(Marla Jones | Southern Torch)
Marla Jones, Reporter
RAINSVILLE, Ala.—The Rainsville City Council had a productive meeting on Monday, August 21, 2017, at the city's regularly scheduled council meeting.
During the workshop segment of the meeting, Rainsville citizen, Sonja Pittman addressed the council about ongoing issues with Maple Street. At a previous meeting on June 19, 2017, Council Bejan Taheri tabled, indefinitely the discussion of paving a private road (Maple Street). Meaning that the present council, would not discuss the issue any further, during their term. The motion passed 3-2.
On July 3, 2017, Mayor Lingerfelt explained the motion of indefinitely tabling from the previous meeting. “According to the League of Municipalities, it is legal for us to table it, that we do not discuss it”stated Rodger Lingerfelt. “They can still come and talk about it.”
This was Mrs. Pittman first appearance at the council since the June 19, 2017 council meeting. Pittman stated that beginning in 2002 when the property had been divided into a subdivision, the citizens of Maple Street had paid to bring the street up to city specifications but the street was never paved. Pittman also stated that residents on Maple Street received US mail, had garbage service, was on city water, school buses picked up children and that the street also had a fire hydrant. Several property owners on Maple Street have agreed to deed land, to City, in order for a cul-de-sac to be built. Pittman also expressed that property values had decreased since the non-paving of the road. Pittman concluded that when she went to the City of Rainsville to obtain letters from the State, on which streets would be paved with grant money, that she was advised they were not available. The council thanked Mrs. Pittman and no action was taken. (Southern Torch reached out to Mrs. Pittman, and at press time, the letters from the State, had not been released to her)
At the Regular Session, the Council discussed a number of issues and addressed the following business:
- Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt recommended the hire of Bradley Wisener to oversee the Boozer Bridge at a cost around $2,500. A motion was made and the council unanimously approved.
- Mayor Lingerfelt recommended the hire of Dusty Garrison to the Rainsville Police Department. The motion was made and the council unanimously approved.
- Councilman, Bejan Taheri made the motion to buy fifteen body cameras for the police department at a cost of $7,480, which was unanimously approved by council. Taheri, also updated the council on the re-striping of the police vehicles which was available thru donations by Alfa and Representative Nathaniel Ledbetter.
- Councilman, Ricky Byrum updated the council on over $600,000 of paving projects, made available by grants, for the City.
- Councilman, Brandon Freeman, addressed the council upon the recent findings of ADECA. The park had been inspected and several items needed to be worked on to make the park in compliance and make handicap accessible. Paving the park sidewalks which included connecting the Bevill Center, basketball court, playground, and walking track together by sidewalk. The sidewalk also would need a park bench that is connected by a landing. The total price for the ADECA improvements would be at $8,000. The council unanimously approved.
- Councilman, Derek Rosson made the motion of sponsorship in the amount of $500 to Badges for Kids, formerly known as “Youth Day in the Park” which is a joint effort by the Rainsville Police and Fire Departments that will be held on September 23, 2017 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. The council unanimously approved. Rosson also made the motion to approve $975.00 for annual ladder tests for the Rainsville Fire Department, which was approved by council. Rainsville Fire Department also advised that there is a No-Burn Ordinance until October 31, 2017. In other business, Rosson made the motion to approve Chris Goodwin and Michael Sawyer to the Veterans Memorial Committee, which the Council approved. Rosson also stressed the importance of stopping for school buses as the new school has began.
In other business, the Rainsville City Council will change their next regularly scheduled meeting to, September 7, 2017 beginning at 4:15 p.m., due to the Labor Day holiday.
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