Council takes up several topics at September meeting

Posted October 10, 2018 at 8:36 am

Albany City Council either discussed and/or voted on various items of business during its regular meeting last Tuesday, October 5 with all council members present.

The council first voted to close part of the Westview Subdivision by allowing the landowners to erect a gate to the property where a subdivision is being planned in west Albany near what is known as Cherry Lane.

During the council’s September meeting, some developers of the property made the request and city legal advisor Norb Sohm informed council members he had researched the matter and saw no reason why a portion of the area could not be closed off to the public while development is taking place.

Sandra McClard, a resident who lives on Hwy. 558, questioned the council about any time line there may be to complete the water line project to the Marina at Rowena area along Hwy. 558 in the Piney Woods community.

Mayor Nicky Smith noted that recent rains had delayed the project somewhat and was unsure of any specific time line for completion but noted it shouldn’t be far down the road.

He did assure McClard, however, that any areas affected by the line would be repaired, grass resewn and the areas interrupted completely put back in place after the lines were run.

The council also voted to close off the usual streets during next weekend’s Foothills Festival.

Following a brief discussion, the council voted to change the specific downtown location for the annual Boo Fest from the usual streets on the square to West Jefferson and West Cumberland Streets between the Foothills Welcome Center and Albany First Baptist Church.

Councilwoman Tonya Thrasher suggested the change due to the growing popularity of the event which sees several hundred children and adults, not to mention vendors, take part each year.

She noted that keeping the event off the main streets was a safety concern.

Council Steve Lawson made a motion to switch the Boo Fest location, which passed by unanimous vote.

(More details on that event will be published later this month.)

In relation to Halloween, it was noted that trick-or-treat hours in Albany would again be from 5-8 p.m. on Halloween night.

The council then once again entered into a brief executive session (about 10 minutes) to discuss personnel with no action being taken upon returning to open session.

After the regular session resumed, the council discussed some street repairs, including some estimates that had been received. Councilwoman Thrasher was asked to bring those estimates, of approximately $13,000 for various streets, to the next meeting for consideration.

Brooks Ferguson, with the street department, also noted to the council that with the proper materials, the city street department may be able to make repairs to the streets themselves.

Also during the meeting, the council opted to change its October meeting date, which would have fallen on election day, November 6.

Due to the election, the next meeting of Albany City Council will be a call meeting the following week, Tuesday, November 13 at 5 p.m. at city hall and is open to the general public.