PHOTO: The Fort Payne City Council begins their regular meeting with prayer. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

By Marla Jones, Reporter • marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Full Live Video on our Facebook) The Fort Payne City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on August 21, 2018.

The Council continued their discussion regarding the annexation of the Harley & Davidson subdivision.  Landowners requested the acceptance of property into the City Limits and the maintenance of the streets.. City Attorney, Rocky Watson advised the Council that the subdivision had never been recorded and that the City could not maintain the private roads.  Before the City can accept the subdivision, easements need to be made and the roads need to be brought up to the City's standards regarding roads.

The Street Department said that an estimate to fix the road would be around $67,000 but could be brought down to $41,000 if a tar and gravel mix was used.

There was discussion that it had been some time since a new subdivision has been accepted into Fort Payne. “We want to encourage building” said Council member, Lynn Brewer.

The City will hold a work session on September 18, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. to discuss what needs to be completed before the City can proceed.

In new business:

The Council approved the alcohol license for San Jose Mexican Restaurant located on 904 Gault Avenue. .

Authorization was given to Mayor Larry Chesser to sign contract for an Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant for lighting on one end of the runway.

The Council considered the purchase of the property adjacent to the recently purchased MAPCO property at 5th and Gault Avenue (the Galloway property).  Attorney, Rocky Watson stated that he would “negotiate the price and bring back to the Council”.

The Council was updated by City Clerk, Robert Parker on the “Carden Property” that the City was planning on purchasing. The survey work has started and should be completed soon.

Mayor Larry Chesser addressed the Council on several items:

A property owner on Forest Avenue wanted to donate a 100x132 lot with the restriction that it be used for a local playground. The Council discussed the cost for fencing and decided at this time, they would not accept but may in the future if the restriction was removed.

Mayor Chesser requested that the Council consider a pay increase for the Mayor and Council of Fort Payne to bring up to standards set by Cities the same size.  He stated that this was not for the present Council but for the next administration.  He also addressed the concerns of present Council about voting for a pay increase.  He stated that he knew many would not want to give the new administration a pay raise if they planed to seek reelection. The salary for Mayor and Council has not been changed since around 1988 when the Mayor became a full time position.

Chesser stated that he would like to model this pay increase similar to the City of  Scottsboro.  The current Mayor of Scottsboro makes $76,000.  Chesser advised that he presently makes $58,000 per year. He stated this was fine for a retired person but that his desire was to bring more money to the table for someone younger.

The present Fort Payne City Council makes $600 a month. The Scottsboro Council receives 20% of the Mayors salary.  Chesser proposed that the Council vote to change the next administration salaries to $70,000 for Mayor and $1,000 per month for Council members.  The Board will consider this and vote at a later date.

The next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held on September 4, 2018 with a work session being held at 11:00 a.m. and the regular session beginning at 12:00 p.m.