The Mendenhall mayor and Board of Aldermen met on September 5.
Insurance broker Britany Peacock came before the board last month to request permission to discuss accident and disability insurance with city employees. Alderman Robert Mangum moved to table the item and allow Peacock time to present a proposal to the board in September.
Peacock returned and explained what her company, Life of Alabama, has to offer the City’s employees in terms of accident and disability insurance. Alderman Mangum explained to Peacock that everything the city offers is handled under one local carrier who also manages their cafeteria plan. Peacock said Life of Alabama Accident and Disability Insurance can also manage a cafeteria plan and that the employees should be allowed to choose.
Alderwoman Sandra Stein said she personally thinks it’s the employees’ decision and they should be given an option. Alderwoman Janna Miller commented that it was common courtesy to offer services that are located within our city. Peacock explained that she is a resident of Mendenhall.
Mangum said that if the city is going to encourage citizens to “buy at home” the city should do the same when offering services. City Clerk Tiffany Wallace explained that if the board approves Peacock’s request she would be given a date to come and present to the employees. The decision to purchase Peacock’s product would be completely up to the employee.
Alderman Donnie Thomas asked if it was possible for both companies to come and offer their products to the employees. Thomas moved to allow both companies to offer their policies and leave the decision to the city employees. The motion was seconded by Sandra Stein and passed with a majority vote. Thomas, Miller, and Stein voted in favor. Mangum and Gray were opposed.
Another agenda item from August was also revisited. During the August meeting the board approved a request made by Trish Roberson. Trish Roberson of Central Sunbelt Credit Union appeared before the board to get the city approved as a select employer. This made all city employees eligible to join the credit union. Roberson listed several benefits that come along with joining Central Sunbelt Credit Union and revealed that they plan to open a location in Magee. She was given permission to discuss enrollment with Central Sunbelt with city employees. Wallace explained that the city currently has three employees who are members of a different credit union based in Jackson. It was suggested that since Central Sunbelt will be located within the county it would be more convenient for those three to transfer if they chose to do so.
During the September meeting, Vicki Powell of Priority One Bank and Dennis Ammann of Peoples Bank both appeared before the board to present the services offered by their respective banks. They also warned of the perceived risks that come along with credit unions. Ammann said People’s Bank has been in Mendenhall since 1908. He said, “We have a problem with the city showing preferential treatment to an outside entity. Community banks are all for competition, but fair competition.”
He was sure to explain to the board that Central Sunbelt Credit Union would not be as big an asset to the city as the established community banks. Citing the sponsoring of little league teams and several donations made by the banks throughout the year for festivals and other events. He also revealed that Peoples Bank employs 44 people. Ammann said, “When business leaves us it doesn’t help the town.”
After listening to strong arguments made by the bank representatives Alderman Tim Gray moved to rescind the action taken by the Board during the August meeting, and not allow Central Sunbelt Credit Union to introduce their services to employees. It was seconded by Alderman Robert Mangum and unanimously approved.
During the meeting the Board also approved an amendment to Ordinance #258 which Establishes charges for consumer connection and use of water and sanitary sewer systems of the City of Mendenhall. The amendment was made to Section 4 of the ordinance that covers utility billing. The amendment read “On the 17th day of the month, both bills shall be paid in full to avoid interruption of service.”
This speaks to water accounts that are two month in arrears. The ordinance goes on to say that accounts two months in arrears shall be disconnected on Monday after the 26th day of the month.
The board unanimously approved the budget for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.
An exciting event was also discussed and approved. The city will be hosting a Fall Farmers Market on October 14. The meeting ended shortly after the board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters. No decisions were made during executive session.
