivity.
• Police: Resolution 2026-040-R amended the Trident Security Solutions, LLC agreement for City Hall security services for an additional year at $172,380.
• Recreation: Resolution 2026-038-R authorized a professional services agreement with Cristina Lynn for yoga instruction at no cost to the city, with course fees of $12–$15 per person. Resolution 2026-039-R awarded the playground equipment installation bid to Struthers Recreation, LLC for $119,715.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved, with the Costco annexation agreement as the only split vote (6–1).
• Ordinance 2026-036 was introduced for first reading and will return for a second reading/final vote on January 26, 2026.
• A public hearing on zoning the Costco property B3 is scheduled for February 9, 2026.
• The Council scheduled a work session for January 29, 2026.
• The meeting adjourned after miscellaneous announcements and a motion to adjourn.