The Rainsville City Council meeting was held on Monday, June 17, 2019, for a work session and regular meeting. During the work session, Councilman Brandon Freeman updated the public on the happenings with the Parks and Recreation Department. During the past week, Freeman commented that the Field of Dreams played host to a softball tournament, the Rainsville Freedom Run 10K and 5K brought hundreds of racers to Rainsville, and the Rainsville Swimming Pool had a record number of paid visitors at 150 in one day. Later in the meeting, Freeman congratulated Sam McCalpin who brought the second AFC Fight to the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum on Saturday, June 15, 2019. The fight drew 1,396, paying customers and 604 complimentary customers.
Sarah Cruce, Rainsville Librarian, reported that 400 children had registered for the Rainsville Summer Reading Program. On Thursday, June 13, 2019, the library hosted Keller Johnson – Thompson, Helen Keller’s great-niece. She presented a slideshow at the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center, to a room full of children, detailing the life of her famous aunt from birth unto death. Cruce also listed several other wonderful events the library has in store for the children this summer.
Sandy Goff, Rainsville Chamber of Commerce Director, announced that organizers are frantically working getting things ready for the June 29 Rainsville Freedom Fest located at the Field of Dreams Sports Complex. She also reminded everyone of the upcoming Summer Shopping Days taking place during the entire month of July. Participating local merchants will have registration opportunities available for the public, giving them a shot at winning $400.00 in Chamber Bucks to be spent at participating stores.
At the beginning of the actual meeting, Jerry Clifton, Rainsville Freedom Run Director, thanked the City of Rainsville and all others involved in the run for their donations and participation in making the race a fantastic success. Clifton stated that 980 individuals registered for the race coming from five different countries and fifteen different states making this race the largest to date. One individual from Mexico had even competed in the Olympics, and several others were training for the Olympics now. He stated that $25,000.00 in race proceeds would be donated to the event’s dedicated charities.
The council then approved the following items:
• Authorized Mayor Lingerfelt to sign a contract with Sam Phillips for Street Resurfacing.
• Granted permission to bid out paving projects with bids opening July 10, 2019, at 12:00 noon
• Granted permission to bid out requests for a 2014-2017 white, XLT, All-Wheel-Drive, Ford Explorer with no more than 30,000 miles and not to exceed $19,600.00 with bids to be opened on June 26, 2019 at 12:00 noon
The council agreed to pay the bills, and the Rainsville City Council meeting was adjourned.