By Maya Quinn, managing editor

This past Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the city council held a regular meeting at 5:00 pm in Eutaw City Hall featuring a new screen presenting the session’s agenda. The screen also informed attendees to regularly check the City of Eutaw Facebook page for important information and to stream meetings from the comfort of their homes. 

All council members, the mayor, and administrators were present. Previous minutes from the July 14th session were approved, and the agenda’s 8th item was amended to address additional city ordinances. There was no old business to report. 

After a thirty-minute executive session, in which no decisions were reached and no votes were cast, Mayor Cockrell opened the floor to discuss new business items. The following new business items were discussed, tabled, or approved: 

1. Approved Resolution 2026-16-ALDOT-Project Number CRPNU-0013(643) for Roundabout and Sidewalk Improvements; Councilmembers Woodruff and Hunter Opposed
2. Approved Letter of Recommendation to Award Project to Capstone Contractors, LLC, pending ADEM approval
3. Approved Resolution 2026-17-To Award Project, pending ADEM approval.
4. Approved 2026 Mileage Reimbursement Rate from $0.56 to $0.76 per mile
5. Approve registration, travel, and per diem for Mayor Corey Cockrell to attend NLC City Summit in Nashville, TN, November 19-22, 2026
6. Approved room fees for Councilwoman Carrie Logan to attend ALM/CMO Workshop in Montgomery, AL, July 30, 2026
7. Discussed E-911 Allocation for Dispatch Services for $30,000 per year; payments are factored into the council’s budget
8. Discussed Ordinances on Regulating Grass and Weed Nuisances, Accumulation of Rubbish, Abandoned and Inoperable Vehicles, Abandoned/Dilapidated Structures, Noise, and Other Nuisances; fines will not exceed $500.00 and can be reissued more than once
9. Tabled the approval of Work Schedule/Hours for Chief Kendrick Howell; Councilman Woodruff Opposed
10. Tabled the Disciplinary Action of Employee; Councilman Woodruff Opposed
11. Approved for Chief Howell, Police Officers, and other Departmental Employees to sign in at the Front Office
12. Approved Time Clock with ADP for employees
13. Approved Payment of Bills

During the discussion of agenda item 8, the City Attorney explained that fines ranging up to $500.00 could be issued for the listed violations. Each day the violations are not corrected, a new fine can be issued, leading to compounded fines that must be paid before the court. Vehicles in violation of ordinances cannot be confiscated, but buildings deemed unsafe by the city’s inspectors can be foreclosed and torn down. The city council will state in more detail on social media and in the newspaper the parameters of these fines. The fines and ordinance policies will be enforced 30 days after this information is released. Mayor Cockrell stated that building inspectors and officers will write tickets.

Following the agenda items, Mayor Cockrell gave a report on the progress of city maintenance, grants, and community outreach projects. Cockrell informed citizens that it is time for city workers to clean gutters, and the street sweeper will be repaired next week. He is also working with county officials to remove tree limbs overhanging the streets, as they have the equipment needed to do so. He explained that the council is still pushing for approval on CDBG and Rebuild Alabama grants for the city. The council is also pursuing a grant with the National Guard; more details to come on this later. 

The Robert Young Community Center roof is almost complete, with facilities scheduled to be open until 9:00 p.m. Cockrell encourages those who need to walk for physical therapy or general wellness to use the center. On Sunday, August 9, the council will be holding a Book Bag Giveaway in the center at 5:00 p.m. Cockrell stated that these projects and infrastructure improvements will be “a plus for the whole community.”

Councilmembers had little to report during the session aside from thanking the citizens and city workers for their commitment to the City of Eutaw. Citizens were reminded to report any water leaks and damaged/illegible street signs ASAP. Councilman French wanted to ensure that the work on school buildings was near completion, to which Mayor Cockrell confirmed that any hazards were removed. Councilwoman Watkins thanked the city workers for patching the holes on Harris Avenue, but said that there was grass in the same area that needed to be cut.

During public comments, citizens also raised concerns about land that may belong to the state that needed maintenance. John Cashin came to invite attendees to the Airport Authority Board meeting on the 3rd Thursday at noon in the airport lobby. Sandra Walker reminded everyone that the Renaissance Theater has free admission for a movie every Friday.

The next City Council meeting is set for August 11th at 5:00 p.m. City council meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. City council work sessions are held every 3rd Tuesday of the month.