Albany City Council held its monthly meeting last Tuesday, February 1 with all council members on hand.

While approving the minutes from the previous meeting, councilman James “Smitty” Smith noted he had meant to discuss the possibility of constructing sidewalks in the area of Albany Manor in south Albany as opposed to Golden Harvest Village in east Albany. The minutes were approve with that change noted.

David Bowles of Monarch Engineers then briefly updated the council about ongoing projects. Most projects are naturally being slowed somewhat due to recent weather conditions. However, they are moving forward, including the utility relocation phase I and II projects pertaining to the bypass and water line construction from the industrial park to near the Wayne County line will resume when weather allows.

Bowles did note there was water in the new one million gallon storage tank behind the high school and the new telemetry system was monitoring water pressure. A plan is in place to put the new tank into service within the next week as the telemetry and electrical service is complete.

The telemetry system will monitor operations of both the one million tank and the tank that is in operation at Piney Woods.

Department head reports in two areas were given, primarily for the benefit of new council members who took office last month.

Pam Allred of the water office gave the council information on the water system, noting there was currently about 4,500 to 4,800 active customers and are billed for the use of 65 to 70 million gallons of water per month. She also added there were about 5,300 meters but some not in service due to some people who have summer homes and only reside in the county at certain times of the year.

Between two and three million gallons of water per month is sold to the Cumberland County Water District.

Jeff Brown also gave an information on the street department.

Brown noted the street department employees had been kept busy over the past several weeks with snow removal and also added that a clean-up of city streets would take place a little later when weather permits.

He also gave an update on the recycling bin located at the city maintenance building on Allen Street. The city empties the bin, with the county disposing of the collected recycled items twice monthly. Brown also added that although there were still problems with illegal items being dumped, it wasn’t as bad as in months past.

The council once again discussed the status of the walking trails grant, but no new information had been learned.

Mayor Nicky Smith told the council there was another grant program pertaining to the Safety Schools project that the city could apply for and noted sidewalks to the area of the high school and beyond, could be part of the state’s six-year road plan for renovation on the 127 road project.

The council did agree to request the mayor get cost estimates for sidewalk construction from around Talbott Funeral Home to the high school and report back at the council’s March meeting.

They also agreed to put Children at Play signs up on a street behind Jill’s Market off the Tennessee Shortcut Road and repair some collapsed sidewalk areas near Thrasher Insurance and Cash Express.

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1 at 5 p.m. at city hall and is open to the public.