Albany City Council met in regular session last Tuesday, April 3 with four of six members on hand. Different items of business were dealt with, including a water project grant and a budget amendment.

The council, on a motion by James “Smitty” Smith, first approved second reading of a budget amendment ordinance transferring $15,000 from the Municipal Road Aid Fund to the street department for city street repairs.

David Bowles of Monarch Engineers then gave a brief update on ongoing projects, primarily dealing with water line and utility relocation which relates to the U.S. 127 Bypass project.

Engineers are currently waiting approval from the Department of Transportation to relocate a water and sewer force main along KY 1590 due to a retention pond and approved to relocate a water line along Mountain Drive.

Section 2 of three total phases of utility relocation for the bypass project–beginning where the first section left off on Hwy. 1590 extending along U.S. 127 to Hwy. 969 near Duvall Valley–was 12 percent complete as of last Tuesday. The final phase will go from that point to the Kentucky/Tennessee state line at Static.

Lanny Bowlin, an official with the city water department, publicly thanked Grider Hill Dock and its manager, Rick Mercader, for allowing the city water department free use of their facility when the department has to work on the barge or other water related equipment located on Lake Cumberland.

Mayor Nicky Smith then opened the lone bid on the 2003 Ford F350 truck the city had declared as surplus property. At the council’s March meeting, they had set a minimum bid of $4,000 on the vehicle.

The only bid received was from David Guffey at $4,001 and he was awarded the bid by unanimous vote following a motion by Councilman Frankie Stockton.

On a motion by Smith, the council unanimously approved a resolution accepting a $122,000 grant from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) that will be used for the relocation of a main water line at the Blue Grass Stockyard location on Hwy. 90. The newest business to locate here is expected to be in operation and having cattle sales by late spring of this year.

Councilman Smith then questioned the mayor about the city water department’s use of its backhoe when hauling rock to a work site. He said he felt the backhoe should be hauled via a trailer to work sites if they were too far away, saying hauling rock on the equipment was bad on the tires and may require expensive maintenance.

Mayor Smith said he would look into the matter and check with water department employees about the use of the backhoe.

City legal advisor Norb Sohm updated the council on attempts to get a deed to some property footage at the Dollar General Market to allow for a turning lane from the new store onto Nolan Street. Sohm said there had been some delays, but the proper paperwork to complete the process was expected to be received by sometime this week.

Prior to adjourning, Mayor Smith, on behalf of himself and the city, wished Dee Soma, a member of the Albany Fire Department a speedy recovery. Soma was seriously injured in a fatal vehicle crash in Rockcastle County on April 1.

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for May 1 at 5 p.m. and is open to the general public.