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Following a 30-minute work session that was for all but two minutes in a closed Executive Session, the Demopolis City Council kept their scheduled meeting on March 6 short and to the point.

The primary point of contentious discussion was the creation — or not — of the position and department of Development Coordinator and Grant Administrator for the city. Many voices have been heard over the previous weeks concerning the need to fill the position with an experienced operator who can expedite block grants and improve efficiency in community and commerce development activities.

The council members seemed to agree this would be a welcome addition to the city. The disagreements arise when it comes to the resources to be allocated to the new department, including the maximum salary offered.

After the motion made by Councilman Bill Meador to approve the creation of the department and position as it was originally written, some discussion took place to further debate the associated costs of operations, including the cost of leasing a vehicle. One set of opinions held $200,000 for the annual total department budget, including salary.

Councilman Jim Stafford suggested an amended motion to set the total budget at $150,000 for the “total package,” an amount previously discussed as being possibly inadequate to lure the level of experience that would be desirable. Meador amended his motion, however, to approve the department with the smaller annual budget. The council passed the motion with one dissenting vote: Stafford.

Moving on, the council agreed to table the subject of resurfacing Broadway Street yet again, apparently still lacking relevant information on the matter. They then approved both the usage of electronic vote counting devices and an Alcoholic Beverage Control transfer application for El Mariachi Cantina and Sports Bar.

They discussed the soon-to-expire tax revenue and business license software Avenu, and whether to renew the three-year license on the product. Stafford asked to see financial reports that showed the promised savings the software offered before approving the license renewal. All agreed, and the issue was tabled until the next meeting.

The last subject of discussion was the Friends of the Old School group, represented by Kirk Brooker, who addressed the council regarding a request for the city to appoint a board member and council liaison for the Old School and restoration project. Mayor Woody Collins briefly stated that despite a previous agreement for the city to relinquish control and responsibility of the building, he had agreed — due to undisclosed circumstances — to a request for the city to reassume responsibility for the building in order to assist with the restoration. The council approved the formation of the board and agreed they would soon appoint a liaison.

In other business:

• Councilman David McCants reminded the council and general public that regardless of the bigger projects that are helping to improve the city, the smaller projects such as general cleanup should not be set aside.
• Councilman Charles Jones brought up the need for crack seal at the cemetery on U.S. 43 and the need for some sidewalks downtown to be removed and rebuilt entirely, section by section, in order to make it easier on cash flow. This, he said, would enable a safe way for students from the new Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences to bring an influx of customers to the downtown area. The school is set to open in the fall of 2026. All agreed it should be looked into further.