1. Meeting called to order – President Simmons
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Roll Call – President Simmons
5. Approval of Agenda
6. Message from Mayor
7. Reports of Department Heads
8. Reports of Standing Committees
9. Public Hearings: none
10. Business from floor pertaining to items on the consent and regular agenda (5-minute time limit).
11. Consent Agenda:
    All matters listed within the Consent Agenda have been distributed to each member of the Florence City Council for reading and study, are considered to be routine, and will be enacted by one motion of the Council with no separate discussion. If separate discussion is desired, that item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the Regular Agenda by request. Please call 256-760-6400 for questions on Consent Agenda items prior to the Council meeting.

(a) Approval of minutes of the March 18, 2025, meeting.

(b) Confirm payment of bills by the City Treasurer.

(c) Resolution to approve payment of Invoice #74890, dated February 20, 2025, from Keeton Electric Company, to establish electrical service for construction and permanent service for the General Fund Accounting Central Fueling Station
located at 1251 Terrace Street, for the City of Florence Street Department, in the amount of $4,339.67, to be paid from budgeted funds, Account #117-1020-43210, sponsored by David Koonce.

(d) Resolution to approve a contract with Langston Service Group, LLC., to provide labor, equipment, materials, and incidentals necessary to replace compressor and refrigerant to the existing unit, at the Broadway Recreation Center, in an
amount not to exceed $2,790.00, to be paid from budgeted funds, Account #266-44410, sponsored by Bill Jordan.

(e) Resolution to approve a contract with Mitchell Prestage d/b/a J & M Fence Service, to provide labor, equipment, materials, and incidentals necessary to remove existing gate and install new gate, at Veterans Memorial Museum, in an
amount not to exceed $12,500.00, to be paid from budgeted funds, Account #939-44725, sponsored by Bill Jordan.

(f ) Resolution to approve a contract with Athens Fence, Inc., to install a fence and walk gate, at the Shoals Creek Substation, for the City of Florence Utilities Electricity Department, in an amount not to exceed $26,000.00, to be paid from
budgeted funds, Account #570.00-Maintenance of Substation Equipment, sponsored by Mary McDuffa.

(g) Resolution to approve a contract with Shoals Overhead Door, LLC., to provide labor, equipment, materials, and incidentals necessary to remove damaged garage door and install new garage door, at 490 South Cherry Street, for the City
of Florence Utilities Electricity Department, in an amount not to exceed $3,341.87, to be paid form budgeted funds, Account #390.00-Structure and Improvements, sponsored by Mary McDuffa.

(h) Resolution to approve a contract with Wisener, LLC., to provide right of way acquisition services, including assistance with closing documents and mortgage releases, for the Milford Street Project, for the City of Florence Engineering
Department, in an amount not to exceed $65.00 per hour, to be paid from Fund #117, Account #171-48100, sponsored by Bill Batson.

(i) Resolution to approve a contract with Shotcrete of America, LLC., to clean underground detention storm sewer main line approximately 200 linear feet, and inspect other detention, as needed under Publix parking lot, for the City of
Florence Engineering Department, in an amount not to exceed $27,500.00, to be paid from Fund #110, Account #1071-48600, sponsored by Bill Batson.

(j) Resolution to approve settlement of the liability claim filed against the City by Fleet Response on behalf of Sherwin Williams for an amount not to exceed a total of $11,408.90, sponsored by Bill Musgrove.

(k) Resolution to approve settlement of the liability claim filed against the City for property damage sustained at 2200 Berry Avenue, Florence, Alabama for an amount not to exceed a total of $160,000.00, sponsored by Bill Musgrove.

(I) Resolution to approve a contract for services between the City of Florence and Singing River Media Group, to advertise, promote, and host the City of Florence Spirit of Freedom Celebration at McFarland Park, sponsored by Mayor Betterton and City Council.

(m) Resolution to approve an agreement to advertise and promote the City of Florence at Billy Reid Shindig between the City of Florence and Billy Reid, in the amount of $10,000, to be paid from budgeted funds, sponsored by Mayor
Betterton and City Council.

(n) Resolution to approve a contract Party Never Ends Rental, LLC., to provide labor, equipment, materials, and incidentals necessary for the rental of tents and chairs, for the Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Park, in an amount not to exceed $2,132.10, sponsored by Mayor Betterton, Mayor’s Office.

(o) Resolution to advance and reimburse travel expenses to City employees,

12. Regular Agenda

(a ) Ordinance approving a franchise agreement to allow Alabama Fiber Network to install fiberoptic cable in City right of way, sponsored by Bill Musgrove.

(b) Resolution to approve a contract with White, Lynn, Collins and Associates, Inc., for construction engineering and inspection services for the Alabama Department of Transportation Project No. TAPOATA22(933), for construction of sidewalk along Bradshaw Drive and shared use path along Helton Drive (AL17), in an amount not to exceed $74,293.51, to be expensed to Fund #188, Account #933-48500, sponsored by Bill Batson.

(c) Resolution to amend boundaries of the Downtown Florence Arts and Entertainment District to include Holland’s Bar and Grill located on Pine Street, sponsored by President Simmons.

(d) Resolution to approve application for an Alcohol Beverage License by Buffalo Rock Company for Wholesale Beer and Wine Distributor, doing business as Buffalo Rock Company, located at 111 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35209, sponsored by Bob Leyde.

(e) Resolution to approve application for a 140 Special Event Retail License with On-Premises Liquor, Beer, and Wine by Gwendolyn Woods d/b/a Cabaret, located at 702 Veterans Drive, Florence, Alabama 35630, to take place July, 25, 2025, sponsored by Bob Leyde.

(f) Resolution authorizing a partial release of funds from the escrow fund established pursuant to the escrow agreement between the City of Florence, the Lauderdale County Agriculture Center Authority and the Abstract & Title Company of Florence, Inc., based on a percentage of the completion of the Agriculture Center sewer extension project, sponsored by Mayor Betterton.

13. General Business: 

• • Historical Board
    • Michele Gray, appointed 04/20/21, expires 04/20/25
    • Scott Lovelace, appointed 04/20/21, expires 04/20/25
  • Library Regional Board (Joint appointee)
    • Nancy Gonce, appointed 05/03/22, expired 01/28/25
    • Vacancy
  • Riverbend Board 
    • Dr. Freda Coleman-Reed, appointed 10/16/18, expires 04/01/25

14. Business from the public (5-minute time limit).

15. Council Members reports and/or comments (5-minute time limit).

• • Council member Oliver – District 6
  • Council member Hendrix – District 2
    Council member Griffin – District 3
  • Council member Eubanks – District 4
    Council member Edwards – District 5
    President Simmons – District 1
    Mayor Andy Betterton

16. Motion to adjourn.