Council okays sidewalks, striping

Sidewalk paving, crosswalk striping and warning lights received approval at the Demopolis City Council meeting Thursday.

New sidewalks are being planned around Westside and U.S. Jones elementary schools. In addition, two crosswalks will be painted and solar-powered flashing yellow lights installed on Pettus Street where there is a high volume of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Fire Chief Keith Murray asked the Council to approve the purchase of a Lucas CPR machine to be paid over five years out of the department’s general operating budget.

He said the equipment, which costs $19,726.20, is expensive but effective. The price includes the service plan

J.B. Warren, representing the Christmas on the River BBQ Cookoff Committee, requested the Council designate an entertainment district for the event Friday, Dec. 6. The Council agreed and set the curfew for 1 a.m. Dec. 7.

Several items on the agenda were tabled until the next meeting. Topping the list is the city’s budget, which must be approved before Oct. 1.  The Council will vote on the final version of the budget after it is adjusted to reflect the changes from meetings with department heads.

Changes to speed limits on a number of city streets also will be considered at the Sept. 19 meeting. Police Chief Rex Flowers inspected each of the streets in question and has made recommendations to the Council.

In other business, Councilman Nathan Hardy said work on Roman Alley can proceed now that maps have been clarified.

Harold Parks told the Council his complaints about the 18-wheelers traveling on Walnut Street have been “officially verified” by camera. Mayor John Laney assured him there will be more enforcement and more tickets issued to cut down the number of trucks not using the state-designated route.

David McCants asked the Council to see if similar measures can be taken along Bell Grayson road. Trucks traveling from the Industrial Park are speeding and throwing out trash, he said.

The mayor told McCants he would bring up the issue at the next Industrial Development Board meeting.

Laney recognized Chief Flowers for completing 80 hours of instruction in certified law enforcement executive training sponsored by the University Partnership for Alabama Continued Education and the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police.

The mayor was granted approval to travel to Atlanta for the Smart City Conference.