By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
MOODY – At a meeting on Thursday, April 4 the Pinson City Council voted to increase the pay of Pinson Valley High School Principal Michael Turner before moving forward with culvert repairs at Flight Drive due to a large hole that has developed there.
The council approved asphalt paving for the culvert on Flight Drive located near the Gilbert industrial area. The project was first approved in January after the sinkhole was found, posing a potential danger and damage of vehicles to residents.
The repair was approved for a bid of $75,036.90 but additional expenses will likely follow for gravel and other materials, though the total cost will not exceed $100,000.
Afterwards the council voted to increase Turner’s supplement. Initially, Councilman Brad Walker proposed increasing the pay from $40,000 to $50,000 in increments for the next three years, but it was later decided by the council to increase it to $50,000 by June 1 this year.
Mayor Pro-Temp Robbie Roberts mentioned that Turner intends to be present at a future meeting to discuss his concerns regarding test scores and absenteeism, primarily due to the COVID pandemic.
“It had a major, major impact on education across the country,” Roberts said. “The reality is these kids did not have in-person learning for close to a year. They really had to improvise in a lot of ways and studies are showing that it’s going to impact that generation for the rest of their lives.”
He added that, based on research he had done, he learned that 10% of test scores were based on attendance. Walker said that he believed that some students don’t have to be at school when attendance is taken and so they are not counted, though he said that he may be wrong.
During council reports it was announced that the Farmer’s Market will return on April 26 at 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Rock School parking lot. There will also be Trade Days on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature a talent show.
Councilwoman Clinteshia Irvin announced that Movies in the Park will be held on every Friday in May at the Bicentennial Park just before dark. The first movie on May 10 will be “Wonka”.
Before going into public comments Roberts took a few moments to address the recent closing of Birmingham Southern, which had managed Turkey Creek Nature Preserve until it was turned over to Ruffer Mountain in March 2023.
Though the closing of the college does not affect Turkey Creek now, Roberts expressed disappointment and criticized the Alabama Legislature for an apparent inconsistency with awarding money to schools, pointing out that Pinson schools were given $50,000 and Trussville schools were given $4 million while Clay schools received nothing.
During public comments Pinson Public Library Director Allison Scanlan told the council that two events will be held, one of which will be a party on Saturday in anticipation of the solar eclipse on April 8 where a limited number of glasses will be given out to view the event.
She also said that the library will hold its first book donation drive since its founding on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Books must be in good, clean condition to be considered for the library’s shelves.
Center Point Fire District Battalion Chief Chris Horn delivered a report for the month of March, saying that there were 860 incidents, seven of which were structure fires, 43 incidents where firefighters installed smoke detectors, three recruits set to graduate on April 12 and 343 medical transports.
A new firetruck for Station No. 5 on Chalkville Mountain Road is expected to arrive in the middle of May. The station is also expected to receive a remount rescue truck at the end of that month as well, Horn said.
The council ended the meeting by going into executive session to discuss pending litigation.
In other business the council:
- Renewed its contract with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
The council also approved sales tax exemptions for covered emergency preparedness items on July 19-21 and on Feb. 23-25.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.