Rockford meeting mostly tables, discussion
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The July meeting of the Rockford Town Council once again saw little action, with most agenda items tabled or for discussion only.
The only action taken during the 36-minute meeting was to unanimously approve the June meeting minutes and June financial statements, as well as unanimously approving denying a request from the Coosa County Health Department for an appropriation, stating that the council needed more information. Councilmember Cordarius Lee was not present for the meeting.
Aside from those three action items, two agenda matters were tabled, and one item was for discussion only with no action taken.
Town attorney Tom Young reviewed information from the town’s June meeting regarding the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce offering the town $5,000 for the purchase of an LED sign for announcements, similar to what is being done in Goodwater.
Young said that the sign would be paid for, but not the installation or electricity. He also mentioned the cost of maintenance, placement and the town only having one employee to handle updating the sign.
Mayor Scott White said that he had looked over the agreement and that there was “a lot in there.” He said that while he appreciates the money the chamber is offering, he would like to talk to Superintendent of Education David Stover Jr. to get more information since the school system has a similar sign placed at the Career Tech Center.
White said that he was also concerned with the suggested placement at the town’s Event Center, stating that he thinks the sign would need to be closer to Town Hall.
After discussion, the council unanimously approved tabling the matter to its next meeting for White to look into it further and bring information for the next meeting.
During the July meeting, White also reported that he and a majority of the Town Council members had met recently with representatives of the Alabama Department of Transportation and Sen. Clyde Chambliss, with Rep. Ben Robbins unable to attend the meeting.
He said that the group talked about how to make the 4-way stop at the intersection of highways 22 and 231 safer and mentioned making changes to the flashing lights at the 4-way and trimming some trees.
The town was given a draft traffic signal agreement from ALDOT for consideration. White said that currently the town pays for the electricity to the lights, but that ALDOT maintains them. The new agreement reportedly reflects that the town would be responsible for the maintenance of the lights.
In reviewing information reportedly included in the agreement, White said that there would be more lights added for the intersection, not just the center lights.
White said there were things he is not happy with in the agreement, and Young also voiced concerns with some items in the agreement and liability issues. A copy of the proposed agreement with ALDOT was not provided upon request.
Following discussion, White said that he would like for the council to table the matter in order to contact ALDOT again to further discuss the matter and see about changes to the agreement.
He further stated that ALDOT representatives said the “road diet” is not off the table, but that this is the safety measure the state is willing to do right now.
After discussion, the council unanimously approved tabling the matter and having Young and White do further research.
In other business, White mentioned a zoning ordinance and said that the council needs to think about something to put into place for businesses and something to help the growth of the town, adding that there is a “place for everything.”
Young mentioned that most municipalities have zoning and said that the council needs to think about what it wants the town to look like.
During discussion, Councilmember Robert Smith asked how they would zone it with how the town is currently laid out. Young said that the zoning can be changed if the town sees fit to do so and said the council could also see about combined zoning for business and residential.
White said that if the town implements commercial zoning then it could grandfather in longtime residences.
He added that it is “a lot to approach,” but said they “have to start somewhere” and that the council really needs to be thinking about it.
No action was taken on the matter as it was brought up for discussion only.
The full audio recording of the July Rockford Town Council meeting is available here.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Rockford Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 20.
