Albany City Council held a special call meeting Monday evening, November 10 with four of six members present. The meeting was held in lieu of the regular monthly meeting, which was postponed due to it falling on general election day.

Also present at Monday’s special session was council-member elect, Brad Thrasher.

The council first heard a project update from Monarch Engineer David Bowles, which contained the following:

— Albany Bypass/Wolf River Dock Road sewer extension: A preliminary investigation has been completed that evaluates the extension of the city’s sewer system to serve the new interchange where Wolf River Dock Road intersects the new bypass. The preliminary cost estimate is in the range of $400,000 and applications for financing have been submitted to the State of Kentucky for consideration.

— Highway 1590 sewer line extension: The City’s sewer system extension to serve a new feed mill facility on Highway 1590 has been completed and is in service.

— Albany Bypass water service: An archeological survey has been completed and recorded. A study has been completed that evaluated the possibility of installing a water line along the new Albany Bypass. The new water line would encourage new businesses to develop along the bypass rather than to have to wait for the water system to be built should a new business be interested. The project consists of a 12-inch water transmission main beginning near the Perry Hay farm and extending south to the intersection of the bypass and Highway 738. The cost has been estimated to be $1,929,000 and financing would be through a combination of grants and low interest loans.

In relation to the latter project, Bowles informed the council that both a Notice of Intent that the city would be applying for funding, as well as an environmental assessment notice would soon be published. He noted that financing could begin coming together on the project as early as next spring.

Albany Mayor Nicky Smith also reminded council members and the public about the Albany Fire Department Auxiliary sponsored open house, to be held this coming Saturday, November 15 from 2-6 p.m. at the new Albany Fire Station.

The council also tentatively scheduled the city employee Christmas dinner for Thursday, December 4 at 6 p.m. and entered into a 15-minute closed session to discuss possible litigation but took no action upon returning to open session.

Prior to the just under half-hour meeting being adjourned, long-time City Councilman James “Smitty” Smith thanked the council for their work and for being a good group of members to work with, also congratulating incoming member Brad Thrasher.

Council members in return also thanks Smith for his many years of service to the city, with Councilman Tony Delk saying Smith had been a great council member and had taught him a lot over the years.

Smith, who has served a cumulative amount of 31 years and will be exiting the city’s governing body at the end of the year, was in office during many water and sewer projects, two new fire department buildings being constructed, and during the Downtown Revitalization project.

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2 at 5 p.m. at city hall and is open to the public.