By Terry Schrimscher, For the Tribune
CENTER POINT – The city of Center Point joined other municipalities in Jefferson County, and around Alabama, in declaring the month of April to be Fair Housing Month. The City Council issued a proclamation during the regular meeting Thursday night, April 6.
The proclamation is part of an effort by the Birmingham Association of REALTORS® (BAR) to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act by getting 55 proclamations during the month of April.
The Birmingham Association of REALTORS® covers 6 counties: Blount, Chilton, Clay, Jefferson, Randolph, and Shelby and has, to date, received 27 of the 55 municipal proclamations as of press time.
Fair Housing Month is celebrated nationally each year in April. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a proclamation in February recognizing Fair Housing Month statewide. BAR issued a release on the local effort.
“In 1968, in the wake of the assassination of Dr. King the passage of this landmark Act was a huge step in the right direction. Over the years, the Act has been amended to address additional issues, which is just a testament to how far we have come as a Nation, but still have a long journey ahead,” said 2023 BAR Diversity and Fair Housing Vice Chair Scott Ford.
The Fair Housing Act was part of the 1968 Civil Rights Act, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson one week after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In other business, the city filed a lien on a property located at 205 Sun Valley Road for abatement of weeds and grass cutting in the amount of $159.80 including court costs. The Council also approved prices for abatement at 21 other properties ranging from $134 to more than $1000 for debris removal, trash and grass cutting.
The Council approved a contract with Motley Corp. for $23,198 for demolition and debris removal at two properties located at 520 Sunhill Road and 1816 1st Street NE. approved a contract for $38,000 with TNZ Construction for bridge work at the Center Point Senior Center at 335 Polly Reed Road.
In other business, the Council renewed its contract with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society for animal control in the city and approved a request from Center Point High School to assist with grass cutting at the ball fields used by the high school and middle school.
A live-streamed recording of this meeting can be seen here.
The Center Point City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at City Hall at 2209 Center Point Parkway. The next meeting will be held Thursday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. The Council has set a public hearing for 6:30 p.m., May 4, on tattoo shops and medical cannabis dispensaries.