From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE – Trussville is taking steps to improve public safety on North Chalkville Road.
The Trussville City Council on Tuesday approved the purchase and installation of crossing lights on the busy roadway for a cost of $61,000. Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat hopes the signage will increase driver awareness of pedestrians throughout the Trussville Mall area.
In total, the project will include the installation of two flashing signals at five different intersections (Oak Street, North Mall, South Mall, Lake Street and Magnolia Street) down North Chalkville Road. Each intersection currently has pedestrian crosswalks in place, but the city believes this addition will further improve safety, particularly at night.
“This is a big thing for safety,” said council President Zack Steele. “There are a lot of people that cross Chalkville Road, including a lot of kids that walk to Cahaba Elementary and ride their bikes to Cahaba Elementary and back home, so I think it’s just going to make people feel a lot better about it.”
Stone & Son will install the equipment, which is expected to arrive in eight to 10 weeks.
The council also approved Charles D. Beard for a massage therapy license in Trussville. Beard spent 15 years as a massage therapist for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and recently moved in an effort to relocate his practice.
He spoke to the council about the stigma, which often comes with the profession.
“I know there have been some issues with massage therapists or so-called massage therapists,” said Beard. “I’ve had a practice in Mt. Laurel for the last four years. I don’t have any employees; I am the owner and sole-therapist there.”
He says his practice will offer deep-tissue massages, sports massages and flexibility sessions. His business will be located at 413 Kenimer Avenue, across from Captain D’s on Highway 11 in Trussville.
One councilman asked Beard if he had ever been cited for any violation related to his practice. His answer: “No sir.”
In other business, the Trussville City Council also:
- Approved an ordinance to annex a property at 7138 Roundstone Drive into the city.
- Approved an ordinance to annex a property at 7275 Roper Road and multiple properties down Smith Sims Road into the city.
- Passed a resolution to appoint poll workers for the upcoming municipal elections.
- Passed a resolution to elect Buddy Choat without opposition for mayor. “Thank you very much to the people of Trussville that have shown confidence, not only in me, but this council,” said Choat. “Our two main priorities when we took office were to find a way to redevelop downtown and to finish our Valley Road project. These things have been quite significant.”
- Authorized the mayor to sign a contract to switch the server at city hall to a cloud-based system that will allow some city employees to work from home.