Madison City Council Regular Meeting, March 9, 2026

The City Council of Madison, Alabama held its regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, approval of minutes, presentations, public comments, consent agenda, committee reports, board appointments, public hearings, department reports, and adjournment. Two agenda items were removed prior to the meeting: Resolution No. 2026-104-R (MOU with Monrovia Volunteer Fire District) and Resolution No. 2026-111-R (GIS consortium MOU) due to pending coordination.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Resolution No. 2026-021-R: Annual appropriation of $5,000 to Grandparents As Parents for FY 26.
• Approved Resolution No. 2026-022-R: Annual appropriation of $5,000 to the Food Bank of North Alabama for FY 26.
• Accepted insurance settlement of $37,815.24 (minus $1,000 deductible) for a police vehicle accident (Claim No. 065307CD).
• Accepted a donation of $27,000 from Madison Visionary Partners for Community Center construction expenses. All items passed unanimously (7-0).

Presentations and Awards

• Mayor Ranae Bartlett presented a proclamation designating March 30, 2026, as Women-Owned Business Day in Madison to Ashley Engles-Ross, Vice President of Small Business, Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce.
• Mayor Bartlett presented a framed City Coin to former Madison County Commissioner Mac McCutcheon in recognition of his retirement. McCutcheon expressed gratitude and highlighted the value of servant leadership.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jay Allison (District 5, President of Madison Baseball Association) expressed strong support for recent improvements at Palmer Park, including new backstops, LED lights, a paved parking lot, a left-turn lane at the entrance, and ongoing rehabilitation of two fields. He noted that Madison Baseball has committed nearly $100,000 from its capital budget for further park enhancements.
• John Burke (District 5, Highland Lakes) raised concerns about a drainage easement obstructed for four years, causing water pooling and mosquito problems. He urged the council to make drainage easement enforcement a recurring agenda priority.

Board/Committee Appointments

• Appointed Kate Rogers to the Madison Beautification and Tree Board with a term expiring March 10, 2028 (unanimous).

Public Hearings

• Proposed Ordinance No. 2026-024: Zoning of 2.3 acres (Lots 41-43, Morris Estates) to R-1A (Low Density Residential) upon annexation. No public comment; passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 2026-099-R: Costco Wholesale request for a Lounge Retail Liquor - Class II (Package) License at 8094 B Highway 72 West. No public comment; passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 2026-100-R: Costco Wholesale request for an Off-Premises Beer and Wine License at 8094 Highway 72 West. No public comment; passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Council Reports: Council members provided updates on community events, including the Montgomery trip, short-term rental survey, park improvements, chess championships, firefighter retirements, and neighborhood park upgrades. Several members emphasized the importance of green space preservation and public input on short-term rentals.
• Resolution No. 2026-108-R (District 2): Authorized $5,295 from the Council Special Projects Fund for a self-serve kiosk at the Wellness Center for 24/7 first responder access, with a $600 annual fee from Parks and Recreation budget. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 2026-097-R: Designated Councilmember Alice Lessmann as primary voting delegate and Councilmember Kenneth Jackson as alternate for the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention (April 28-May 1, 2026). Passed unanimously.

Department Reports

• Engineering: Approved Resolution No. 2026-091-R, a Professional Services Agreement with S&ME, Inc. for FY2026 outfall inspections and illicit discharge screening ($17,930 from Stormwater Budget). Passed unanimously.
• Finance: Presented first reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 2026-102, amending bulk trash collection fees to cover a monthly deficit of $25,000. The net impact is approximately $1.55 per month per residence, with a 4% increase at the start of the next fiscal year. Second reading scheduled for March 23, 2026.
• Fire & Rescue: Approved Resolution No. 2026-103-R, a listing and marketing commission agreement with Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus, LLC, for sale of a 2002 Saulsbury fire engine (10% commission). The engine's pump is non-functional; previous GovDeals attempts had no bids. Passed unanimously.
• Legal:
  • First reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 2026-109, updating the public records fee schedule (unchanged since 2012) and adding a $25 minimum processing charge. Second reading on March 23, 2026.
  • Approved Resolution No. 2026-101-R, renewing the annual inmate housing agreement with Madison County at $60 per inmate per day plus $5 booking fee (no rate change). Passed unanimously.
• Planning:
  • Approved Proposed Ordinance No. 2026-025 (annexation of 2.3 acres, Morris Estates). Passed unanimously.
  • Approved Proposed Ordinance No. 2026-059 (vacation of utility/drainage easement at 52 Green Creek Road). Passed unanimously.
  • Approved Proposed Ordinance No. 2026-075 (vacation of utility/drainage easement at 480 Production Avenue). Passed unanimously.
  • Approved Resolution No. 2026-093-R, setting a public hearing for April 13, 2026, on zoning 0.39 acres at 7609 US Highway 72 W to B3 (General Business) for a proposed liquor store. Passed unanimously.
  • First reading of Proposed Ordinance No. 2026-095 (annexation of the same 0.39 acres). Second reading will occur with the zoning public hearing.
  • Approved Resolution No. 2026-096-R, accepting a 3.53-acre floodway parcel (south of Shalerock Drive) for FEMA compliance. Passed unanimously.
• Police: Approved Resolution No. 2026-106-R, a Memorandum of Understanding with Gunbusters (Mobile, AL) for firearm destruction services at no cost to the city. Passed unanimously.
• Recreation: Approved Resolution No. 2026-107-R, a Professional Services Agreement with Chris Welch for pickleball instruction ($50 per class). Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All votes on resolutions and ordinances (except the first set of minutes with one abstention) were unanimously approved with 7 ayes, unless otherwise noted.
• Two first-reading ordinances (bulk trash fees and public records fees) were introduced and will be brought back for second reading on March 23, 2026.
• The public hearing for the 0.39-acre B3 zoning is set for April 13, 2026.
• The council adopted the consent calendar, approved appointments, and moved forward with several contracts and agreements.
• An agenda note: two items were removed prior to the meeting; no votes were taken on them.