LINDEN &045; The councilwoman Mitzi Gates discussed grant options for the city at the City Council meeting yesterday.

Gates her grant report to the council yesterday by informing the council of the death of James Mock. Mock was acting as a facilitator for a grant the city received through the University of West Alabama (UWA).

Gates said Sam Thompson, with the UWA, had called to postpone the meeting tentatively set by Mock and the council at the last meeting. The delayed meeting will involve the council, a representative of UWA and the Linden Industrial Board gathering to discuss the plans and goals for the city in utilizing the economic development grant it received from the university.

Gates said she would also be applying for a grant provided through the Marengo County Extension Office that would provide funds ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. She said the grant provided for leadership and community development programs dealing with education.

Gates said there was also a grant opportunity through a grant-writing workshop that she would look into. She said there were several minority grants that could be applied to Austin Park.

In other business:

-Terry Tyson with Linden Parks and Recreation presented the council with bids he received for roof repairs on structures at Scott Park. He said he had received for bids for the planned repairs.

The council voted to accept the lowest bid for the project so it could move ahead as planned. Tyson said there might also be termite damage to the properties at the park, which might be a future project.

-Tyson also noted that American Tennis courts out of Mobile would begin work on the tennis courts during February. He said the city would provide some materials for the company, which will save several thousand dollars from the bid price.

-The council approved Tyson’s request to start accepting bids on the roof repair needed at city hall. He was also instructed to take bids on the roof of the structure behind city hall that is currently in use as a police garage.

4Chief of Police Jeff Laduron told the council during his report the police have stepped up patrols at the park. He said the patrols have led to several arrests.

Laduron also requested the city look into raising fines for driving under the influence arrests. He said several cities charged extra on such arrests and gave the excess to the police department to provide hazard pay to officers.

-Tyson said Alabama Power has issued work orders to move the poles on the Industrial Park road that would allow for the road to be widened. He said BellSouth would have to come behind the company to rerun their lines as well.