By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Full Video on southerntorch.com) The Fort Payne City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting Monday, March 16 via the online platform. In-person meetings of the Fort Payne Council will begin at the first meeting of April.
The Council discussed the preliminary plans for renovations at the Fort Payne Police Department. Craig Peavy gave an overview of the proposal for the second phase of the Fort Payne Police Department. A feasibility study will be conducted to see the concerns and needs of the Police Department through a series of interviews. They will examine the facilities of the department for asbestos and problem areas with major systems. This study will take from six to eight weeks to conduct. The council voted on and accepted the proposal.
The following ordinances were brought up for discussion. The Council voted to suspend the rules for immediate consideration and the following were passed:
• Ordinance 2021-05, which set a speed limit of 15 mph on Mountain Brow Road East.
• Ordinance 2021-06 authorizing DeKalb-Cherokee Gas to convey the property to the City of Centre. This was a parcel of land at the old DC Gas in Centre to be used as a parking facility.
The following Resolutions were approved:
- 2021-08, accepting the low bid for CRS-2 liquid asphalt
- 2021-09, accepting the low bid for drainpipe
- 2021-10, accepting the low bid for rock/crushed limestone
- 2021-11, accepting the low bid for vehicle and equipment fuel
- 2021-12, accepting the low bid for sewer piping materials
- 2021-13, accepting the low bid for plant mix and binder
- 2021-14, granting a tax abatement to Nucor for $4,812,000 investment
The Council had continued discussion regarding the disposition of City-owned land adjacent to the Old Jefferson’s location on Highway 35. The City voted to convey half of the property to DeKalb County Commission, closest to the interstate, for a Tourism Center. The City will maintain the property closest to Jeffersons. The County is to be responsible for compaction and sub-base for building on the property.
The Council also discussed the disposition of the Coal & Iron Building. The main building is rented out through the first of 2022. The two back rooms will be available to be rented out at $750 per month plus utilities with a lease to be drawn up by City Attorney, Rocky Watson.
Mayor Brian Baine updated the Council on the date of the Independence Day Celebration. The date will be Thursday, July 1. July 2 will be designated as a rain date.
The Council continued discussion about the purchase of light poles and lights The plan would be for the City to purchase enough decorative poles to cover from 8th Street North to Third Street South. The City can buy up to 10-to-20 a year at a cost of under $15,000 per year before having to bid out for the poles. This would fall as an annual bid and would be done in phases over the next four years. The Council decided to consider and vote on this at the next meeting.
Mayor Baine updated the Council that he would be meeting with a possible business to lease the Golf Course.
Bain also spoke on the process of obtaining a grant to demolish the old hospital. City Attorney Watson updated the Council on the legal work to make sure the City is protected.
In new business, the council discussed the purchase of a portable pump to replace the rented one in current use at the Terrapin Hills Lagoon. The rent on the current pump is $25,000, A new pump can be purchased for the price of $41,430. The pump can be used for several locations. The Council voted to purchase the pump.
The Third Saturday event will be this weekend in Downtown Fort Payne. The event will start at 5 pm and run until 9 pm.
The next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held, April 6, 2021.