Albany City Council held a brief regular meeting last Tuesday evening with all members present and general items of business on the agenda.

The council first heard an update on ongoing water related projects from Monarch Engineer David Bowles, who noted the USDA has notified the city of its eligibility for funding for the US 127 bypass water extension project and have requested a Summary Addendum. A meeting between the city and USDA will take place to discuss the aspects of the project, particularly the conditions that will be related to the financing of the project.

Bowles said that the USDA was being supplied information on the project, and he expects to have some positive news pertaining to it later in the year.

The project would consist of constructing a 12-inch water line along the bypass from the Perry Hay farm north to the intersection of Hwy. 738 south at an estimated cost of $1.9 million, to be funded with grants and low-interest loans.

Bowles also noted there still remains an issue with one of the raw water intake pumps. A drive starter has been replaced and fixed but there is still an issue with the motor, which has been removed and determined to be blown and will have to be repaired.

Mayor Nicky Smith then recommended to the council that they allow city legal advisor Norb Sohm to negotiate a contract with Mediacom for the city’s cable franchise.

The cable company has requested the city extend the franchise, which expires late this year, for a 20-year period, five years long than the current 15-year franchise agreement.

The mayor had earlier recommended obtaining the services of an attorney from Lexington who specializes in the cable franchise area and worked with the city on the past franchise agreement, to help negotiate with the cable company, but said he now felt it would be better to allow the city attorney to handle the negotiations and save the city money.

Councilperson Steve Lawson made a motion to have Sohm do the negotiations with Mediacom for a new franchise, which passed by unanimous vote.

The council, on a motion by councilperson Tony Delk, voted 6-0 to appoint Linda Barnett to the local Housing Authority board, and on a motion by councilman Frankie Stockton, voted to declare two Stihl weedeaters as surplus and sell via sealed bids, with a minimum of $100 on each.

Councilperson Tonya Thrasher then said a couple of residents had asked that something be done about people parking in the handicap parking spaces in areas on Jefferson Street across from the courthouse. Police Chief Ernest Guffey said the department was working harder to keep those handicap spaces open for that purpose and had removed a couple of people recently who had parked there without authorization.

Thrasher also said some people had suggested the city erect Welcome to Albany signs that invoked the reference to God, such as adding the phase “In God We Trust,” or some similar theme. All council members and the mayor agreed this would be a good thing, and the mayor said he would consult with the city’s legal advisor, who was not present last week, about whether or not it could be done legally.

Finally, Thrasher asked if the city could do more this year to promote the U.S. 127 Yard Sale for the downtown area, such as more signs being put up directing the public to downtown through areas off of the new bypass.

Councilperson Tony Delk then thanked everyone who participated in the July 4th Celebration, primarily the fireworks show, which has been touted by some as being the best display so far.

Delk also said he would like to see a three-member committee formed to pinpoint dilapidated properties in the city that could be identified in some type of ordinance that would require those properties be cleaned up. It was noted that several such areas have been taken care of recently, but there are still areas in the city that need to be cleaned up.

Councilperson Brad Thrasher then questioned the status of applying for grants to install sidewalks in some areas of the city. Mayor Smith said the next round of funding for grants would be sometime this fall and the city would apply for funding at that time.

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4 at 5 p.m. at City Hall and is open to the public.