By Nathan Prewett
For the Tribune
PINSON — During a regular meeting of the Pinson City Council on Monday night, a public hearing was held on the abatement of a property on Dug Hollow Road where weeds and overgrown grass were found. No comments were made by the public before the council closed the hearing and unanimously approved an expenditure of $419.75 to begin the process of abatement on the property.
It was passed as Resolution 2018-19.
Mayor Hoyt Sanders gave his comments regarding City Fest, saying that around 4,000 to 5,000 people attended and that several vendors and food trucks sold out because of the crowd size. He also commented on the recent arrests of four suspects in connection with the murder of Darryl Thomas in Lipscomb and the murder of Carlos Gray in Clay.
He expressed his appreciation to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshal for making the arrests.
“A very sincere thanks to our sheriff’s office and the marshal service for a very, very prompt conclusion or the beginning of a conclusion to that case,” he said. “Just a terrible tragedy all the way around, but great job by the sheriff’s and the marshals to hopefully end that particular strain.”
Sanders gave a report on the Rock School Center currently being renovated. He said that steel studs are being placed and foundation repairs have begun. Also on the subject of Rock School, a request by Public Works to proceed with modifications to a hallway at the building was discussed. Sanders sought permission from the council to purchase materials for underlayment that he said would be less than $3,000.
Sanders also said that the hallway would need to be modified to make it ADA-compliant. The council agreed to allow him to seek quotes on these modifications.
The council returned to a subject that was brought up by Councilor Shannon Galamore at a previous meeting on possibly offering tag renewals. Sanders said that tag renewals in offices are declining in some areas, namely because of renewals being done online in recent years. However, the possibility of offering this service may be discussed at future meetings.
During public comments, Barry Wilson of the Clay-Pinson Chamber of Commerce announced that Palmerdale United Methodist Church will host the Pinson Education Foundation Banquet at 7 p.m. The chamber will be awarding $10,000 to various teachers and students who have been nominated to receive funds.
Pinson Public Library Director Allison Scanlan said that four children that have completed “One Thousand Books for Kindergarten” program that was launched last year. A graduation celebration will be held at 3 p.m. in City Hall on May 4. She also said that the library is still raising funds for its Summer Reading Program.
In other business the council:
- Briefly brought up the possibility of changing City Hall hours from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Authorized Sanders purchase two additional picnic tables for the Pinson Splash Pad for an estimated $3,000.
- Heard from Mike Sullivan, who said that there will be an all-day softball tournament on May 12 with 20 teams playing.
- Heard from Councilor Joy McCain, who said that the first “Movies in the Park” event will feature “The Emoji Movie” at 7 p.m.
- Heard from Public Works Director Eric Winfrey, who gave an update on Bradford Park, saying that work on it continues
- Heard from Councilor Dawn Tanner, who said that the high school girl’s softball team will advance to a regional game next week.
The next Pinson City Council meeting will be held on May 17 with pre-council at 6:30 p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m.