Marla Jones, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala. --(Full video on Southern Torch Facebook) The Fort Payne City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on October 19th.
Mayor Brian Bain informed the Council that the contractor hired to complete demolition of the old Fort Payne Hospital could begin as soon as the second week of November.
Bain also updated the Council on several upcoming events within the City:
- Kudzu Millworks will be hosting a food giveaway on Saturday, October 30th at 8 am at the VFW Fairgrounds.
- The Fort Payne Chamber and Twin City Auto Sales will be hosting a Halloween Block Party on October 31st from 4 pm - 7 pm at the VFW Fairgrounds.
- Hustle for Heroes 5K and Fun Run will be held at the VFW Fairgrounds on November 6th, with all proceeds awarded to The Patriots Memorial Park in Fort Payne.
- The Veterans Day Program will be held on November 9th at the Fort Payne Rotary Pavilion beginning at 6 pm.
Several Committee Members addressed the Council regarding items in their Departments:
Robin Brothers, Director of the Fort Payne Parks and Recreation, informed the Council that Youth Basketball Registration had been extended until next week. She stated that over one hundred children had signed up on Monday.
Brothers also informed the Council that Stories and S’mores will be held on October 25th from 5:30 pm until 7 pm at the Rotary Pavilion in Downtown Fort Payne. The event was sponsored by the Fort Payne Parks and Recreation and the DeKalb County Public Library. Events for the night will include storytimes, arts and crafts, family workouts and games.
Ron Saferite, Fort Payne Fire Chief, informed the Council that Norfolk Southern Railroad had donated a Hazmat Rail Car for use to simulate a rail derailment with hazards materials for their training center. Norfolk also donated $15,000 which will be used to move the railcar by a contractor. The contractor will charge $12,000 to deliver and the Fire Department will use the other money to build a pad to set the tanker.
Saferite also discussed the need to purchase another Fire Truck and Ladder Truck in the near future. One of the fire trucks presently used is nearly 20 years old.
Patrick Dunne of the Sanitation Department informed the Council that certain items were allowed to be put on the street that did not fit into garbage cans such as box springs or old televisions but cut trees were at an additional cost. He advised citizens that if a tree service stated that they could be put on the street for pickup that was not necessarily the case.
Dunne advised that guidelines and rules could be found on the City website.
The following Ordinances and Resolutions were approved:
- Resolution 2021-34, as pertains to the City’s application for a trail grant at the new soccer complex.
- Resolution 2021-35, accept Creekstone Point Drive NE, in the Fischer Community, as a City Street.
In New Business:
The Council voted to amend the budget ($50,000 was allocated to the Airport Hangar Repair) and use $30,000 this year to do roof repair and do half of the hangar repairs this year and the other half next year.
The Council also agreed to draw a contract agreement between a private citizen and Fort Payne to enclose an open hangar for a new airplane purchase. Regarding the plans, Fort Payne City Attorney Rocky Watson stated “a very clear set of plans and specifications will be needed.”
The Council agreed upon a Coal & Iron room rental to Dave Latham and Grace Presbyterian Church for a renewable yearly rental at $630 per month. The Church will pay all utilities. A motion was approved for Fort Payne City Attorney Rocky Watson to prepare the contract.
The Fort Payne Council will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, November 2nd beginning at 12:30 pm.
