The Linden City Council passed a resolution during Tuesday’s meeting to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to resurface eight roads in the city. If awarded, the grant will provide $350,000 with a $35,000 match from the city bringing the total funds for the project to $385,000.

The specific streets that will be paved include Easley St., Adams St., Ford St., Brandon Ave., Barkley St., Lucas St., Garner St. and Louisville Ave./Pool St. The city council applied for the same grant with the same specifications in 2018, but it was not awarded at the time.

Linden resident Kena Diaz also addressed additional concerns about possible noise violations at her future restaurant Valentina’s Amor as the East Coates Avenue site previously housed a business that received multiple noise complaints.

Mayor Charles Moore was concerned with Diaz’s intent to host a karaoke night each week and operate a sports bar in the southern-dining restaurant. Diaz assured the city council that she is researching sound-proofing options and will have a zero-tolerance policy for excessive noise.

“That situation should never happen as long as there is zero tolerance,” she said.

John Lucas, owner of Generation Four in Linden, was also present to share his concerns with Jack’s Family Restaurant’s Linden location and the incentives the company is receiving. Jack’s will receive a 60 percent sales tax abatement during the first five years of operation and a 50 percent sales tax abatement during the second five years.

“We’ve weathered the storm with several restaurants that have come in and gone,” he said, though Jack’s location along with the tax abatements does worry him.

Lucas did not attend a previous meeting held by the city to address any concerns about the Jack’s location because he was unaware of the incentives at the time. No action was taken at the time, though Moore said he was welcome at any council meeting.

After receiving three separate complaints of residents shooting fireworks at late hours, Police Chief Robert Alston and the city council confirmed that fireworks are not permitted after 9 p.m. except on New Year’s Eve when they are allowed at midnight.

Moore also announced that he was asked by Alabama Power representatives to place a bid on the building that used to house the Linden location but said that he will not turn one in at the moment.

The Linden City Council meets every first and third Tuesday at city hall at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, July 3 issue of the Demopolis Times.)