Albany City Council held its first meeting of the new year last Tuesday evening, January 3 with five members present. Among items on the agenda for discussion were additional annexation efforts along a portion of the new U.S. 127 Bypass as well as other issues.

Albany Mayor Nicky Smith began a discussion about possible additional annexation along state right-of-ways along the U.S. 127 Bypass. The council had earlier agreed to take in a portion of the new area to the new stop light on Hwy. 1590 West.

The mayor recommended, with state Highway Department approval, to annex the state highway area from “ditch line to ditch line” from the stop light on west 1590 to the Clinton County Middle School entrance. The initial annexation proposals didn’t include that stretch of the bypass route.

City legal advisor Norb Sohm told the council they would need approval from the state Department of Highways and recommended the city make a written request asking state approval for the annexation.

Council members agreed the annexing of the area would be beneficial, but some did question and ask for assurances that no one property would be involved in the annexation process.

Mayor Smith said that no existing property in the entire area in which the city would be requesting to take in involved anyone’s land and noted again the city would be asking for state highway property “ditch line to ditch line” only.

He also added there would be benefits along with the annexation to the area, including police and fire protection and so forth.

If approved for annexation by the Department of Transportation, the total length of the city limits would expand from just beyond the Clinton County Hospital on Hwy. 1590 West, and connect at the stop light back to the middle school toward the northern side.

Mayor Smith began the meeting by commenting on the most recent Christmas at Home toy and food drive, saying it was one of the most successful ever. He also noted that a record number of children in the community (533) benefitted from the program.

The mayor thanked everyone whoparticipated and/or donated in any way, primarily City of Albany employees who worked hard for almost a month volunteering their time to the effort.

David Bowles of Monarch Engineers then gave a brief monthly progress report on ongoing projects. He said the state Department of Transportation may be ready to take bids on the next phase of utility relocation for the new bypass within about six weeks.

The engineer also said there had been some issues arise with water lines in the area of the construction of the new Dollar General Store which he said “would probably be addressed later (during the meeting.)”

At the close of regular business, the council entered into an executive session in regards to “possible pending litigation.” The governing body, along with Monarch Engineers, were in executive session for just under a half-hour and upon returning to open session, no action was taken and no further details on the matter was discussed.

Bids were also opened on three vehicles that had been declared surplus property by the council. A fourth vehicle, a dump truck, was also let for bids, with some bids being submitted. However, after the first bid on that truck was opened, Councilman James “Smitty” Smith moved to reject the sale of the dump truck, citing the need for the truck by the water department. Councilman Tony Delk seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote and no bids submitted on the dump truck were acted upon.

Three other pickup trucks, however, were sold via sealed bid at the meeting, including a 1997 Ford Ranger and two 1998 Ford F-150s. There were a total of 15 bids opened on those three vehicles.

A total of six bids were submitted on the Ford Ranger ranging from $550 to $652 with Josh Cowan having the high bid. Bids on one of the F-150s, with four being submitted, ranged from $451 to $600, with Jeff Brown being the high bidder. Five bids were submitted on the other F-150, ranging from $551 to $752, with Cowan being the high bidder.

Councilman Delk made the motion to accept the high bids on each vehicle–which totaled $2,004 for all–which passed by unanimous vote.

Prior to entering into closed session, the council, on a motion by Councilman Smith, voted 5-0 to approve what is termed the “Little Princess” resolution, which pertains to Halloween safety, and worded in memory of the late Aleigha Duvall. (A separate article on the resolution and Halloween safety efforts can be found in a separate article, beginning on page 1.)

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7 at 5 p.m. at City Hall and is open to the public.