By Marla Jones
Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala.-- (Full Video on Southern Torch Facebook) The Rainsville City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, September 7 due to the Labor Day Holiday.
Rainsville Fire Chief Willimac Wright addressed the Council regarding the chemical spill that occurred at the intersection of AL-75 and AL-35. Over 43,000 pounds of organic peroxide, which is used in meat and poultry plants, were spilled.
The cleanup lasted nearly 24 hours with numerous agencies responding to help.
Chief Wright stated that he was unsure if this was the first chemical spilled in Rainsville but was certain it was the first of that magnitude.
“It was a long day. Traffic was a nightmare for people but it was a much-needed situation to keep everyone safe” stated Chief Willimac Wright.
In other business, the Council approved the following:
• Ordinance 09-07-2022, which increased Municipal Business License Issuance Fee from $12.00 to $14.00
• Resoultion 09-07-2022 (A) which surplused a 2001 Fire Engine
• Resolution 09-07-2022 (B) which approved the surplus of unused service equipment at the Rainsville Fire Department
• Resolution 09-07-2022 (C) accepting Wiregrass Construction Bid for paving Boozer Road Project CRP-RES-2022-034
• Resolution 09-07-2022 (D) regarding Sanitation Maintenance/Delivery Fee of $25 for all new customers due to rise in material and equipment prices
• Approved the purchase of supplies for the annual Fire Prevention Month for the Rainsville Fire Department in the amount of $1,600.00
• Empowered Mayor Lingerfelt to sign the JJAG Grant for the Rainsville Police Department which pays 100% of the purchase of an electronic fingerprinting machine
• Empowered Mayor Lingerfelt to sign the Walmart Grant of $5,000 for the purchase of a drone for the Rainsville Police Department
• Accepted Project RES-2022-01 for paving Martin, Gala, Rosewood, Willingham, Davis
• Approved a $1,000 sponsorship to Alabama Stock Dog Association
The City of Rainsville held a budget workshop to discuss the 2022 -2023 fiscal year budget on Monday.
According to City Accountant Betty Holt, the City of Rainsville has an 8% increase in overall budget revenues.
A 3% cost of living wage increase was discussed for City employees.
Other items that were requested to be added to this year’s budget include:
• Purchase of a new generator for the Rainsville Police Department
• Purchase of a patch machine for the Street Department
• Hiring of an additional fireman to have three on each shift
Council members also discussed a possible increase in the Rainsville Chamber of Commerce budget.
No items were approved during Monday’s budget meeting.
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Monday, September 19, 2022 beginning at 4:00 p.m.
