PIEDMONT, Ala.- Piedmont city leaders addressed a wide range of issues during Tuesday evening’s City Council meeting, including winter weather preparedness, public safety activity, infrastructure planning, grant applications, and ongoing city operations.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on preparing for a potential winter weather event that could impact the city and surrounding areas. Officials discussed worst-case scenarios involving heavy snow or ice that could damage power infrastructure, particularly in neighborhoods served by older or smaller electrical lines.
City leaders referenced past storms where power was restored quickly downtown and along major trunk lines, while residents in outlying areas were left without electricity for as long as 10 to 12 days. Homes located on back alleys or served by aging copper or small aluminum lines were identified as especially vulnerable.
Council members voted to grant Mayor Kevin Farmer the authority to secure personnel, equipment, and other resources necessary to respond to winter weather impacts. Officials said the city is preparing for the worst while praying for the best, and hoping any severe system ultimately shifts away from the area.
Emergency operations were also reviewed, with officials confirming that only two city facilities currently have generator power: City Hall and the police department. Those locations would serve as emergency coordination centers during extended outages.
Police Chief Nathan Johnson presented monthly and annual activity reports. For December, officers recorded 30 arrests involving multiple misdemeanor and felony charges, responded to numerous traffic accidents, and logged more than 8,000 patrol miles. Court collections for December totaled more than $13,900, with a portion retained by the city.
For 2025, the department reported more than 3,600 calls for service, over 12,000 public contacts, and more than 100,000 patrol miles. Council members also discussed code enforcement activity, business license compliance, and ongoing efforts to address nuisance properties and yard maintenance issues across the city.
Fire Chief Todd Kirkland reported 59 calls for December and 851 calls for the year. The department also outlined preparations for an upcoming Insurance Services Office (ISO) re-evaluation scheduled for March 24. Piedmont currently holds an ISO Class 4 rating, which officials narrowly achieved and hope to maintain or improve through enhanced training, documentation, and equipment categorization.
Piedmont Rescue EMS Director Pat Brown reported increased call volume and announced the addition of two new ambulances now in rotation. EMS leaders cautioned that winter weather could lead to a spike in emergency calls, particularly involving residents who rely on electrically powered medical equipment.
Residents using home oxygen concentrators or similar devices were urged to prepare in advance by securing backup oxygen supplies or making alternative arrangements during prolonged outages. EMS crews are preparing for extended shifts and additional staffing if severe weather impacts the area.
Council members approved the purchase of electrical department stock materials totaling approximately $19,300 and reviewed payroll and bill payments. The council also discussed contracting options for citywide grass cutting, including cemetery and trail maintenance, with funding potentially coming from utility reserve accounts rather than the general fund.
City officials announced applications for multiple grants, including Rebuild Alabama funding for street paving projects on Southern Avenue and Wolf Avenue. Officials also applied for an energy-efficiency grant that could fund streetlight upgrades, potentially saving the city an estimated $20,000 annually in energy costs.
Additional updates included the pending delivery of a new trash truck and ongoing infrastructure and operational reviews.
Officials discussed challenges related to animal control, including overcrowding of feral cats in certain areas. The city is exploring partnerships with nonprofit organizations for spay-and-neuter programs, as well as continued coordination with county animal services for dog-related issues.
You can listen to the entire meeting right here:
