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Newsletter:
July 1, 2011 From the Mayor's Office Our first month as a new city has been a busy and very productive one. It officially began on June 6th - our Swearing-In Ceremony and our 1st City Council Meeting (Organizational Meeting). And, it's been non-stop since then. At our first City Council meeting, we adopted our Rules of Procedure for our Council Meetings as well as taking care of a few other things on our agenda. We:
The item of most interest was the temporary building and subdivision moratorium. This Resolution was ceremonial in nature since just by the fact that Semmes incorporated, many aspects of building and subdivisions of property came to a halt. Being a new city, we did not have the time yet to address these issues, so until we could determine our path forward, the temporary moratorium was adopted. Before we met for our 2nd City Council meeting, Mobile County made a very generous offer to assist us with subdivision of land, commercial site plan reviews, building permits and building inspections. They agreed that the County could and would accept these tasks within our City Limits until such time as our new City could address them. The City Council unanimously voted in favor of the Resolution to contract with Mobile County and also unanimously voted in favor of the Repealing and Rescinding the Temporary Moratorium. I signed the contract with Mobile County within days. What did this mean and how did it affect Semmes? First, it meant that construction workers, electricians, plumbers, etc could once again obtain work permits from Mobile County for work they would be performing within our City Limits and the surrounding 5 mile "Planning Jurisdiction". Second, it opened up the subdivision of land again within this area based on Mobile County's Subdivision Regulations. In addressing future needs, I established the Planning, Zoning and Sub Division Regulations Committee to get to work. I will establish a Planning Commission and they will be responsible for developing our Subdivision Regulations. I hope to have the Planning Commission established by our July 21 City Council Meeting. At the June 16th City Council meeting, we established our Sales & Use, Lodging and Rental Tax rates. As promised, we kept the tax rate as low as possible - just as you requested. Everyone that I had talked to during the incorporation process seemed to be accepting of Semmes having a 2.5% City General Sales & Use Tax - this was the same amount that we were paying while under Mobile's police & fire jurisdiction. Our new General Sales Tax Rate will go into effect on August 1 - making the total sales tax 8% at our retail stores and restaurants - the lowest in all of Mobile County! Sales Tax Holiday - On June 28th at a Special Council Meeting, our Semmes City Council voted to participate in the Sales Tax Holiday for August 5th - 7th. We hope that this will help our citizens who are buying school uniforms and other school supplies. For those of you who are wondering about the fate of the Old Live Oak Tree at the Exxon station at the corner of Wulff and Moffett Road - it will remain! After citizens voiced concerns about the tree, I asked the developers if it could be saved instead of being removed when the new Walgreen's is constructed. They worked with us and came back with plans showing the Old Live Oak where it has grown for the last hundred years. I am very excited that Walgreen's has chosen our new city as a home for one of their stores. I am most excited about the fact that the new store will employ 30 to 40 of our local citizens. And more on the topic of new businesses coming to Semmes, construction of the Trax Tire Store (next to our new Greater Mobile Urgent Care Clinic) on Moffett Road is moving right along. Also, look for construction to begin on the vacant lot next to Sonic (near WalMart) when Foosackly's Chicken Fingers start on their new restaurant! We have a lot of "business" interest in our new city and I'm hearing whispers about several other companies who would also like to make Semmes their home. New businesses mean more jobs and more sales tax revenue to support our new city. Try to stay cool during July - it's really getting hot and humid. And a very important topic, there is a burn ban in effect for all 67 counties in the State of Alabama. The fine for violating the No Burn Order is up to a $500 fine and up to six months in jail. There have been over 800 wildfires in the State since the beginning of the year. We've seen what has happened just recently in Theodore, Gulf Shores, Jackson County in Mississippi, and in Pensacola. Let's be safe in Semmes - no outdoor burning! Please remember that communication is key - and there is an open line for you to get in touch with me or any of our five Council Members. The office phone number is 251/649-8811. Also you can reach any of us directly by email by visiting the City Council page on our website. The public is invited to our monthly City Council meetings and also to the Committee meetings. There is a public comments portion of each meeting and I encourage you to voice your opinions and concerns to your elected officials. Have a safe and happy 4th! Judith Hale, Mayor
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Last Updated: May 16, 2012 |
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Phone 251/649-8811 FAX 251/649-7711 Copyright
© City of Semmes 2012. All rights Reserved |
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