PHOTO: The Rainsville City Council voted to end mowing contracts and do all mowing in house. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

By Marla Jones

Reporter

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The Rainsville City Council met on Thursday, February 22, 2018. Councilman Ricky Byrum proposed to the Council a plan that includes hiring two additional street department workers to handle the city’s mowing and landscaping. Previously, the city contracted the mowing of city properties out to a private company through a competitive bid process. Byrum’s plan calls for the additional workers to form a city sign maintenance crew in the winter months when there is no mowing to be done.

Councilman Marshall Stiefel said he felt bringing the mowing in-house would have hidden costs ,such as equipment purchases, maintenance of equipment, and miscellaneous costs such as fuel. Councilman Brandon Freeman added, “Nothing lasts forever. A car won’t either.” Lingerfelt stated, “It may take two full-time workers to do the mowing, but we will still be ahead in the money. Plus, the town will look better. If we have these guys in-house and if we want to mow twice a week, we can.” Byrum’s plan also included hiring the county road department to repair potholes on various city streets. The Council approved the plan to begin mowing of city properties by newly hired street department employees. (Video segment begins at the 20:36 mark)

The Council also considered an ordinance to vacate an alleyway easement beside Black’s Tire off of Loftin Street in downtown. Byrum stated, “Black’s Tire is wanting to buy a 10’ by 90’ strip of land so they can put two quick lubes and oil changes in there.” Byrum proposed selling the property for $3,000. He stated that Black’s Tire is already using the property and would be buying something they already have access to. Stiefel asked whether the proposed sale could be done in a way for other potential buyers to have an opportunity to purchase the land much like other surplused property of the city is sold.

Byrum said, “That’s your opinion Councilman and you have that right. So we’re going to vote on it and bring it to them (Black’s Tire) and you do what you feel like you need to do.” Councilman Derek Rosson added, “In my opinion, I don’t think we are in the business of making money. We are just trying to help Black’s Tire so we can get the tax revenue off of it.” The Council will hold a formal vote to consider the sale of the property at the next meeting (Video segment begins at the 25:54 mark)

Other business considered and approved:

• Purchase wireless microphones for TBEC with a cap of $800
• Increased the duties of Mary Barrontine at the TBEC
• Hired Clem Construction to install a gravity flow line in the Industrial Park for $48,000.
• Hired Clem Construction to install a septic tank at the Field of Dreams for $5,000
• Empowered Lingerfelt sign a contract with Sweet Tea Trio for $5,500 to perform at Freedom Fest
• Empowered Lingerfelt to close out a temporary loan for the wastewater plant and open with a USDA loan
• Passed surplus resolution No. 2-22-2018
• Changed Chris Hampton from part time to full time in the Parks and Recreation Department
• Empowered Lingerfelt to sign a sewer contract with Sylvania

The next regular scheduled meeting will be March 5, 2018.  Workshop begins at 4:15 and Council meeting at 5 p.m.

You may watch the full video of last week's council meeting here.