By Sherri Blevins
On May 17, Fort Payne Mayor Brian Baine updated the Council on many projects going on in Fort Payne. First, he said the fencing work at the Alabama Walking Park has begun. The need for this project was discussed at an earlier meeting. Complaints had been made that the area being so close to the railroad tracks was unsafe for toddlers and small children. The project has moved forward to make the area safer.
Baine announced that previously the City had agreed with First Presbyterian Church concerning the property next to the church and its use as a parking lot for the City. The City agreed to prepare the area for parking, and the church agreed to allow the City to use the lot when it is not meeting. Baine said work had begun on the lot. He asked that the Council consider adding a speed bump or some other speed deterrent in the area on Grand Avenue because of complaints of traffic congestion and cars traveling at high speeds when passing Therapy Junction and the church. Mayor Baine said he hoped the addition of the parking area would help alleviate some of the congestion by giving people different places to park other than the street.
During the Mayor’s update, he said the Public Works Department is busy working on correcting drainage issues, repairs at the Fort Payne Police Department, and the restrooms at the soccer complex. They are also pressure-washing the City pool. Baine reported the fleet of police vehicles has arrived, and a company is currently equipping them with striping and police lights.
According to the Mayor, work on the soccer fields has been delayed but is scheduled to begin in June. D.J. Rector has been hired as the Aquatics and Athletic Director for the complex. He will be moving here from Birmingham to oversee the park.
The Waste Water Treatment Plant pump at the Vulcraft station is being updated for safety. Mayor Baine addressed one other issue of concern expressed by citizens. He said there had been complaints about a private property owner placing “Boots” on trucks when they park on the property. “Booting” refers to placing a device on a vehicle to temporarily immobilize it. A fee is charged to remove the device to deter trucks from parking on the unauthorized property. Mayor Baine said, “There is a company that is doing this. They are legal in what they are doing. They are trying to keep big trucks off the parking lot. The trucks have been allowed to park there in the past, but now the landowner has posted that they are putting ‘boots on trucks.’ This is not the City doing this, this is not our officers doing this, and this is not Mapco that is doing it.” The Mayor added that Mapco had several calls about it as well. He said it does cast a negative light on Fort Payne with them doing this, and the City is trying to look at ways it can help with the situation. He hoped to find a solution to give truckers a place to park and be a workable solution for everyone involved.
After the Mayor’s report, the Council acted on several resolutions. Resolution 2022-24 was proposed to amend Resolution 2021-14, granting tax abatements to Nucor Corporation. The orignal resolution provided an abatement of $4 million. Division Controller Stephanie Reeves requested the abatement be increased by $8 million because of the company’s new investments in its local operations. Reeves said this investment would help the company continue providing jobs to community members.
DeKalb Economic Development Authority Executive Director Jimmy Durham spoke about the tremendous benefit Nucor provides the area through jobs and civic activities, saying they have about a $150 million impact in the area. Their payroll alone totals $49 million annually. The Council approved the amended resolution and thanked Nucor for its contribution to the City.
In addition, the City approved the following items:
• Resolution 2022-22, accepting the low bid for Wastewater Plant chemicals
• Resolution 2022-23, declaring a certain vehicle surplus
• Drafting a resolution to grant a one-time, lump-sum, non-recurring payment to retirees or beneficiaries of deceased retirees
• Re-zoning of property located at the corner of Highway 11 South and Lebanon Road from C-3 to M-1 and owned by Randy Wilson
• Re-zoning of multiple lots located on 4th Street South between Sanders Avenue and Turner Avenue from C-4 to R-2 and owned by multiple individuals
• Sub-division of approximately two acres located at 1320 Isbell Blvd. N.W. and owned by Ronnie and Bonnie Barnett
The next meeting will be on June 7, 2022.