MADISON – Madison City Council opened its May 8 meeting by welcoming a new fire chief.

Mayor Paul Finley officiated the swearing-in procedure for David Bailey as Fire Chief for Madison Fire and Rescue Department.

Bailey fills the slot that Ralph Cobb formerly held. On April 15, 2016, then mayor Troy Trulock placed Cobb on administrative leave because a complaint that claimed age discrimination in a class named “Generational Differences” that Cobb had taught. Cobb subsequently resigned on Oct. 1, 2016.

For the police chief’s opening, Finley said five of 11 candidates have been interviewed. Municipal leaders will interview the other six individuals around May 12.

In other personnel matters, Samantha Magnusson, a 2008 graduate of Bob Jones High School, has been hired as the city’s Communications Specialist, Finely announced.

Luis Ferrer was appointed to fill Place 4 with Madison Board of Education. Council President Tommy Overcash said eight people applied for the position, and council members interviewed three individuals. Ferrer fills the position that Dr. Terri Johnson vacated.

In annual appropriations from council, Judy Ryals, CEO of Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, accepted $15,000. Madison Chamber of Commerce presented $500 to the Culinary Department for Madison City Schools. Culinary students recently advanced as semifinalists in a NASA-sponsored contest for possible food choices for astronauts.

Debbie Overcash with Rotary Club of Madison announced the 17th annual awards for outstanding city employees. The honorees are Jonathan Chapman, Firefighter of the Year; Officer Aubrey Walls, Police Employee of the Year; and Public Works Director Kent Smith, Employee of the Year.

Optimist Club of Madison also contributed a monetary donation to the employees of the year.

In public comments, David Ballard, homeowner at 12 Main St., commented on the impact of Phase Three downtown construction on his property. He asked for other options on changes on Martin Street.

“I don’t understand the relentless encroaching of the city” on the property to construct a sidewalk and complete other changes through eminent domain, Ballard said. Ballard also stated than an appraiser had asked enter his home’s interior space for inspection.

In other comments, Meredith Williams, a student of James Clemens High School, said that she was disappointed and insulted by comments from Finley at a question-and-answer session at the school concerning swimming pool space. Finley apologized to Williams.

Kory Alfred with Parks and Recreation Department awarded bid for air-supported pool structure to Horizon Structures Worldwide LLC. The vendor will secure the ‘bubble,’ possibly by November.

Council issued payments for these larger bills:

* Holzheimer Bolek & Meehan, architectural and engineering services for Madison Public Library, $13,812.90. 

* Shoals Electric, relocation of traffic signal at Zierdt Road and Mountain Brook, $8,500.

* S&ME, County Line Road, Phase II, $24,294.51.

The engineering department will pursue a construction agreement with ALDOT for two-foot safety widening and resurfacing on Balch Road (between Browns Ferry Road and Gooch Lane). Miller & Miller Inc. was awarded the bid for construction of a box-culvert bridge on Mill Road.

Council approved the planning department’s ordinance for vacating right-of-way and drainage easement for Carter Circle. The city’s legal department received approval for CMS to provide consulting services for wireless telecommunications facilities.

Madison will observe Alabama’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday on July 21-24.