PIEDMONT – During its regularly-scheduled meeting on Tuesday, the Piedmont City Council heard presentations from East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission representative Rajiv Myana and Main Street Alabama’s Tanya Maloney during its work session.
Myana discussed several topics concerning the utilization of the Piedmont Trail Loop. In conjunction, Maloney discussed what her organization has to offer in order for the city to become a “designated” community.
In its regular session, the council approved a number of resolutions during Tuesday’s meeting, including two concerning the financing of a new garbage truck for $222,311.14 and a rear garbage truck loader for $172,550.68. Both pieces of equipment are being financed through Bancorp. City Projects Manager Carl Hinton said the city should receive the new garbage truck by Friday.
The council also approved implementing the 10-percent rate increase in the garbage pickup fee on the next billing cycle. The rate increase was approved back in February.
Another resolution concerning the city submitting a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture for $173,174.10 in funding was also approved. Those funds will be used toward Piedmont Trail Loop projects, including the painting of crosswalks.
The council discussed and approved funding for a $25,000 pipe/ditch project at Veterans Park for safety concerns and to alleviate litter that gets hung up in the drainage.
Piedmont Mayor Bill Baker said he could not get the whole amount financed through the Calhoun County Commission. He was only able to get approved for half the amount ($12,500). The council approved the city paying for the other half out of AMEA funds.
The council also approved the Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Annual Report to be sent in to the state, and approved drafting a contract to M&T Lawncare for cemetery and Ladiga Trail grass cuttings.
Minutes were approved from the previous meeting, as were bills for payment totaling $541,892.84.
In his closing comments, Baker announced four Piedmont High School students have been selected as recipients for AMEA scholarships. Those four students are James Alexander Cullen, Stevie Wade Jenkins, Sarah Elizabeth Luna and Jaden Cantrell. Each student will receive $2,500 in scholarship money.
The next council meeting is scheduled for April 20.