By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Atmore City Council, still sitting as a four-member body, tackled a 14-item agenda in about 20 minutes during the council’s Monday, June 23, meeting. Numerous event requests were given the green light, and the council awarded bids for improving the roadway that runs through a local cemetery and for the fuel to keep city vehicles running.
After a procedural move to get the cemetery and fuel issues on the agenda, the four council members gave a unanimous nod to authorizing a contract with Atmore-based Triptek Construction — which submitted the low bid at $184,715 — to handle the Fairview Cemetery Roadway Improvement project.
No timetable was provided as to when the work would begin, what it would entail and how long it would take to complete the project.
Council members then voted to “approve the bid and agreement with (Mobile-based) Davison Fuels & Oils LLC to keep the city’s new tanks filled with gasoline and diesel. No details of the contract were revealed.
Bridgette Houck, a member of the audience, asked about the vacancy in the District 4 seat, which officials have announced will eventually be filled by local realtor David Dobson.
“We have 60 days (from June 1) to fill that seat, and we’re working on it,” Acting Mayor Shawn Lassiter responded.
In other action taken during Monday’s meeting, the council:
*Approved a request from Jeremy Smith of Deep South Rodeo Productions LLC to hold the community’s second annual pro rodeo. The cowboy contest is scheduled for October 17-18, at 7:30 p.m. each night.
*Approved a restaurant retail liquor license for Grizzly Pizza, which already has a beer and table wine license.
*Approved a request from Don Taylor to hold a “Buy Back the Block Festival,” which is set for August 2, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Approval was also given for the closing of Carver Avenue, from its intersection with Liberty Street, and from the intersection of Carver and 4th, to MLK Drive.
*Approved a request from Tawana Thomas to hold a Breast Cancer Awareness Parade on October 11. Thomas was not at the meeting, but her request included that the parade would follow “the same route as the Christmas parade.” No time was given.
*Approved a request from Atmore Apostolic Church to use Boxcar Willie Park “from 5 p.m. until” on September 26 for a church outreach program.
*Approved a request from Atmore Community Hospital to use Tom Byrne Park on October 11, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., for a community resources awareness event that will include free blood pressure and glucose tests. The event will also include activities for children.
*Approved a request from Carlos McNeil to have a police presence at the car show he is sponsoring July 5 in the parking lot of the Chickadee Club, and to have the portion of Carver Avenue from McNeil Apartments closed off to traffic.