By Sherri Blevins
Fort Payne City Schools Superintendent Brian Jett accepted a large donation on behalf of the Fort Payne City School System at the November 7, Fort Payne City Council meeting.
Mayor Brian Baine and the Fort Payne City Council handed Superintendent Jett a $100,000 check for the system. The money will be distributed in varying amounts to the following groups:
- $1,000 to FBLA
- $1,500 to principals at Williams Ave., Wills Valley, Little Ridge, Middle School, and High School for school use
- $2,500 to Football
- $3,000 to each Robotics program
- $3,500 for Baseball, Softball, Girls and Boys Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Wrestling, Cheer, JROTC, Band, Track, Cross Country, FPTV, Drama, Fishing, Drone Class, Culinary Art Cooking, Criminal Justice, and Nursing Program
Superintendent Jett thanked the Council and Mayor for everything they do for Fort Payne and the schools. Jett stated, “I am going to get onto you for a second – A lot of times, you don’t highlight what you do for our city and school system, but I am about to.” Jett thanked the department heads for their services that go above and beyond the call of duty. Jett named the following department heads and the contributions their departments made:
- Tim Williams and the Public Works Department- Paving projects at Wildcat Stadium and the Softball and Baseball Complex, cleaning the fence line on Stadium Drive, and cleaning the drainage ditch near the new building complex
- Patrick Dunn and the Sanitation Department – Garbage pickup after sporting and other school events besides the normal pickup schedule
- Chief David Davis and the Police Department – Police protection at home and away ballgames and school-related events
- Chief Stacy Smith and the Fire Department – Extensive facilities overview to ensure campuses are safe for the start of school
- Brant Middlebrooks and the Parks and Recreation Department – Working closely with the school system to coordinate school and rec events for a smooth operation
- City and School Attorney Rocky Watson for his guidance through several difficult situations
Mayor Baine then updated the Council on City happenings. He announced that Fort Payne will be home to a new coffee business, Scooters Coffee. It will be a drive-thru coffee shop on the former Sunset Mobile Homes site.
Baine reported on the ongoing building projects. He said work on the sports complex continues and will hopefully by finished by spring, and work on the police department continues and is still running under budget.
Baine announced that citizens needing garbage exemptions must carry their requests to the DeKalb County Health Department. To qualify, customers must have Social Security as their only income and live alone or with a spouse with only Social Security. Also, anyone wanting a veteran’s banner displayed along the streets may come to the City Hall to purchase one for $100.00 per year. City Hall will also be a dropoff location for Toys for Tots donations.
During the business portion, the Council took the following actions:
- Approved Resolution 2023-22 authorizing the maintenance agreement with ALDOT for the curb and sidewalk project downtown
- Listened to the first reading of the FEMA-requested updated Floodplain Development Ordinance (This ordinance must be adopted for residents to obtain flood insurance.)
- Approved Ordinance 2023-15 establishing a temporary moratorium on certain signage (billboards)
- Announced the expiration of two Fort Payne Improvement Authority Board terms that will expire in December and set November 8-20 as the application period for board interviews
The next meeting will be on November 21, 2023.
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