HANCEVILLE – The City of Hanceville held their regular council meeting on Thursday night with all council members present along with Mayor Kenneth Nail and City Attorney Dan Willingham.
Preceding the regular meeting, Wallace State Community College (WSCC) President Dr. Vicki Karolewics presented the results of last year’s feasibility study which had an excellent response rate during the work session. She expressed her gratitude to the city of Hanceville and noted that, as WSCC has grown, Hanceville has continued to grow around the college.
Karolewics highlighted many of WSCC’s successes and proudly stated, “Our Future Foundation is sharply focused on raising money for student scholarships and we’ve made a lot of difference. Over the past several years over $2 million has been awarded in student scholarships through the money we’ve been able to raise in this community.
“Wallace serves as a highly respected business partner. We deliver. When we make a promise, we deliver on that promise. We are known throughout the community and the state as being the crown jewel of the Alabama community college system and we’re proud of that.”
Noting that the committed instructors at the school are key to its success, she continued, “We employ experienced, visionary, community-active and dedicated leadership faculty and staff who are known for their united commitment to students’ success. We believe that’s a hallmark of the college.”
Karolewics shared exciting news about changes to the dual enrollment program that will make it more attainable for high school students.
“We were just selected as one of only 44 colleges in the nation to do a pilot, experimental program where dual enrollment high school students will be able to get federal financial aid in the form of the Pell Grant. That is a game changer for kids to be able to afford to get their core courses. We are very, very proud of that and are working on it now.”
Councilmen Jimmy Sawyer and Charles Wilson both expressed the council’s gratitude for the college and shared the impact it has made in their own families.
“The college has been a big asset to a lot of the children and young people in this area. I know my son went to school up there and got a couple of degrees and my daughter-in-law finished in nursing last August. I think the college has touched a lot of people in the area and it’s affordable,” shared Wilson.
As the regular meeting got underway, the portion of the Romine building that was still owned by the City was sold to local businessman Nolan Bradford, who owns the other part of the building. Nail opened the three sealed bids for the property during the meeting and Bradford had bid the highest amount, at $18,525. The next highest bid was submitted by TL Collins Construction for $14,800. In accepting Bradford’s bid, Nail abstained from the vote due to his business relationship with Bradford, although the purchase of the Romine building was solely a Bradford endeavor.
Bradford stated his goal is to get the upstairs of the newly purchased portion of the building renovated and ready for tenants as several people have expressed an interest in moving into the loft apartments he has developed thus far, none of which are currently available.
In other business, the council agreed to rent approximately 8-10 acres of its 34-38 available acres on Industrial Boulevard to Roger Freeman. The topic of repaving on Forest Drive was brought up by Sawyer, who met with resident Robert Creel who lives on the road. After discussion among the council, it was decided that Nail will seek an itemized quote from a previous bidder on the job.
Lastly, a sewer drain cover on Commercial Drive just west of the school was brought up as a safety hazard. The cover is approximately two inches lower than the pavement, which has caused numerous people to swerve to avoid it or hit it and lose control of their vehicles. Voicing concern for the safety of children who walk to and from school and citizens who walk along the road for exercise, the council will be looking into purchasing a riser for the drain cover.
The Hanceville City Council meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 7 p.m. with a work session that precedes each meeting at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting, scheduled for June 23, will include a public hearing during the work session. The public is encouraged to attend the meetings held at Hanceville City Hall, 112 Commercial St. SE.
