Marla Jones, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- The Fort Payne City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on April 19.
The main topic for discussion at the meeting was paving projects within the city. Mayor Brian Baine stated that he had driven around Fort Payne with Tim Williams, Director of Public Works. A list was made of some roads that needed the most work.
“Pick a street, they all are terrible,” stated Councilmember John Smith.
Smith made a motion to increase the paving budget. A motion was made to increase the present budget to $400,000 by John Smith, which was approved by the Council.
The Council approved the financing for the old “Gas House” property on the west side of the railroad tracks from 4th Street North to 2nd Street North. The property owners will finance for a four-year term with zero interest. Councilmember John Smith abstained from the vote, citing that this would still count against the City debt limit.
The Council interviewed three applicants for the replacement of Jimmy Durham on the Fort Payne City School Board. Durham’s term expires in June and he did not seek reappointment. The three applicants were Dana Grimes, Randy McClung, and Charles Mauney, Jr.
President Pro-Term Walter Watson stepped down from the chair to nominate Charles Mauney, Jr., without a second the nomination failed. Randy McClung was nominated and was approved by the Council. The Council stated that all candidates were deserving but that the school board requested an experienced member. McClung has severed previously on the Board.
The Council passed Resolutions 2022-20 and 2022-21 declaring the certain property as surplus and to be sold by sealed bids.
The Council amended the “Economic Development Agreement” with RAM Development Partners to revise the commencement of construction date from Fall 2021 to Summer of 2022. The Council also revised the construction completion date from Winter 2021 to Spring 2023. The changes were sought because of unforeseen delays in dealing with FEMA, ALDOT, and other entities.
A curbing request for 103 Tyler Avenue was approved.
The following activity permits were approved:
- Fort Payne Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast, Rotary Pavilion, Saturday, May 14 from 5:00 a.m. to noon
- Fort Payne Lions Club Chicken Cookout, City Park, Saturday, May 21 from 8:00 am
until 3:00 pm
- ROSS, Shane Shimpam, Recovery Awareness Program, City Park, Saturday, September 10 from Noon to 5:00 p.m.
- The SAM Foundation, Suicide Remembrance Walk, Alabama Walking Park, Sunday, September 25 from 1:30 pm until 4:30 pm.
- Fort Payne Main Street, Ice Skating, Rotary Pavilion, December 8 through December 29 from 4:00 pm until 10 pm.
The next meeting of the Fort Payne Council will be held on May 3 beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Fort Payne City Hall.
