By Terry Schrimscher
SPRINGVILLE — The Springville City Council met Monday night, Feb. 3, for the first regularly scheduled meeting of the month. After a short work session focused largely on two proposed ordinances, the regular meeting moved quickly through an abbreviated agenda.
The regular session opened with a public hearing on a proposed sign ordinance. The city is seeking to amend current zoning to clarify rules regarding temporary signs. The proposal would clarify regulations on signs such as promotional banners and marketing inflatables, and other non-permanent messaging, and establish guidelines on the locations and time constraints for the display of temporary signs.
The second proposed amendment was also brought up for public discussion. The ordinance would clarify and establish zoning for businesses marketing CBD products within city limits. In May of 2019, the city passed a six-month moratorium on business licenses for commercial establishments selling alcohol, tobacco, vape, and/or CBD product. The city approved a 90-day extension of the moratorium at the Nov. 18 council meeting.
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a chemical compound from the cannabis plant. CBD was legalized nationally by the 2018 Farm Bill, but many cities around the country have enacted specific zoning and licensing for the sale of such products.
No one spoke for or against either of the proposed amendments in the public hearings. City attorney James Hill read each proposal into the public record, clearing the path to vote on them at the next council meeting. Councilman David Jones asked Planning and Zoning Director Maranda Nolen to bring maps for the next meeting to show which business zones would be zoned for CBD products.
Parks and Recreation director Ashley Hay presented a proposal to purchase a new playset for the splash pad at Big Springs Park. The council approved $7,450 for the purchase of new play equipment for the toddler section of the park.
The council also approved the installation of cameras in eight police vehicles at an installation cost of $250 each. The purchase of the cameras was approved at an earlier meeting.
In other business, the council approved:
- A travel waiver for the city’s senior center
- $250 for sponsorship of the St. Clair Water Festival
- Allocation of $534.07 received from St. Clair Libraries into the Springville Library’s general budget
- The appointment of former Mayor Ricky Buckner to the Commercial Development Authority, seat vacated by Mark Brandenburg
In his closing comments, Mayor William Isley discussed some quality-control complaints related to food services at the senior center. Currently, the city receives grant money to provide meals at the center and contracts with a state-approved vendor to deliver meals to seniors.
The next meeting will be on Feb. 17.
