Sheffield CITY BOARDS

City Boards

City of Sheffield boards do amazing work for the City. Board members, with the exception of the Sheffield Utilities Board and Civil Service Board, are unpaid volunteers. Civil Service Board member's compensation is minimal and Sheffield Utilities Board members receive nominal compensation for the many hours they contribute to overseeing a large enterprise. The dedication and commitment of members of Sheffield's City Boards to improving the city is a profound contribution that is largely overlooked. These dedicated citizens deserve our gratitude and respect. Click on the files below to see a list of Sheffield City Boards, the Boards Meeting Schedule and an application to be appointed to a city board. We are always looking for citizens who want to make a difference in Sheffield. Vacancies on various boards occur with regularity. An application to serve on a board can be downloaded at this link:

https://76bab898-35fe-4e10-9602-5e961bfd0f7c.filesusr.com/ugd/71c284_cdca6c4b9fc14f8090248511df49095e.pdf

The meetings of all City Boards listed below are subject to the Alabama Open Meetings Act and are open to attendance by the public. The Governor's Covid-19 Pandemic Emergency Declaration has allowed essential business of local governments to be conducted remotely by teleconference or videoconference. Specific guidelines must be followed to maintain as much transparency as possible while the emergency declaration is in effect.

In addition to the City Boards listed below, the Mayor sits on several by virtue of the position. They include the Colbert County Animal Control Board, Shoals Solid Waste Authority, Tire-Cities Solid Waste Authority, NACOLG and others.

Sheffield City Council

Elected by the voters. Meets at City Hall on the first and third Mondays of each month unless holidays or other conflicts require rescheduling. Special meetings are called as necessary.

The Sheffield City Council is the governing body of the City of Sheffield. It consists of the Mayor and five Council Members. The Council Members are elected by district and the Mayor is elected at large every four years. The City Council district boundaries can be found under the Voter Info tab on this website.

In cities in Alabama like Sheffield with populations less than 12,000, the Mayor serves on the City Council as the presiding officer and votes on all actions considered by the City Council. In cities with a population above 12,000 like Florence and Muscle Shoals, the Mayors are not part of the City Council and do not vote on items brought before the City Council for action. Mayors in cities above 12,000 may veto ordinances and resolution of a permanent nature. Vetoes can be overridden by a two thirds vote of the City Council. Mayors in cities below 12,000 do not have veto power. The City Council elects a member as Chairman Pro Tempore to preside at meetings in the absence of the Council President or Mayor depending on the population of the City.

In cities like Sheffield with a population above 2000, the City Council is required by State law to meet twice monthly. Special meetings may be called by the Mayor or at the written request of two City Council members. As stated above, all meetings of the City Council are open to the public and must comply with the Alabama Open Meetings Act. There are provisions of the Open Meetings Act that allow the City Council to meet in executive session without the public present under nine conditions including to discuss certain sensitive matters including the character and general reputation of an individual, business negotiations that must be confidential until terms are reached, and legal discussions with the City Attorney. No action can be taken in an executive session or without public knowledge.

A distinction that deserves clarifying is the roles of the Mayor and the City Council. The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the City and heads the Executive Branch of City government. The City Council is the legislative governing body of the City government. As a group, the City Council may pass ordinances, resolutions and adopt policies that the Mayor is obligated to implement and enforce. The City Council's authority is limited to the actions they take as a body. Individual City Council Members have no more authority than any other citizen of the City.

Sheffield Beautification and Tree Board

Appointed by the City Council. 9 member board with one member from each City Council District and four at large members. 3 year terms ending in June. Meets monthly on the 2^nd Monday at 5:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center.

The Sheffield Beautification and Tree Board is governed by Chapter 46 Article III of the Sheffield Municipal Code. The code can be found at this link https://library.municode.com/al/sheffield/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICOOR_CH46STSI_ARTIIITRBE . The City of Sheffield has been certified by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for 17 years. Florence is the only other Shoals area city with this distinction. When I was elected to the City Council, our certification had lapsed and the Beautification and Tree Board was not active. I updated the ordinance, reconstituted the board and restored our Tree City USA status in 2012.

The SBTB is a nine member board with one member designated to be from each City Council District and four at large board members who have some expertise or other qualification consistent with the board's mission. Following is the section of the ordinance that describes the SBTB's duties and responsibilities:

Sec. 46-92. - Duties and responsibilities.

The beautification and tree board shall act in an advisory capacity to the mayor and city council relating to the beautification of the city and the planting, maintenance and removal of street trees and park trees. The board shall promote public interest in the general improvement of the appearance and cleanliness of the city. Duties shall include collaboration with other city government departments and boards; community volunteer and civic organizations; and interested individuals to plan, propose, promote and implement measures to improve the cleanliness and beauty of the city. The beautification and tree board shall hear requests by property owners for maintenance or removal of street trees and park trees and approve or deny permits authorizing applicants to maintain or remove street trees and park trees.

The SBTB is responsible for the Yard of the Month awards. They help with the City Christmas Tree decorations and Christmas Parade. They conduct Arbor Day celebrations and maintain the City's Tree City USA designation. The SBTB has broad authority and opportunities to pursue projects to improve the beauty and cleanliness of the City. SBTB members have the opportunity to make a difference in the appearance of the City, manage the inventory of trees on City property and have a positive influence on the quality of life of its citizens and visitors.

Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission

The Board of Adjustment - Appointed by the City Council - 5 member board with 2 alternates - 3 year term ending in October - Meets on the 3^rd Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.

The Board of Adjustment is responsible for hearing appeals of administrative decisions of the Building Official regarding compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. They can grant hardship variances and special exceptions from compliance with building setback requirements and other requirements in the zoning ordinance. The also have the responsibility to grant or deny Special Use Permits that may be permitted for certain uses in various land use zones. The decisions of the Board of Adjustments are final unless appealed to Circuit Court.

Planning Commission - Appointed by the Mayor - 9 member board including the Mayor, one City Council Member and the City Clerk who serves as Secretary by statute - 6 year term ending in October (except for statutory members) - Meets on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The Planning Commission is a nine member advisory board with responsibility for recommending to the City Council how land should be used. Parcels of land in the City are classified as being in one of a number of zones based on what is the best use for the land. Residential zones are broken down by the size of the lots and type of occupancy like single family or multi-family. Other zoning classifications are for businesses, industry and other types of uses. The zoning classifications for very parcel of land in the City are reflected on the official City Zoning Map. The Planning Commission hears requests for rezoning property to allow different uses. They may proposes changes to the zoning ordinance for such things as which land uses to allow in the various zoning classifications in the City. They also make recommendations to the Board of Adjustments regarding requests for Special Use Permits required for certain uses in various zoning districts. The Planning Commission is also responsible for maintaining and enforcing Subdivision Regulations.

Chapter 118 of the Sheffield Municipal Code governs the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustments. It can be accessed at the following link: https://library.municode.com/al/sheffield/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILADERE_CH118ZO .

Additionally, Title 11 Chapter 52 of the Code of Alabama includes State statutory requirements for Planning and Zoning that have a bearing on the powers and duties of the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment. There isn't a direct link to specific sections of the Code of Alabama but the link to access all of the Code of Alabama it is at: http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/coatoc.htm To access the Title 11 Chapter 52 click on Title 11 COUNTIES AND MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS in the left column. Then click on Title 2 PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS ONLY in the right column and scroll down to Chapter 52 PLANNING, ZONING AND SUBDIVISIONS.

Board of Education

Appointed by the City Council - 5 member board appointed by District - 5 year term ending in June - Meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Board of Education at 300 W. Sixth Street, Sheffield.

Incorporated Governing Board.

The Board of Education has governing authority over Sheffield City Schools. They have the authority to hire the Superintendent of Education, oversee the finances of Sheffield City Schools and set policies. Sheffield City Schools receives much of its funding from ad valorem (property) taxes earmarked for education. Sheffield City Schools is an excellent school system. It's facilities and technology are second to none. The teachers, administrators and staff are highly qualified, dedicated professionals that care deeply about their students. The career academies provide students with excellent opportunities to get real world experience that prepares them well for the workforce. The athletic program has excellent coaches and outstanding facilities. Sheffield High School's baseball field is the best in the area. The school system receives excellent support from the Sheffield Board of Education, the community, parents, band boosters, athletic boosters and the Sheffield Education Foundation.

Civil Service Board

Appointed by Unanimous Vote of the City Council - 3 member board - 3 year terms ending in September - Meets on the 4^th Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. and as needed at City Hall.

The Civil Service Board was established by a local act of the State Legislature passed in 1949 to establish the Civil Service System in the City of Sheffield. The Civil Service board has the responsibility to administer the Civil Service System for employees of the Police Department, Fire Department and City Clerk's Office. Employees of the City are not subject to the Act and are not under the authority of the Civil Service Board. The following excerpt from the Civil Service Act defines the powers and duties of the board:

Sec. 8. - Powers and duties of the board.

The board shall make rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this act, and to provide for examinations, appointments and removals and the board may, from time to time, make changes in its rules. The head of each department shall recommend for promotion persons to fill any vacancies that may occur in his department. All promotions shall be made by the board. The board may make rules and regulations relating to the eligibility for promotion. The board shall: (1) classify the different types of service to be performed in the departments of the city; (2) prescribe qualifications, including those of character, education, training and experience, for the appointees and incumbents of each class; (3) subject to approval of the city governing body, fix a maximum and minimum salary for each class; and (4) allocate each position in the service of the city to its proper class. The board shall establish rules and regulations governing dismissals, suspensions, layoffs, terminations, vacations and leaves of absence, and such rules and regulations shall govern in such matters. Except in connection with a reduction in force, demotion, suspension, or a general decrease in the salary of all employees in any one department, no employee's regular salary or compensation may be reduced without the approval of the board. All employees shall be appointed upon a non-partisan merit basis. In the event a reduction in force becomes necessary in any department, the order of layoff shall be inverse to the order of appointment.

It was worth more in 1949 but the act provides that the board members be paid $100 annually and the Board member who serves as Secretary gets an extra $50. This and the Utilities Board are the only City boards whose members receive any pay. A purpose of the Act is to isolate personnel management from the political process and protect employees in these three departments from political patronage. "No person shall be eligible for membership on the board who holds any civil office of profit under the city, county, or state. " Members must be at least 25 years old and be a qualified elector of the city.

The full Civil Service Act is available at this link:

https://library.municode.com/al/sheffield/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILADERE_APXALOAC_ARTICISE

Colbert County Tourism and Visitors Bureau Board

Appointed by the City Council - 2 members - 3 year term ending in September - Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at noon at the Tourism Office at 719 U. S. Highway 72 West, Tuscumbia

The City of Sheffield is authorized to appoint two members to the governing board of the Colbert County Tourism and Visitors Bureau Board. Other Cities in Colbert County and the County Commission appoint other members to the board. The website of Colbert County Tourism is at https://www.colbertcountytourism.org/ . Title 11 Chapter 105 TOURISM PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES is the Code of Alabama section that governs Tourism Boards.

Historic Sheffield Commission

Appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council - no less than seven and no more than 11 members, currently 9 - 3 year term ending in July - Meets on 1st Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall

The Historic Sheffield Commission has broad powers to preserve, maintain and promote the historic structures and landmarks in the City of Sheffield. Members should live in a historic district and/or have expertise related to historic preservation. The current Sheffield Historic Commission has members who are dedicated to helping the City and are committed to preserving and promoting our profound history. The municipal code section establishing the HSC is at https://library.municode.com/al/sheffield/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILADERE_CH114HIPR The HSC also works with the Alabama Historical Commission. Code of Alabama Title 11 Chapter 68 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARDS is the governing legislation.

NORTHWEST ALABAMA REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Appointed by the City Council - 1 member - 3 year term ending in March - Meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. at 1729 T. Ed Campbell Dr., Suite A, Muscle Shoals

The Airport Authority oversees the operation of the Airport. Board members are appointed by the local governments in the Shoals Area.

Riverbend Center for Mental Health

Appointed by the City Council - 3 members - 6 year terms ending in April - Meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at noon at 635 W. College Street, Florence

Riverbend Center for Mental Health is a Regional Mental Health Center for Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale Counties established by Act 310 of the Alabama Legislature. They provide treatment for people suffering from mental illness and substance abuse. The Board of Directors is comprised of three members from each incorporated local government in the three counties.

SCOPE 310 Authority

Appointed by the City Council - 3 members - 6 year terms ending in April - Meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at 4129 Helton Drive, Florence

SCOPE 310 Authority is a Regional Mental Health Center for Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale Counties established by Act 310 of the Alabama Legislature. They provide treatment for people suffering from intellectual or developmental disabilities. The Board of Directors is comprised of three members from each incorporated local government in the three counties.

Sheffield Housing Authority

Appointed by the mayor - 5 members - 5 year term ending in March - Meets on the 4^th Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at Sheffield Housing Authority offices at 505 N. Columbia Avenue.

Governing Board subject to HUD regulations.

Sheffield Housing Authority manages over 400 HUD subsidized housing units and around 90 section 8 houses in Sheffield. That is around 10 percent of the city's housing stock and a huge responsibility. Executive Director Shirley Whitten and the Sheffield Housing Authority Board of Directors do an outstanding job meeting their primary responsibility but they do so much more. They have recognized and accepted responsibility for improving all of the housing stock in Sheffield. When Park Place was about to close several years ago, the Sheffield Housing Authority purchased it and kept it open until a buyer was found. Had they not stepped in, Park Place would most likely be lost. Instead, under Dr. Syed's and his successors' ownership it is an anchor to downtown Sheffield. During the last few years, Sheffield Housing Authority has invested millions of dollars in renovations to Long Lowe and Blake apartments. They are continuing with plans to renovate Manning Homes and Oakwood apartments. Sheffield Housing Authority's role in maintaining high quality low income housing is a great asset to the City.

Sheffield Public Library Board

Appointed by the City Council - 5 members - 4 year terms ending in October - Meets quarterly on the first Tuesday of January, April, July, and October at 3:45 p.m. at the Library at 316 N. Montgomery Ave.

Governing Board

Sheffield Public Library offers a great selection of reading and research materials. They have excellent technology resources which rival larger libraries. It's multi-media selections are extensive for the size of the library. Sheffield Library is engaged with the community and offers many interesting and beneficial programs for children and adults. The Friends of the Library offer substantial support and resources to help the Sheffield Library Board enhance the service it provides to Sheffield citizens.

The Library Board is a governing board and has the authority to hire and fire personnel, set policies and provide financial oversight. The City Council's authority over the Library is limited to appointing board members and appropriating funds.

Sheffield Utilities Board

Appointed by the City Council - 5 member board - 5 year terms ending in October. Meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 am at the Utilities business office at 301 N. Nashville Avenue.

Governing Board, unincorporated

Sheffield Utilities is a 70 to 80 million dollar public utility that serves almost 19,000 electric customers in Sheffield and Colbert County. It provides clean water and wastewater processing to almost 5,000 homes and businesses. Sheffield Utilities supplies natural gas to over 3,700 homes and businesses in Sheffield and surrounding areas. Less than 100 highly skilled and dedicated employees maintain over 2,000 miles of power lines, miles and miles of water, sewer and gas lines twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, all year long, including holidays. They work in harsh conditions under normal circumstances and under extreme conditions when necessary to restore service. The in lieu of tax payments Sheffield Utilities contributes to the city are essential to providing city services. The in kind contributions Sheffield Utilities made to our streetscape improvement grant projects by replacing old rusted street lights and obsolete traffic signals provided most of the 20 percent match required by the grants. Much of the progress we have made was made possible by Sheffield Utilities. I have been and continue to be a strong defender and supporter of Sheffield Utilities and its employees. See more at their website at www.sheffieldutilities.org.

The Utilities Board has broad powers to manage and control the municipal waterworks, wastewater plant, natural gas distribution and electrical distribution systems. Sheffield Utilities is not a legal entity. The City Council appoints Utilities Board members, approves rate changes, and authorizes bond issues. The City of Sheffield and its citizens own Sheffield Utilities and its assets throughout its service area. The ordinance governing Sheffield Utilities is at the following link: https://library.municode.com/al/sheffield/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICOOR_CH62UT .

Sheffield Parks and Recreation

Appointed by the Council by district - 5 member board - 5 year term ending in March. Meets on the 3^rd Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at the Sheffield Recreation Center.

Governing Board

Sheffield Parks and Recreation has some of the best facilities in the Shoals area. The Sheffield Recreation Center is a premier municipal facility in the Shoals area. We have the only indoor pool and the only racquetball court in Colbert County. Superintendent Rick Canup with great support from the Sheffield Parks and Recreation Board is expanding children's programs and upgrading facilities. The tennis courts at Riverfront park were upgraded to meet official specifications. The basketball court was painted and refurbished. Sheffield has as many parks per capita as any city in the Shoals. Thanks to Sheffield Kiwanis, Riverfront Park has the only boundless playground in the Shoals. The new trail over the water from Riverfront Park to Whippoorwill Hollow and up to the WPA constructed rock bridge is unique in the Shoals. The next phase of the project will extend the trail further up Whippoorwill Hollow to 10th Street to connect with the Bike and Pedestrian Trail. The full length of the trail will be paved. The Bike and Pedestrian Trail is the only one in the Shoals area other than the TVA walking trail. The Standpipe Overlook is one of the most scenic and recognizable landmarks in the Shoals. Annexation of the Old Railroad Bridge adds another major landmark to Sheffield's inventory. When Tuscumbia Landing is developed as a Trail of Tears interpretive site and Park West is renovated and reopened, Sheffield will become a destination of national stature.

The Parks and Recreation Board has governing authority over Sheffield Parks and Recreation. They hire and fire personnel, set policies and provide financial oversight. The City Council appoints board members and appropriates funds. Sheffield Parks and Recreation generates some of its revenues through fees for its services and sales of concessions.

Shoals Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Policy Committee - Mayor by statute - 4 year term ending in November - Meets as needed at 11:00 a.m. at NACOLG.

The MPO Policy Committee consists of the Mayors and County Commission representatives of the voting members of the Shoals Metropolitan Planning Organization. The MPO Policy Committee is responsible for overall transportation planning for the Shoals area and allocation of the approximately $1.9 million appropriation of Federal transportation funding it receives annually. The MPO Policy Committee approves the Transportation Improvement Plan, Long Range Transportation Plan, Shoals Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan and others.

Technical Coordinating Committee - Appointed by the Mayor - 2 members - 4 year terms ending in November. Meets as needed at 9:00 a.m. at NACOLG.

The MPO Technical Coordinating Committee consists of City and County engineers, planners and others designated by the member local governments Mayors and County Commissions. The MPO TCC provides technical support and advise to the MPO Policy Committee. They evaluate and recommend updates and changes to the TIP, Long Range Transportation Plan, Shoals Area Bike and Pedestrian Plan and other topics.

The MPO is coordinated and supported substantially by NACOLG’s Department of Planning and Transportation. Their information is at https://www.nacolg.org/planning-transportation.

Shoals Area Transportation Plans and other documents are at https://www.nacolg.org/documents .

Shoals Economic Development Authority - SEDA and Shoals Industrial Development Committee - SIDC

SEDA Appointed by the City Council - 3 members - 3 year terms ending in September. Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at 20 Hightower Place, Florence

The Shoals Economic Development Authority leads the Shoals area's efforts to recruit industry and jobs. The board of directors is comprised of representatives appointed by all of the local governments in the Shoals area. Sheffield is entitled to 3 appointments. SEDA is funded by a half cent sales tax collected by local governments throughout the Shoals.

The Shoals Industrial Development Committee consists of the Mayors of the four largest Shoals Cities and the Chairman of the Lauderdale County Commission plus a rotating ex officio membership of other local officials . The SIDC meets as necessary.

SEDA and the SIDC are funded by a half cent sales tax collected by all of the local governments in Colbert and Lauderdale Counties.

Sheffield Redevelopment Authority - SRA

Appointed by the City Council - 9 member board - 6 year terms ending in September. Meets second Tuesday of the Month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall

The Sheffield Redevelopment Authority was established by the Sheffield City Council in 2005. A Charette was coordinated by NACOLG to collect input from the public to develop a Redevelopment and Revitalization Plan. The resulting documents are available at the following links: https://www.nacolg.org/images/pdf/SheffieldRevitalizationRedevelopmentPlanwithCover.pdf and https://www.nacolg.org/images/pdf/Sheffield%20Revitalization%20%20Redevelopment%20Plan%20Performance%20Criteria%20with%20Cover.pdf .

The SRA receives $1,667 monthly from Sheffield Utilities to use for economic development projects. Those limited funds have been used to help new businesses with startup costs as an incentive to locate in Sheffield. The SRA has also helped existing businesses fund improvements that contribute to an improved appearance and increased tax base. On behalf of the SRA, I filed articles of incorporation and applied for tax exempt status with the IRS for Sheffield Central, the association of business owners and others interested in improving the business climate in the City. The SRA contributed funds to help Sheffield Central get started with its projects. Funds to purchase banners for City streetlights were also provided by the SRA.

The Sheffield Redevelopment was instrumental in the Inspiration Landing project. When Bill Campbell first proposed a Golf resort development in 2006, the SRA acquired property adjacent to the City owned Furnace Hill site to make the project viable. When Bill came back in 2015 with the Inspiration Landing project, the SRA was able to get a $200,000 EPA Cleanup Grant and a $165,000 no interest loan from ADEM to cleanup the Furnace Hill municipal dump and shooting range site. The ADEM loan funds also paid for environmental and archaeological surveys required for the USDA loans the City received to build roads and utilities infrastructure.

The SRA is currently actively involved with implementing the National Park Service plan for Tuscumbia Landing to become a premier interpretive site on the National Trail of Tears. The SRA and National Trail of Tears Association are splitting the $10,000 matching funds required for a $50,000 grant from the NPS to pay for construction plans for the project. Construction of phase I of the project will be paid for through an application to the Alabama Department of Transportation for a Transportation Alternatives Program Grant. The SRA will contribute to the match requirements for the grant.