Council approves trail archaeology survey, park change order, software purchase and multiple contracts

The Decatur City Council approved a slate of routine resolutions and appointments at its work session, including an archaeological survey for a trail segment, a park change order, the purchase of planning and zoning software, and several procurement awards and donations.

Resolution 26182 authorized contracting with Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research to perform an archaeological survey for the Dinsore Slooh Trail section after the Alabama Historic Commission required the study as part of environmental review. Staff told the Council that Senator Ward provided funds to move an affected fence, meaning the city can reallocate previously-budgeted money and will not need an additional appropriation for that fence relocation.

Resolution 26183 approved change order No. 1 for Whistlebin Park to install a fence requested by adjacent residents and to add mulching and irrigation along the new fence; staff said contingency funds in the project should cover the additional cost.

Resolution 26184 authorized the mayor to sign an agreement to acquire Govwell planning and zoning software. Staff said the negotiated price is about $30,000 (compared with an approximate $58,000 price for a CityView add-on) and highlighted an AI-enabled plan-review/search feature tied to GIS that would let users type questions and retrieve zoning ordinance guidance. Councilmembers asked about duplication with existing CityView software and interoperability; staff said the Govwell module would be used to intake applications and circulate materials to other departments, and a non-appropriation clause is included in the vendor agreement.

Other approvals included accepting donated sonar equipment and bilge heaters for the Marine One vessel from a private donor for Decatur Fire and Rescue (Resolution 26185); authorizing use of Alabama Fire College cost-share funds (roughly $42,000 on hand) to replace AV equipment at the Public Safety Training Center (Resolution 26186); awarding a pest-control contract to Defense Pest Solutions (Resolution 26187); splitting a sand and aggregates award across Terry Equipment Company and Vulcan Materials (Resolution 26188); declaring an obsolete City Hall intercom surplus (Resolution 26189); funding Decatur Historic District sign replacements (Resolution 26190); awarding Wilson Morgan Park access improvements (Resolution 26191); approving a street-conditions contract using First Step Pavement Management’s AI-driven pavement rating (Resolution 26192); increasing commitment to move a utility line for the Calhoun Community College sports complex (about $700,000, Resolution 26193); approving donation of used personal protective equipment to Archangel Group International for use in Zambia (Resolution 26194); and approving an MCMA agreement related to TVA Browns Ferry (Resolution 26195).

The Council also approved relocating District 3 voting center Precinct 43 to the Point Mard Event Center and approved a conditional sanitary-sewer commitment to BCSD Decatur Partners LLC for a proposed hotel on Beltline Road (Resolution 26197). Staff presented and Council approved a design agreement for Decatur Youth Services’ new facility (Resolution 26198) and multiple board reappointments and appointments were finalized.

All items were presented as routine in the work session and were approved as listed on the consent/work session agenda; no formal roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the transcript.