Bessemer City News

City Council Meeting Minutes, July 2007

July 2007 Special Meeting
The Bessemer City Council met in special session on Monday, July 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Proper notice was given.

Members Present:
Mayor Allan Farris; Councilmembers: Jim Long, Greg Farris, Howard Jones, Marilyn Best, Kay McCathen and Wayne Massagee.

Purpose of the Meeting
Discussion regarding the City Manager vacancy and appointment of an Interim Manager.
Call to Order:
Mayor Farris called the meeting to order. Councilmember Howard Jones opened with prayer asking special blessings for the family of former Mayor and Councilmember Sonny Lackey who died July 14, 2007.

Floor Opened for Discussion:
Marilyn Best began the discussion stating she had not had so many calls since the recycling program was stopped. She was happy to know that our citizens were paying attention. Based on the input she had received, Marilyn Best moved to appoint Mayor Allan Farris to the position of Interim Manager effective July 17, 2007, second was by Howard Jones.

Discussion followed with Council’s report of the multiple phone calls they had received regarding the appointment. The Council also had good comments about Mayor Farris and the fact he had served the City well as Mayor. They believed he would continue the good work as Interim Manager. Howard Jones advised that the City did not have to make this an interim appointment and that it would save time and money to make this a direct appointment to the position. It was the consensus of Council that while they could make a direct appointment it was probably in the City’s best interest to follow protocol and begin with the interim status. Following the discussion, the vote to appoint Allan Farris as Interim Manager was unanimous.

Mayor Farris stated he was honored to be offered the position and felt the interim position was the way to go. He felt certain that he could do the job and stated that all he really wanted was what was best for Bessemer City. If Council, after three months, felt the need to advertise the position he would certainly understand and fully support that decision.

Howard Jones moved to set the interim salary at $52,000 with a monthly car allowance of $200.00, second was by Jim Long and passed by unanimous vote.

Mayor Farris tendered his resignation as Mayor of Bessemer City, effective immediately, to accept the position of Interim Manager. Motion to accept the Mayor’s resignation was by Howard Jones, seconded by Greg Farris with unanimous vote.

Adjourn:
By motion of Jim Long, second of Greg Farris and unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 PM.

—Janice M. Costner, City Clerk —Allan Farris, Mayor