HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The Hanceville City Council agreed Thursday night to reject two bids for the Commercial Street resurfacing and drainage project, which is being paid for in part with Rebuild Alabama Act (fuel tax) funds. With both bids coming in significantly higher than what the council and engineers, Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, projected, the engineers plan to look at modifications that could reduce the cost.
Mayor Kenneth Nail explained, “It was just crazy numbers. They asked the council to reject both bids.”
After the engineers can make modifications, the project will be rebid.
The council also approved the acceptance of $10,000 as security in escrow in lieu of a bond from Stapp Home Builders. The City had previously approved matching the $10,000 for the resurfacing of the road in the Steppville Gardens subdivision. Once the heavy traffic from the construction of the subdivision is complete, the City and Stapp Home Builders have agreed to split the cost of the estimated $20,000 cost to repave the road. Stapp Home Builders agreed to pay for costs exceeding the $20,000.
Volunteer firefighters at Hanceville Fire and Rescue will now be eligible for benefits paid by the City of Hanceville. The City will pay $22 annually for each volunteer, who will receive a $20,000 Line of Duty Accidental Death Benefit, a $10,000 non-covered activity Accidental Death Benefit and a $100 a week disability payment for line-of-duty accidents. Hanceville currently has 10 volunteer fire fighters.
Nail updated the council on several improvement projects, saying, “We have done our yearly patching and I think we have patched everything up pretty decent around town.”
Repairs to the roof and ceiling at city hall have been completed as well as replacement of some of the lighting, including three new LED lights in the courtroom.
The public works department continues to make improvements to the Hanceville Civic Center. Upgrades to the kitchen include the removal of a wall and the addition of a new gas stove and a new refrigerator/cooler.
Nail said, “The guys have worked really, really hard. It’s something to be proud of. It should be a lot nicer. My hope and my dream has always been, I want something nice in Hanceville where our folks can come into Hanceville and have their reunions, their gatherings and that sort of thing. We’ve really come a long way and our Public Works has done a tremendous job.”
In other business the council took the following actions:
- Approved the surplus of four mowers and three pickup trucks
- Set a public hearing for Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. on the proposed rezoning from B-1 to R-1 of the Anh Nguyen property on the corner of Commercial Street and Kentucky Avenue
- Reappointed Danny Nail and Betty Dover for additional three-year terms on the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
- Nail reappointed Tim Burney to the Planning Commission.
- Appointed Councilwoman Patty Dean, Place 3, to the Planning Commission
- Tabled the appointment to the Historical Preservation Commission
Thursday night was Dean’s first regular council meeting, and she has begun serving as the liaison for the council and the Hanceville merchants.
“I appreciate the citizens electing me, and my heart’s desire is to do a good job for everybody,” she said. “I’ve already been working with the merchants on some projects they’ve had. I have enjoyed it and it is nice to be working with the people.”
Several events are planned in the city of Hanceville in the coming weeks.
- Cullman Area Christmas Open House with the Hanceville merchants Nov. 13-15
- Christmas Tree Lighting at Veterans Park Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.
- 31st Annual Cullman County Christmas Parade Dec. 5 at noon.
Some meeting times were changed due to holidays. The Nov. 26 meeting was changed to Nov. 19. The Dec. 24 meeting was changed to Dec. 21. Meeting times will be 5:30 p.m. with work sessions beginning at 5 p.m.
The next council meeting will be Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. with a work session at 5 p.m.
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