By Terry Schrimscher, contributing writer
SPRINGVILLE — The Springville City Council met Monday night, Dec. 2, for the first regularly scheduled meeting of the month. After a short work session, the regular meeting moved quickly through an abbreviated agenda.
Parks and Recreation director, Ashley Hay, addressed the council regarding Resolution 2019-12, which is the official acceptance of a Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant she applied for in November of 2018.
“I just hope everyone will be patient as we work on the upgrades,” said Hay. The LWCF funding is a matching grant to expand and upgrade the baseball and softball fields on Camp Road. Hay said the planned improvements include expanded parking, field improvements and more.
The council also approved hiring Macknally Land Design as the new designer for the ongoing nature preserve development at Big Canoe Creek. Lea Ann Macknally, president of Macknally Land Design, was present to address the council along with Doug Morrison, chair of the steering committee and president of the Friends of Big Canoe Creek.
“The landscape architect we had left his firm,” said Morrison, “so we’re picking up and running.”
The planned nature preserve will be part of Alabama’s Forever Wild Land Trust. Plans include hiking trails, horseback riding and bicycle trails. Macknally will work to complete the master plan for the project, which will need some road planning to create better access to the park and compensate for additional traffic.
The road and entrance are the first priority according to Macknally, along with developing plans for parking. “It limits the traffic,” said Macknally.
“Right now, the roads are rutted out,” said Morrison. “You almost need a four-wheel drive to get into the area.”
The council also approved speed limit signs on Woodland Hills Drive. The residential will now have posted speeds of 20 miles per hour. The location of the sign is yet to be determined.
The council approved $8,310 for the purchase of new Personal Protective Equipment for the Springville Fire Department.
In his closing remarks, Mayor Isley stressed the importance of every citizen participating in the upcoming federal census in 2020. The city could lose representation at the state level and the state could lose a member of Congress, and the Electoral College, if the population is counted too low.
The Springville Christmas Parade will be held in the evening on December 14 and the final scheduled meeting of the council will be Monday, Dec. 16.