Council funds agency, board requests
Madison City Council’s next meeting on Feb. 27 will open at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – At its Feb. 13 meeting, Madison City Council approved Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations to three organizations.
These groups will receive payment from the city’s General Fund:
* Huntsville Botanical Garden — $15,000.
* Madison Beautification and Tree Board — $10,000. Karen Lawler, President of Madison Beautification and Tree Board, described the Pride of Madison, Madison Beautification Awards, Arbor Day workshop, replacement of Knockout roses and youth education.
* National Children’s Advocacy Center — $10,000. Chris Newlin, Executive Director of National Children’s Advocacy Center, explained the organization’s association with Madison Police Department in checking reports of child abuse and subsequent care.
District 1 Councilwoman No. 1 Maura Wroblewski explained that she voted against funding to Huntsville Botanical Garden because the property is in the City of Huntsville – not a Madison facility. In other comments, Wroblewski will continue to support an improved shelter for homeless animals but will abide with city constraints for this effort.
Sandy Weisner, Director of Madison City Community Orchestra, requested funding for the organization, which has grown to 86 musicians. The orchestra has outgrown its current concert venue at Madison United Methodist Church and will have to pay $1,200 per concert to use James Clemens auditorium.
Mayor Paul Finley presented a certificate of appreciation to Sharath Narayan, who won $100,000 as champion in the 2016 “Jeopardy!” Teen Tournament. Narayan, a sophomore at James Clemens High School, thanked his classmates, along with students at Liberty Middle School, for their support.
Finley proclaimed February as “We Love Our Military Month” and acknowledged Madison Church of Christ’s project to ship ‘spring care packages’ to soldiers deployed to Afghanistan.
Council approved payment of the following larger bills:
* $14,185.94 — Holzheimer Bolek & Meehan, architectural and engineering services for Madison Public Library.
* $199,175.40 — Pearce Construction Co., construction costs, Madison Public Library.
* $27,159.17 — Turner Universal, construction management, Madison Public Library.
Council accepted donations of $1,100 from Leon Edwards Photography to the youth basketball program and a grant of $250 to Madison Senior Center from the Madison Street Festival steering committee. The city will donate two 2002 Chevrolet Impalas to Crime Stoppers.
Council President Tommy Overcash said the Town Madison Cooperative District has progressed on design for access ramps. Bulldozers soon will be moving earth, hopefully by mid-March.
The Engineering Department received approval to authorize the mayor to pursue a preliminary engineering agreement between ALDOT and the city for Balch Road improvements. Balch Road will receive two-foot safety widening and resurfacing (south of Browns Ferry Road to north to Gooch Lane).
In addition, the state has approved a traffic circle for the intersection of Balch and Gillespie roads.
The Planning Department will vacate a utility and drainage easement at Phoenix Center and received approval for a development agreement with LS Madison Station LLC for property southwest of U.S. 72 at Rainbow Circle.
District 7 Councilman John Seifert announced appointment of Paul Shaw to Place 2 on Recreation Advisory Board.
Finley said Debbie Overcash and John Rankin will coordinate observances in 2019 for Alabama’s bicentennial, Madison’s sesquicentennial and 50th anniversary of Apollo XI.
