By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
As expected, all five Atmore City Council members approved during their Monday, January 13, meeting a proposed increase in hangar rental and tie-down fees at Atmore Municipal Airport. The council also gave unanimous approval to the purchase of five in-car camera systems for city police.
City Attorney Larry Wettermark told the council prior to its unanimous vote of approval that the increased fees are justified, as hangar space in Pensacola, Gulf Shores and other nearby cities with airports has become a rare commodity.
The city’s legal counsel also talked about other aspects of the airport, which he said is on the cusp of becoming an important part of the area’s air travel network.
“The airspace above Atmore and northward is basically unused, and area pilots like Atmore for that reason,” he said.
Wettermark also divulged the terms involved in the lease of a dilapidated hangar that Sky Warriors Flight Support, which now manages the local airfield, will rehabilitate at its expense in exchange for an initial lease rate of $200 per month. The lease is for five years, with a renewal clause that will adjust the payments based on the Cost-of-Living Index.
The five in-car camera systems, one for each of the five newest trucks APD purchased, are made by Motorola. They will cost a total of $46,592.35 and will come with a 3-year warranty.
“We’re very happy with the cameras we have in our cars so we want to make sure we have them in our new trucks,” said Police Chief Chuck Brooks, who noted the systems would work in conjunction with the body cameras officers already wear.
In other business Monday, council members:
*Approved an alcohol license for retail table wine for Diamond 22, located on South Main Street.
*Approved a request from Sandra Gray of Concerned Citizens of Atmore to hold the annual MLK Day Parade on Monday, January 20.
*Approved a request from Cedo Coon to conduct revival services at Boxcar Willie Park on March 20-22.
*Approved a request from Councilwoman Eunice Johnson to conduct the annual Autism Walk on April 12.