Center Point
Center Point City Council considers full-time economic development position
Also announced were right-of-way acquisitions on Polly Reed Road and a $5,000 allocation to Center Point students.
Photo by Nathan Prewett.
The Center Point City Council discussed the viability of creating a full-time economic development position during their meeting on Thursday night, the Trussville Tribune‘s Nathan Prewett reports.
The council also passed other ordinances including a disclosure of information on right-of-way properties, a sales tax holiday ordinance and the appropriation of funds for students at Center Point City High School.
Full-Time Economic Development?
The council held a brief discussion on the possibility of creating an economic development position for Center Point. The position would oversee promotion of Center Point and attempt to bring businesses to the city.
The subject had been brought up at the last meeting, and the council once again tabled it Thursday night so that more information could be gathered on the viability of making economic development a full-time position.
Right-of-Way Properties
The council passed five resolutions related to the acquisition of right-of-way properties on Polly Reed Road as part of an ongoing construction project. The resolutions were disclosures of information declaring that the city has bought the properties. Council President Roger Barlow said that the process has been in the works for some time.
“This will be the last step before allowing this project to go to bid,” he said. “This is for the widening and the covering of ditches and sidewalks on Polly Reed Road. This has been a long time coming. Hopefully we’ll be able to see this go to bid. We worked real hard on this, and it’s been tough, but we’re almost there.”
Barlow said that he hopes the project will go to bid this summer.
Supporting Local Students
The council also approved $5,000 to support local students at Center Point High School as they enter the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, which will be held June 25 to 29. The resolution was passed as 2018-37.
“This was a very good program for the kids last year,” Barlow said. “They really made us proud. They excelled, and I’m glad to see them go this year.”
Last year, Center Point High School student Jasmine Robinson participated in the conference and won a gold medal in computer networking.
Library Bylaws, a Sales Tax Holiday, and a Sendoff
Angie Pace, who is chairman of the newly formed library board, reported that the bylaws of the board have been established and that it is now looking for a director. She said that the position has been advertised.
The council also passed a resolution making a sales tax holiday ordinance permanent for the third week of July.
A sendoff was held for Center Point resident Shelby Andrews, who will be representing the city in the Miss Alabama Pageant at Samford University on June 6 to 9. She was given a key to the city, along with a plaque and a framed poem by Henderson’s wife, Betty Henderson. Her platform at the pageant will be domestic violence.
Mayor’s Comments
In his comments, Center Point Mayor Tom Henderson addressed the recently postponed presentation of a crime study by the Department of Justice, saying that the study is being rescheduled but has not been canceled.
Henderson made several reports in his comments: that Center Point Fire Department and Red Cross volunteers were present at Briarwood to give out free smoke detectors; and that a youth expo will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jefferson State Gym, sponsored by Center Point Elementary Assistant Principal Rachel Holifield.
Henderson said that he recently received a report on home sales, saying that the average home sale in the past month was $155,000 per home, going up from $75,000.
Henderson announced that Center Point High School graduation will be held May 24 at 4 p.m. at New Birth Birmingham. He said that New Birth Birmingham will also hold a “Stop the Violence” event May 19 at the Center Point Courthouse baseball field. He also announced that there will be a food truck rally on June 9 at Eastgate Shopping Center.
Henderson said that LED lights have been installed at the community center and that a ramp that will be changed to compliant with the American Disabilities Act.
The next Center Point City Council will be held on May 24, with pre-council at 6:45, followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m.
