City receives grant for Booker T

A $144,000 grant for the Booker T. Washington gym renovation has been received from the state Department of Archives and History.

The funds will be used for the gym floor and stands. 

This is a matching grant with the state sending $115,200. The city will put in a 20 percent match or $28,880.

“We got everything we asked for,” said David Carter, who worked on the grant on the city’s behalf.

In January, aldermen unanimously approved a contract with Perry Construction Co. to do the project at a cost of $703,700. 

Aldermen voted to pay for the project with money the city has received from the American Rescue and Planning Act (ARPR), If for some reason that money cannot be used, the city would pay the bill out savings and the General Fund.

Mayor James Young said he has been in touch with the contractor and expects to be told of a start date in the next week or so.

In other actions, aldermen:

• Approved a sanitation exemption for the county at 508 Beech Street and 1016 Holland Ave.; 

• Approved the placing of three street lights at the following locations: two lights in front of Vowell’s on Pecan Ave, and one on 520A Dorothy Street.

• Approved a resolution calling for sewer improvements improvements/expansion on Highway 16 West.

• Approved the hiring of East Central Planning and Development to assist the city with ARPA proposals.

• Accepted the resignation of Dustin Vance from the Sanitation Department.

• Accepted the resignation of Caleb Willis from the Police Department.

• Approved a pay increase for the fire department’s Colby Pope’s to reflect his captain/EMT status.

• Approved the Fire Department hosting a Rope Rescue Tech course Feb 21-26. It will be paid for through a $21,460 grant from Homeland Security.

• Approved the city advertisinng for bids for ditch work west of the Depot from Beacon to Main.

• Approved the hiring of Scott Coggins as part time with the Fire Department.

• Approved a payment to Westside Body Shop for repairs to a police department vehicle.

• Approved the purchase four Flock cameras for the police department.

• Accepted a $5,000 donation from Community in Action to purchase cameras for the police department; 

• Approve setting up BBI training for the court clerk and two deputies on site at City Hall.

• Approved the amnesty program in February, March, and April for old court fines. 

• The board met in executive session to discuss an industrial matter.