Daleville DPS officers recognized for service

“For performance above and beyond the call of duty,” seven Daleville Department of Public Safety officers were recognized at the Daleville City Council meeting April 19.

The council unanimously approved a resolution giving each of the seven officers a one-time, lump sum $3,000 bonus.

“So that the other city employees—and the rest of the public—understand what we are about to do here, there was an incident that took place March 1 in our city jail,” said Daleville Mayor Jayme Stayton. “The city’s internal investigation of the incident is completed but I cannot comment on the details because it is still an ongoing investigation with the State Bureau of Investigation.

“With that being said, we have had some police officers fired and we’ve had some officers to resign over this matter,” Stayton said. “And that has put the police department short officers to cover shifts.

“But we’ve had seven officers that have hung in there and together they have ‘covered’ the city,” Stayton said. “They went above and beyond the call of duty, working double shifts, nights and weekends to make sure the city was safe.

“Those officers were there when they were called upon and needed. Instead of being home with their families, they were out here patrolling the streets of Daleville when we clearly didn’t have enough manpower,” Stayton added. “I want them to know that the city council and I truly appreciate what they have done for the city of Daleville and the times that they have had to sacrifice away from their families and change their personal plans to come on duty protecting and serving the city of Daleville.

“For that we are going to give them each a $3,000 bonus for our appreciation,” Stayton said.

The funds will come from the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery funds which allow for “providing premium pay to eligible city employees.”

According to the resolution, the Daleville City council “has determined that appropriating ARPA funds to provide premium pay to certain employees of the Daleville Department of Public Safety in response to their performing essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic is a necessary and reasonable use of these funds.

“The city council does define those eligible employees for purpose of this resolution as law enforcement officers currently employed by the the city within the Daleville Department of Public Safety who are employed as of the date of this resolution, have been employed as such during the period from March 3, 2021 to the present and excluding the director of the department.

“Former employees who have left employment with the department prior to the adoption of this resolution shall not be considered an eligible employee for premium pay,” the resolution continues.

In other business the council tabled a request from Daleville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Powell for use of the Culpepper Park Field at no charge for “Food Wagon Wednesdays” to be held May 18, June 15, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21. This event will allow food trucks from around the area to set up to serve lunch on the designated days. “The purpose of this event is to draw people to Daleville for lunch and although they may purchase their lunch from a food truck on these days, they can also see what Daleville has to offer,” Powell said. “We have contacted the health department and city clerk for information on permits and other regulations to insure this event is compliant with the requirements, and will expect the participating vendors to comply with these requirements.”

Stayton asked for the floor before the council voted on the issue. “I’d like to voice my opinion on it,” he told the council. “I have an issue with this because we are inviting other food truck businesses into our city when we have our own places to eat here that are struggling since COVID-19 and I don’t feel it’s right to have outsiders come and set up—even if it’s just for one day.

“We have restaurants here that are members of the chamber, also,” Stayton said. “I think we should be promoting businesses that we have here.

“I understand the decision is up to y’all,” Stayton told the council. “But I just don’t think it’s fair to our mom-and-pop businesses trying to bounce back from COVID. That’s just my opinion.”

“I recognize that is a valid opinion,” Councilwoman Jo Reese told the mayor. “But my only concern is that we allow a farmers market and they sell vegetables and things that our grocery store sells. I don’t want to get push-back there. This may be a situation that needs to be revisited by the chamber.”

Councilman Jimmy Monk made a motion to deny the chamber’s request but the motion died for a lack of a second. Councilman Kevin Turley then made a motion to table a vote until the next council meeting in order to give the chamber of commerce an opportunity to reach out to restaurants in Daleville to garner their opinions of the proposed food truck event.

In other business, Reese reported that she attended the Association of the United States Army luncheon held April 14 at the Enterprise Civic Center. The keynote speaker was retired Navy Rear Admiral Kent Davis who is the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner. He gave an update on the new veterans home to be built in Enterprise.

Reese also complimented the Daleville Police Department. She said she has been very impressed with the increased visibility of officers on Main Street. “It seems to have lowered the speed (of vehicles) on Main Street. I appreciate the hard work that the police department is doing.”

In unrelated business, the council re-appointed Johnny Buchanan to the Daleville City School Board of Education. Buchanan had been appointed by the council last year to fill the one-year unexpired term of DBOE member Barbara Davis. Buchanan served previously on the DBOE from 2007 through 2017.

The mayor announced that there are still two openings on the Redevelopment Authority Board and those interested should contact the city clerk at Daleville City Hall.

The next meeting of the Daleville City Council is May 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the Daleville City Hall council chambers. The meeting is open to the public.