Elaine Ballew, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Council at its meeting Dec. 8. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – Madison Police Chief Larry Muncey was all smiles at the Madison City Council meeting Dec. 8 with his introduction of an approval request regarding a donation of $320,000 from the Alpha Foundation that will cover the cost of eight new police cruisers.

“What can you really say?” Muncey asked. “You can say, ‘thank you,’ but that’s not nearly enough for this.’”

Muncey stressed the need for several new cruisers after the 2015 fiscal budget for the City was passed in late September but did not allocate money for Muncey’s full request. Muncey later submitted a grant to the Alpha Foundation and received the full amount needed. The Council unanimously approved the request.

In keeping with its recent flurry of changes and activity, the Madison Chamber of Commerce trotted out new executive director Elaine Ballew to give a presentation in conjunction with the annual appropriation from the Council. Ballew gave an overview of several upcoming events for the Chamber, as well as a few early initiatives she plans to push as director.

“We’re built on building great relationships,” Ballew said. “That’s what this city is known for.”

After giving $55,000 dollars per year to the Chamber in 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Council decreased the total by more than half in 2015, to $25,000.

Before adjourning, the Council descended into an executive, closed-door session that lasted more than an hour-and-a-half that resulted in a disciplinary motion against a City employee.