Council hears update on burned West Pettus structure

Demopolis City Attorney Bill Poole told the city council Thursday that he has been in contact with family members of the deceased owner of a burned house on the 600 Block of W. Pettus.

Poole said he is assisting family members in getting estimates for clearing the burned structure, and that hopefully the family will be able to clear the lot. If not, the city council will then have the option to clear the lot and place a tax lien against it to recoup the costs.

Poole said he hopes the family will be able to address the issue.

Demopolis resident Robin Clifton died in a blaze that destroyed the structure in February, 2013.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, council member Bill Meador reported that the Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital Public Entities Committee met recently and “identified some areas of concern and how they can be addressed.” Meador is the council’s representative on the committee. The committee will meet again in April, he said.

Also, Mayor Mike Grayson told the council he attended Monday’s Chamber of Commerce Board meeting, at which the discussion began for replacing Executive Director Michael Kennedy, who resigned.

Following the 15-minute open session, the council retreated to an executive session to discuss financial and good name and character matters. No action was taken following the executive session.