Pinson City Council discusses progress at Rock School Center
The council also made appointments to the city’s library board and voted to extend its credit line with Regions Bank.
Much the Pinson City Council regular Thursday night meeting revolved around the progress of the Rock School Center as renovation and construction continues.
The council voted to extend the Rock School mortgage with Regions Bank. From seven options, the council approved the first option of extending the mortgage for three years and a monthly payment of $5,624.56. Mayor Hoyt Sanders said that the balance due in three years would be $629,752.
A report on the Rock School was given by Eric Hendon of the architectural firm Hendon and Huckstein. He gave a presentation on light fixtures being placed at the building, the paving of the parking lot, and the project’s change orders. The council voted to approved two of his recommendations regarding light fixtures and concrete lamps.
Hendon also gave a brief report on the timeline of the building’s renovation, saying that they are ahead of schedule and that it should be “substantially” complete by mid- to late September. Afterwards, the council heard a presentation on library furnishing for the new location of the Pinson Public Library, to be relocated at the Rock School.
The council then voted on increasing its credit line with Regions Bank. Sanders noted that the city had not increased it since 2004, when the level between $10,000 and $20,000. The council approved his recommendation of increasing the credit line to $250,000, with a one-time activation fee of $500.
City Attorney Shane Black gave an explanation of a resolution that was introduced to authorize the repair abatement proceedings on a property on Innsbrooke Parkway. He said that the building has become an issue for the city as the owners have been absent for sometime. The building has been deemed a public nuisance because of weeds, trash and unsanitary conditions.
The resolution allows the building to be considered an unsafe structure where the city can now authorize a repair abatement. The resolution was passed unanimously.
Football and Libraries
Pinson Valley High School Principal Michael Turner gave an update on a new football stadium and softball complex. He said that the score clocks would be moved back about a foot in addition to a drainage issue to be addressed.
Turner announced that the PVHS will be playing their first game of the year on August 31 at the Hoover Met. The game will take place at 11 a.m. He gave a brief update on grade levels, saying that test scores and the “academic bar” is increasing and that the school has been working to improve student performance.
The council made two appointments to the library board. Stanley Moss was re-appointed for a full term to expire on March 31, 2022. Mary Stewart was appointed to replace Jane Montgomery for the remainder of the term, to expire on March 31, 2019.
The city attorney announced that the building formerly belonging to Councilor Shannon Galamore is now in possession of the city and is cleared for authorizing demolition.
In his report, Sanders said that the “Beat the Heat” event in Turkey Creek had a slightly lower number of attendants this year, possibly due to weather conditions anticipated that day. He also reminded about National Night Out to take place at Innsbrooke Pavilion on August 7, as well as Battery Take Back Day at the Center Point Jefferson County Annex Courthouse on August 11 and the Center Point Fire District’s 50th Anniversary on August 4.
The next Pinson City Council meeting will take place on August 16, with pre-council at 6:30 p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m.
