By Dale Barnett
Elmore/Autauga News
Top Photo: The Black History Museum of Wetumpka will see repair work in the near future. It is located at 202 Lancaster Street.
The Wetumpka City Council met for their second meeting of April on Monday evening, April 18, at 6 p.m. at the Wetumpka City Hall located at 408 S. Main Street. City Council members Kevin Robbins (D1), Cheryl Tucker (D2), Lynnes S. Justiss (D3), Steve Gantt (D4) and Joe Brown (D5) were present, along with Mayor Jerry Willis and several city department heads.
Mayor Willis discussed the long-term plans on all future projects with the exact costs and where the funds will come from for each project in using the federal funds the City received through the American Recovery Plan Act. Mayor Willis stressed how vital the plan will be for the future of Wetumpka and that the city has never had anything on this scale.
City Engineer Justin Barrett discussed the contract with Arrow Disposal Services in conjunction with the Elmore County commission. The Contract needs to be approved and signed with the City as the service starts on June 1, 2022 and runs through June 1 2025. Barrett discussed that Arrow has purchased new trucks for the service and has been storing new disposal cans at the Russell plant to aid in distributing the cans to Wetumpka residents. Arrow will be sending out the new bills in May, along with information to contact Arrow if the residents have not received a disposal can. The Council approved the motion to sign the contract.
The Council also discussed and passed a motion to approve signing the design contract with Dalhoff Thomas for the redevelopment of Hohenberg field. This is an economic development project that improves the present old stadium facilities and develops the area around the stadium for future use. The project is in conjunction with a 50% grant from the Elmore County Commission and the Elmore County Board of Education.
The City Council approved accepting the bid by L&L Roofing to replace the roofing, soffits and painting on the Black History Museum located at 202 Lancaster Street.
There was a discussion by the Mayor and Council with Barrett to accept bids for the proposed Pickle ball court and to improve the playground at the Meadowbrook Park located in the Meadowbrook neighborhood, which is across from McDonalds on Highway 231 and directly behind the San Marcos restaurant on Highway 231. Barrett discussed the plans were to accept bids for the Pickle ball court and a bid to rebuild the playground with new equipment and in a more compact area for now. However, future plans are to complete a dog park and new tennis courts.
The park will not be a lighted area though. The City is also looking to add a second access to the park, as currently the only access is through the Meadowbrook neighborhood. The Council approved accepting bids for both projects.
Pickle ball is basically like ping pong but played on a smaller scale tennis court with a net and has become a very popular sport especially with the older crowds. Councilman Gantt said the hope is for future pickleball leagues, which bring revenue into the city.
The Council also discussed and approved disposal of twin mattress used by the fire department, along with approval to purchase 6 firefighters turn out coats and pants since some current uniforms are reaching their 10-year recommended expiration dates.
Before the Council meeting ended, Barrett discussed a proposed ordinance meeting next Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 9 a.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center at 410 S. Main Street for a presentation on future traffic patterns and parking for downtown Wetumpka. Mayor Willis stated it is open to the public and invited everyone to attend to discuss this important subject.
The next meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2022, at 6pm at the Wetumpka City Hall.
