The Demopolis City Council on Thursday approved a resolution to apply for $500,000 in community development block grant (CDBG) funds to replace undersized water lines along East Jackson Street.

The council also pledged $75,000 in matching funds, should the city be approved for the grant.

The resolution was adopted by a 4-0 vote by mayor Mike Grayson and council members Jack Cooley, Bill Meador and Thomas Moore. Council members Mitchell Congress and Melvin Yelverton were not present.

Brooks Butler told the council that they discussed the project with the Demopolis Water and Sewer Board, and it told Butler that they would like to do some testing while the street is torn up while the project is ongoing.

“The water lines will be installed under the pavement,” Butler said. “Then, we will overlay the street. This project will help increase the water pressure for homes along Jackson and along the streets that intersect with Jackson near U.S. Jones Elementary School.”

“This project is very much needed,” Moore said. “It’s been a concern for years. Certainly, this is a well-deserved project that will serve a number of households.”

The council voted 4-0 to rezone a section of Osgood Loop in western Demopolis for business (limited industry), allowing Tractor Supply Com-pany to locate next to the Robertson Bank branch.

The council also voted 4-0 to approve a resolution calling on the city of Demopolis to support the protection and reauthorization of the Forever Wild program, supporting the purchase of conservation lands in Alabama.

The council tabled discussion of board appointment procedures. Cooley told the council that there are seven city boards that have members whose terms have expired, including two seats on the hospital board.

“Four of those seven are appointed by the council,” Cooley said. “The other three are appointed by the mayor. We need to have something in place that would serve as a reminder to us at least 60 days before a term expires.”

The next Demopolis City Council meeting will be on Thursday, Aug. 5, at 5:15 p.m. at Rooster Hall.