PHOTO: The City of Fort Payne has set a tentative date to review the contract with Chick-Fil-A! (File Photo)

By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor

tyler@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — In the regular meeting of the Fort Payne City Council, the city set a date for a hearing on the agreement for a new Chick-Fil-A location in Fort Payne. A public hearing will be held on February 21st at the next regular city council meeting.

While it's not official until the contract is signed, the new location will reportedly be in the old Ryan's building across the road from Walmart on Highway 35. The announcement came towards the end of the meeting, after the Mayor's report.

"Subsequent to that time, we will do the muscle to get the agreement approved in circuit court," said City Attorney Rocky Watson.

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In other matters, the Mayor and council also discussed the pending contract renewal with Retail Strategies, who works to bring retail stores to the city. Attorney Watson related that the company was unwilling to make changes to the existing contract, such as providing monthly progress reports to ensure the funds spent with the company are worth it.

"They do not want to make monthly reports?" asked Councilman Gerald Taylor.

"No, they said that's too much trouble," replied Watson.

The mayor then asked Watson to get with their attorney once more and see if they could reach a resolution. The contract expires on February 15th.

"We just want verifiable information of what they are providing us with for $20,000 (a month)," said Councilman Wade Hill.

The Mayor also reported that the money had been allocated for the Airport road and Highway 35 project, which was submitted about a year ago. The federal money is going to be spent on a round-about off of the interstate to alleviate traffic problems.

Other issues handled in the meeting:

• Accepted an ordinance authorizing a loan for sewer upgrades in the amount of $600,000.
• Amended a resolution which granted tax abatements to Kenneth Fowler DBA Elimia, Inc.
• Accepted bids for concrete, asphalt, vehicle and equipment fuel, drain pipe, rock and crushed limestone, & sewer piping and fittings.
• Authorized the purchase of a new landfill dozer.
• Authorized bids for four new golf carts for DeSoto Golf Course.
• Voted to honor street light request at three locations

At the end of the meeting, the city attorney acknowledge pending legal action against the city on the pending slope ordinance. Councilman Brian Baine explained that the ordinance was in the works, and Hill added that a rough draft should be ready by late March.

The next regular meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held on February 21st at 12 pm.