By Faith Callens
CENTER POINT – On Thursday, May 6, the Center Point City Council met for a regular meeting at City Hall. The feasibility study for a new police department and changes to one travel policy were discussed.
During public comment, Center Point Fire Captain Busby reminded the public that the city’s fire district teaches CPR classes every third Thursday at 5 p.m. and that their smoke detector program is available to any residents in the area. Busby also encourages healthcare workers such as nurses, paramedics to check out the EMS challenge every Wednesday of each month.
Local business Owner Jermaine Williams said he hopes to open a package store in Center Point because his friends and family realized that there was not a package store in the city.
“I currently have a package store in the Eastlake area called J.W. Package Store and it’s not just any package store,” said Williams. “We like to call ourselves a high-end package store.”
Williams said he wanted to make sure his current store was safe for customers and his employees, so he installed high-tech cameras, bullet-proof glass and security bars for the doors. He said he plans to do the same protocol if he gets the new store.
Resident Octavia Kuranski, decided to start a Facebook page for existing local businesses to help people who aspire to work who are turned away from getting a job. Kuranski asked the council to follow 35215, the Facebook page, to support the group and to help create jobs for others who seem to have a hard time finding one.
As public comment went on, two representatives, Almond Alford and Brandon Plowden, from Upland Apartments, stood and explained their reasoning for the delay in the construction of the property. Councilor D.M. Collins said the owners received an initial 30-day notice on the completion of the property and the council voted in favor of Alford and Plowden and they currently have a new notice of 60-day completion date.
Councilor Tiffany Moore spoke about the feasibility study and how cutting costs of current business budgets could help fund a new police department to help the community stay safe.
Moore cautions the residents that this is the first step, and this will be a long and tedious process to make the changes, but It can be done.
For the Mayor and Council reports, Collins said she is still reviewing applications for the economic development program.
Councilor Tiffany Moore discussed the crime intelligence summary from the sheriff’s office from the week of April 10_ April 30 and encourages residents to contact her to join the neighborhood watch.
Mayor Scott reminded residents of upcoming events on cityofcenterpoint.org and the kids’ summer camp hosted by the recreation center that requires a $50 registration fee and $35 dollars a week. Scott also spoke briefly about the Leadership Academy Graduation Ceremony.
The council approved the Consent Agenda unanimously and it passed by majority.
The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda:
- Resolution No. 2021-14 to approve the Travel advance. The council will be traveling to a conference this month, the Alabama Municipalities Conference. Mayor Bobby Scott and the council will attend.
- Resolution No. 2021-17 Polly Reed Private Sewer. This agreement clears up some private sewer line issues. Mayor Scott says that Polly Reed Road will be paved, sidewalks added, and ditches covered. Scott hopes the project will be complete towards the middle to the end of the summer.
- Resolution 2021-18 Appropriation to Center Point Teachers. The Appropriation budget is $665.50, and it will be used for breakfast for Teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. The event will be held on April 7.
Upcoming events:
May 11th – 11: 30 am Chambers Lunch, Presentation from Center Point Principals.
May 20th – Next City Council Meeting
May 26th -Council Work Session
At the end of the meeting, Councilor Tiffany Moore was recognized for Teacher Appreciation Week for being a teacher at Center Point High School and City Council Clerk Tameka Vann was recognized by the council for Municipal Clerk Week.