Aliceville council launches downtown committee, approves 6th Street culvert work and pays city bills

The Chair of the Aliceville City Council opened the July 14 meeting by announcing formation of a downtown street committee and inviting volunteers from business owners and residents to serve on the panel to advise improvements in the Broad Street business district.

"We're going to start a downtown street committee," the Chair said, adding that volunteers do not have to own businesses but that at least half of the group should be business owners so members have “some investment” in downtown projects.

The council approved a measure to repair a failing culvert on 6th Street in Adamsville. The Chair reported the city solicited two bids, described roughly as $14,000 and $12,000, and said the work falls below the $50,000 threshold that would require a formal bid process. "I motion that we will replace the cover on 6th Street," the Chair said; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The Chair said the council will use Rebuild Alabama funds to pay for the work.

In a personnel update, the Chair announced Officer Anthony James began duty with the Aliceville Police Department and said the officer "comes with commendations from multiple departments." The Chair also noted the application period for police chief closes on the 15th at 5:00 p.m.

The council voted to pay the city’s bills after a motion by Councilman Wilkins and a second by Councilman Woods; the Chair called for the ayes and stated the motion carried.

Other items discussed included a search for a CDL driver for the street department, preliminary progress on a new fire station, Parks & Recreation summer activities and a plan to pursue improved generator capacity or a community safe station to respond to multi-hour outages. The council also identified the old hospital as a nuisance property and said it would ask the owner to renovate or remove the building because it is unsafe and is harbored by animals.

The Chair closed the public business portion of the meeting with community requests for prayer and condolences, asking the council and public to keep the Aliceville High School football coach (whose mother had died) and the family of a man killed near the FCI facility in their thoughts.

Votes at a glance - Culvert replacement on 6th Street (Adamsville): motion to approve funding and proceed reported by the Chair; passed by voice vote; funding source stated as Rebuild Alabama funds. Detailed vote counts were not specified in the minutes. - Pay bills: motion by Councilman Wilkins, second by Councilman Woods; passed by voice vote. Detailed vote counts were not specified.

What happens next The council invited volunteers for the downtown street committee and said staff will document property complaints called into city hall (phone number given during the meeting) for follow-up. The culvert replacement will proceed under the procurement threshold noted by the Chair.