Piedmont City Council approves several items during its Tuesday meeting

PIEDMONT – The Piedmont City Council approved several items on its agenda on Tuesday evening, including two relating to the Piedmont Police Department.

The council approved sending Animal Control Officer Christian Crider to the police academy for training, and for Gary McCurdy to become the department’s chaplain. Both moves were suggested by Piedmont Police Chief Nathan Johnson.

Concerning Crider, Johnson said the move would make Crider more “self-efficient.”

“He can do his own reports as far as criminal cases. He could be better armed against vicious animals. The other pro to that is if somebody was to cause a problem with him while he was conducting his job, he would have the authority to make an arrest. Not only that, but if he was going down the road and witnessed some crime, if it’s along his routes, he has all authority to get out, make contact with that person and handle it if he sees that is something he needs to do.

“The biggest pro to this is he would be able to write his own citations. If he sees it, he doesn’t have to stop and wait on one of us to clear up what we’re doing to get there and write that citation for him. If he witnesses it, he just gets out and writes the citation.”

The police academy training starts Jan. 3, 2022.

Regarding McCurdy, Johnson feels his appointment is “a good move for not only the police department but the community itself.”

“Personally, he’s one of the best people I’ve known in my life,” Johnson said of McCurdy. “I couldn’t think of a better person to ask if he would be willing to volunteer his time and help us in that position.

“He’s lived here all his life. He knows probably more people than I do. He’s probably up there with the mayor (Bill Baker) as far as all the people that he knows. He’s a good fit. He brings a lot of knowledge, not just about the Bible, but also about weapons. He’s a certified weapons historian. He fits right in. Most all, he’s there for the community but he’s also there for the officers to give that comfort that sometimes can be lacking.”

Johnson also presented the council with plans for raises for officers within his department. The council agreed to look over those plans and make a decision on them by the next council meeting.

In other action, the council approved a $6,000 contribution to the 7th Judicial Major Crimes Unit. The contribution will be made in January, and the financial contribution will be revisited every year after.

Two resolutions were also approved, including two Apple Mac Books to be listed as surplus items on Gov Deals.  The city will also check with the Piedmont City School System to see if they might be interested in purchasing the computers.

The other resolution approved pertained to the Centre-Piedmont-Cherokee County Regional Airport rescue grant, which allows Baker to sign off on a grant application the airport authority wants to apply for.

The council also approved a motion to make payments regarding the Noble Street Festival cycling event, with the caveat that the second payment will not be paid if the event is cancelled before the date scheduled of the second payment. They also approved the rezoning on Katoma Creek Road from rural residential to agricultural for the properties of Michelle Cosper, Allen Downey and Lynn Kelley.

Baker also made a proclamation declaring the week of Nov. 19-25 as Alabama Farm-City Week.

Minutes from the previous meeting and bills for payment in the amount of $404,890.63 were also approved.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 7.

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