City Council eyes case-by-case annexation

Madison City Council dealt with a lengthy agenda at its June 27 meeting. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Madison City Council dealt with numerous payments and funding approvals at its meeting in Council Chamber on June 27.

Judy Ryals, CEO of Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, accepted an annual appropriation of $15,000. Madison Public Works Department received its award for gateway landscaping from Madison Beautification and Tree Board.

David Hergenroeder and Dr. Terri Johnson with Madison Board of Education again urged council for a moratorium on annexation of non-commercial property and rezoning of residential property. Madison City Schools campuses are near capacity, and the school tax dispute is ongoing between the Madison district and Limestone County Board of Education.

Concerning annexation, council tabled and will continue to postpone most proposals. Council members will review the requests on a case-by-case basis, District 5 Councilman Tommy Overcash said.

“We have no plans to annex any big piece of property, if it is not strategic for Madison’s future,” Overcash said. Large developments of new homes, especially in Limestone County, could aggravate the school funding issue.

The council did approve annexation of a 3.5-acre miniature or ‘mini’-farm because that tract will not see residential development. Property north of Eastview Drive and east of Schrimsher Drive also was annexed.

Among regular and periodic bills paid, council approved $9,242.10 to Turfgrass of Tennessee for materials for the Garner Street Extension and drainage. The Holzheimer Bolek & Meehan firm was paid $10,941.66 for architectural and engineering services for construction of Madison Public Library.

In funding approvals from the Special Projects Budget, council paid $9,000 for installation of fencing around the cell tower at Rainbow Mountain and $19,000 for repairs to tennis courts adjacent to Madison Senior Center.

The city’s engineering department requested authorization for Mayor Troy Trulock to enter into a contract with Croy Engineering for traffic signal design and traffic engineering consulting for $8,750.

The city’s legal department received approval agreements for WiFi equipment in downtown and a fireworks display with J&M Displays Inc. Council approved an award bid to Pro Court Construction Inc. for $92,531 with a deductive alternate of $19,131 for tennis court renovations.