A representative of East South told the Montgomery City Council the community organization has been operating without reliable plumbing, internet, security, maintenance or a stable site, and raised soil-contamination concerns at its current temporary location.

Sarah Powell, identified in the transcript as a member of East South’s board, said the organization provides free classes and outreach, serves multiple districts and relies on limited staff and volunteers. Powell said the group has operated at an abandoned nursery complex with no heat, internet or parking and that their office burned last year. She said soil contamination was discovered during an attempted orchard expansion and that a remediation plan or risk assessment has not been provided.

Council members asked which city department was working with East South. Director of Public Works Patrick Dunson described repairs and maintenance that public works has completed near Overlook Park: replacement of rotted wooden overlook areas, vegetation trimming in coordination with the Alabama Department of Transportation to improve sight lines, sidewalk repairs, and some spot spraying for kudzu at the top of the overlook. Dunson said crews have been working in the area over the past nine months.

Dunson and other city staff said they are assisting East South and searching for a new location; Dunson said he had met with East South’s representative multiple times and that another meeting was scheduled to discuss relocation plans. The transcript records council members asking about timelines; Dunson said he and East South have further meetings planned to develop future plans.

The transcript records claims from East South about health and environmental risks and requests for city help; public-works staff described recent remediation and site repairs in the area and said relocation discussions and assistance are ongoing. No formal agreement, MOU or contract is recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.