Madison City Council Regular Meeting - October 26, 2026

The Madison City Council met on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. All seven council members were present (Mayor Bartlett, Council President Robleski, Councilmembers Beer, Goodson, McKay, Lesman, White, and Jackson), establishing a full quorum. The meeting began with an invocation by Seth Miller and the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes from the regular meeting of October 12 and work session of October 14 were approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously. It included appropriations to several nonprofits (Hills, Madison County Health Department, Wellstone, KTEC, Liberty Learning Foundation), an insurance settlement for a pumper fire truck ($9,700), renewal of a postal machine contract, authorization for ServisFirst Bank as depository, purchase of a truck ($39,000), surplus equipment disposal, use of Madison City Schools Stadium for events, and a $75,000 grant from the SEC Tournament/Alabama Tourism Department. Routine bills and legal matters were also included.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ms. Minsk (District 4) raised concerns about the city's Flock automatic license plate reader cameras. She referenced an audit in Ventura County, California that found Flock data was accessed 364,000 times without authorization by outside agencies, some for immigration enforcement, and a recent Washington Post report of unauthorized access to Flock networks by former officers. She noted Flock itself recommended reducing standard data retention from 30 to 7 days. She requested that the council commission an independent review, disclose which agencies can access data, publish audit findings, reduce retention to 7 days or less, and consider suspending the system until safeguards are independently verified. She emphasized the need to balance public safety with civil liberties.
• Carrie Dahlberg (District 1), a Navy veteran and engineer, questioned the oversight and accountability of Madison Utilities (MU). She cited two recent decisions—removal of fluoride from the water system and closure of the Bradford Creek Greenway for nearly a year—that appeared to be made with little public notification or opportunity for input. She asked the council what checks and balances govern MU and what oversight the city has.

Discussion Items

• Mayor Bartlett made announcements: congratulations to Mathnasium (10-year anniversary), Bob Jones volleyball team (state tournament), James Clemens football (regional win). She thanked Signalink for sponsoring a first responders picnic and the Madison Chamber for a picnic for public works employees. She announced a new Christmas parade route on Saturday, December 12, at 5:00 p.m. starting on Garner Street and ending at Madison City Schools Stadium, followed by a Christmas movie at Home Place Park. She committed to answering Ms. Dahlberg's questions about MU governance either that evening or by follow-up.
• District 2 (Councilmember) thanked the Rotary Club for donating the large chair at Home Place Park. He discussed the city's relationship with Madison Utilities, noting the council has liaisons (Robleski and Goodson) on the MU board and that communication exists. Regarding Flock cameras, he stated he supports their use for first responders with existing guardrails and that the council follows up with the department and Flock itself as issues arise.
• District 3 (Councilmember Goodson) presented Resolution 2026-455R to spend $21,000 from the council special projects budget for durable, reusable Christmas decorations at Home Place Park. He noted the decorations would be the same quality as existing City Hall decorations and could serve for 5-6 years. Councilmembers Beer and McKay voted no, citing the limited $55,000 special projects budget (especially early in the fiscal year) and arguing the money could be better spent on sidewalks and traffic improvements. Mayor Bartlett stated the special projects budget could be revisited mid-year. The resolution passed 5-2.
• District 4 (Councilmember McKay) provided an update on the Palmer Park covered batting cage project (approved in March 2026). The design came in over budget, so the project is being de-scoped with the architect to make it more affordable. He reported on a recent McDAB (Madison Disabilities Advisory Board) meeting, stressing that ADA compliance should be a minimum and that the board can advise on creating truly inclusive spaces. He announced office hours on December 16.
• District 5 (Councilmember Lesman) reported on the Mayor's Small Business Council meeting (October 14) where Megan Niven-Tanett of Flourish Consulting Services presented the Madison CEO program. She also congratulated Mathnasium.
• District 6 (Councilmember White) announced a health screening at the Madison Senior Center on Wednesday and recommended Saborway Venezuelan food truck on Old Madison Pike.
• District 7 (Councilmember Jackson) thanked residents who attended the fall cleanup on October 19. He reminded of grant opportunities from Madison Street Festival (deadline October 30), an arts reception at Madison Public Library on November 3, his office hours on November 7, and a mental health fair at Russell Branch Elementary School on November 12 (5-7 p.m.).
• Mayor Bartlett added announcements: the library book sale broke attendance and monetary records; a grand opening of a business downtown on October 27; she spoke to the Chamber's ambassadors; and she participated in a UAH state and local government class.

Public Hearings

• Bellowwoods Development (Ordinance 2026-316): The council held a public hearing for a request to zone 20.8 acres (RC2) upon annexation, north of Huntsville Browns Ferry Road and east of Holiday Boulevard. The applicant will dedicate 30 feet for right-of-way to facilitate future connection of Henderson Lane. No public opposition. The ordinance passed unanimously.
• 139 Ludar Drive (Ordinance 2026-319): The council held a public hearing for a request to zone 1.55 acres (R1A) upon annexation, containing an existing home. No public opposition. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Department Reports

• City Clerk – Approved a merchant agreement with Telepay for credit card processing at no cost to the city. (Unanimous)
• Engineering – Approved several resolutions:
  • Change Order No. 1 for Royal Drive Extension (unstable soil) – $178,061.80 from Fund 38. (Unanimous)
  • Change order for greenway trail extension design (federal funding format) – $2,100 from engineering budget. (Unanimous)
  • Public services agreement for inclinometer monitoring at Hughes Road bridge slope – $33,687 from engineering budget. (Unanimous)
  • Contractor agreement for Balch and Gillespie Roundabout center island replacement with stamped concrete – $61,600 from engineering budget. After debate, passed 4-3 (Goodson, Lesman, Robleski, White aye; Beer, McKay, Jackson nay). Proponents argued reduced long-term maintenance and improved appearance; opponents cited other spending priorities such as sidewalk connections and traffic improvements.
  • Radar detection upgrade at Madison Blvd/County Line Road – $60,000. (Unanimous)
  • Traffic signal pole replacement at Madison Blvd/Research Blvd – $15,000. (Unanimous)
  • Electrical work for signal upgrade at Wall Triana Highway and Gooch Lane – $3,959.57 from Fund 38. (Unanimous)
  • Aid to construction for County Line Road and Royal Drive traffic signal – $3,464.93 from Fund 38. (Unanimous)
• Facilities and Grounds – Approved HVAC service agreements for Madison Public Library ($8,563 from library fund) and other city-owned buildings ($57,497 from facilities budget). (Both unanimous)
• Finance – Approved a resolution amending the general capital projects fund and transfer to Fund 39. Also adopted the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2027-2031. The plan is non-binding; councilmembers praised the collaborative effort. (Unanimous)
• Fire – Approved renewal of a software agreement with First Due for $36,222.09 from fire budget. (Unanimous)
• IT – Approved a three-year service agreement with Comcast for fiber services and equipment at $3,927.60 per month from IT budget. Councilmember Lesman noted a number discrepancy that was resolved. (Unanimous)
• Legal – Presented first readings of two ordinances: (1) authorizing a joint purchasing agreement with Huntsville for pursuit-rated vehicles, and (2) amending short-term rental regulations to establish an appeal review board.
• Planning – Approved: (1) annexation and zoning for Bellowwoods (Ordinance 2026-314) – unanimous; (2) annexation for 139 Ludar Drive (Ordinance 2026-317) – unanimous; (3) vacation of utility and drainage easement at 177 Tohe Way for a swimming pool (Ordinance 2026-403) – unanimous.
• Police – Approved a document management services agreement with PowerDMS for $25,977 from police budget. (Unanimous)

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda and minutes were approved unanimously.
• Public comments received on Flock cameras and Madison Utilities oversight; the mayor committed to follow up on the latter.
• The new Christmas parade route was announced for December 12, 5 p.m.
• Resolution 2026-455R (Christmas decorations at Home Place Park) passed 5-2.
• The Balch and Gillespie Roundabout concrete center project passed 4-3.
• All other resolutions passed unanimously.
• The Capital Improvement Plan FY27-31 was adopted.
• Two annexations and one easement vacation were approved.
• First readings were introduced for joint purchase of police vehicles and short-term rental appeals process.