By Terry Schrimscher
SPRINGVILLE — The Springville City Council held its first regularly scheduled meeting of the month on Monday night. In the pre-meeting work session, the council removed two items from the regular agenda.
The first item removed was a $16,100 sewer flow study, which will be addressed at a later meeting. The work is a continuation of an earlier engineering study.
The second agenda item that was moved to a later date related to city leases of soccer fields from Springville First Baptist. The city is in the fourth year of a five-year lease with the church. The council agreed more time is needed to determine how the property can best meet the needs of the community.
Miss Springville, Katie Cone, opened the regular session by addressing the council. Cone is a senior at Springville High School. She invited everyone to attend the Springville High School game on Oct. 18 against Mortimer Jordan.
“We are dedicating the game on the 18th to Mr. Winslett,” said Cone. “I want to thank everyone who bought shirts in support of our fundraiser and I want to encourage all of you to come join us.” Virgil Winslett is the long-term principal of Springville High School.
The council also approved an open-air permit application for an outdoor fundraiser to benefit Principal Winslett.
The council approved Ordinance 2019-22, which establishes new regulations for building and construction permits and fees.
“It’s a simplification of our permit fee schedule,” said City Building Inspector Asa Sargent. “It’s worked well in other cities and it helps us with our new software.” The new fee structure will be calculated on the cost of job. The ordinance also raises the fine for work without a permit.
While discussing the updated regulations, members of the council addressed the need for future amendments to the ordinance. One proposal will establish a start time for outdoor work to cut down on noise prior to normal working hours. Another proposal, by council member Wayne Tucker, asked for the council to consider restricting outdoor work near churches during regular worship hours. Both proposals are expected to be addressed at the next council meeting.
Library Director Jamie Twente announced a new Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant in the amount of $20,000. The city has received smaller LSTA grants in the past. LSTA grants are state grants provided by the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. (IMLS).
In other business, the council approved:
$749.64 for the purchase of a new computer for Parks & Recreation.
$794.95 for Cybrarian software licensing for the library.
$2,185 for book systems software for the library.
The Springville council meets on the first and third Monday of each month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.
