Center Point City Council approves assessments, regulatory ordinances

By Bethany Adams, For The Tribune

CENTER POINT— Preceding Tuesday night’s Center Point City Council meeting, a public hearing was held to address the assessments of Parkway Villa Apartments and Mitchell Grocery.

Alton Parker, legal counsel for the city, addressed the need for assessments in light of failures to pay for the required business licenses. No other comments were heard concerning the issues.

During pre-council, council members discussed amendments to the apartment regulation ordinance. Aspects of the ordinance mentioned were the addition of sufficient cameras and a requirement to store the footage for a minimum of 90 days.

“Cameras, I think, help provide a deterrent,” Council President Barlow said.

During Public Comments, Resident Cecil Peoples expressed his desire to open a cafe and event center on Center Point Parkway.

“I would like to come in with some good food,” Peoples, owner of Chef Peoples Catering, said. “During the night, I would like to try to rent it out for special events.”

While the council presented concerns about an event center based on previous experience, Barlow encouraged Peoples to research city requirements and to come back before the council at a later date.

Resident Sharon Wilbourn asked that anyone in the community who is aware of a need for clothing donations contact her on Facebook. She also expressed concerns about robberies in the area and incidents of the city’s mobile camera units parking on sidewalks and the grass.

Resident Billy Hagood presented a number of suggestions to the council, including using the revenue from the new traffic cameras to replace a damaged street light, and the hiring of a purchasing agent for the city. Mayor Tom Henderson assured Hagood later in the meeting that he personally signs all purchase orders for the city.

The council later voted to approve the resolutions for the assessments of both Parkway Villa Apartments and Mitchell Grocery, as well as the ordinance for the regulation of apartment complexes.

The council also voted to approve an ordinance regulating solicitations within the city.

In addition, the council voted to accept a contract with High Ground Solutions, the company that offers Rapid Cast systems. The system will allow the city to send notifications to residents in the event of emergency situations, or to update them concerning community events. The system costs an annual fee of $1 per household.

Anyone who wishes to join the notification list can contact City Hall.

At the end of the meeting, Henderson reminded residents about the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 29, and President Barlow announced the possibility of starting an incubator program for new businesses in Center Point.

The next City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Pre-Council will begin at 6:45 p.m.