PIEDMONT – The Piedmont City Council heard a presentation during its work session on Tuesday from Chief Executive Officer of the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority Fred Clark.
Following the presentation, the council met for a few minutes in executive session with city attorney Ron Allen and city prosecutor Jake Matthews to discuss possible litigation concerning a piece of property.
After the executive session, minutes were approved from the last meeting, as were bills for payment totaling $463,659.62. The council also approved resolutions for 2021 city employee holidays and a de-annexation on a small piece of property owned by Dr. James Berry along the Calhoun/Cherokee County border.
Piedmont Police Chief Freddie Norton then gave reports on his department, along with abatement and animal control.
Norton said there was a total of 63 arrests and 80 charges for the month of November. There were 16 felony arrests with 74 traffic citations. The police department worked five traffic accidents. There were 301 calls for service, with 99 incident reports. Public safety dispatch received 2,217 phone calls and dispatched 631 rescue calls, including 28 fire calls. Court collections were in the amount of $19,613.96.
There were 25 total abatement cases, including nine new yard cases). Nine cases being processed. Seven cases have been completed or compliant for the month. There was one contract on structure, two court appearances and three verbal contracts.
In animal control, there were eight calls for service and no court cases for the month. Twenty animals were picked up, with seven taken to the shelter and 13 reclaimed by the owner.
The council also heard from Piedmont Rescue Squad Director Josh Wright requesting assistance in funding, particularly with a brass video scope that would aid in treating COVID-19 patients.
Dewayne Haas approached the council about setting up a roadblock to collect donations for Jeremy Matthews, who is in need of a heart transplant. The roadblock is planned for Saturday at the four-way stop intersection of Memorial Drive and Highway 9.
The council also approved New Year’s Eve to be an off day for city employees.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2021.