By Sherri Blevins
In September of 2022, the City of Fort Payne finalized the takeover of the Terrapin Hills sewer system that serves the Terrapin Hills, Scott Heights, and Lakeview areas. During the November 15, 2022, Fort Payne City Council meeting, City Attorney Rocky Watson answered questions he had received about who will be receiving sewer bills and sewer service.
Watson stated, “To say that we have had difficulty making sure that we have everybody that is on the sewer system identified, and everybody that is not on the sewer system identified would be an understatement. There are several reasons for that. The first reason is we had no previous list to go from, so we had to go from where we understood the sewer to run. The second reason it has been a problem is there are people who may be on it and don’t know they are on it, and believe it or not, we may have some people who think they are on it, and they are not on it.”
Watson explained that the City obtained a map supposedly created by Paul Crow that located each house on the system. He said the City would use its 911 information to identify each of those houses and who presently lives there. It will list who the map indicates is on the system. That list will be published in a newspaper for people to view. If individuals on the list think they are not on the system, the City will send someone to inspect the lines using special equipment to see if the home is connected. If anyone pays a sewer bill and then it is determined they are not on the system, their money will be refunded.
Watson also shared some good news for the City. He said he had received word that the opioid lawsuit settlements were starting to be finalized, and the City would be receiving funds soon. The first settlement will net the City a lump sum payment of $179,281.91. A second settlement involving Walmart will bring the City $364,878.85 spread out over ten years. He added that more settlements would be coming too.
During the Mayor’s report, Mayor Baine presented a Human Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamation to Bonnie Walters, recognizing January 2023 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Fort Payne. During January, businesses, schools, and individuals are asked to wear blue to raise awareness of the terrible plight of those caught in the human trafficking system. The Fort Payne City School System will participate in “Go Blue Day” on January 11, 2023, to support the cause.
Mayor Baine also made several announcements. He invited everyone to participate in the Fort Payne Forward survey that can be found on the Fort Payne Forward Facebook page and the City webpage. The survey will take approximately ten minutes, allowing individuals to voice their opinions concerning Fort Payne’s comprehensive plan for the City. On January 19, 2023, the public is invited to the first GMC Community Meeting at the City Auditorium at 5:00 pm. In addition, Mayor Baine invited everyone to Fort Payne’s Christmas in the Park on December 9 at 4:30 pm. The Fort Payne Christmas Parade will follow at 6:00 pm, and Main Street will open its ice skating rink the same day. The rink will be opened at the Rotary Pavilion from December 9 through December 23. It will reopen from December 26 – 29 before closing for the season. There is a charge for the event.
At the end of the Mayor’s report, Council President Watson discussed the City’s leaf collection policy. He commended the street department on its excellent work in collecting and disposing of leaves for the residents of Fort Payne. He wanted, however, to make sure the service was available to citizens living on the mountain and those in the valley. There had been some confusion on how the leaf collection route works and whether or not the City had enough working equipment and human resources to meet all the needs. Some citizens living on the mountain felt like they were being overlooked. It was determined that if someone needed leaf pickup and was not on an established route, they should call City Hall and schedule a pickup. The City offers the service from October through January. The Council agreed to work on a better way to communicate the collection process.
During the meeting, the Council approved the following items:
• (After a public hearing) Ordinance 2022-05 authorizing the re-zoning of 6.96 acres located at 1310 Airport Road West from M-1 (Light Industrial) to R-F (Rural Farm) and owned by Melanie Miller
• Resolutions 2022-34 through 2022-40 declaring several vehicles and certain equipment as surplus for the Public Works Department, Police Department, Fire Department, Inspection Department, and Recreation Department
• Proposed Subdivision for Stephen K. and Brenda K. Eberhart’s property located between 106 and 112 Lakeview Road S.E.
• Sale of approximately six acres of the “Carden Property” at the same price as the previous sale
• Opening of Board Appointment Applications for the Fort Payne Improvement Authority (Robbie Davis and Monia Smith’s terms expire Dec. 31, and the Fort Payne Water Board ( Dana Goggans’s term expires December 18.)
The next meeting will be on December 6, 2022.