By Terry Schrimscher
SPRINGVILLE — In the second official meeting of November, the Springville City Council addressed several needs for the city’s police department. New chief Wayne Walton spoke to the crowded meeting to ask for approval to use funds for new uniforms.
“I have officers that have not had uniforms in two years. I’ve got officers who only have two uniforms and officers that had to buy their uniforms,” said Walton. “I can get seven officers complete uniforms. For all seven officers, it going to cost $5000. I can take that out of safe street funds.”
The total cost to equip seven officers with warm weather and cold weather clothing is $5,422.60. The council approved the purchase of the new uniforms from the existing budget. The seven uniforms would include gear for two new officer hires Chief Walton expects to make in the next few days. Walton is seeking to fill two positions that were recently vacated in the department.
In addition to new uniforms, Chief Walton has begun upgrades to the department’s vehicle fleet. Existing vehicles will get a new stripe package and some older vehicles will be sold at surplus pending approval of the purchase of new police vehicles. Chief Walton will present pricing at the next council work session.
Parks and Recreation Director Ashley Hay presented the council with a new bid for cleaning city office buildings. The three-year contract with Southern Cleaning Service provides regular services to clean and sanitize City Hall including the police station, the VFW building, the fire station, the senior center, library, and city offices for $2,447.42 per month. The contract also provides options for cleaning services for special events.
Hay also presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from the State of Alabama to begin work on the long-anticipated Forever Wild project, Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve. The Council approved the MOU with no changes and the signed document will be sent back to the state to review. Once the MOU is formally approved work can begin on the project.
The council also approved a new procedure to itemize bills paid by the city. City Clerk Lynn Porter will compile a list of bills paid and present the list for review at future council meetings.
In other business, the council approved the following:
- An alcohol sales license for Kiwi’s Mexican Cuisine
- Appointed Martha Black to the library board
- Reappointed Joe Cox to the Board of Adjustment
In his closing remarks, Mayor Dave Thomas proposed internship opportunities to students in the city’s school system. He suggested opening the program up to more students and city departments. He also asked for updates to the city’s employee handbook.