By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com (Photo by Zach Hester | Southern Torch)

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — (Full Video on our Facebook) At this week’s meeting of the Rainsville City Council, the Council agreed to start the bidding process for the Boozer Bridge project.

Adam Lea of Ladd Environmental Consultants, Inc., advised the Council that the expected cost for the project would be $335,000. This project will be a joint effort between the City of Rainsville and DeKalb County. The sealed bids will be open on August 1 at 12pm. 

Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt stated the bridge could be paid for through the expected revenue from the gas tax, which was passed earlier this year by the Alabama Legislature. According to the Rebuild Alabama Act, the City of Rainsville is projected to receive $94,318 annually. 

The Council moved to hire Chance Williams, one of the first graduates of the DeKalb County Technology Center’s Fire College Program. He will be hired at a rate of $11.68 per hour as a certified volunteer. He will sign a four-year contract with the City of Rainsville in exchange for them sending him to Rookie School. 

Councilmember Brandon Freeman reported that the City pool had opened on May 28 to huge attendance. He also said that the Rainsville Farmers Market will open on Thursday, June 6 at 4pm.

Public Building Authority (PBA) President Eric Samples stated there has been approximately 22 applicants for the position of Director of the Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center and the interview process has begun.

The Council approved the following:

• The purchase of 15, 6” round tables at a cost of $130 per table
• Repairs to the stage at the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center (TBEC) in the amount of $500-700
• The purchase of two lockboxes for outside lighting at a cost of “less than a few hundred dollars” 
• The resignation of Police Officer Stephen Shassberger, and opened applications to replace him
• Resolution 06-03-2019, which surpluses a 1994 Ford dump truck from the Sanitation Department
• Approved $12,000 for sidewalk repairs to make them handicap accessible in front of the TBEC
• Approved $14,000 for sewer repair work in the Kilgore subdivision area

The next meeting of the Rainsville City Council will be held on Monday, June 17 at 5pm with a work session beginning at 4:15pm.