By Crystal McGough, Editor
TRUSSVILLE – Trussville City Councilor Lisa Bright, during her council meeting report on Thursday, Dec. 21, said that Liles Lane is scheduled to be closed on or around Jan. 8, 2024, for 60 days in order to replace the culvert there.
All through traffic will be rerouted via Highway 11 and Advent Circle.
Also during the meeting, Mayor Buddy Choat said in his report that the bid for the North Chalkville Road widening project has been accepted by Jefferson County and awarded to Chilton Contractors Inc.
According to Jefferson County’s website, the North Chalkville Road widening project “consists of capacity improvements and signal optimization along Chalkville Mtn. Rd/North Chalkville Rd between Old Springville Rd and Woodland Circle. The purpose of this project is to improve the capacity of the corridor through the addition of driving lanes and optimization of the traffic signals. A more efficient North Chalkville Rd will also benefit I-59 ramp congestion. This work is being coordinated with ramp improvements being done by ALDOT and will also coincide with additional improvements that ALDOT has programmed for I-59 in the vicinity.”
The Jefferson County Commission will meet in January 2024 to approve the project and Chilton Contractors is expected to begin work on the proposed 18-24 month project in February 2024.
Choat also said that a permit from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for a traffic signal at Stockton is currently with Skipper Consulting in Birmingham.
“Now, Skipper can put together a bid,” Choat said. “I talked to Dwight Sandlin (President of Signature Homes) this week. He’d said he would help pay for it if we ever got it, so I called him and asked if his offer was still good and he said, ‘Yeah, I’ve got it in my budget.’ … So, he’s going to participate in that.”
As part of the council’s consent agenda, the council voted to appoint Wayne Taylor to the Planning & Zoning Commission, succeeding Wayne Sullivan, with term ending Nov. 2, 2025.
“Wayne (Sullivan) is retiring at the end of this month,” Choat said. “Wayne, personally, I just want to tell you thank you for everything. … Wayne came out of the county and really has done an outstanding job for us for a little over 10 years. We also moved him as the city engineer and (he) did a fantastic job. His connections and really his knowledge of Trussville … has been very helpful.”
The remainder of the council agreed with Choat’s sentiments and expressed their gratitude for Sullivan.
“I hate that we’re losing you, Wayne,” Councilor Ben Short said. “I learned a lot from you in the past three years.”
Also on the consent agenda, the council approved up to $5,400 for a Vehicle Detection System to be installed on Service Road at Misty Ridge.
“This was approved by Public Safety and I also mentioned it to the mayor last week,” Councilor Alan Taylor said.
On the regular agenda, the council unanimously approved the following:
- Ordinance 2023-023-ANX, annexing 525 Main Street & adjacent city-owned property
- Resolution 2023-92, approving an ABC alcohol license for Plaza Downs Chevron
- Resolution 2023-93, approving an ABC alcohol license for Tamburro’s Italian Home
During a public hearing concerning the Plaza Downs Chevron resolution, owner Joey Moore said after a fire last summer at the 1405 Gadsden Highway location, which is near the I-459 exit ramp, he made a dealer change to bring in the operators of the Trussville Convenience gas station, located at 1470 Gadsden Highway.
“It just made a lot of sense. They are very successful and (Plaza Downs) needs some changes,” Moore said. “These guys were kind enough to go ahead and take that store. Plans are for a large store there approximately 18 months from now, looking at 8,000 square foot. … Being the entrance to Trussville, we feel like we should do a better job there, and these guys will be there when we do that. They’re pros and I just feel better sleeping at night knowing they’re running the thing.”
The council also held a public hearing to discuss the Tamburro’s resolution, where owner Kyleen Kramer said the restaurant had its site inspection on Tuesday, Dec. 19, and that they plan to join the Responsible Vendor Program.
“Of course, we know you guys from the past; I know your dad,” Councilor Taylor said. “… We’re glad you’re back. It’s a great addition to our city.”
The Trussville City Council regularly meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m., at the Trussville City Hall Annex. A workshop is usually held on the Thursday preceding the council meeting at 5 p.m. The next regular meeting of the council will be Jan. 9, 2024.