Pearson thanks city for support; council defers action
Business at the Demopolis City Council Thursday came only after local accountant Rob Pearson thanked the city, its fire department and citizens for their help and support when his offices burned Tuesday.
“How blessed we are to live in this community,” said Pearson, who works at Mason and Gardner, CPAs. “The outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming.”
He praised the Demopolis Fire Department for the “fantastic job” of locating the fire and putting it out quickly in trying conditions.
Fire chief Keith Murray said crews reached the fire four minutes after the alarm. The fire was rapidly contained and there were no injuries thanks to “good teamwork.”
No action was taken on any proposal of new fees for the Demopolis Civic Center. Instead the Council approved a request from Public Works director Barbara Blevins for a refundable $250 security deposit due when the key to the Civic Center is picked up.
The motion included a requirement for a walk-through in advance to ascertain any problems. The deposit is to be refunded within five business days unless there is damage to the property.
Councilman Bill Meador said all consideration of any hike in the Civic Center rental fees has been postponed until improvements are made to the building, and people can see they’re getting something for their money.
Several members of the audience spoke against any rate hike. Former Councilman Mitchell Congress said renters “shouldn’t be priced out.”
Two changes to zonings were approved. Both had hearings at the last Council meeting. The first was construction of a 180-foot cell tower at 3992 Hwy. 80 East to provide wi-fi service to a trailer park. The second is rezoning a strip of land at the intersection of U.S. Highway 43 and SportsPlex Drive to accommodate a digital sign.
Along with the second rezoning, the council approved an emergency purchase of a digital sign at the intersection before the 14-year-old Babe Ruth World Series begins next week.
Lewis Environmental Services was awarded the contract for sidewalks at Westside and U.S. Jones Elementary schools for $694,147.
The Council also approved a resolution to issue approximately $2,605,000 Taxable General Obligation Refunding Warrants. Mayor John Laney later explained the city had taken out bonds in 2012 but did not use all the money at once. Instead, it gained interest and now totals more than the city owes.
The resolution is required by Frazer Lanier Co., the investment banker, in order to begin proceedings for the city to have the money returned.
The Council deferred a resolution to demolish a building at 405 S. Chestnut. City Attorney Scott Stapp said he had used every means possible to get a response from the property owner, to no avail.
“I’m not in favor of knocking down someone’s home without giving them notice,” he said.
Councilman Charles Jones Jr. asked the current status on the water tower on North Commissioner. Laney said it has been determined the tower, built in 1948, is owned by the Water and Sewer Board. The Marengo County Historical Commission has until the first meeting in October to present a proposal to the Council for use of the tower. The Council, in turn, must decide on a course of action by Nov. 1.
In the only other business, the Council approved travel expenses for the mayor to the Tenn-Tombigbee Waterway Conference Aug. 27-29 at Point Clear and deferred discussion on the 2019-2020 budget until the first meeting in September.
The Council set the August 15 meeting for noon to avoid a conflict with the championship game for the World Series set to begin at 6 p.m.