City Council deliberates multi-use venue, Town Madison
MADISON – Madison City Council dealt with the tedious process and procedures for progress with a stadium/multi-use venue in Town Madison.
The city’s legal department received authorization for financing the multi-use venue at Town Madison. Council voted on the following milestones:
* Approved warrant validation for multi-use venue financing (to start processes and court procedures for project approval). Motion carried by 5-2.
* Authorized property donation agreement of 31 acres from Old Town Investments LLC. Motion carried by 5-2.
* Council tabled a resolution to authorize an amendment to funding agreement with Town Madison Cooperative District until more information is available.
* Authorized venue development agreement with BallCorps LLC. This agreement will gain importance when the project enters the construction phase (primarily procedural with no costs involved).
* Council designated First Commercial Bank as depository and authorized checking account for 2018 GO Bond Account and multi-use venue.
Ron Klein was appointed as City of Madison representative to Town Madison Cooperative Board.
Council’s largest bill payment was $29,266 to Brailsford & Dunlavey Inc. for market and financial analysis of multi-use venue in Town Madison.
In public comments, Margie Daily said the Town Madison project is “unbeneficial to the average citizen. The risk is too great. The taxpayers and business owners are all losing here.”
City Communication Specialist Samantha Magnuson summarized the enhancements to the city’s website by Civic Plus, along with Jason Colee in city IT department. (madisonal.gov) The new site’s updates include better search capabilities, branding with city logo and symbols and easier selection of menu items.
In annual appropriations from City of Madison, Chris Newlin, Executive Director of National Children’s Advocacy Center, accepted $15,000. Pam Honeycutt, Director of Madison Chamber of Commerce, accepted $30,000.
Madison Street Festival volunteer Keegan Mumaw announced the 2018 MSF Grant recipients, which totaled to 15 grants for $7,500, including a $1,000 scholarship to a senior at Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools.
“One strategic goal (for MSF) is to support education in the City of Madison,” MSF President Kyle Mumaw said. MSF Committee paid $800 to the city for use of shuttle buses at the 2017 festival.
District 1 Councilwoman Maura Wroblewski encourages residents to attend the Opioid Summit on March 1 at 6 p.m. at Bob Jones High School. Madison Police Department, FBI and DEA are presenting the event.
District 3 Councilman Teddy Powell thanked citizens for attending meetings and stating their opinions. “A lot of time we have information that is still in negotiation and we can’t release that,” Powell said.
District 5 Councilman and President Tommy Overcash received approval to hire “a highly qualified complex maintenance worker I in Public Works at Step 4.” Council will accept applications through March for an appointment to Madison Board of Education, Overcash said.
District 6 Councilman Gerald Clark presented certificates to winning students in the Arbor Day Poster Contest, sponsored by Madison Beautification and Tree Board.
District 7 Councilman John Seifert thanked volunteers with JustServe.org and city event coordinator Gayle Milam for cleanup and improvements during a ‘spruce-up day’ at Palmer Park on Feb. 24.
In public hearings, the revenue department’s request was approved for Class II retail liquor license for Busy Bee (also known as J-Mart) at 8006-18-A Old Madison Pike.
Planning department will rezone north of Portal Lane and east of Hughes Road from Community Business/Special District to Community Business (for most retail, church, general office, for example). Mary Margaret Long, Huntsville Area Crime Stoppers and City of Madison own the property.
The engineering department placed Madison Midtowne into the city’s maintenance program. Madison Police Department will receive cellular service from Verizon Wireless.
The fire department will pursue a license agreement for Baron Service’s “Threat Net Weather Data Software” for $2,106 annually.
