By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Atmore City Council members voted unanimously during their Monday, February 24, meeting to approve the costs of demolishing or repairing three properties that have been declared nuisances and to sell 16 surplus vehicles.
Codes Enforcement Officer Chris Black said the properties have already been demolished. The costs associated with each are 154 Trout Street ($5,667.71); 1126 South Presley Street ($4,820.40), and 214 Mobile Street ($3,515.80).
Those totals include demolition, environmental costs, an administrative fee, legal fees, postage and other expenses incurred in razing the eyesores.
“After the demolition is done, I have to gather all the costs, put it in a report and give it to the city council,” Black explained. “One they are approved by the council, I send the information to the city attorney and he files a lien against the property.”
Those liens reportedly supersede any other liens, except mortgages, filed previously against a particular property. The property cannot legally change hands until the municipal lien is satisfied.
Surplus sale
The council also approved by a 5-0 vote to sell through individual bids 13 surplus cars and trucks, a van and two small tractors. Streets and Sanitation Department Director Calvin Grace told the council that none of the vehicles are in running order.
The 14 vehicles include five Ford Crown Victorias (2005 models – 4; 2004 – 1); three Dodge Durangos (2008 – 2; 2006 – 1); a Ford van (1995); three 1997 Ford F150 pickups; and two Chevy Avalanches (2003 model – 1; 2004 – 1). A minimum bid of $200 is required for each.
The two tractors are both 3930 New Hollands. One requires a minimum bid of $400, the other a minimum bid of $500.
City officials are required to post the sale as a legal ad. Once that is done, those wishing to bid on one or more of the vehicles must go to Atmore City Hall, secure a bid paper and turn it back in. The city council will reportedly then accept or reject the bids after the process is closed.
Another sale will be held later to get rid of other vehicles and/or equipment that are considered in running condition.
HPV vaccine
City council members also heard from Dr. Isabel Scarinci of University of Alabama Birmingham’s O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, who announced that HPV vaccinations would be offered to students at all Escambia County (public) Schools, as well as those in the Brewton City School System.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to several types of cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two doses of the vaccine are recommended for all boys and girls at ages 11-12, although the vaccine can be administered as early as age 9. (Those who wait until they are older might need three doses instead of two.) Vaccination against the virus is recommended for everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already.
“The vaccination is very safe,” Scarinci said. “We have done millions of vaccines all over the world. Most health insurance covers the cost, but it is free of charge to uninsured kids.”
She also noted that the vaccinations, which will be administered March 17 and 18, are not mandatory and require parental consent.
“For the vaccination, parents need to give permission,” she said. “The schools will be sending a brochure home with students, and there will be a place for the parents to sign, giving their permission.”
The council also approved a request from Sherese Craft to hold a Black History Month parade next year. The parade is tentatively scheduled for February 20, 2021.
There being no other business before the council, the meeting was adjourned.