Mayor approved to seek grants for 18th Street beautification
In a brisk meeting, the city council decided on Nov. 16 to approve Mayor Scott McBrayer to seek two funding sources for an 18th Street beautification project.
The project will extend over the next two fiscal years and include landscaping, sidewalks, crosswalks and possible new parking spaces. The total cost is around $1.2 million, but the council anticipates that the city will only pay for $240,000.
This is due to two sources of grants the city has sought. The first is ALDOT's Transportation Alternatives Program, which will provide $400,000 for the project with the city's $100,000 match. However, the grant does not pay for engineering costs, so the city has turned to the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham's CMAQ grant program.
The initial vote was at last week's meeting, but the council sent the issue back to the finance committee to sort out payment in the current fiscal year. In FY 2016, the city will pay for engineering costs and some additional preparations, with payment for construction beginning in FY 2017.
The council voted 9-1 in favor of the mayor seeking these grants, with Ward 1 Representative Michael Hallman voting against.
Other council business included:
- Approving a funding contract with the Chamber of Commerce for up to $60,000 this fiscal year. Finance Department Head Melody Salter said this is level funding compared to last year.
- Carrying over discussion of declaring 506 Shades Creek Parkway a public nuisance due to excessive growth. There will be a public hearing about the property at the Dec. 7 council meeting.
- Approving amendments to the 14-15 fiscal year's budget.
The next council meeting will be Monday, Dec. 7.