By Terry Schrimscher
SPRINGVILLE — Social distancing measures were in place as the Springville City Council convened for its second regular session for the month on Monday, September 21, 2020. A crowd of approximately 30 made the room appear full due to the spacing of seats.
The council held an hour-long work session prior to the meeting to address proposed agenda items before beginning the regular session.
There were three city ordinances on the agenda. The first, Ordinance 2020-13 was an amendment to the city’s existing small cell technology ordinance. The amendment, which had a first reading in the September 2 meeting, was passed. The ordinance addresses the rollout of 5G cellular technology in the city.
The Alabama legislature passed a 5G rollout bill in May standardizing permits and rights of way charges for cities and counties. The Springville ordinance protects the city regarding payment if cell towers have to be relocated.
The council passed Ordinance 2020-19 adding a bereavement leave to personnel policy for the city backdated to August.
Ordinance 2020-23 addressing food truck regulations was again tabled to a later meeting.
The council approved a $506 per month contract to install and maintain lighting at Springville Station park, near Walmart, and asked for pricing for one additional light.
Two parades were approved pending updates to standard release waivers. The Springville Homecoming Parade is approved for Friday, September 25 and the Springville Witches Bike Ride, a fundraiser for local schools, is approved for October 31. Times will be announced.
The council approved $3212 for lighting and signage downtown proposed by the Chamber of Commerce. The funds are already budgeted by the Beautification Board.
Additional expenses approved were;
- $1400 to Drummond Flooring to refinish the basketball courts at Springville Middle School as part of an agreement with St. Clair County to allow the city to use the school for events.
- $2185 for book system software and $749.95 for Cybrarian software for the Springville Library.
- $6200 for repairs to the roof at the Springville Library.
- $7200 for LED lighting for the Pickleball courts.
The council approved $113,288, pending receipt of a contract, to reconstruct the city’s multipurpose sports fields. Repairs for the fields have been addressed in recent months to combat standing water issues.
According to Sherry Reeves, the two fields were originally built with football in mind and have been having issues with retaining water. The upgrades will address the drainage problems and redesign the fields to be more user friendly for the city’s soccer leagues.
The council approved the appointment of poll workers for the October 6 runoff elections and rescheduled the October 5 regular meeting to October 13 when runoff election results will be canvassed.
To close the meeting, Mayor Isley entered a proposal to rename Sunset Drive in Springville to Herbert Toles Jr. Drive. The motion to honor the long-serving member of the council passed unanimously.