MINUTES OF THE BERLIN TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, JULY 21, 2025 – 7:00 P.M.
Berlin Town Hall
The Town Council of the Town of Berlin met in Regular Session on this date and time following publication and posting pursuant to Alabama law.
Meeting called to order by Mayor Patrick Bates on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. at the Berlin Town Hall.
Invocation – Councilman Donald Gunter.
Pledge of Allegiance – Mayor Patrick Bates.
Roll Call – Town Clerk Keirstyn Montgomery
Mayor – Patrick E. Bates – Present
Council Member Place # 1 – Donald Gunter – Present
Council Member Place # 2 – VACANT
Council Member Place # 3 – Tony Duke – Present
Council Member Place # 4 – Eudon Bates – Present
Council Member Place # 5 – Keith Hardman – Present
- Mayor Patrick Bates opened nominations for Council Place # 2.
- Councilman Keith Hardman nominated Steve Clark to fill Council Place # 2.
- Motion to close nominations for Council Place # 2 made by Councilman Keith Hardman. Second made by Councilman Donald Gunter. Roll-Call Vote: Mayor Patrick Bates-Yes, Councilman Donald Gunter-Yes, Councilman Tony Duke-Yes, Councilman Don Bates-Yes, Councilman Keith Hardman-Yes. Approved 5-0.
- Councilman Donald Gunter made motion to immediately appoint Steve Clark to Council Place # 2. Second Made by Councilman Tony Duke. Roll-Call Vote: Mayor Patrick Bates-Yes, Councilman Donald Gunter-Yes, Councilman Tony Duke-Yes, Councilman Don Bates-Yes, Councilman Keith Hardman-Yes. Approved 5-0.
- Town Clerk Keirstyn Montgomery administered Oath of Office for Council Place # 2, Steve Clark.
Public Comments – John Cordar addressed the Council to express concerns regarding the condition of County Road 1614.
- Councilman Keith Hardman made motion to approve the Minutes from the June 16, 2025, Regular Meeting and the June 30, 2025, Special Meeting. Second made by Councilman Donald Gunter. Approved 6-0.
- Mayor Patrick Bates informed Council that all municipal offices for the 2025 Municipal Election were unopposed. Therefore, in accordance with Alabama state law, the Town of Berlin will not be holding an election this cycle.
- Councilman Tony Duke made motion to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2025-006 – MAYOR ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION. Second made by Councilman Keith Hardman. Roll-Call Vote: Mayor Patrick Bates-Yes, Councilman Donald Gunter-Yes, Councilman Steve Clark-Yes, Councilman Tony Duke-Yes, Councilman Don Bates-Yes, Councilman Keith Hardman-Yes. Approved 6-0.
- Town Clerk/Elections Manager Keirstyn Montgomery presented Certificate of Election for Mayor, Patrick Bates.
- Councilman Keith Hardman made motion to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2025-007 – COUNCILMEMBER PLACE 1 ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION. Second made by Councilman Tony Duke. Roll-Call Vote: Mayor Patrick Bates-Yes, Councilman Donald Gunter-Yes, Councilman Steve Clark-Yes, Councilman Tony Duke-Yes, Councilman Don Bates-Yes, Councilman Keith Hardman-Yes. Approved 6-0.
- Town Clerk/Elections Manager Keirstyn Montgomery presented Certificate of Election for Council Place 1, Donald Gunter.
- Councilman Donald Gunter made motion to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2025-008 – COUNCILMEMBER PLACE 2 ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION. Second made by Councilman Tony Duke. Roll-Call Vote: Mayor Patrick Bates-Yes, Councilman Donald Gunter-Yes, Councilman Steve Clark-Yes, Councilman Tony Duke-Yes, Councilman Don Bates-Yes, Councilman Keith Hardman-Yes. Approved 6-0.
- Town Clerk/Elections Manager Keirstyn Montgomery presented Certificate of Election for Council Place 2, Steve Clark.
- Councilman Tony Duke made motion to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2025-009 – COUNCILMEMBER PLACE 3 ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION. Second made by Councilman Keith Hardman. Roll-Call Vote: Mayor Patrick Bates-Yes, Councilman Donald Gunter-Yes, Councilman Steve Clark-Yes, Councilman Tony Duke-Yes, Councilman Don Bates-Yes, Councilman Keith Hardman-Yes. Approved 6-0.
- Town Clerk/Elections Manager Keirstyn Montgomery presented Certificate of Election for Council Place 3, Edith Stevenson.
- Councilman Keith Hardman made motion to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2025-010– COUNCILMEMBER PLACE 4 ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION. Second made by Councilman Tony Duke. Roll-Call Vote: Mayor Patrick Bates-Yes, Councilman Donald Gunter-Yes, Councilman Steve Clark-Yes, Councilman Tony Duke-Yes, Councilman Don Bates-Yes, Councilman Keith Hardman-Yes. Approved 6-0.
- Town Clerk/Elections Manager Keirstyn Montgomery presented Certificate of Election for Council Place 4, Eudon Bates.
- Councilman Tony Duke made motion to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2025-011– COUNCILMEMBER PLACE 5 ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION. Second made by Councilman Don Bates. Roll-Call Vote: Mayor Patrick Bates-Yes, Councilman Donald Gunter-Yes, Councilman Steve Clark-Yes, Councilman Tony Duke-Yes, Councilman Don Bates-Yes, Councilman Keith Hardman-Yes. Approved 6-0.
- Town Clerk/Elections Manager Keirstyn Montgomery presented Certificate of Election for Council Place 5, Keith Hardman.
- Mayor Patrick Bates presented FY2025 General Fund and Capital Fund budget adjustments. Councilman Tony Duke made motion to approve FY2025 General Fund and Capital Fund budget adjustments. Second made by Councilman Keith Hardman. Approved 6-0.
- Mayor Patrick Bates presented draft FY2026 budgets.
- Council discussed CSA Software.
- Council discussed bush hogging and mowing of town property.
- Council discussed Rebuild Alabama.
- Council discussed County Road 1611.
- Council discussed Farmers Market site development. Town Clerk/Farmers Market Manager Keirstyn Montgomery informed Council that due to contractor delays, the town will not be hosting Sweet Grown Alabama Day.
- Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Tony Duke. Second made by Councilman Keith Hardman. Approved 6-0.
- The Town Council of the Town of Berlin adjourned at 7:45 PM.
The next Regular Meeting of the Berlin Town Council will be held August 18, 2025, at the Berlin Town Hall at 7:00 PM.