Thursday, May 2, 2024

THE WEST ALABAMA WATCHMAN

Keeping Watch On Our Community

News The Latest 

Council halts mobile home placement, extends mask ordinance

Jan McDonald , , , , ,

Demopolis City Council members voted to place a moratorium on any new mobile homes being placed in the Braswell Drive neighborhood.

The 12-month moratorium will give the Planning Commission time to develop a plan for mobile homes throughout the city and keep neighborhood residents from having to show up in opposition every time there is an application to install a new mobile home.

Under current regulations there is a special exception to the zoning law that allows new mobile homes to replace those that are removed.

With Councilman Bill Meador voicing opposition to the measure, the Council voted to extend the coronavirus mask ordinance until midnight, Thursday, Nov. 5, the first meeting of the new mayor and City Council.

The ordinance was set to expire at midnight Thursday, but the state has mandated that masks continue to be worn until Oct. 2.

Jay Reynolds with the Demopolis Water Board presented two options for the future of the water tower on North Commissioners. The cost of repairing and maintaining the tower for 20 years – the desire of the Marengo County Historical Society – is $370,000. To demolish the tower and remove the concrete slab is $48,400, Reynolds told the Council.

If the Council votes to repair the tank, the Water Board will turn over the property to the city. Should the Council move to demolish the tower, the funds would come from the Water Board budget.

“We would like to hear back in two weeks, if not tonight,” said Reynolds.

The Council tabled the decision until after it consults with the Historical Society.

Test results from samples of water taken from the ditch behind Richard Fountain’s home on South Ash Avenue were inconclusive. The city is having a second testing done. If results for contamination are positive, the Demopolis Water Department will determine the source of the problem and whether it is the responsibility of the city or of a homeowner to correct it.

Two leases with Wallace Community College were approved. They include a three-year agreement for the use of the Demopolis Higher Education Center and a one-year lease for the New Era building.

Walker Reynolds, director of Parks and Recreation, said plans for the redesign of the City Landing have been moved up. Concepts are being drawn now and will need Council approval in the coming months.

The Council also:

  • Proclaimed Sept. 17 as POW/MIA Recognition Day in Demopolis.
  • Amended the budget to accept a $300,000 repayment from Whitfield Regional Hospital to go toward the city’s paving project.
  • Approved the application for a $24,000 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from ADECA. Police Chief Rex Flowers said the money would be used for software upgrades and new computers if the funds are granted.