New officers introduced at Council meeting

August 16, 2019August 20, 2019 Jan McDonald Alabama, civic center, Demopolis, police, Rex Flowers, Roman Alley, Rowley Recycling

Police Chief Rex Flowers started off the Demopolis City Council meeting Thursday with the introduction of two new police officers: Chase Courtney and Lance Rowell.

Police Chief Rex Flowers, center, introduced two new officers at the City Council meeting. They are Lance Rowell, left, and Chase Courtney.

The Council met at noon instead of the regular 5:15 p.m. starting time so that members could attend the championship game of the Babe Ruth World Series.

Building inspector Julius Rembert listed the actions being taken on several condemned or derelict buildings.

“We’re winning the war” on dilapidated property in the city, he told the Council.

City Attorney Scott Stapp said the confusion over property ownership around Roman Alley has been cleared up. The incorrect map the county has used is being corrected, and work can now go forward toward extending the street to McNamara Road.

The Council approved a 5 mph speed limit sign on the paved stretch of city road that ends at the gravel road leading to Rowley Recycling. The recycling plant asked for a sign so that vehicles won’t kick up dust that damages its equipment.

The city cannot put a speed limit sign on private property, but Councilmen agreed to place the sign along with one warning drivers of loose gravel on the city road.

The Council approved the Demopolis High School Homecoming Parade Sept. 12 and the annual Community Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 19.

Any action on new rules governing the Civic Center was tabled until the Sept. 5 meeting. Public Works director Barbara Blevins asked that events be required to end at midnight so crews can have time to clean and set up for an event the next day.

Current regulations require events to end by 1 a.m., with everyone out of the building by 2 a.m. Blevins said that doesn’t allow time for the crews to clean and set up if another function is to be held later that day.

LeTonya Williams, who said she frequently rents the Civic Center, asked the Council not to raise rental fees. Already, she said, the city has “priced several groups out” when the charge went up to $500.

Kathy Owings was introduced as the new librarian with the Demopolis Public Library.

The Council set a two-hour work session before the next meeting to review the 2019-2020 budget.

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