News

The Russellville City Council met at city hall on Monday evening to discuss and approve 15 items on the agenda.

One of the first actions was a resolution commending and honoring three Russellville Tennessee Valley Basketball Association teams. The first grade and second grade teams both finished second at the TVBA championship tournament while the fifth grade team defeated Muscle Shoals in triple overtime to take home the crown.

Russellville High School basketball head coach Patrick Odom spoke to the players and congratulated them before mayor David Grissom awarded framed copies of the resolutions to each player and coach.

“I just want to congratulate these young men for a great accomplishment,” Odom said. “We just want to thank you for the great job you did representing your school and your community.”

Consideration of bids for six 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Explorer vehicles for the RPD was also discussed. The city received three bids and, upon recommendation by Grissom, approved the selection of a bid from Long Lewis Ford of the Shoals.

Each car will cost the city $27,313 will be paid in full through three different funds. One car will be paid for by the general fund and $45,000 will be taken from the Star Fund.

“The Star Fund is a fund for the police department,” Grissom said. “When we sold some surplus police items, military items and old police cars awhile back, that money was put into the fund to help pay for future costs.”

The remaining balance will be covered by the local gas tax.

“This is important because all of it will be paid in full by the city,” Grissom said. “There will be no borrowed money.”

The council took action on two other RPD-related items, as well.

The first was accepting the resignation of former RPD officer Chelsea Gentry. The Franklin Free Press obtained a copy of Gentry’s resignation addressed to Hargett.

“On this Date, March 8, 2017 at 1330 hours, I, Officer Chelsea Gentry am turning in my letter of resignation of my position of Patrol Officer for the City of Russellville. This resignation is due to the continuous harassment that I have faced during my 5 years here and then informed that I was facing termination unless I wanted to resign first. I love my job as police officer and love working for the citizens of this city, but I am unable to continue.”

Gentry filed a gender discrimination suit against the RPD in September of 2016. That suit is pending in federal court.

“Our policy is not to comment on ongoing litigation, however, I can state affirmatively we feel very confident about the city’s position in this matter,” Russellville City Attorney Danny McDowell said.

Gentry’s resignation opened up a vacancy in the police department, which the council approved to open for advertisement and solicitation.

“The job has to advertised in the paper first and then it has to go the civic board. They’ll compile a list of names and submit them to the city council,” Hargett said. “I’d guess it’d be a month, at least, before the position is filled.”

Other actions taken by the Russellville City Council include:

• Approving resolution to apply for Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area Grant.
• Approved recommendation to hire Jonathan Steele to the Russellville Fire Department.
• Appointed Shannon Wilson as permanent Street Department Superintendent.
• Accepted resignation of Rex Mayfield from the Riverbend Center Board.
• Approved appointment of Heath Grimes and Tim Guinn to Riverbend Center Board.
• Approved request from the Russellville and Franklin County Bicentennial Committee to waive the rental fee for the A.W. Todd Centre on Februry 6, 2018.
• Approved hiring of consultant for sidewalk projects on Lawrence Street and Franklin Street.