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LANETT – Members of Lanett City Council discussed a number of topics in a working session on Thursday evening, including an immediate need for improvements at the James A. Hardy Gymnasium, an opportunity to gain new city buses and a monetary incentive for city employees. who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 to be vaccinated.
Action could be taken on these points at Monday’s regular board meeting.
Recreation Director Trent McCants spoke about what is needed at the gym. It is possible, he said, that this year’s Lanett High basketball games will be moved to the Hardy Gym in the LB Sykes complex off Cherry Drive. The locker room next to the LHS gymnasium was destroyed by fire earlier this year. If work takes place there during the basketball season, the games must be moved to another venue. McCants said Hardy Gymnasium would need new seating areas and washroom improvements to be a suitable site. The Panthers may have to play all of their road games this year.
Utilities Superintendent Tony Chandler said the city could likely meet restroom needs and there was still time to do something about gymnasium seating if council took action in the near future.
The existing sliding bleachers in the gymnasium are not in good condition.
“They do separate in some places and are not stable when you go up and down on them,” McCants said.
“This is something that is long overdue,” said board member Tony Malone.
“We have to deal with it before Lanett High plays its games there,” said Board member Angelia Thomas.
City attorney Stanley Gray advised council members to decide on the scope of work before taking action.
“Are we considering improvements or a bigger project?” ” He asked. “We have to make sure we can do it first. “
“Maybe we should do what Trent asks first,” Pro Mayor Tem Jamie Heard said. “The bleachers will probably be the biggest heist.”
The council also discussed securing two new buses for the senior center. Lanett Fire & EMS Chief Johnny Allen looked into the matter and located some buses that might be suitable. They are available through a business in northern Alabama.
“They don’t have shields but could be added later,” Allen said.
Shields sit between the driver and passengers and provide some protection against COVID.
“A lot of people in the area can make this for us,” Allen said, noting that shields could be installed later.
The city has federal bailout funds that must be spent by October 31, or the money will flow back to Washington.
“We don’t need to let that happen,” Thomas said. “We have to spend it on something we need. “
City Attorney Gray said he needed a list of these items so he could research whether the money could be spent on them.
“We don’t need the money to come back,” Thomas said.
City clerk Deborah Gilbert said she spoke to a local heating and air company and was told she could install equipment in any city-owned buildings that kill viruses. “It costs $ 685 for private homes and more for commercial buildings,” she said.
Council members had a long discussion about offering a monetary incentive to city employees who receive their Covid vaccines. A resolution that will be on Monday’s agenda would offer $ 500 for full-time employees and $ 250 for part-time employees. This is for employees who have not yet been vaccinated but do so before November 30.
The city currently has 123 employees.
“It’s not a warrant,” Gray said. “It’s an incentive to encourage employees to get vaccinated.
The money would come from the US bailout funds the city received.
One hour before the start of the regular Monday council meeting at 6 p.m., council members will meet with civil engineers from Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood Ryan Pearce and Jordan Russell to discuss a funding request for Lanett Airport . This is an annual procedure that must be completed to be eligible for funding from the FAA and the Alabama Department of Transportation.
“We have to send this out in October so we can apply for funds later,” Chandler said.
On Monday, the board will also consider two grant applications for the Lanett Police Department. One is a $ 24,000 grant for equipment through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). The other grant is provided through the USDA Rural Development Program and will allow for the replacement of police vehicles.
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