Timpson to receive Hurricane Ike funding

Mayor Debra Smith announced that DETCOG recently notified the City of Timpson that the city will be receiving Round 2.2 Hurricane Ike funding in the amount of $214,866.
The funding will help address two projects that the city is planning on. One project that the money will be used for is improvements to Marcus Street, and $144,357 has been set aside for that project.
The other project that will be included in the funding is a generator for the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department. This will provide power to the department during situations where the city’s power is out, so that oxygen tanks can be filled, and other emergency equipment could continue running.
The amount that has been set aside for the generator for the fire department is $32,500.
The remainder of the funds from DETCOG are to be used for engineering, architectural, project delivery, and environmental studies.
Tanya Windham, City Secretary, has submitted the necessary paperwork so that bids can be sought for the Marcus Street project.
Kent Graham, Timpson Police Chief gave a report on recent arrests and calls within the City of Timpson. According to Chief Graham, there were 95 calls for service, and 11 arrests. For the month of June there were four thefts, 11 disturbances, four cases of burglary of a motor vehicle, four assaults, one aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, three arrests on cases, two warrants served, two criminal mischief cases, four calls for reckless drivers, two cases of public intoxication, two alarm calls, two motorist assist calls, one call for loose livestock, 31 agency assists, one crash investigation, five calls for suspicious persons, two cases of public lewdness, two cases of telephone harassment, one case of animal at large, which was impounded, one case of 911 abuse, one loud music complaint, and eight extra patrol requests.
There was a rash of burglaries of vehicles at the end of June, and the beginning of July. Property has been recovered during the investigation, and there are a couple of suspects at this time.
Paula Mullins, Municipal Court Clerk, reported that there were a total of 127 citations written for June, and 139 violations. She reported that $18,299.50 was received, and the city’s portion of that amount was $10,064.73.
Mayor Smith presented ordinance 2012/7/17/1 before the council, which is an ordinance to help prevent the encumbering of city streets, alleys, sidewalks, and other public grounds.
Smith stated that there have been a couple of incidents where people have stacked pallets, car parts, dog kennels, barbecue pits, trash, and other items on sidewalks, and street curbs.
She said this is a hazard for people that walk on the public sidewalks and that in most instances requests have been made to have the items removed, but generally were ignored.
The original ordinance that addresses such issues was from 1917, and needed to be revised.
The 2012 ordinance now prevents the blocking of  streets, sidewalks, and public grounds. Offenders can be fined up to $2,000 if it is necessary.
A motion to approve the ordinance carried with council members Janelle Baker, and George Grace abstaining from voting.
Other items on the agenda that were approved include:
•Minutes from the June 19, regular meeting.
• June financial
statements..
• July accounts payable, investment report.
• Solicitation of quotes for ADA ramps at both Martin Luther King Park, and the sidewalk adjacent to Woods Realty.
• Authorization of repair for four motors at the waste water treatment plant in the amount of $3,747.64.
• Woodlawn Cemetery rules and regulations for lot purchasers.
• Seek bids for Woodlawn Cemetery maintenance through advertisement.
• Woodlawn Cemetery committee guidelines/requirements.