By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
MOODY – At a meeting on Monday, Jan. 9, the Moody City Council entered into an agreement to develop an entertainment center at a property located behind the Publix.
The agreement was between the city, the Moody Commercial Development Authority, Shafiq, and Starz Events, LLC. City Attorney James Hill explained that the center is intended to hold family-friendly venues such as bowling.
The project will be developed on 6.75 acres on Carl Jones Road behind the Publix location. As part of the agreement, the developer will pay $1.2 million in taxes to the city.
“This is a project that I know the city is very excited about,” Hill said. “And I think that this is something the people will be excited about as soon as we can get it going.”
St. Clair Economic Development Authority Don Smith was present and commended the council on the opportunity.
“I think this is a good fit not just for the community but for the developer as well,” Smith told the council.
No one spoke in opposition to the proposal, and it was passed unanimously.
Later Mayor Joe Lee gave a brief update about the new police department building, saying that construction is set to begin on Feb. 1. In the meantime, the council approved a request from Police Chief Thomas Hunt to rent an 8′ X 20′ trailer for storage for 18 months at the cost of $9,600.
The council heard reports from department heads for the month of December, with Hunt reporting 1,592 calls, 36 arrests, 28 warning tickets, 128 total tickets, 99 reports, 88 misdemeanors (closed 77), 49 felonies (closed 28), and police vehicles drove 15,721 miles.
Fire Chief Larry Horton reported 193 responses, three fires (one vehicle, two woods, grass or rubbish), 13 wrecks, 34 medical calls, 17 public services, 27 lift assists, 29 false alarms, one mutual aid given, and one received. The average dispatch to enroute time was one minute, 55 seconds and the average dispatch-to-arrival time was seven minutes, 18 seconds. In addition, there were 10 annual inspections, 14 re-inspections, and one fire pump inspection.
In other business, the council:
- Approved Horton’s request to renew reporting software for the 2023 calendar year for $11,400,
- Approved Horton’s request to purchase medical supplies for $5,000
- Approved Horton’s request to purchase maintenance and cleaning supplies for a fire apparatus for $825,
- Approved Horton’s request to purchase four Scott 45 Min SCBA Bottles for $5,700,
- Approved a request from Hunt to purchase three Lenovo laptops for SROs for $1,728.33,
- Approved Hunt’s request to purchase trauma kits for $1,200,
- Approved Hunt’s request to send SRO Officer Trenton Wicks to TASRO Conference Gulf Shores in June for $1,500,
- Approved a request from Parks and Recreation Director Mike Staggs to advertise in Birmingham Bridal Directory for $775,
- Approved a request from Public Inspections Department Director David Crowe to update several building codes from 2014 and 2015 to be equivalent with the standards of the state,
- Adjusted the 2022-2023 city budget in several capital projects:
- Storm Shelters – $300,000 to $225,000
- Blue Ridge Drive Ditch – $75,000 to $25,000
- Budget $125,000 to Moody High School Athletic Department
- Accepted a bid for the annual asphalt road repair contract from Central Alabama Asphalt and Construction for $483,500,
- Accepted a bid for the annual labor and material bid from Central Alabama Asphalt and Construction for $399,500,
- Approved a resolution to accept the streets of the Reserve at the Highlands subdivision for upkeep and maintenance in two phases
- Approved a resolution amending the compensation of full-time employees who do not take insurance,
Approved a request from Lee to purchase drainage pipe to put along the side of Blue Ridge Drive at the Star Bucks project for $17,195.89.