By By Arthur McLean
Mayor Howard Shell will be the lead in the city's upcoming land negotiations. At Monday's council meeting, the city council gave Shell the authority to negotiate a number of land purchases on behalf of the city.
"We've been talking with a number of folks, but nothing would be legitimate until the council authorized me to take action on the city's behalf," Shell said.
The most immediate impact of Shell's negotiations is expected to be adding a small portion of land to the city's proposed SAIL Center site, the new seniors center that is currently in the design phase.
Shell said the city felt more parking would be needed at the new center to service the expected number of seniors.
"We're hoping to purchase a small lot to expand the parking facilities, and I think we'll be successful in that," Shell said. "The architects and engineers are delighted to have a little extra space to work with and we're glad we'll be able to give it to them."
The current site plan does not take into account any expansion of the site and features 56 parking spaces. There were no estimates available on how many more parking spaces would be created at the center.
The Mayor is also negotiating for a few other, small purchases within the city, but declined to publicly comment on what those lots were; saying negotiations were at a delicate stage.
Shell would say that the purchases were required by federal regulations and their size and cost should be minor.
In other action, the council:
Approved the transfer of retail beer and wine licenses from Harvey White to Jay Gamesh LLC, a corporate entity of the Patel family. The license is for the Spudd's convenience station and gas store on S.R. 21.
The council also approved the transfer of a retail beer license from Harvey White to Jay Gamesh LLC for a convenience store on Medical Park Dr. In addition to the transfer, the council also approved a retail wine license for the store. Jay Gamesh LLC has also purchased this store from Harvey White.
Passed an ordinance adopting a qualifying schedule and fees to qualify for city elections. Qualifying fees were set at $50.
Approved a permit for CBC to hold a tent revival July 19-30 at 128 Ashley Street in Atmore.
Tabled an application for a tent revival for New Generation Holiness Church.
Approved a motorcade permit for Jones Street Holiness Church to be held July 4 in the area around the church.