Work Session City Hall Fayette, Alabama November 26, 2018  The City Council of the City of Fayette held a work session at 5:00 o'clock, p.m. on November Upon roll call the following were found to be present: Mayor Ray Nelson, Councilmembers Linda McCraw, Eddy Campbell, Jason Cowart, and Cedric Wilson. Also present was City Attorney Dale Mayor Nelson announced a quorum was present and the meeting was open for the transaction of  26, 2018, int the Council Chambers oft the City) Hall. Lawrence. Councilmember. Jerry Nichols was absent.  business.  INTERVIEW OF MUNICIPAL JUDGEA APPLICANTS  1. Mrs. Ebony Winston Rodgers  The first applicant interviewed was Mrs. Ebony Winston Rodgers. Mrs. Rodgers was admitted to the Bar in 2016. She has a solo practice and does criminal appointed work in the District and Circuit Courts. Mrs. Rodgers was a student prosecutor in Massachusetts and represented. juvenile clients in the law school clinic. She said she works well with others. Mrs. Rodgers said accountability, integrity and justice would be the way she would operate the Municipal Court, if appointed judge. She said she would usually be available because her office isl located in Fayette. Mrs. Rodgers stated this is more than just a position tol her, because it would be an example to others who came from similar circumstances asl her.  2. Mr. Steven Nolen  The second applicant interviewed was Mr. Steven Nolen. Mr. Nolen started practicing in Fayette in September of 1986. He has served as Assistant District Attorney and also has been a substitute municipal judge in both Fayette and Berry. Mr. Nolen stated he would soon begin prosecuting in traffic/criminal court as well as child support court. He stated he has supervised at least two and sometimes three office personnel throughout his career. Mr. Nolen stated he also has to manage the child support cases and work with employees of the Department of Human Resources. He would be available  most oft thet time to deal with any necessary advisements and hearings.  3. Mrs. Amanda Walters Porter  The third applicant interviewed was Mrs. Amanda Walters Porter. Mrs. Porter received her law degree and has been practicing since 2013 in a solo practice. She stated she mainly works in the field of criminal law and juvenile law. Mrs. Porter is the Bar Commissioner for the 24" Judicial Circuit and is President oft the Fayette County Bar Association. She stated she thinks iti is very important that people are treated fairly. She has had experience working with both sides of the criminal justice system, both defendants and victims. She stated her office is in town and she would usually be available for any  hearings ora advisements that are necessary. 4. Mr. Ronald H. Strawbridge, Jr.  The fourth applicant was Mr. Ronald H. Strawbridge, Jr. Mr. Strawbridge has been practicing since 2000 and works at Strawbridge, Strawbridge & Strawbridge in Vernon. He has a general practice that includes criminal defense and juvenile cases. He stated he would have fewer conflicts because of the location ofl his practice. He stated running a law office requires leadership skills and provides experience in dealing with others. Mr. Strawbridge said he relates to people well and knows many of the police officers. He did not think availability would be a problem and would be available as necessary. Fayette is  his home and] his office isi in Vernon. 5. Mrs. Kelly McCalebl Kearney  The fifth applicant was Mrs. Kelly McCalebl Kearney. Mrs. Kearney began practicing law in 1996 andl has practiced in Fayette and' Tuscaloosa. She has also served as Assistant District Attorney. She has been the municipal judge for the Town of Berry since 2000 and has been working with the Berry Court Clerk for 18 years. She said the Court has to treat all who come before it fairly and this is done by having rules that are followed. Availability would not be an issue with her. She said she brings 18 years of experience tot the position and because she is not currently practicing she would have very few conflicts. At the conclusion of the interviews, the Mayor and Council ranked the candidates writing down their first, second, third, fourth and fifth choices for municipal judge. Ifa candidate was the first choice-    he or she received 5 points, ifs second choice 4 points, ift third choice -3 points, if fourth choice -2 points, andi iff fifth choice -1j point. The submissions oft the Mayor and Council were then tabulated. The most any candidate had the possibility of receiving was 25 points (five 1* choice votes x 5 points = 25). Three oft the candidates received first choice points. Mr. Steven] Nolen received the most points.  PAVINGON: 25th STREETNW  Mayor Nelson reported to the Council he had received an estimate of $44,000.00 for the paving on 25!h Street NW. He stated there are 44 miles of streets in Fayette not including Highway 18 and  Highway 43.  ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business to come before the Council, upon the motion to adjourn being made by Councilmember Cowart and seconded by Councilmember Wilson, the same was unanimously  adopted.  Mayor  Attest:  City Clerk