By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — In its second meeting of the new year, the Fort Payne City Council held two public hearings.

The first was to receive comments on the proposed re-zoning of approximately 10.62 acres on Airport Road from Rural Farm to M-1 and owned by Collen Greenwood. The second hearing was to receive comments on the proposed alleyway vacation just south of the Edward Jones Office at Gault Avenue and 7th Street North. Neither public hearing received any comments.

In committee reports, Fort Payne Police Chief Randy Bynum announced the resignation of Lieutenant Matt Wilson at the end of the month. Wilson will be furthering his law enforcement career.

Councilmember Lynn Brewer congratulated Fort Payne Fire Chief Ron Saferite on the recent completion of his degree. 

The Council passed the following resolutions:

• Resolution 2020-01, authorizing the vacation of an un-opened alleyway
• Resolution 2020-06 through 2020-12, accepting the lowest qualified prices for annual bids (which are lower than last year’s bids)

The Council approved a bid for the camera system at the Fort Payne Police Department and will modify the budget accordingly. 

The Council moved ahead with the acceptance of ownership of the Cemetery at Gault Avenue and 45th Street North at no cost to the City of Fort Payne, aside from groundskeeping. The cemetery is seven acres and according to Councilmember Wade Hill, the property worth more than half a million dollars and has the potential for over 1,000 graves.

The next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at 12 pm on the second floor of Fort Payne City Hall.