Food City public hearing rescheduled for Aug. 30

Food City public hearing rescheduled for Aug. 30

Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. -- The Fort Payne City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 16. 

Fort Payne City Attorney, Rocky Watson stated in the meeting that a previously approved Memorandum of Understanding with Marathon Realty (Food City) was rejected due to errors.  

According to Watson, the filing in a local newspaper was incorrect along with a few technical errors in the wording, that needed to be corrected. 

A hearing was previously scheduled for August 23, at 9:30 a.m. but was “Dismissed Without Prejudice.” 

J. David Dodd of Scruggs, Dodd and Brisendine, serves as the attorney for the (15) Plaintiffs in the case.

“We believe the City Council was well advised to dismiss the compliant and sincerely hope that our City Council will exercise better care of the taxpayers’ money in the future” stated Dodd. 

Council members John Smith and Johnny Eberhart previously voted no on the incentive package that was offered to Marathon Realty (Food City).

Southern Torch reached out to Fort Payne City Attorney Rocky Watson and as of press time, had not received a comment. 

A new hearing will be held on August 30 at 12:30 p.m., on the second floor of the Fort Payne City Hall, for public comment concerning the project. 

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In the Mayor's Report, Mayor Brian Baine advised the Council that some cars that were previously set to sell in the Fleet Program had been transferred to different departments due to need.  Some Council members expressed disapproval, stating that is not what they had agreed upon. 

Baine also addressed the confusion concerning brush pickup and the signs that were being placed in yards.  He explained that every time a sign was placed in a yard, it did not mean a fee would be charged for pickup.  Sometimes, the brush is in a location that can not be picked up because of nearby power lines.  

The Fort Payne City Council approved the participation in the P-25 communications infrastructure that is federally mandated.  This is a program that will put all first responders in the City of Fort Payne and DeKalb County on the same page.  The total cost will be 1.7 million dollars  Grants and American Rescue Plan money can be obtained to aide in cost. 

In other business:

• Activity Permit approved for:  Fort Payne High School Student Council, Homecoming Parade, Thursday, October 6th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Gault Avenue beginning at 3rd Street South and ending at 8th Street North

• A vehicle was declared surplus and donated to the Criminal Justice Department at Fort Payne High School. 

A special-called meeting of the Council will be the Public Hearing regarding Food City Incentives on August 30, at 12:30.  The next regular meeting will be held on September 6, at 12:30 p.m.

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