Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

At the March 18 Demopolis City Council meeting, the council voted to ask for alternate bids on demolishing the old police station after a large jail cell was discovered in the building. The cell is large enough to hold 12 inmates.

The first bid will save the jail cell and set it aside until the city can decide what to do with it. The second bid will save the cell that is believed to be over 100 years old.

Mayor Woody Collins announced that the city will implement a call-in program to pick up trash on the streets. It will be done via voicemail.

“This is no cost and will save the city money over a period of time,” said Collins.

A water sample test from the ditch behind Richard Fountain’s home was denied by the testing lab in Birmingham because the lab did not have any available time slots. The city tried to reschedule, but after severe weather moved through the area on March 17, a viable sample could not be collected.

“It is still on the agenda to get that sample to Birmingham and get the testing done,” said Collins. “As soon as we get the results back, we will let everyone know.”

Fountain has been battling a sewage leak behind his home for over 20 years. The leak was recently discovered in the residential area near Gaineswood. The homeowner has had a plumber fix the leak, and the city will collect a water sample to test for signs of remaining sewage.

Due to conflicts, Demopolis will not be represented by the mayor or any council member at the 2021 business meeting of the Alabama League of Municipalities in May.

The Pinnacle Pellet Mill, currently being constructed at the Airport Industrial Park, has been hit with several thefts. They have asked for police assistance to guard the area against further thefts. Pinnacle will be responsible for paying the police department rather than the city. The city’s only obligation is to provide a police officer and patrol car to deter more thefts until construction is completed.

An ABC application from Mohand Abu Alfoul for the Minit Shop, 1503 Hwy. 43 S. was granted for off-premises retail beer and table wine.

Building inspector Julius Rembert said another fire training exercise is being set up to demolish the house at 700 Pettus St.

The Demopolis City Council meets on the first and third Thursday of every month at 5:15 p.m.