Council okays curfew ordinance, keeps Ravine closed

In its second meeting conducted by telephone, the Demopolis City Council Thursday passed an ordinance determining how a curfew would be imposed if needed.

After questions, discussion and several alterations, the council decided a curfew could be set after consultation among the Public Safety Committee, mayor and police chief. If the Public Safety Committee is not available, the mayor and police chief can set the curfew.

Mayor John Laney stressed there is no plan to set a curfew during the current COVID-19 pandemic, but the city would have it in place as a precaution.

Police Chief Rex Flowers said the only problems his officers have encountered during the state-wide stay-at-home order are groups gathering in parking lots or for parties on the weekends. Those groups disperse once police officers ask them to.

District 4 Councilman Bill Meador moved to add to the agenda a proposal to reopen The Ravine golf course. Mayor Laney objected to including the measure since he said it was not essential business for the city.

Meador countered by saying Gov. Kay Ivey allowed other golf courses throughout the state to open and that The Ravine would offer recreational opportunities for Demopolis citizens where other options are closed.

When consulted, city attorney Scott Stapp said he believed the golf course was not an essential function. He said the issue should be taken up at the next meeting on May 7 when it is expected that the Council can meet at Rooster Hall again. Meador’s motion died for a lack of a second.

The Council approved a sales tax abatement for Foster Farms. The abatement covers sales tax on purchases of capital equipment for a construction project at the plant.

The mayor reported the Demopolis Regional Airport has received $30,000 as part of the federal CARES Act to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus.