By Nathan Prewett
For the Tribune
PINSON – Much of the subject of a regular meeting of the Pinson City Council on Thursday night revolved around the progress of the Rock School Center as renovation and construction continues.
The council voted to extend the Rock School mortgage with Regions Bank. From seven options, the council approved the first option of extending the mortgage for three years and a monthly payment of $5,624.56. Mayor Hoyt Sanders said that the balance due in three years would be $629,752.
A report on the Rock School was given by Eric Hendon of the architectural firm, Hendon and Huckstein. He gave a presentation on light fixtures being placed at the building as well as progress of the parking lot as it is being paved as well as change orders. The council voted to approved two of his recommendations regarding light fixtures and concrete lamps.
Hendon also gave a brief report on the schedule of the building’s renovation, saying that they are ahead and that it should be “substantially” complete by mid to late September. Afterwards, the council heard a presentation on library furnishing for the new location of the Pinson Public Library to be relocated at the Rock School.
The council then voted on increasing the credit line with Regions Bank. Sanders noted that the city had not increased it since 2004 when the level was $10,000-$20,000. The council approved his recommendation of increasing the credit line to $250,000 with a one-time activation fee of $500.
City Attorney Shane Black gave an explanation of a resolution that was introduced to authorize the repair abatement proceedings on a property on Innsbrooke Parkway. He said that the building has become an issue for the city as the owners have been absent for sometime. The building has been deemed a public nuisance because of weeds, trash and unsanitary conditions.
The resolution allows the building to be considered an unsafe structure where the city can now authorize a repair abatement. The resolution was passed unanimously as 2018-25.
Pinson Valley High School Principal Michael Turner gave an update on a new football stadium and softball complex. He said that the score clocks would be moved back about a foot in addition to a drainage issue to be addressed.
Turner announced that the PVHS will be playing their first game of the year on August 25 at the Hoover Met. The game will take place at 11 a.m. He gave a brief update on grade levels, saying that test scores and the “academic bar” is increasing and that the school has been working to improve student performance.
The council made two appointments to the library board. Stanley Moss was re-appointed for a full term to expire on March 31, 2022. Mary Stewart was appointed to replace Jane Montgomery for the remainder of the term to expire on March 31, 2019.
In his report, Sanders reported that the “Beat the Heat” event in Turkey Creek had a slightly lower number of attendants this year, possibly due to weather conditions anticipated that day. He also reminded about National Night Out to take place at Innsbrooke Pavilion on Aug. 7, as well as Battery Take Back Day at the Center Point Jefferson County Annex Courthouse on Aug. 11 and the Center Point Fire District’s 50th Anniversary on Aug. 4.
The next Pinson City Council meeting will take place on Aug. 16 with pre-council at 6:30 p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m.