On the agenda: Creola August 13, 2026 Meeting — data center (Aug 13)

CITY HALL MAYOR'S OFFICE
9615 Old Hwy. 43 Phone 251-675-8142
P.O. Box 490 Fax 251-930-1877

Creola, AL 36525-0490

CITY OF CREOLA

Since 1978

MAYOR CITY COUNCIL

Donald Nelson Diana Lambert
James Brown

CITY CLERK Wendy Lynch

Marey Brown Harold Parmer
Mark Howell
MAGISTRATES
Linda Hoiles

Christie Bryant

Minutes of the City of Creola Council Meeting
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Creola City Hall
Meeting 6:00 P.M.

The regular council meeting was called to order by Mayor Don Nelson at 6:00 p.m. We were led
in prayer by Mayor Don Nelson. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Don Nelson. Roll
call was taken by City Clerk Marcy Brown. Present at the meeting were Mark Howell, Harold
Parmer, James Brown, Diana Lambert, and Mayor Nelson. Wendy Lynch was absent. City
Attorney Danny Mims was also present.

Item #5 - Approval of the Minutes — The minutes of the July 23, 2026, regular meeting was
reviewed. Mr. Brown moved to accept the minutes as written. Mr. Parmer seconded the motion.
All in favor, and the motion was carried.

Item #6- Financials/Bill List-

Mayor Nelson gave an update on the finances and bank balances. Mr. Brown made a motion to
approve the bank balances as of 8/13/2026 as presented. Mr. Parmer seconded the motion. All in
favor, and the motion was carried.

Mr. Brown moved to approve the bill list as of 8/13/2026 as presented. Mr. Howell seconded the
motion. All in favor, and the motion was carried.

Item #7 - Departmental Reports —

Police Dept. —The police department is requested by the council to provide individual
maintenance schedules for each vehicle. The goal is to track maintenance history per vehicle to
identify issues or excessive spending, as current invoices only identify the vehicle and sometimes
the officer.

- Full certification training began this month, with 11 people testing. The ultimate goal is a 100%
certified fire department by March of next year. Uncertified personnel are currently in Fire One
Firebird chief training. Training is conducted in-house, costing less than $500 (for propane for
live fire exercises). Total training hours are 160.

Sail Center — No report given.

Public Works Department. — Johnny missed 5-6 days due to an injury (air conditioner dropped
on leg) but is now back at work. Matt and Johnny are working well together.

A motion was made by Mr. Howell and seconded by Mr. Parmer to request the county grader
and a dump truck, with operators, to assist with ditch work on a weekend. All in favor and the
motion was carried.

Air Conditioner: A previously tabled request for an air conditioner for the street department
needs to be addressed due to high temperatures. Three estimates have been received, and Mayor
Nelson will locate them.

Park Dept — We received the last funds for the final phase of the park project, and we are asking
for a work order change to possibly the remaining $200,000 on lights.

Building Inspection Department — No report given.

Zoning Board — The Board of Adjustment met and approved three requests for a six-month
renewal for medical accessory bill support.

Item #8 - New Business-

a. Dump Truck on Gov Deals —The dump truck did not meet the reserves on Gov Deals.
Mr. Howell made a motion to sell to the highest bidder at a cost of $4,200. Mr. Parmer
seconded the motion. All in favor and the motion was carried.

b. Highway 43 Light - The project is "getting ready to bid." Funding will be $1.5 million
from Mr. Carl's office (transportation grant), and $778,000 was awarded by the Alabama
Transportation Rehabilitation Plan (ATRIP) last year. Matching Funds: A $375,000
match is required. Mobile County has agreed to pay this match, but the city will need to
pay it first, and Mobile County will reimburse the city (requiring a County Commission
vote). Kim Sanderson (County's highway person) confirmed county reimbursement.
Total project funding: Approximately $2.6 million. Payment Timeline: The total invoice
for the match will be due in October. Consequence of Not Participating: "We'll lose the
Grant. We'll lose 43 if we don't do this."

c. Line of Credit - The city currently uses a line of credit to pay city insurance
(approximately $187,000) at 6% interest, with monthly payments and an anticipated
payoff in one year. Insurance costs are expected to exceed $200,000 next year. After
speaking with Ashley Watkins at United Bank, it was discussed to increase the line of
credit to $600,000 to cover the upfront cost we are about to incur.

Mr. Parmer made a motion and seconded by Mr. Brown to give the mayor permission to
obtain a $600,000 line of credit with United Bank for city improvements (including
streetlights and other necessary work). Mayor Nelson characterized this as "good debt" given
the potential for a new police station, a new light, a canoe trail, and land acquisition.

Roll Call: Council Members Diana Lambert — Yes; Mark Howell — Yes; Harold Parmer —
Yes; James Brown — Yes; Wendy Lynch — Absent; Mayor Don Nelson — Yes.

Item #9 - Citizens to Address Council — Breast Cancer Awareness Event: Crystal White is
hosting the Breast Cancer Awareness event on October 11th at Municipal Park. Requests include
banners for advertising and a fire truck for a "Touch the Truck" activity. The fire department is
already planning a PR event in October and can combine efforts.

Item #10 - Mayor's Comments — Mayor Nelson stated that the Gomesa Public Safety Building
Project ($2 Million) needed a decision on the project's location to move forward.

- Previous Site (Sutton Place): Bought four years ago (approx. 3 acres for $30,000-$36,000).
Issues identified include deficiencies due to a FEMA 100-year flood (Old Gum Pond area),
concerns about neighbors, and a lengthy house demolition process.

- Alternative Options Considered:

- Option A (Next Door - Foster Property): Approx. half-acre, considered too small and "tight"
by the engineer.

- Option B (Across from Baptist Church): Slightly over an acre, next to a storage place, owner
asking roughly $140,000-$150,000.

- Option C (Mr. Huss Property on 43): Slightly more than an acre, asking for a price similar to
Option B.

- Option D (Tim Foster Property): Tim Foster and his wife digitally signed an agreement to sell
3.5 acres for $150,000. The Foster property could open opportunities for a future fire station or
street department behind it and is located on the highway.

- Land Development at Exit 22: An attorney discussed potential development (storage facility, IT
equipment) on 300 acres near Exit 22, belonging to Tom Ellison. A drawing is available.

- Solar Panels: Jeff Smith from the power company inquired about the city's position on solar
panels. Land is being cleared at the old idea cement area for a large solar panel field. Concern
was expressed that solar panel fields or data centers at Exit 22 might not generate revenue for the
city, would utilize prime commercial property, and consume significant water and power
resources.

Tree Trimming in Rio Honda: Clancy was consulted about cutting trees hitting campers in Rio
Honda. Three specific locations require trimming. A motion was made by Mr. Howell and
seconded by Mr. Parmer to allow Clancy to cut the low-hanging trees to a target height of 15
feet, at a cost of $1,800, to be funded from "street money." All in favor and the motion was
carried.

Mr. Parmer made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. All in favor, and the
motion was carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

dD cnae VP. tA

Don Nelson
Mayor

Marcy Browns
City Clerk