Decatur City Council approves grants, equipment purchases and several routine measures

The Decatur City Council on March 2 approved a slate of resolutions and routine measures, including acceptance of a two-phase Alabama Department of Conservation grant for a bike path, equipment purchases and several infrastructure and development actions.

Council authorized the mayor to accept a grant intended to fund a bike-path segment from Country Club Road to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Staff said the grant comes in two $500,000 payments; the project’s preliminary budget cited in discussion ranged around $1.4–$1.5 million for construction alone, with total project costs including contingencies and permitting possibly nearer $2 million. Council members supported the project but several said they preferred to review final design details and Fish & Wildlife reports before committing beyond grant acceptance; staff said the council would be asked to return if costs exceeded estimates.

Other actions approved by roll call included a replacement rolloff truck purchase for Environmental Services (resolution 26047), a small change order on a Veterans Drive water-main extension (resolution 26050), and authorization for engineering design tied to a Country Club Road water-line relocation for the Southbrook development (resolution 26051). Council also approved a budget amendment to fund engineering at the Motors Road/Jack Allen soccer-complex intersection (resolution 26049).

The council granted a three-month extension to the River City Lofts development agreement (resolution 26052) to Oct. 10, 2026, to allow the developer more time to pull building permits amid changing interest-rate conditions; staff reviewed prior option contracts and purchase-price figures and noted broader market impacts on developer financing.

Council approved reclassifying American Rescue Plan Act funds (resolution 26053) to move remaining eligible funds into projects that can be obligated and spent before the Dec. 31, 2026 deadline; staff said the city received $10.8 million in ARPA funds, with $10 million used as revenue replacement and $800,000 allocated to other projects. The council also declared a 2009 Ford Escape surplus and donated it to Victoria Bell’s re-entry program (resolution 26054); staff presented the vehicle and handed over title at the meeting.

Appointments: Council confirmed several board and commission appointments and reappointments, including members to the Historic Preservation Commission and Architectural Review Board.

Operational notes and next steps: staff reported five of six weather sirens have been repaired and announced upcoming council meetings and a March 16 community meeting. Several items—especially the bike-path grant—are expected to return to council with final design and cost details.