Former council members recognized in Valley

BY JOHN BRICE

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

VALLEY — With municipal elections now complete and new members sworn in, the Valley City Council took time Monday evening to recognize two outgoing members for their years of service.

Newly elected District 6 Council Member Jolanda Barnes expressed her gratitude to the council and the community and offered thanks to the departing members.

“I just want to take a moment to thank everyone, especially the council, for welcoming us so far,” Barnes said. “I also want to give thanks to those who have served. Mr. Henry Cooper and Ms. Marquetta Madden, thank you for your service over the past several years. I look forward to continuing to work with you and learning from the wisdom you have given this community.”

Mayor Leonard Riley offered remarks as he honored former District 4 Council Member Marquetta Madden, joking that he wished she had been an Auburn fan instead of a University of Alabama supporter. He then presented her with a plaque of appreciation. Madden delivered farewell comments reflecting on her 15 years of service.

“Thank you to all the council members. You were a good group of people to work with,” Madden said. “To all the citizens of District 4 that supported me all these fifteen years, I was so honored and blessed to represent you. I really appreciate it.”

Former District 6 Council Member Henry Cooper also received a plaque and expressed his gratitude for his time on the council.

Following the recognitions, the council turned to its regular agenda. The final item of discussion came from the floor: a motion to designate District 5 Council Member Kendall Andrews as the new mayor pro tem.

District 2 Council Member Jim Jones objected, noting that the city has followed a rotation system for the past 25 years. District 1 Council Member Jim Clark also raised concerns that the resolution was not listed on the agenda and questioned whether the city is large enough to require a mayor pro tem. Jones added that abandoning the rotation could prevent newer members from ever serving in the role. Mayor Riley ended the discussion and called for a roll-call vote. The motion passed 4–3.

In Other Business

•The council approved a motion to accept bids for a surplus Chevy Tahoe from the Police Department.

• The council approved entering into a contract with 121 Disposal Company for solid waste services.

• The council voted to authorize the city to participate in simplified sellers use tax litigation with other municipalities across the state.