By Nathan Prewett
For the Tribune
PINSON — The Pinson City Council approved the purchase of several different services and pieces of equipment for the Bicentennial Park and for Bradford Park. The council also gave a brief report on a bid for the Rock School Center, which is currently undergoing renovations to be used as another location for the library and a community center.
The council first approved annexation of a property near Highway 75 into the city. Pinson Mayor Hoyt Sanders said that the Jefferson County Board of Education is buying the property to be used as a softball field complex in the future.
The council approved the annexation, which will become a zoning case.
Attention then turned to Bradford Park. At a previous meeting, the council approved beginning the process of leasing the park from the county.
Sanders said that he met with an assistant of Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight, who said that the lease will be slotted on the agenda for the next commission meeting.
“It’s really a diamond in the rough,” Sanders said of the park. “But it’s a great facility out there. It just needs some work. I’m very excited about it.”
At tonight’s meeting, the council approved the purchase of equipment for the maintenance of Bradford Park, which has been experiencing overgrowth of plants and vandalism in the past. A burglary alarm system with a phone-line for live cameras to counter potential burglaries in the future was approved.
To counter the overgrowth the council approved using services to bush hog the area as well as remove debris, grass and rough grade for ball fields and screen topsoil from grass removal and reapply to the ball field area for $800. A walking track at the property will also be cleared out. Long term plans will involve repaving the parking lot and establish a handicap sidewalk.
The council approved the purchase of a new vehicle to be used for Public Works to replace a Tahoe truck currently being used by the city. After some discussion the council agreed to purchase a Dodge Ram for $26,300.
Sanders then sought permission from the council to set up a credit card for Public Works to use for fuel when the new truck is put to use. He abstained while the council approved his request.
Afterwards, the purchase of several utilities was approved for use at the Bicentennial Park. These utilities were two grills and two tables. Sanders said that the tables and one of the grills were compliant with the American Disabilities Act. He recommended that the utilities be “tried out” at the park before any more are purchased.
The purchase was made for more than $3,300.
In other business, Sanders gave a report on a bid relating to renovations at Rock School Center. The building has been undergoing extensive renovations and will be used in a multi-purpose fashion as a new home for the Pinson Public Library and as a community center. Sanders said that the total bid, including the installation of the lunch room and parking lot would amount to $1.4 million.
Sanders said that Eric Hendon from the architectural firm Hendon + Huckestein will be at the next meeting to discuss further plans for the center.
The next Pinson City Council meeting will take place on March 15 with pre-council at 6:30 followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m.