It's been a decade since the Luverne City Council had to recruit a new police chief.

Following Monday night's council meeting, that time has come once again.

The council accepted Police Chief Bob Davis' resignation at the conclusion of the meeting.

"The decision was based on my family situation," Davis said. "I have family up in Tallassee and it was a way to get closer to my family. Believe it or not, it was a long and hard decision. I believe I've spent the best 10 years of my life here in Luverne because of the people, so it wasn't an easy decision. When the opportunity at Tallassee came along, it boiled down to being closer to the family."

While the Luverne Council was accepting Davis' resignation, the Tallassee City Council hired Davis him.

Luverne Mayor Joe Rex Sport made the announcement of Davis' departure during the council meeting. He said Davis' shoes would be hard to fill.

"We regret losing Chief Davis, he's done an excellent job for us," Mayor Sport said. "He's made a lot of improvement in our police department and is abreast of the new things that go on in law enforcement."

Councilman Merle Sport, who is the council chairman for the police department, agrees.

"Chief Davis did an excellent job," Councilman Sport said. "He brought our department up to Montgomery and big city standards. He's educated our children, trained our people and he's participated in grants. He's a very educated individual. Our department is first class for a town this size."

Councilman Sport expressed his pleasure with Davis' work ethic and leadership skills.

"He has the officers trained and ready," Councilman Sport said. "They condition and shoot. We're prepared to do more than write traffic tickets. We have investigations and several other departments. He's done a heck of a job. He'll be missed. I'm just glad it's not that far away."

As for Davis' replacement, the council agreed that they would begin taking applications in December in preparations for interviews, no matter if they decide to promote within the department or hire an officer from outside.

"We'll replace him for sure and we feel the one we get to replace him will do a good job and continue to work our police department and will represent the city well," Mayor Sport said. "We'll continue to offer the citizens the same type police protection and cooperation."

Davis' last day with the LPD will be Dec. 3.

In other business, the council:

n Agreed to look into the possibility of passing a no smoking policy throughout the city, primarily in restaurants.

"I've had too many people tell me that they can't go to a place and enjoy a meal without having to wave smoke out of their face, it's something that they can't enjoy," Councilman Al Snellgrove said. "I think if Montgomery, Prattville and New York City can enact an ordinance like that so can we."

n Agreed to set a minimum bid of $6,000 on the Electric Department's bucket truck, which was declared surplus at the Nov. 8 council meeting. The council also agreed that if the minimum bid wasn't reached to have it auctioned off.

n Announced that $50,000 in profit money had been received from the Southeast Alabama Gas District.

n Agreed to look into the possibility of having a flashing school sign installed in front of Foster Drugs. In the meantime, a request was made to have an officer direct traffic in the area.

n Expressed concerns that the back door exit of the police department office is locked and not able to be used.

n Announced that the new Christmas lights purchased by the Electric Board had been received.

n Announced that all three trucks approved during the Nov. 8 meeting had been purchased.

n Approved the Nov. 8 minutes.