Decatur City Council approves series of licenses, contracts, grants and a street-rename ordinance

Decatur City Council voted to approve multiple resolutions and one ordinance during its meeting, including a beer-and-wine permit, a utility contractor award, several grants and construction change orders.

The most significant financial action was approval of a Municipal Utilities Board (MUB) expenditure to fund a FY-2026 boring and trenching contract in the amount of $2,810,612. Jimmy Evans of Decatur Utilities described the contract as annual work covering installation and repair of underground gas, water and electric lines; the council approved the award to Farmers Contracting by a 4-0 vote.

The council accepted an Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) grant of $375,000 to purchase a recycling truck. Wanda Tyler of Landfill and Recycling briefed the council on the award and requested acceptance. The resolution passed on roll call.

City staff asked the council to approve a CID (Criminal Investigations Division) HVAC replacement for the police department. Kurt Johnson with building maintenance said funds were available and described the item as a non-budgeted request for 2025; the council approved the resolution.

On parks and trails, the council approved submission of a Recreational Trails Program application to extend the Densmore Slough Trail. Staff described a $330,880 grant with an $82,720 local match and additional non-reimbursable expenses of $240,000; staff said the action before the council was the application only and any commitment would follow if the grant is awarded.

Th…