By Bethany Adams, For The Tribune
CENTER POINT— Thursday night’s City Council meeting included a number of public comments by members of the community addressing a variety of concerns.
Center Point resident Linda Mewbourn addressed the council concerning notices that she and her family received for the presence of litter and uncut grass on their properties. She claimed that notices are unfairly distributed, as the litter did not belong to them and the grass was not high enough to merit citation in comparison to other properties.
“We feel like we’re being harassed a little bit,” Mewbourn said. In order to address the issue, Councilor Leesburg directed her to speak with Chief Inspector Ricky Hinkle.
Resident Ronnie Allen proposed the addition of a speed bump to Polly Reed Road, citing concern after a number of accidents on the road.
“A simple speed bump, it doesn’t cost a lot, but it does save a lot of lives,” Allen said. Public Works Director Bobbie Loggins explained that the decision cannot be made by the city, as the roads are the property of Jefferson County.
“Jefferson County will not allow the city to place speed bumps on their roads,” Loggins said.
Resident Sharon Wilbourn inquired about the addition of sidewalks and lighting to Center Point Parkway in order to increase safety. In response, Loggins gave a brief update on the process of installing new street lamps in the city, stating that 80 percent of the approved light are up.
“It’s an ongoing process at the moment,” Loggins said.
Resident Dale Cordar questioned the council concerning the ordinance which prevents residents from parking on their lawns while allowing for the presence of vehicles on grass at businesses.
“I think we need to tweak the ordinance,” responded Councilor Kennemur, who promised that the council would look into his concern. “We’re going to come back and answer you,” she said.
Also during the meeting, the council voted to approve resolutions for the restoration of several structures in the city, including the historic Patterson House located on Hill Crest Road.
The council also voted unanimously to increase the hourly rate for the law firm Russo, White & Keller, prosecutors for the city, and to approve a new rental tax for the city.
Later during the meeting, the council voted to approve a resolution expressing support for Amendment 14 on the November 8 ballot.
“This is an amendment that is very important to all the municipalities throughout the state of Alabama,” Leesburg said. “It’s correcting some errors that were done by the state legislature in dealing with local amendments over the years.”
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Tom Henderson presented Councilors Danny King and Raymond Olan with plaques recognizing their service for the city.
“They have done really, really good work for us, and we’re proud of what they’ve done,” Henderson said.
The next Center Point City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, November 3 at 7 p.m.
2 Comments
Sharon Blackwood Wilbourn
Also I had asked why the apartments where the man got shot was exempt from having to have security and cameras. Was told the city ordinance is that apartments that have under 5 buildings are exempt. That needs to be changed.
The mayors name is “Tom Henderson” not “Charles Henderson”
Sharon Blackwood Wilbourn
Sharing from “whats really happening in Center Point, Al” Facebook group.
Thank you for covering Center Point, I just wish you wouldn’t sugarcoat things.
———————–
Listened 2 judges wanting our votes. Nice ladies. Good luck to them. Some citizens got up to speak (including me) one lady (sorry didn’t hear anyone’s names) feels like her and her family are being harassed by the city. She had received multiple citations for limbs and garbage in front of her home that isn’t hers. Limbs have only been there for a couple days. They found some names on some of the garbage that had names on them and have taken it to the sheriffs office. She is worried about the stress this is causing to her 95 year old mother in law. My question is: isn’t the city suppose to be coming around picking up limbs on the side of the road? 2-person is concerned about the speeding along Polly reed. Has asked about placing speed bumps, which we have asked about lots of times, mayor said Jefferson county won’t do it. He said also the city could be responsible if someone wrecked cause of the speed bumps. The guy asked if they was putting property above someone’s life. He’s afraid for his kids getting hit. I AGREE TOTALLY!! Someone else asked: why is he getting citations for parking in his yard but Foster wrecker has lot and lots of broken down junk parked in the grass. I see the solution would be for Foster wrecker to put those black out strips through their fences so no one can see through the fence. Problem solved . I asked if the money that will be collected from the traffic cameras be used for sidewalks and street lights. The money can only be used for safety so to me sidewalks and street lights should fall into that category. Maybe it will keep anyone else from getting hit and killed like the young man recently. . I also asked if the apartment had cameras and security where the guy was shot up. Nope they are exempt because the city ordinance is that if there is less than 5 buildings they don’t have to. Hummm why have an ordinance if it’s not gonna include all of the apartments. ok now on to the Patterson House. It will cost around $16000 for John Malaney (not sure if names right) someone hired by the city, to fix the leaky roof, pressure wash and stain the decks, replace 616 feet of rotting railings around the pond at Harvey Reed park, replace 6 bridges also at the park and doing the handicapped ramps at im guessing at the Patterson house. (Money pit). M&M contractors was given the job for the ramps but inspector said they haven’t been able to get in touch with them. So it’s going to this guy instead. Next: the Mayor and council is urging all residents to vote YES to amendment 14, I still have to research what it’s about cause they didn’t explain it. I’ll post later when I figure out what it is. Next: someone from the senior center got up and spoke about the senior bowling team and the seniors getting ready to go on a trip. Mayor said something about the city is fixing to build onto the senior center. Glad they can afford to do that especially since I’ve asked if they could have something for the adult handicapped people in the city, was told the city doesn’t have money yep pissed me off BIGTIME!!! One more thing is that the council agreed to raise the rates of the city lawyer from $175 an hour to $225 an hour. Why are we paying OVER $20,000 a month to lawyers. That’s about it. If anyone there can add whatever I forgot please do