Marla Jones, Managing Editor
RAINSVILLE, Ala.-- (Full Video on Southern Torch Facebook) The Rainsville City Council held its regularly scheduled council meeting on Monday, April 3.
A Public Hearing was held to take comments regarding the rezoning of 41 acres of land owned by Cornerstone Christian Academy from B-1/R-1 to Agriculture. The current zoning ordinance requires that schools be zoned for agriculture.
Adjoining property owners expressed their concerns regarding baseball fields, football fields, lights, and traffic.
Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt stated that they did not want to put traffic through the residential neighborhoods. Cornerstone officials stated that those ballfields would be 10-20 years down the road. The school currently has leases with the City for baseball and football fields.
“We want to assure our neighbors that we are not trying to encroach upon them or try to make their property values plummet. A good school will only make property values increase. Cornerstone is a good school, we have 550 students now” stated Robert Reed.
After hearing from neighbors and Cornerstone officials, the Council suspended the rules for immediate consideration and passed Ordinance 04-03-2023, which changed the zoning for Cornerstone from B-1/R-1 to Agriculture.
In other business, the Council voted to:
- Change Court Payment Portal to Court Solutions
- Surplus (2) Unused Computers/Library—Resolution 04-03-2023
- Hire Katylin Hilley as Summer Employee Library (15-20 per week)
- Contract with Michael’s Tree Service to remove (3) Trees from Dilbeck Rd in the amount of $1500.00
- Give the Georgia High School Rodeo Association a $500.00 Sponsorship- The rodeo will be held on April 15-16 at the Northeast Alabama Agribusiness Center. Adult tickets are $10 and kids are free. Georgia High School Rodeo Association is closer for local youth to participate in than the Alabama High School Association.
- Amend the pay scale for retired workers who come back to help and summer workers who only work a limited amount.
The Council will accept bids from the public on a 2006 Dodge Pickup with 186,000 miles. Bids will be opened on April 19 at 12 p.m.
The next regular council meeting will be held on April 17, with a work session beginning at 4 p.m. and a regular meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m.
