By Nathan Prewett
For the Tribune
CENTER POINT — During a meeting of the Center Point City Council on Thursday night, disclosure of information on right of way properties were passed, as well as other ordinances including a sales tax holiday ordinance and the appropriation of funds for students at Center Point City High School.
The council passed five resolutions related to the acquisition of right of way properties on Polly Reed Road as part of an ongoing construction project. The resolutions were disclosures of information saying that the city has bought the properties. Council President Barlow said that the process has been in the works for some time as the project continues.
“This will be the last step before allowing his project to go to bid,” he said. “This is for the widening and the covering of ditches and sidewalks on Polly Reed Road. And this has been a long time coming. Hopefully we’ll be able to see this go to bid. We worked real hard on this and it’s been tough but we’re almost there.”
Barlow said that he hopes the project will go to bid this summer.
Afterwards, the council considered and then passed resolution 2018-04, making a sales tax holiday ordinance permanent for the third week of July.
The council then held a brief discussion on the possibility of creating an economic development position for Center Point. The position would oversee promotion of Center Point and attempt to bring businesses to the city. The subject was brought up at the last meeting and was tabled for the next as more information is gathered on possibly hiring someone to a full time position in economic development.
$5,000 was approved to support local students at Center Point High School as they enter the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky to be held on June 25 to 29. The resolution was passed as 2018-37.
“This was a very good program for the kids last year,” Barlow said. “They really made us proud. They excelled, and I’m glad to see them go this year.”
Last year, Center Point High School student Jasmine Robinson participated in the conference and won a gold medal in computer networking.
Angie Pace, who is chairman of the newly formed library board, reported that the bylaws of the board have been established and that it is now looking for a director. She said that the position has been advertised.
In his comments, Center Point Mayor Tom Henderson addressed the recently postponed presentation of a crime study by the Department of Justice, saying that the study is being rescheduled but has not been canceled.
Henderson made several reports in his comments.
He reported that Center Point Fire Department and Red Cross volunteers were present at Briarwood to give out free smoke detectors. He also reported that a youth expo will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jefferson State Gym, sponsored by Center Point Elementary Assistant Principal Rachel Holifield.
Henderson said that he recently received a report on home sales, saying that the average home sale in the past month was $155,000 per home, going up from $75,000.
Henderson announced that Center Point High School graduation will be held at New Birth Birmingham on May 24 at 4 p.m. He said that New Birth Birmingham will hold a “Stop the Violence” event on May 19 at the Center Point Courthouse baseball field. He also announced that there will be a food truck rally on June 9 at Eastgate Shopping Center.
Henderson said that LED lights have been installed at the community center and that a ramp that will be changed to compliant with the American Disabilities Act.
A sendoff was held for Center Point resident Shelby Andrews, who will be representing the city in the Miss Alabama Pageant at Samford University on June 6 to 9. She was given a key to the city, along with a plaque and a framed poem by Henderson’s wife, Betty Henderson. Her platform at the pageant will be domestic violence.
The next Center Point City Council will be held on May 24, with pre-council at 6:45, followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m.