Eutaw City Councilmembers Stewart, Hunter, Woodruff, Mayor Johnson, Officer Tyler Johnson, Marco ( German Shepard), Chief Johnson Councilmembers Watkins and Coleman.
By John Zippert, Co-Publisher
The most exciting part of Tuesday’s Eutaw City Council meeting was the introductory appearance of new K-9 officer – Marco – with his handler Officer Tyler Johnson. Marco, a trained German Shepard police dog, who can sniff out drugs and other contraband is the newest member of the Eutaw PD.
Mayor Latasha began with a discussion of the garbage collection services provided by Arrow Disposal Services, Inc (ADSI) which did not collect garbage for two weeks in July 2024. The mayor sent the company a letter requesting information on the problems with garbage services. The mayor said, “ASDI says it experienced difficulties in staffing and several truck breakdowns, which have delayed garbage pick-up in July, which has since resumed on most routes in the city.”
The City Council also received a memo from Financial Advisor, Attorney Ralph Liverman, indicating that the current $15 a month garbage fee, included with monthly water bills, is too low to cover the company’s billing for garbage services. He recommends raising the garbage fee to $18 per month for residential customers and possibly putting the garbage contract up for bids. The Council decided to consider the issues related to garbage collection at a work session to be scheduled.
The Council also heard a report from Angela Henline, engineer with Cassady Company of Tuscaloosa on progress with improvements to the water and sewer system, serving Eutaw and Boligee. Most of the elements of the overall project are completed or are on schedule, including the Boligee Water Tank, which lacks a control valve and meter that will be installed by September 3, 2024, which will bring this water tank online and increase water pressure in Boligee.
Henline asked the Council to approve two additional contracts for work on the system. First, a $24,543 contract with Gaines Utility Construction
Company of Mobile, to do an investigative inventory of materials in 400 water connections that have not been fitted with backflow meters. This inventory is needed for a report to ADEM on lead pipes in water systems. The inventory has already been completed on 1200 services that received backflow preventers in a prior contract.
The second contract is for $427,225 for Manhole Restoration for Boligee, awarded to Insituform Technologies LLC to raise and repair the Boligee Manhole, which is part of the unified sewer system. Henline also stated she was working on ways to include the Branch Heights pumping station in repairs and new pumps in the next phase of the wastewater improvement project, which includes refurbishing the lagoon and other pumping stations. The Council voted to approve both new projects, pending approval by ADEM.
The Council discussed the leasing of the arena in the Lock Seven City Park to the Six Saddle Riding Club. The club has been locking up the park property and several councilmembers objected to this process. The mayor indicated that a new lock had been put on the gate and that the Eutaw Police Department controlled the key. The mayor said the park was locked because of a large hole in the road. The hole is a cracked septic tank cover and cannot be easily filled without relocating the septic tank. The city staff is trying to figure out the best and least expensive way to deal with this problem.
The Council voted to accept the resignation of Jacqueline Stewart, District 5 Councilperson. Stewart explained that she purchased a home and no longer lives in District 5. The Council set August 27, 2024, as the deadline for persons interested in filling this seat to apply. The application must include a copy of a driver’s license and voter registration showing residency in District 5 and a letter of interest in serving in this position. The Council will hold interviews for the candidates on September 5, 2024, at 11:00 AM as part of a working session, scheduled for that date.
In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
• Approved travel registration and per diem for Council members, staff, including the City Attorney and Judge, and others to attend upcoming trainings in their fields of work.
• Approved payment of $3,600 to Brian Price Transmissions for repairs to a police car.
• Approved use of the R. H. Young Community Center, Gym, at no charge, for the Greene County Volunteer Fire Fighters, for a public purpose and partnership activity with the city.
• Tabled discussion of sale of.3.36 acres of property on the Lock Seven Road to Elizabeth Hamilton.
• Approved a request that bank statements be included in the councilmembers’ meeting packets.
• Heard a presentation by Sandra Walker on supporting the Miss Black USA Pageant.
• Received several financial reports from Ralph Liverman, Financial Adviser.
• Approved payment of bills.