Council amends policy for business revocation
MADISON – Madison City Council amended the city’s business licensing policy, prompted by municipal and public concern about Three Springs residential treatment facility, 1329 Browns Ferry Road, managed by Sequel TSI.
Three Springs residents Arron Raynard Jones, 17, and Jakobe Isaiah Carter, 18, have been charged with the murder of Van Johnson of Riverdale, Ga. on Aug. 14.
At council’s Sept. 25 meeting, City Attorney Megan Zingarelli presented changes to allow license revocation or non-renewal when public safety is threatened. To pursue either violation, the city must hold a public meeting.
Police input will play a factor in defining a business as a ‘public nuisance,’ Zingarelli said. The amendment goes into effect as soon as its publication.
The following larger bill payments were approved:
* CDG Engineering — Redesign, construction management and utility coordination for Downtown Streetscape Phase III, $14,150.
* Miller & Miller Inc. — Replacement work for Mill Road bridge, $162,975.13.
* State bid — Telephone system for Madison Public Library, $8,059.60.
Council accepted the donation of a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe (value $31,000) from Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong.
District Councilwoman 1 Maura Wroblewski attended the first of regular meetings with Sequel TSI management for increased security at Three Springs. District Councilman 2 Steve Smith acknowledged Gary Cheyoweth’s work on a flood plain study for the Home Place subdivision, bounded by Lewis Lane and Gordon Drive.
Council President Tommy Overcash reminded residents that James Clemens High School’s homecoming parade will be held Sept. 28. County Line Road between Mill Road and Brown’s Ferry Road will close from 5:15 pm until approximately 6 p.m.
Council endorsed efforts of Alabama Bicentennial Commission. Observances will start in summer 2017 and run through 2018. Sally Warden of Madison is co-chair for Madison County’s bicentennial committee. Debbie Overcash and John Rankin with Madison Station Historical Preservation Society are leading community plans.
District Councilman 6 Gerald Clark acknowledged Lowe’s for its donation of supplies for Christmas Card Lane, sponsored by Madison Arts Council. District Councilman 7 John Seifert said his first Town Hall meeting was successful.
In department reports, Director of Engineering Gary Cheyoweth was authorized to pay Shoals Electric Company for installation of four traffic signals at $809,569. The engineering department re-bid this installation and saved approximately $50,000.
Intersections that will receive traffic signals are County Line Road and Hardiman Road (top priority); Hughes Road and Gooch Lane; Hughes Road and Bradford Farms Drive; and Hughes Road and Plaza Boulevard. This project will require nine months, plus 45 days to submit paperwork.
The fire department was authorized for a hosting agreement for Firehouse Software with Conduent Government Systems.
Police Chief David Jernigan commended Officer Jesse Scroggin and K-9 partner Rico, which has served the department in searches for illegal drugs and other duties since 2012. Due to health problems, Rico is retiring as a K-9 police dog and was sold to Scroggin for $1.
Jernigan will pursue NAHSO Traffic Safety Grant funds to pay off-duty police officers to work part time for traffic needs.
Director of Planning Mary Beth Broeren received approval for a public hearing to rezone 106 acres of property owned by Old Town Investments, located west of Zierdt Road and south of I-565, from agricultural to Urban Center District. The public hearing will be Nov. 27.
Madison Recreation & Parks Department received approval to pay $2,850 to move door and storage pallet for the air-supported pool structure at Dublin Park. The department will pay Mullins LLC for engineering and landscape architecture at both Bradford Creek Greenway trailhead and Palmer Park addition.
Jeff Bass with Madison Fire & Rescue Department was promoted to driver.
Mayor Paul Finley has designated Oct. 19 as Jumpstart Read for the Record Day and Oct. 24 as Special Olympics Day.
Madison City Schools will dismiss for fall break on Oct. 9-13.
