Black Lives Matter march okayed by City Council

June 19, celebrated as Juneteenth in the African-American community, will be marked Friday with a peaceful gathering and march in Demopolis.

Approval for the assembly in support of Black Lives Matter came at the Demopolis City Council meeting Thursday. Josh Rankin, a rising senior at Demopolis High School, said the protest is to raise awareness and educate the community about the issues that blacks face.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the City Landing. Rankin said several speakers will address the crowd, and demonstrators will have the opportunity to talk as well before the group begins its march.

Mayor John Laney read a proclamation in support of Juneteenth that he and members of the Council signed.

After a brief public hearing, the Council voted to apply for a $400,000 CDBG grant for paving projects throughout the city. If approved, the money would be added to what the Council okayed at its last meeting to resurface some 11 miles of city streets.

The Council approved supplemental pay of $95,175 for city employees who have been associated with programs involved with the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds would come from the $325,000 earmarked for the city through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, Economic and Safety (CARES) Act for relief during the pandemic.

Projects Director Mike Baker presented a short-term plan to help protect the eroding wall along Arch Street. The Council approved a demonstration 200-foot three-wire fence not to exceed $500. Baker said the fencing would not disturb the area or block the view of the river from residents who live along Arch Street.

After making a few adjustments, the Council approved the Capital Budget for 2020-2021. Mayor Laney reminded them that the budget is not given final approval until the entire city budget is okayed.

Because of incorrect calculations, the Council approved retirement adjustments for the current budget of several city departments. The amount added is $97,871.58.

The next City Council meeting was moved to noon on July 2, with the work session to begin at 11 a.m.