By Sherri Blevins
At the April 19, 2022, Fort Payne City Council meeting, Mayor Baine updated the Council on several items. Baine said that Public Works Director Tim Williams joined him on a tour of the city streets to compile a prioritized list of those streets in dire need of repair. The Mayor said that each Council member would receive a list of the selected roads. He said $258,309.00 of gas tax money had already been allocated for the paving projects. Councilmember John Smith questioned why more money was not being spent on road repairs with many streets in terrible condition. The Mayor said they looked at all the streets to make a list, with the worst being listed first.
Councilmember Smith responded, “Here we are with terrible streets and getting worse every year, and we are cutting the budget again on paving.” Smith suggested using other money in addition to the gas tax money for paving. City Treasurer Tricia Clinton reminded the Council they would receive an additional $40,000.00 to $45,000.00 per month in gas tax funds for road projects. The Council voted to raise the paving fund to $400,000.00, and they asked Director Williams to ask for additional money if that is not enough to save the streets that are in danger of being lost.
Mayor Baine requested that the Council approve the purchase of 700 garbage cans for $48,000.00 and 50 8-yard dumpsters for $68,000.00. The Council agreed to his requests. The Mayor announced that the City clean-up month runs until May 7, 2022. Fort Payne residents may take items to the City landfill at no charge. This incentive applies to individuals only. He encourages everyone in the City to clean up their area to make Fort Payne a clean city.
Finally, Mayor Baine informed everyone that the first steering committee meeting with GMC for the Comprehensive Master Plan was that night. He was excited to get the process started.
The Council also approved the following items:
• Resolution 2022-20, declaring certain tractors and trailers as surplus to be sold by sealed bids
• Resolution 2022-21, declaring certain property as surplus and sold as scrap
• $750,000.00 to be paid over four years at no interest to purchase the old Gas House property on the west side of the railroad tracks from 4th Street North to 2nd Street North
• Appointment of Randy McClung to the Fort Payne City School Board to replace Jimmy Durham
• Curbing request by Danny Flora for 301 Tyler Avenue S.E.
• Rejection of Wastewater Chemicals Bid and approval to re-bid the chemicals because the bidders’ failure to receive the bid packet
• Activity permits for Fort Payne Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast at the Rotary Pavilion on May 14; Fort Payne Lions Club Chicken Cookout at the City Park on May 21; ROSS (Recovery Awareness Program by Shane Shipman at the City Park on September 10; The SAM Foundation Remembrance Walk at the Alabama Walking Park on September 25; Fort Payne Main Street, Ice Skating at the Rotary Pavilion on December 8 through December 29
• Amendment of the Economic Development Agreement with RAM Development Partners to revise the commencement of construction date from fall 2021 to spring 2022 and revise the construction completion date from winter 2021 to spring 2023
The next Fort Payne City Council meeting will be on May 3, 2022.