By Nathan Prewett, For The Tribune
LEEDS – After a lengthy waiting period, the Leeds City Council authorized an ordinance to establish an entertainment district in an area next to the Grand River Outlet Mall.
This action has been in the making for some time to take care of legal matters, with a previous meeting in 2021 giving an alcohol license to Neighbors Leeds LLC, trade name Snow Cone as they plan to operate in the new district where they would be allowed to sell alcohol along with other items.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Mayor David Miller. “And we’ve been trying to do this for quite some time. We’ve finally jumped through all the hoops.”
The proposed area to be used as an entertainment district can be seen in the agenda packet on the city’s website.
Prior to the 6 p.m. regular meeting, Leeds City Hall hosted a memorial, promotions, and awards ceremony for the police.
The memorial honored officers who have fallen in the past couple of years. According to Police Chief Paul Irwin, 617 officers died in the line of duty nationally in 2021. One hundred five have passed away so for this year. In addition, a PowerPoint presentation was given on Alabama officers who have died recently.
Fire Chief Chuck Parsons was awarded for “Unrecognized Courage, Valor, and Heroism.”
Service awards were given to Corporal Dwain Hagan for 15 years of service, Officer Patrick Q. Smith for 10 years of Service, and Officer Charles B. Parsons for five years.
The 2021 Leeds Police Department Officer of the Year was given to Officer James White. Pell City Officer Justin Wilson was also recognized as Officer of the Year for 2021.
Officer Jacob Turnbloom and Detective Brian Chalian were given Distinguished Service medals. In addition, officer Zachary Harrison was given the Police Star, and Sergeant Scott E. Nelson was given the Medal of Valor.
Three officers of the Leeds Department were promoted: Jacob Scott to lieutenant, Scott Nelson to sergeant, and Richard Waldrop to sergeant.
The “Officer of Valor Award” was given to the following: Clayton Cato, Zackary Harrison, Jordan Palmer, Charles “Brian” Parsons, Michael A. Phillips, Robert J. Thompson, Timothy Turner, James White, and Justin K. Wilson.
Miller congratulated Irwin, saying that they continue to take drugs “off the streets.”
Later in the meeting, a resolution was passed to authorize improvements on Interstate 20 in accordance with the Alabama Department of Transportation or ALDOT. This was among other items that were carried over from the previous meeting that was canceled due to lack of quorum.
The project includes planning, overlay, and striping on I-20 from the east end of the bridge over 1st Avenue North to the east end of the bridge over the AL-4 Exit 140.
The resolution states that the city will seek federal aid for the project so long as requirements are met from the Federal Highway Administration. The details of this can also be seen on the agenda packet.
Among several to speak during public comments were Tiffany Ward and Kristi Bittle, who have spoken to the council before on Main Street, Alabama. At last night’s meeting, they spoke about an application the city made for the organization, saying that an in-person presentation will be made on May 26 in downtown Birmingham. The recipient will be announced in June.
Related Story: Leeds applies for Main Street Alabama to become a ‘Designated Community’
Afterward, Lindsay Bolcar spoke to address the city’s library. She presented statistics on visitors, saying that people come from outside the city and county to use the library, ranking ninth in usage throughout Jefferson County. Bolcar also said that other libraries were receiving more funding than the Leeds Library and urged the council to continue supporting it. This follows a previous meeting in which the council adjusted the budget to allocate $150,000 to the library.
After public comments concluded, the council went into executive session to discuss the good name of an individual.
In other business, the council:
- Awarded a contract for asphalt and street repair to Massey Asphalt Pavement LLC for $576,000,
- Amended the budget to fund the Retirees’ Longevity Bonus pursuant to Act 2033-229 of the state legislature for $32,256,
- Amended the budget to purchase safety equipment for the fire department using St. Clair County EMS funds in the amount of
- Renewed the contract with the police department for the use of a substation at the Outlet Shops of Grand River, and
- Corrected a clerical error in which Alabama Trust Fund monies were deposited in the wrong account.
Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of every month at City Hall on 1400 9th Street Northeast. Agenda packets can be seen online at the City of Leeds website.