City looks at property
Council decides to negotiate price
The Hartselle City Council decided to negotiate the price of purchasing property adjacent to Sparkman Civic Center along U.S. 31.
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the council voted 3-2 to move forward with negotiations. Councilmen Tom Chappell, Mark Mizell and Bill Smelser voted yes while Council President Kenny Thompson and Councilman Don Hall voted no.
The council then voted to go into executive session to discuss the price. By law, the council can only discuss the asking price in executive session, but they cannot discuss whether to purchase the property or not in a closed session.
Before this decision was made, the council was divided on whether to move forward with purchasing the property.
Thompson and Hall were adamant about not purchasing the property and allowing it to remain open for retail development.
“I’d rather have a restaurant on that property,” Thompson said. “I’d rather us be able to collect taxes on that property than own it.”
The council discussed previously building a $13 million wellness center either along U.S. 31 or on currently owned property next to youth league softball fields.
Mayor Dwight Tankersley was reported as recommeding purchasing the U.S. 31 property for $285,000. The tax assessed value of the property is $372,900.
The city currently uses the property for parking for games and events at Sparkman Civic Center. According to city attorney Larry Madison, the city already has the right to use the property to park cars for events when it doesn’t negatively affect those businesses.
The property’s owner, Eric Stout, knew of the agreement when he bought the land.
