Demopolis to put impound lot behind DPD station

Demopolis City Councilmen favored tabling action on replacing the traffic lights at the intersection of Pettus, Front and Arcola roads rather than accepting the sole bid for the work.

At the meeting Thursday councilmen were in favor of making the flow of traffic safer by using turn signals, which were not included in the bid specifications. The city will confer with ALDOT to determine the best way to direct traffic through the intersection before going out again on bids.

Repairing Herbert Street is being delayed also since no bids for engineering on the project were submitted. Councilman Harris Nelson’s motion to extend the bid deadline to March 5 was approved unanimously.

Police Chief Tommie Reese got the okay to build an impound lot for up to 20 vehicles at a cost of $5,923. The 60-by-55-foot lot will be located behind the police department and will be enclosed with a six-foot chain link fence topped with three strands of barbed wire. Funds for the fencing come from fees, so no extra money for the project will be needed from the city, Reese said.

Jeannette Jones, speaking for the New Birth Outreach Ministry, requested the city close the unopened street named Morgan Street shown on city maps but never built.

All owners of adjacent property have agreed to the closing except for Creekwood Apartments. Jones said the owner has not responded to letters. The council directed her to talk with the apartment manager for help in contacting the owner. Jones said she would report back to the council at the next meeting.

Mayor Mike Grayson received authorization to sign an award letter with Frasier Lanier once the 2015 Warrants are sold.

“This is really a formality,” said Grayson, since on Nov. 5 the council voted unanimously to rework the city’s bonds. Councilman Bill Meador said the agreement will save the city some $170,000.

The family of U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. T.J. Lowe accept a proclamation commending Lowe for his service. A 1994 graduate of Demopolis High, Lowe received a degree from Grambling University and the Maxwell War School in Montgomery. He is commander of the 80th Flying Wing in Shepherd, Texas.

City attorney Bill Poole reported work on a number of dilapidated properties is at different stages, and new ones were reported this week. When asked by the mayor if the city was making any progress toward removing or rehabilitating the properties, Poole said, “Some. It’s slow.”

Mayor Grayson said total tax revenue from all sources showed an increase of six percent from October through January over FY2014.

He also commended Fire Chief Tommy Tate for the success in containing the fatal apartment fire earlier in the week.

In other action the council approved:

• The use of the Demopolis City Landing as the site for a one-mile walk/run and a 5K run the weekend of March 20-22. Mentral Ledbetter of West Alabama Mental Health said the event is being held to promote the campaign for a smoke-free, drug-free city.
• A liquor license application by the National Wild Turkey Federation, Inc., for an event at the Civic Center Friday, Feb. 20.
• A resolution to support a football program at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.