GARDEN CITY – A large portion of the Garden City Town Council meeting this week focused on the town’s volunteer fire department and services. Of concern is that many of the people who live outside the town’s limits, yet still in the Garden City Volunteer Fire Department’s coverage area, are not paying their fire dues. The council proposed allowing homeowners and industrial businesses to have up to two fire meters for free, but charging them for additional meters, but ultimately decided to wait until next month's meeting to see what the numbers look like. The council also passed a motion to have the fire dues billed directly to residents through the Cullman Electric Co-op.
The VFD reported that some of its firefighters are being re-certified in CPR, and the council passed a motion for the junior firefighters to join them. The department also mentioned the need for additional protective equipment (helmets, gloves and hoods) and replacement parts for their radios, both of which the council voted to purchase. The VFD also reported the need for new air packs, because they only have six, which are old and worn-out. The department said that if a grant could be found, they needed 14 air packs and 14 spare bottles, which would give most firefighters approximately 40 minutes of oxygen.
When Mayor Tim Eskew asked if Public Works had anything to present, the issue of debris on Highway 31 from a Good Hope Contracting project was brought up. The report said that the state refused to touch the concrete until Good Hope paid off the contract and that citizens would be responsible for cleaning their own property, some of whom have gravel pushed several yards up their driveways and lawns. Several council members had their own complaints, and Eskew decided that if the next person he talked to couldn't help, he would take the issue all the way to the governor.
Other items of business:
The water department mentioned the possibility of getting a new grant for equipment or new projects and proposed the idea of killing the line under the railroad to put a larger line near the bridge.
The council approved bids for fire equipment such as hoses, radios, helmets and shields.
The council allowed the issue of funding for the Cullman County Water Festival to die at the table.
The council granted permission to a man who requested to do metal detecting at the old school.
Discussions were had about possible improvements to the basketball court at the park, the most popular idea being to have lines drawn so players could more accurately see where to throw three-pointers and free-throws.
Town Clerk Pam Leslie informed the council that the sewer sampling price from Living Water Services has gone up by $8.88 per month.
People Against a Littered State (PALS) statewide community cleanup day, which will take place on April 22- the council discussed community groups, like the fire department or the local Boy Scouts, who could help clean certain areas of the town, but no motions were made.
The Garden City Town Council meets on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Garden City Town Hall. The public is welcome to attend.
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