Freeman declared Place 4 winner, infrastructure repairs approved in Rainsville
By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The Rainsville City Council convened for its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night. The mayor and council came together to approve several agenda items for the city’s public safety departments, the upcoming municipal elections, and maintenance on the city’s infrastructure.
In the work session, Sam Phillips, the city engineer, was on hand to present Wiregrass Construction’s plan to resurface four roads in town. The city sought bids for the work several weeks ago and Wiregrass submitted the only bid. Phillips cited a lack of local asphalt sources as a reason why Wiregrass was the only company that was able to compete for the bid.
The Wiregrass bid was totaled at $397,883.65, or according to Phillips, 3.1 percent within the cost estimate the city had prepared.
“I don’t think we can get any closer than that,” Phillips said.
Phillips pointed out Industrial Boulevard as the primary road that needs attention. While the road is in good shape from U.S. Highway 35 to RTI Drive, the road is in poor shape from RTI to Dilbeck Road. The work will require closing the road from RTI to Dilbeck.
The regular meeting began at 5:00 pm, and with the exception of Councilwoman Michelle Ledbetter, all council members and the mayor were present.
Councilman Rodger Lingerfelt brought the road resurfacing bid from Wiregrass Construction to motion, and with a second from Graham, passed unanimously.
Councilman David Holt brought forth several ordinances relating to the upcoming municipal elections. Most importantly, election officers were approved by the mayor and council, and Councilman Freeman was officially declared the winner of the race for Rainsville City Council Place 4. Congratulations to Councilman Brandon Freeman on your second term serving the City of Rainsville!
Holt then brought to a motion resolutions 08-01-2016 (D) and (E), which are measures needed to enter into a lease-purchase agreement with Region’s Bank to secure funding for three new Dodge Chargers for the police department and for the new fire truck, and authorize the mayor to sign the needed documents. The resolutions were deemed necessary by city attorney Nikki Scott in accordance with Region’s bank policy.
“We have to pass a resolution for the town to enter into a lease-purchase agreement with Region’s,” Scott said in the work session.
The city began banking with Region’s due to transferring loans from First State Bank. Since severing ties with First State Bank, which is headquartered here in Rainsville, the city must abide by policies set by Region’s and pass additional resolutions when making purchases.
Other motions passed by the council:
- Hire Zane Blake as a new full-time patrolman for the police department.
- Approved bid from NAFECO to outfit the new fire truck with equipment for $25,802.27.
- Reduce the speed limit from 40 to 35 mph on Chavies Road.
- Approved payment to Morrow Water Technologies for $22,535.00 for repairs to a pump station after a lightning strike. The city will be reimbursed by the insurance claim.
In the final business of Monday’s meeting, Graham made a motion to change next month’s first scheduled meeting from Monday, September 5 to Tuesday, September 6, in lieu of the Labor Day Holiday. The motion passed. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Monday, August 15 with the workshop beginning at 5:00 pm.
For full video of Monday night’s council meeting, visit the Southern Torch YouTube channel.
