By Chris Yow
Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council met Tuesday night and the council tabled a vote on an alcohol license for Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Cooking as the representative for the restaurant had no dealings with the day-to-day operations and could not provide specifics on questions asked by the council. Council President Anthony Montalto asked the representative if she understood the complexity of the alcohol ordinance the city currently uses, and alluded to the fact the restaurant currently has a sign hanging from a trailer advertising, which is against the city’s sign ordinance.
The outside sign at Mr. Chen’s. Photo by Chris Yow
“We’re very strict on the enforcement of alcohol rules here in Trussville,” Montalto said. “We have a sign ordinance that’s very simple, and Mr. Chen’s restaurant is not following those rules. I have a concern that if you’re not going to follow that simple ordinance, why would we expect you to follow this stricter ordinance.”
The vote was tabled, and the council asked that someone involved in day-to-day operations come to the next council meeting and speak for the restaurant.
In addition, the council heard a riveting presentation by Jef Freeman of the downtown Redevelopment Agency about the progress already being made in downtown Trussville. Freeman said his group was working on small sections of the downtown area at a time, and attempting to reinvigorate downtown.
“We feel like revitalizing downtown is going to generate tax revenue, provide employment and, basically, just improve the image of Trussville,” Freeman said.
Mayor Gene Melton said the ongoing water and gas line project, as well as the parking lot area where at the old Sticks N Stuff site building sits now will be a major asset to getting the downtown area to the board’s standard.
The city also annexed properties on First Street and Branchfield Road.
The next meeting was set for Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. with a 30-minute workshop to be held prior to the meeting.
