FP increases in Sewer/ Sanitation Tabled

FP increases in Sewer/ Sanitation Tabled

Photo: James Day | Getty Images

Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

Fort Payne, Ala.-- The Fort Payne City Council held their first meeting of 2023, on Tuesday, January 3. 

Ordinance 2023-02,which would amend sewer rates and Ordinance 2023-03, which would amend sanitation rates was tabled by 2-2 vote.  The Council was  required to vote, to suspend the rules for immediate consideration. Councilmembers Phillip Smith and Lynn Brewer voted  yes and Councilmembers John Smith and Johnny Eberhart voted no.  The Ordinances will be brought back up at the next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council. 

Ordinance 2023-01, which permits the Recreation Department, in consultation with the Mayor to implement various rates, rules, and regulations at facilities owned by the City of Fort Payne and under the supervision of the Fort Payne Parks and Recreation Department was passed.  

Council member Lynn Brewer requested that the new rules be conveyed to the Council quickly so they would be able to inform Fort Payne citizens. 

In new business, the Council: 

  • Rejected bids for the Police Department due to irregularities in the bid process.
  • Authorized the re-bidding of the Police Department renovation at such time as Curt O’Daniel, working in conjunction with Tinker Ma Architects, determines those irregularities have been resolved and the specifications “Cleaned Up”.
  • Announced a public meeting to inform contractors doing business within the City of changes brought about by the proposed adoption of new building and fire codes for Thursday, January 26 beginning at 4 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  This meeting is to give Contractors the opportunity to express concerns and input on new codes. 

“We are not up to code on our codes” stated Mayor Brian Bain. “Some are these are non-negoitable.” 

In the Mayors report, Mayor Brian Bain informed the Council that around 6 acres of land, formerly known as the Carden property, was ready to transfer, to Gil Graham.

The Comprehensive Master Plan for the City of Fort Payne will be held on January 19, at the Little Ridge Intermediate School, beginning at 6 p.m. All Fort Payne citizens are encouraged to attend. 

Mayor Bain also encouraged the citizens of Fort Payne to help with litter.  He stated that “litter is everywhere and worse than it has been in a while”.  He asked that citizens and business owners “be mindful and that it was going to take everyone working together” to help to deal with this problem. 

Bain also requested that all household garbage be placed in garbage bags before putting into garbage cans.  The current ordinance states that this must be done. 

The Fort Payne Council went into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation, with no action taken. 

The next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held on Tuesday, January 17, beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 

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