MINUTES OF THE BERLIN TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 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, September 15, 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 – Steve Clark – Present
Council Member Place # 3 – Tony Duke – Present
Council Member Place # 4 – Eudon Bates – Present
Council Member Place # 5 – Keith Hardman – Present
Public Comments – There were none.
- Councilman Keith Hardman made motion to approve the Minutes from the August 18, 2025, Regular Meeting and September 9, 2025, Special Meeting. Second made by Councilman Donald Gunter. Approved 6-0.
- Mayor Patrick Bates presented FY2026 Employees’ Retirement System of Alabama Actuarial Valuation.
- Councilman Keith Hardman made motion to approve proposed changes to Berlin Community Mitigation Action Plan as part of the Cullman County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Second made by Councilman Tony Duke. Approved 6-0.
- Councilman Donald Gunter made motion to approve proposed FY2025 Capital Fund Budget adjustment in the amount of $12,000 to be transferred from excess revenue into engineering. Second made by Councilman Tony Duke. Approved 6-0.
- Councilman Keith Hardman made motion to approve Town of Berlin FY2026 General Fund Budget in the amount of $331,000, Road Fund in the amount of $410,000, and Capital Fund in the amount of $5,000. Second made by Councilman Donald Gunter. Approved 6-0.
- Councilman Keith Hardman made a motion to approve a cost-of-living salary adjustment for Town Clerk, Keirstyn Montgomery, in the amount of five percent (5%) of her current salary. Second made by Councilman Tony Duke. Approved 6-0.
- Council discussed County Roads 1611 and 1614.
- Councilman Keith Hardman made motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of Property Acquisition and to immediately adjourn afterward. 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.
- Executive Session commenced at 7:28PM
- Councilman Keith Hardman made motion to close Executive Session. Second made by Councilman Steve Clark. 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.
- Executive Session concluded at 7:49PM
- Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Steve Clark. Second made by Councilman Donald Gunter. Approved 6-0.
- The Town Council of the Town of Berlin adjourned at 7:49 PM.
The next Regular Meeting of the Berlin Town Council will be held October 20, 2025, at the Berlin Town Hall at 7:00 PM.