Mayor explains necessity of ALDOT’s U.S. 80 project

Mayor Mike Grayson, responding to concerns expressed by city council member Cleveland Cole prior to Thursday’s meeting, emphasized that current road work on U.S. 80 is a state project, not a city project.

According to Grayson, Cole has fielded complaints from business owners regarding the trenches that have been created along the highway.
“My discussion with (Alabama Department of Transportation) is that the work is inconvenient, but necessary,” the Mayor said. He explained that the project will stabilize the shoulder along the highway and prolong the life of the pavement.

In other business Thursday, the council tabled a request from Grayson to declare the Rosenbush Warehouse Building as surplus in order to accept bids for its sale. Due to its historic significance, the building would have to be put to use and cannot be demolished, the Mayor said. He emphasized that the building in question is not the Rosenbush Building that fronts Walnut Street; it is the warehouse that faces Main.

Council member Charles Jones, Jr. said he suspects the building is the first of several that the mayor will bring to the council to declare surplus. The Mayor was quick to agree with Jones. “This is the first of many dominoes I hope to see fall,” Grayson said.

In other business, the council:

• Rescheduled its Sept. 18 meeting to Monday, Sept. 15.
• Heard Brenda Tuck, Director of the Marengo County Economic Development Authority, request that the city renew its contribution of $50,000 in its Fiscal Year 2014-15 budget.
• Tabled various board appointments until next meeting.
• Declined bids to repair water damage at the Cenac property in the Industrial Park, opting to clean up the property and wait until a new tenant can offer suggestions for repair.

The Mayor announced that Probate Judge Laurie Hall, Revenue Commissioner Sharon Barkley, Circuit Clerk Kenny Freeman and Sheriff Ben Bates will attend the council’s Oct. 16 meeting to answer questions and accept public comment.

He added that he is considering forming an elected officials’ commission to enhance dialogue between all municipalities within the county. “I can’t see anything negative about that,” he said.