Paving Projects Update
By Sherri Blevins
The most recent Fort Payne City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, September 17, 2019. The mayor and city council welcomed Councilmember Gerald “Red” Taylor back to the council after his recent health event. After the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the council approved the past minutes and agreed to pay the bills.
During the meeting, representatives from G2Supply, LLC requested tax abatements for a building they purchased on Williams Avenue to expand their business to Fort Payne. G2Supply, LLC is a family-owned business that manufactures, converts, assembles, and distributes many different packaging and operational goods. A spokesperson for the group stated that nine additional jobs would be created from the expansion. The council agreed to the request approving Resolution 2019-39 granting the tax abatements.
In other business, the council acted on the following items:
- Adopted Ordinance 2019-03 annexing the property off Roden Drive in the Fischer Community owned by Marlin and Ann Blalock
- Authorized a letter of agreement with ALDOT for snow and ice removal
- Approved an activity permit for Elica Stevens for a St. Judes Holiday Shopping expo for St. Judes Hero’s Run at Alabama Walking Park on Saturday, November 2 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm
- Approved a streetlight request from Steve O’Neal on 302 Wilks Drive
- Set October 15 as a Public Hearing date to receive comments for the proposed rezoning of approximately 37 acres purchased by Randy Wilson off Gault Avenue North across from Heil
Mayor Larry Chesser reported that the city completed the normal paving projects and was now looking to start two new projects. The first project involves the Valley Joist expansion on Jordan Road. Everything is in place for that project to begin. White Hall Road is the second project under consideration. Mayor Chesser expressed his concerns about beginning the project before deciding on the road’s intended use in the future. He desires the council to discuss what, if any, restricitions the city will place on the repaired road before beginning the process. Councilmember Wade Hill also addressed concerns about the current state of the road. He explained that a thick layer of limestone needs to be removed from the existing road before the paving project can be successful.
Mayor Chesser announced a vacancy on the Planning Commission and asked for suggestions for possible candidates. He also reported on the need for additional cybersecurity due to recent attacks on city governments. A security consultant will meet with city representatives to ascertain what type of security system updates the city needs to make. They are currently looking at four different security programs and will have a work session to decide which route to take.
The next Fort Payne City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.
Paving Projects Update