Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

The town of Falkville is seeking a $350,000 Community Development Block Grant to implement the first construction phase of a plan to revitalize the downtown business district.

The town council voted to authorize the North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments (NARCOG) to initiate an application for the Fy 2017 small cities grant from the Alabama Department of Economic Development at a meeting July 11.

NARCOG planner Christine Argo met with the governing body to discuss the grant application process, She spoke during a public hearing, pointing out that Falkville will compete with other towns of populations under 3,000 for funds totaling $5,638,187.

If approved, the grant will be used for street and drainage improvements including streetscaping, lighting, sidewalks and planting in the central business district.

The town’s match would be 10% ($35,000 minimum) or 20% ($70,000 maximum).   

“This grant would give feet to a plan that has already been formulated to revitalize the downtown area,” Argo pointed out.

Other agenda items were acted on as follows:

•A zoning ordinance approved in 2016 was amended to include two omissions. The action followed a pubic hearing and suspension of the rules to give immediate consideration.

•The annual premium and binder agreement for accidental and liability insurance was renewed with Peck-Glasgow Insurance Agency a cost of $3,119.   

•Approved  $2,859 to Lexipol for the purchase of police department policy training software

•Approved $100 for the renewal of the town banner for the Falkville High School cheerleading program

•Approved $350 to the Falkville High School football team for its “Kick Cancer” project    

•Approved the appointment of Christy Hill to the Falkville Planning Commission for a term that expires July 11, 2023.   

•Approved a 2005 Dodge Charger as surplus property and authorized the police department to put its out for bids or list it on govdeals.com   

•Approved request from town clerk Dawn Estes for $825.19 to attend training course in Tuscaloosa August 23-25

•Approved an ordinance altering the maximum speed limit on Culver Road from Buster Road to Highway 31 to 35 mph