By Faith Callens, for The Tribune
CENTER POINT – The Center Point City Council discussed pricing quotes for new signage within the city on Thursday, Oct.7.
The council considered replacing the city’s current “Welcome to Center Point” sign located in front of Serra Toyota and updating it with a brand-new look.
The council also mentioned adding a new directional “welcome” sign for city landmarks at the intersection of Polly Reed Road and Center Point Parkway.
The amount for both signs with a local company called “Signage” was $5,332.
The items approved unanimously on the Consent Agenda were:
Resolution 2021-37 Authorizing JW Alcohol Sales
The council approved the authorization of the JW Package Store in Center Point to sale alcohol.
Resolution 2021-38 authorizing the purchase of a vehicle for the Senior Center
The council approved the resolution 2021-38 for the director of the Senior Center to have a new vehicle for traveling purposes. The vehicle the council chose was a 2022 five-seater Chevrolet Malibu sedan.
Authorization of the BJCTA Renewal
The council approved the authorization of the renewal of the Birmingham County Transit Authority contract. Mayor Bobby Scott said all routes that are currently on Route 25 will stay the same but will have multiple pickups and more consistent timing.
Resolution 2021-39 Authorizing the purchase of a used vehicle for the Parks and Rec. Department
The council approved the authorization of the purchase of a used vehicle for the Parks and Recreation Department. The vehicle, the council chose was a 2005 Ford-Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD as a general work vehicle that will carry city equipment.
The council also approved a quote of $6,136.30 for a fountain to be placed at the Hillcrest Manor’s Pond.
Hillcrest manor is a wedding and special occasion venue that the council felt needed a fountain to help beautify the area and add a decorative touch during different events such as the holiday season.
President D.M. Collins said the fountain will have LED lights.
Council member Glenn Williams spoke on his thoughts about the impact that fountain could have on residents.
“I think this right here in the park would be great because every little city I go to, have a meeting spot, and when anything exciting happen or they have a get together or something, they say let’s meet at the park. I think that would be a good thing where everybody knows, “Hey, we are going to meet here for Christmas at this location”, Williams said.
Scott said he is considering the city’s public works department to start work on the fountain.
Other Items approved by council
Resolution authorizing and declaring the public purpose of appropriating funds for the job fair.
The job fair will be held by the city’s Chamber of Commerce along with the city’s
economic development Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 20.
The event will be held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Center Point Community Center Parking lot.
There will be free sandwiches and goody bags for the first 50 people.
For public comment, Mr. Llewellyn Haleem, a resident of Center Point spoke to the council about the renewal of his business permit for a building he has been fixing up for quite some time.
Haleem said he has been working on the building for over a year and was trying to meet certain requirements based on what the building inspector he was working with told him until he got the word to stop.
Harleem said it’s been three months since work was done to the building and during that time, he noticed his permit was expired.
President D.M. Collins told the council based on the pictures she saw of the work Harleem has done to the building, it looked like it was in better shape.
“It should not be on the condemned list or should it not be deemed that status”, Collins said.
Collins told Harleem to come back before the council to speak about his concern at the next city council meeting.
Resident Martina Dailey is the founder of an organization called New Awakening Recovery Services and she asked the council about locations to house women and do recovery classes for women who are healing from substance recovery treatment.
Dailey said with the city’s help, she plans to do health classes, offer housing, and have an individualized recovery plan for women who are enrolled in the program.
“The New Awakening and Recovery Services is to provide education, guidance and support services and to also offer community referral services to any individual seeking treatment or seeking help with their substance abuse disorder”, Dailey said.
Dailey said the housing for the program will be a sober living facility, similar to a recovery residence.
Mayor Scott said Dailey’s idea of expanding her program and helping individuals recover from substance abuse is awesome and he gave Dailey guidance on how to move forward.
Battalion Chief Brad Appleton spoke to the council about this month, being fire Prevention Week.
“We trying to put stuff on our social media, and we will be in the schools and some other
places, like National Night Out, which is coming up and distribute materials and information for Fire Prevention Week”, Appleton said.
Appleton also mentioned for Breast Cancer Awareness, the fire station is selling T-shirts from $15 to $20. All shirts can be purchased at the Fire Department Administration office.
Center Point’s Library Director Joi Mahand showed the council the library’s newest video about the library and what it has to offer.
Mahand encourages citizens to stop by the library and follow the library’s social media pages and YouTube page.
The video shown at the city council meeting about the library can be found at “The City of Center Point” Facebook Page.
For mayor and council reports:
Councilor Tiffany Moore thanked everyone who came out to the in-person town hall meeting and the virtual town hall meeting.
Moore said the National Night Out has been moved to Oct.19.
Mayor Scott congratulated Linda Kennemur running a 5k run for sex trafficking victims. Scott said Kennemur had the fastest time for the “over 60” group.
Scott also mentioned that Principal Van Phillips said the ninth graders had the best test scores at Center Point High School that he has seen within a decade.
Next City Council meeting -Oct.21