Neal Embry
Members of the Vestavia Hills City Council look at the crowd during the Nov. 13 council meeting.
The City Council on Nov. 13 agreed to pay an $87,500 settlement in a 2017 lawsuit filed by a resident after he was injured in a 2015 motor vehicle accident involving a city police officer.
The city’s counsel on the matter, Ben Owens, recommended the council accept the settlement, which will be paid out of insurance for such matters, and will not require the appropriation of any more monies.
The resident suffered bodily injuries from what Owens said was a “low-speed” accident. The resident sued city employees individually, and Owens said there isn’t much protection in state law for those employees in their individual capacity.
In other news, City Manager Jeff Downes said on Nov. 9, the city was told the limitation of use covenant that had previously been on the future home of Baumhower’s was removed, something the city had been trying to do for two years. The move removes any barriers to the restaurant coming to town, with the city hoping to close on the deal in January, Downes said.
The bid process has been completed for sidewalk installation on Green Valley Road from the Walgreens to Dolly Ridge Road, and the council should have the chance to approve a bid from Triple J Construction in a future meeting, with construction slated to start in January.
In other business, the council:
- Announced interview times for the nine applicants for the two openings on the library board: Nov. 28 beginning at 1 p.m.
- Announced interview times for the eight applicants for the one opening on the parks and recreation board: Nov. 28 beginning at 7:30 a.m.
- Approved a resolution declaring a 1985 Chevrolet truck surplus and authorizing Downes to dispose of it.
- Approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor and Downes to execute a memo of understanding with Jefferson County for debris collection during times of disaster. The ordinance is similar to those passed in years past and will last until 2021.
- Approved a resolution authorizing Downes to spend an additional $15,000 for employee longevity pay. The city had budgeted $120,000 but found it needed the extra $15,000 due to people earning longevity pay.
