Interviews for fire chief candidates start this week
At its Feb. 27 meeting, Madison City Council paid several bills related to Downtown Streetscape Phase III. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – Interviews of 10 finalists for Fire Chief of Madison Fire & Rescue Department will begin around March 2.
Mayor Paul Finley announced this progress in replacing former chief Ralph Cobb during the Madison City Council meeting on Feb. 27. In addition, for Police Chief of Madison Police Department, Finley will work with Terry Towry in Human Resources around April 1 to narrow the field of 60 applicants to finalists for interviews.
Finley and staff have reached the final stages in defining the scope of work for a communication specialist, who will manage everyday demands in providing information to media outlets.
The city will buy a ‘bubble’ to cover the outdoor pool at Dublin Park as a short-term answer for water space for Madison’s swimming community, Finley said. District 2 Councilman Steve Smith asked about a long-term fix for an enlarged swimming area.
Finley declared Feb. 19-25 as Arbor Week. Marcia Harris with Madison Beautification and Tree Board presented awards for an Arbor Day poster contest entitled, “Trees are Terrific, and Forests Are, Too,” in which about 400 Madison fifth-graders participated. Harris presented certificates to top-place winners.
Pam Honeycutt, Executive Director of Madison Chamber of Commerce, discussed the chamber’s goals in attracting and retaining businesses, tourism and education. Council approved the chamber’s annual appropriation from the city for $30,000.
Councilman Steve Smith said he reviewed chamber events in the past few months and 55 percent of events (ribbon cuttings, for example) have been held in Huntsville. “We are trying to hold major events in Madison,” Honeycutt said.
Miki Bennett, Director of Madison Animal Rescue Foundation (MARF), accepted the city’s appropriation for $15,000.
Council paid these larger bills on the agenda:
* $82,537 — Huntsville Utilities, Downtown Streetscape Phase III.
* $39,084.68 – WOW!, Downtown Streetscape Phase III.
* $12,960 — Installation of ADA-compliant handicap door operators for City Hall’s front and basement entrances.
* $3,637.25 – Right-of-way acquisition, Downtown Phase III.
* $13,994.47 — Holzheimer Bolek & Meehan, architectural & engineering services, Madison Public Library.
The city received $10,718.50 from Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation for a police vehicle totaled in an accident.
District 1 Councilwoman Maura Wroblewski and District No. 7 Councilman John Seifert attended the League of Municipalities session in Montgomery. District 4 Councilman Greg Shaw said paving is complete in the Whisperwood neighborhood.
District 6 Councilman Gerald Clark said the beautification board and Finley planted a tree at City Hall for Arbor Week. Clark pointed out ongoing electrical issues around the Madison Gazebo and Roundhouse.
The engineering department received approval for offsite easement for the Brentwood Manor development.
The planning department amended the existing contract with CDG Engineers & Associates Inc. to manage utility work for Downtown Phase III for $70,300. District 3 Councilman Teddy Powell questioned the possibility of hiring in-house employees to handle project management, as opposed to paying hundreds of thousands of dollar annually to outside companies.
Planning also awarded the bid to Pearce Construction for an automated material handling system for Madison Public Library. The recreation department selected J&M Displays Inc. for the city’s firework displays and Mullins LLC for Palmer Park’s master plan.
Council will conduct a work session on March 8 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
