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

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — The Fort Payne City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 21. 

Mayor Larry Chesser presented a proclamation honoring the “Third Saturday” Committee of Amelia Landstreet, Steve Westmoreland, and Terry Locklear. 

The Council passed the following ordinances and resolutions:

• Resolution 2019-21, setting rates for various City venues
• Resolution 2019-22, changing the designation of a portion of bond proceeds so as to not charge against the City’s Constitutional debt limit of $10 million
• Resolution 2019-23, authorizing application for grant monies to assist in the demolition of the old hospital site
• Resolution 2019-24, accepting the low bid for plant mix and binder

The Council approved the following: 

• Alcohol license for “33”, the request had previously been approved by the Alcohol Committee
• Budget adjustment of $925 for four portable dog waste stations to be placed on the street for Boom Days
• Set a public hearing for June 18 regarding rezoning property at Godfrey Avenue and Beason Gap Road
• Streetlight request for Hannah Devoe at 911 Alan Lane NW
• Activity permit for Life Chapel’s outreach event at the City Park on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8
• Agreement with the Fort Payne City School system with a modified plan for sewer work at the new elementary school 

In his report, Mayor Chesser acknowledged the fallen Auburn police officer William Buechner, who had ties to the City of Fort Payne. Buechner was killed in the line of duty on Sunday night. Flags will be placed at half staff until his funeral on Saturday, May 25. 

Chesser addressed the two ongoing sewer system projects within the city in Terrapin Hills and on Airport Road. Terrapin is expected to be completed around September 1 at a rate of $8.1 million. The Airport Road project will come in at $10 million. 

Chesser also reported that the bill to streamline the election process in Alabama has passed both houses of the state legislature. 

Concerned citizens addressed the Council regarding heavy truck traffic into the chert pit owned by Irby Wallace on Highway 11. The Council agreed that there was a problem and they were looking into solutions that will be beneficial to all parties involved. 

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