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The City of Demopolis has stopped efforts to annex property at the Airport Industrial Park after representatives of an industry that sits on the property said they were never notified.

During a council meeting Thursday, March 7, a motion was passed to rescind previous motions to annex the property, contingent on the dismissal of a possible lawsuit filed by Two Rivers Lumber.

The motion also stated that there would be “continued discussion in good faith” between the city and Two Rivers Lumber.

Roy Geiger of Two Rivers Lumber spoke to the council during a work session prior to the meeting.

“We petitioned the court for a restraining order (regarding the annexation) due to lack of notification. We never received any notice that this was happening,” Geiger said.

As passed, the resolution leaves open future annexation of the property.

“We are extending the annexation process in good faith and will have continued discussions,” Laney said.

Geiger said after the meeting that he is pleased with the council’s vote. “I feel like we are on the right track now,” he said.

The council voted in January to annex the 40 acres of city-owned property, which accounts for about half of the area where Two Rivers sits. The other half is owned by Demopolis Water Works, which did not vote to move forward with the annexation of that area.

Other items discussed by the council included the following.

• Laney announced the city has a new digital application, “Really Simple Reporting,” that allows residents to report problems such as potholes, overgrown weeds, etc. The app is available on app stores by searching the name. “This will help us find and take care of items to address within the city,” Laney said.

• Councilman Bill Meador said efforts continue in developing a golf cart ordinance for the city. He said the goal is to keep kids from driving golf carts on city streets as a safety measure.

• A discussion for an appointment to the city’s Cemetery Board was tabled until April.

• New DPD Chief Rex Flowers was sworn into office.

The next council meeting is scheduled for March 24, 5:15 p.m., at Rooster Hall. The public is invited to attend.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, March 13 issue of the Demopolis Times.)