Albany City Council held its regular meeting last Tuesday evening, July 3 with just enough members for a quorum–four of six–on hand for the brief session which dealt primarily with seeking grant funds for the department.

David Bowles of Monarch Engineers gave a brief update on the ongoing utility relocation projects.

Engineers are currently waiting for Department of Transportation to issue a change order approval to relocate a 3-inch water line along Mt. Drive in the section one area.

Southern Backhoe, Inc. was approximately 63 percent complete on the second section of the bypass, located on South Highway 127 beginning at Highway 1590, and will extend near the intersection of Highway 969 that goes to Duvall Valley. Southern Backhoe also was awarded the bid on the third and final phase and should begin work by early fall.

Bowles said the second phase of the project was only a couple of months from completion.

The council, on a motion by James “Smitty” Smith, authorized Mayor Nicky Smith to execute and enter into an agreement with the Kentucky office of Homeland Security for the firefighters’ equipment project grant.

On a motion by Councilwoman Tonya Thrasher, they then voted via resolution in support of a new veteran’s hospital to be located in the state’s Fifth Congressional District, which takes in parts of southern and eastern Kentucky and is represented by U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers.

The exact location of where a new veteran’s hospital may be built isn’t known at this time. However, it is believed any facility within the district would mean a closer location for area veterans.

Also on a motion by Thrasher, the council authorized the mayor to execute and enter into an agreement to apply for an Assistance to firefighters’ grant, in the amount of $117,000, with the Lake Cumberland ADD administering the project. The funds would be used for specific equipment and turnout gear for the local fire department if funds are awarded.

Mayor Smith postponed a resolution pertaining to the CDBG grant for the proposed new Albany Fire Department facility with the AD District also administering that project. The issue will be revisited when more information and paperwork is obtained.

Two bids were opened on some 280 junk water meters. The high bid was received from and awarded, on a motion by Councilwoman Mary Faye Stockton, to Shelley Recycling Center at $945.00. The other bid was for $400 on the meters.

Finally, Mayor Smith commended all first responders–including the fire department, police department, sheriff’s office and Emergency Services–for their efforts in fighting what could have been a disastrous fire off Hwy. 553 a week ago Saturday.

The mayor also announced that mowing picked up again in the city last week, and some streets were now being repaired. He also said measurements were being taken in a couple of areas where estimates will be collected for possible sidewalk locations, including on Hwy. 738 to near Albany Manor and northerly from around the IDA-Welcome Center to the park and schools.

The meeting was then adjourned following a motion by councilman Frankie Stockton.

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for August 7 at 5 p.m. at city hall and is open to the public.