Albany City Council met in regular session last Tuesday, January 7 with five of six members present.

Mayor Smith gave an update on the new fire station project, announcing some pre-bid dates, conferences with the architects, and advertising for construction bids late this month. The bid opening date is February 7.

A motion to approve the dates announced by the mayor pertaining to the project was made by Councilperson Tonya Thrasher and passed by unanimous vote.

It is hoped actual construction on the new half-million dollar facility, which is being funded almost entirely with a grant, will begin by early spring and the building completed this summer.

David Bowles of Monarch Engineers gave the monthly progress report, noting that a contract has been awarded for lines from a pond area near the bypass to be removed. Work on that project would begin later this month.

Bowles also discussed with the council a major project to extend sewer lines along some areas of the new 127 Bypass that would eventually help attract more business and possible industry to the area.

The engineer invited the mayor and council members to go along with him to look at areas where sewer lines would be more feasible and be constructed with funds the city may be able to obtain through grants and low interest loans.

The council briefly discussed the possible project–which was estimated at a cost of around $1 million or slightly more–and leaned toward the best area being from around the stoplight at Hwy. 1590 southward to the Hwy. 738 intersection.

Bowles told the council the city already had a sufficient amount of infrastructure to handle added sewer lines along the bypass, but such a project may take two years or more. He said obtaining financing could take up to a year, in addition to the construction itself.

Bowles said he would put together a financing package which would include applying for grants and low-interest loans and present it to the council for their review and consideration at next month’s meeting.

The council also again discussed applying for grants for a sidewalk or walking trail from north Albany to around the middle school; the conditions of roads that run through the city that are state maintained and in need of some repairs, and it was noted there was nothing new to report on a possible “leash” ordinance for the city.

Albany Mayor Nicky Smith opened the meeting by thanking everyone who helped in any way–especially volunteers and city employees–for helping the Christmas at Home food and toy drive set new records for both the number of families served and number of children reached.

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for February 4 at 5 p.m. at city hall and is open to the general public.