Madison City Council Meeting - September 28, 2026

The Madison City Council held its regular meeting on September 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting opened with an invocation from Pastor Matthew Bentley of Skyline Baptist Church, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. All seven council members were present, establishing a quorum. The agenda was amended to add a software support agreement for the Fire and Rescue Department. The council approved minutes from previous meetings, recognized American Legion Boys and Girls State participants, heard public comments on three topics, and passed all resolutions and ordinances unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the September 9 work session and September 14 regular meeting were approved as written.
• Consent agenda items (including disposition of surplus property (Dodge Charger), insurance claim deductible, $25,000 payment from Madison County Commission for ARPA funds, finance reports, and a $1.18 million payment to Athens Utilities for rate correction) were approved. Item 9E (Resolution 2026-394R) for a software support agreement with ESRI Incorporated for Madison Fire and Rescue ($2,935) was added and included.
• Finance committee report accepted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Clay Barker (District 5) – Opposed the use of Flock Safety license plate reader cameras, citing privacy concerns, potential data sharing with third parties and foreign governments, and lack of public input. He petitioned for their immediate removal.
• Nicholas Antoine (District 3) – Requested safety improvements on Pinch and Roll Road, including sidewalks and tree removal, due to dangerous speeding and insufficient pedestrian infrastructure. He noted that children now avoid walking there out of fear.
• Kim D’Alessandro (District 5) – Expressed appreciation for the Madison Senior Center but raised concerns about management issues at the senior center. She requested: (1) improved communication and respect toward seniors, (2) establishment of a resident advisory committee, (3) suspension of a policy that would confiscate unfinished ceramics projects by end of September because of scheduling disruptions, and (4) professional management training.
• Elizabeth Gibson (District 5) – Echoed concerns about the senior center’s adversarial management, lack of communication, and a perceived hidden agenda to remove the ceramics class. She cited the firing of the ceramics teacher and a past poor move from Hughes Road.
• Cindy Trusty (District 7) – Described a toxic environment at the senior center, including harassment and bullying by an employee, and recounted instances of denied volunteer teaching opportunities, abrupt firing of the ceramics teacher, lack of notification, and a policy to seize unfinished artworks. She provided documentation.
• Marie Williams (no district given) – Reported that seniors were locked in the ceramics room and denied access to their work areas. She called for a management review at the senior center.

Discussion Items

• Mayor Bartlett’s Report: Congratulated the Trash Pandas on their Southern League championship (celebration postponed to 2027). Announced a tour of the new Russell Branch Elementary School, praised Madison City Schools’ 30 National Merit semifinalists, and summarized the Big Ten Mayors meeting focused on declining sales tax receipts and internet sales tax diversion. Upcoming events: Civic Awareness Academy (Sept. 29) and swim community listening session for the new aquatic facility (Sept. 29 at 5:30 PM).
• Councilmember Updates: Included recognition of American Legion for sponsoring Boys/Girls State, road resurfacing projects, upcoming festivals, and various community events and volunteer activities.
• Board Appointment: Ted Goodson was nominated and appointed to Place 3 of the Madison Utilities Board for a term from 2026 to 2032. No other nominations were made.
• Department Reports:
  • Engineering: Resolution 2026-353R authorized an aid-to-construct agreement with Huntsville Utilities for electrical work at the Slaughter and Eastview traffic signal ($2,766.88). Approved.
  • Facilities: Resolution approved for architectural programming phase for the Madison Aquatic Facility ($22,000). Generator inspection/maintenance agreement ($20,400) also approved.
  • Finance: Three resolutions approved: (1) brokerage service agreement with Hickam Watham Insurance Agency, (2) insurance policy with Travelers (saved $400,000 compared to previous policy), and (3) cyber insurance policy with Alpha Secure ($39,714.76).
  • Human Resources: Resolution approved specifying 2027 holiday observances. First reading of an ordinance amending personnel policy for court bailiff pay (return Oct. 12).
  • Legal: Second reading of ordinance to amend the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board organizational ordinance (ensuring citizen membership) passed. Resolution authorizing a six-month professional services agreement with Williams & Jensen PLLC to identify federal funding opportunities ($10,000/month) passed.
  • Planning: Resolution for a permissive use agreement for a stairway at 12 Main Street passed. Ordinance vacating a utility/drainage easement at 130 Stoneway Trail passed.
  • Police: Ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 11, Article 1 (Security Alarm Systems) passed. Resolutions passed: MOU for North Alabama Drug Task Force, Pet Point animal shelter data management agreement, Station Automation asset management software ($10,880), grant application for crisis response virtual reality simulator (no match), and grant application for a 360-degree crime scene documentation system (no more than $5,000 match).

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions and ordinances passed unanimously (7-0 votes for each item (each item received 7 “aye” votes).
• Consent agenda and finance committee report were adopted.
• Ted Goodson appointed to Madison Utilities Board for six-year term.
• A $1.18 million payment to Athens Utilities for rate correction is to be paid from deferred revenue.
• The city will engage an architect for the aquatic facility programming phase.
• The police department will apply for two federal grants (crisis training VR and crime scene documentation).
• Senior center management concerns will be addressed by the mayor (as indicated by receipt of written complaints).
• Next regular meeting: October 12, 2026 (for second reading of bailiff pay ordinance).