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The Demopolis City Council postponed taking any action on two ordinances during its February 24 meeting.

At a previous meeting, the council approved a Food Truck Ordinance that would allow vans to sell food in the city. Councilman Charles Jones brought up concerns that the vote may not have been done legally as there was no public hearing beforehand. Mayor Woody Collins said there will be a public hearing at the next meeting to make sure that the vote is handled in a legal manner.

Jones proposed that going forward the Council should present ordinances in one meeting so that the public is aware. Then a vote will be taken at the following meeting after the public has the opportunity to express concerns or support.

The second ordinance on Apartment Complexes Security Plan Requirements was also postponed for the same reason, as there had not been a public hearing concerning the issues around local apartment complexes.

In addition the ordinances, the Council also postponed taking an action on a proposed property rezoning at 207 U.S. Hwy 80 W from an O-1 Office Institutional to an R-1 Single Family Residential. The owner, Brad Sorrels, said the purpose for the rezoning is to allow him to secure financing.

Collins announced that a committee will be appointed to review ADA requirements at city crosswalks. According to current rules, the ADA only has to upgrade if intersections are rebuilt, but Collins wants to know if the intersections can be made safer for handicapped individuals.

Collins also announced a $3 to 64$ a month price increase from Demopolis CATV. The contract with CATV expires in October and is being updated.

Public hearings will be held at the second Council meeting in March to allow for the required two-week notice.

 

Items discussed/approved by the Council:

• Approved a one-year contract renewal with Avenu Insights and Analytics LLC for tax administration for business license contracts
• Approved Mayor Collins as a voting delegate to the Alabama League of Municipalities meeting in Tuscaloosa May 11-14. City Clerk Sam Gross with serve as the alternate
• Approved a resolution for a $198,000 grant from the Delta Regional Authority to pave South Industrial Park Road. The Demopolis Industrial Development Board will provide $21,000
• Appointed Bessie Besteder to the Housing Authority Board to fill a recent vacancy

The Demopolis City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 5:15 p.m. The public is invited to attend.