BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
A highlight of the regular city council meeting last week for Millbrook was the introduction of two area teams that are playing in the the World Series for baseball.
The teams had requested help with expenses for the trip to Gulfport and the idea was to give each team $750.
However, when it came time to vote on that issue, Councilman Hal Hodge made a motion, which was seconded, to raise that amount to $1,000 per team. The motion passed.
The two teams gathered for individual photos and thanked the city for the help. The teams are the city league 12 and Under and 9 and 10 year-olds.
Mayor All Kelley and other council members praised the teams and their coaches for their hard work, diligence and “making it to the dance.”
In other business, the council authorized funds for a one-time city Retiree Bonus.
Mayor Al Kelly explained that the bonus for each city retiree will be based on the number of years of employment, but each bonus will be a minimum of $300. This is something the city has participated in for the last several years.
The Council authorized funds to replace a light pole at Mill Creek Park.
The light pole was damaged in a storm last year, and insurance money has come in. But there were also delays with delivery of supplies.
The Council authorized funds or an emergency sewer repair.
A sewer leak was repaired in the Cross Gates neighborhood area.
Mayor Kelley and other councilors thanked the Sewer Department employees for their hard work to make repairs as quickly as possible and working through the heat.
The Council accepted a bid for resurfacing of streets.
The roads to be resurfaced include: Mossy Creek Drive, Spruce Knoll Lane, Green Laurel Cove, Red Maple Way, Payson Road, Thornfield Drive, McAdams Road, Elm Street, Oliver Drive, Ball Drive, the majority of Lakeshore Drive and Daphne Lane. An exact date for paving to begin was not reported, as it will depend on supplies and weather.
The lowest, qualified bid came from A & C Construction Co., Inc. at $315,928.
Councilwoman Thomas asked about Lakeshore Drive, and why only the greater majority of the road would be finished, rather than the entire street. Mayor Kelley explained that the budget had to be taken into consideration, as well as the fact that part of the road is less traveled. The completion of the street could be made in the next paving cycle. He said an alternate plan would be to cut out two of the streets listed, but that did not come in the form of a motion from any council member.
Kelley said that the primary and largest area that is in the worst condition on Lakeshore Drive will be addressed first.
When it came time for the vote, the measure passed, with Thomas voting against the motion.
Thomas said she was uncomfortable having most of the road repaired, and not all of it. Mayor Kelley said that for now, that is all the budget would allow. “If we did the complete road, we would be $50,000 in the hole.”
The Council accepted a bid and authorization to enter into a contract for LED Light Conversion at the Sewer Treatment Plant and Millbrook Civic Center.
Stuart Peters with Landmark Engineering explained the funds were made available in the amount of $40,000 thanks to a grant where the city does a match. The LED bulbs are more cost efficient than standard bulbs and will show a savings to city coffers.
The council authorized the Mayor to increase the budget for Economic Development Department in the a mount of $52,000 to cover a new salaried position.
This is to cover the salary of Danae Morgan, who was recently hired to assist with special events and cultural arts.
