By Lee Weyhrich
Two new committees have been formed to provide oversight of two programs that benefit Pinson residents.
The Pinson City Council voted to take over the management of Pinson youth sports and to form a farmer’s market steering committee.
The steering committee would be in charge of seeing that all state and local rules are enforces, and would also recommend and oversee the market manager.
The committee will consist of Herbert Terry, Barry Wilson, and Noel Sanders. The committee will meet monthly during the growing season (May through September) and every three months throughout the off-season.
On the youth sports front, the council voted to create a task force dedicated to a smooth transition from Pinson Valley Youth Association to city management, and to provide a strategic plan for the future of the program.
The task force will consist of members representing each sport as well as city officials and employees. Members are park director Mike Sullivan, councilman John Churchwell, Kevin Campbell, Amber Clay, Jason Lambert, Derrick Ambrose, Randall Terry, Reverend Torrence Sims and Mykal Thomas. More people may be added to the task force, especially to represent cheerleading and other sports.
With the transition of youth sports from PVYA into a council-run program, several issues have popped up.
Councilman Cochrane informed the council of slightly less than $5,000 in outstanding bills for football helmets, which have been left unpaid since September of last year. It has yet to be determined whether the current PVYA will pay the bill or whether the city will have to cough up the funds.
In addition to bills, the council will also be inheriting a piece of equipment from PVYA. The council voted to trade in the association’s old lawnmower, which is damaged, as soon as the city legally takes possession of the assets of PVYA.
The cost to repair the mower would be $1,141, but the council can trade the mower for $350 in credit towards a much newer and heavier-duty Gravely mower. The new mower will cost the city $2,150.
The council is also looking to acquire some other equipment.