CHILDERSBURG, Ala. – The Childersburg City Council opened their Tuesday, March 3 meeting by adopting Ordinance 1157 to give the City’s Police Department the legal tool needed to help address the homelessness issues that have been brought up in Town Hall meetings since the middle of January.
The ordinance regulates, restricts, and prohibits certain uses and activities on public properties located in the City of Childersburg to protect general welfare and public safety.
Also accepted was Resolution 2026-09, approving Difference Architecture to submit an Alabama Historical Commission grant application for Kymulga Grist Mill Park repairs and to authorize Mayor Ken Wesson to execute necessary documents. If granted, it would provide up to $75,000 in no-match funds. The City would be responsible for architectural fees.
In a related matter, approval was given for Yarnell Construction to perform emergency structural repairs to the Kymulga Grist Mill Covered Bridge and Mill Store flooring in a projected amount of $38,000, with the Historical Preservation Commission partnering with the City for the repairs. The project costs could require an amended cost submitted for approval, if necessary.
The Council approved the purchase of Fire Department emergency response equipment from Fund 55 with a total cost of $25,450, for:
* Extrication List Bags ($10,000)
* Vehicle Stabilization Struts ($5,000)
* Stream-Light Portable Scene Light ($850)
* Four Firefighter Nozzles ($850)
* (1.75” & 2.5”) Fire Hoses ($6,400)
Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $187,070.35.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 at 11:00 a.m. with a 10:30 a.m. work session.
Prior to the meeting, Mayor Wesson announced that he had been summoned to a meeting with ALDOT in Montgomery next Wednesday morning concerning an application for a no-match Industrial Access Grant for a road proposal for Cooper Steel South. “When we get such a call, it generally means that the project will be funded, so we are hopeful that’s the case this time.”
He also said that he had no word from ALDOT concerning their proposal to change Plant Rd.’s four-lane section to two lanes with a center left-turn lane.
In answer to a question, Wesson reported that the new Judicial/Police Complex project has been paid in full, saying, “We’re discussing ideas for the demolition of the old Police Department building. Our goal is to expand the number of bays available for Fire and Ambulance vehicles, including, if we can, a disinfection bay for ambulances between runs.”
Wesson told the audience that no discussions have been held with the developers who have made a proposal for building a new data center in the industrial park in the past five weeks.
“They are doing their due diligence to find out if the property fits what they want and need,” said Wesson. “Yes, we will schedule a public forum if they wish to move forward. No property has been sold and nothing approved, and it won’t be without public notice for questions, answers, and public discussion.”
