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Eighteen-wheelers straying from the designated truck routes has been a problem in Demopolis for quite some time. The city has posted “No Truck” signs on multiple streets and the Demopolis Police Department has worked to ticket as many trucks as possible. While these measures have somewhat curbed the incidences, the problem is still noticeable.

During the July 20 City Council meeting, Mayor Woody Collins said there has been a request to post a “maximum fine amount” on the truck routes. Even with the “No Trucks” signs, eighteen wheelers have still been finding their way onto city streets, particularly in residential areas.

Councilmember David McCants took the initiative and went to Attorney Woody Dinning, Jr to discuss the wording for the sign. Collins said that the fines could be up to $500 and McCants has asked for six signs to be place along the truck routes.

“I am in favor of this. We have tried to stop these trucks, and Chief Flowers has tried to stop them. We can’t stop all of our typical patrols to patrol this one route,” said Collins.

The Council unanimously voted to approve placing the signs on the truck routes.

Other topics under new business included approving two resolutions and six ABC applications for local businesses. Resolution 2023-10 concerned a building set for demolition and the council accepted the lowest bid presented to them.

Resolution 2023-11 concerned a CDBG grant to improve a drainage problem behind Whitfield Regional Hospital. The drainage issue begins behind CVS and has been problem for quite some time. The CDBG grant will be used to do the necessary work to alleviate the issue.

The six ABC applications were for Diamond Jack 1 located at 1500 Highway 80 West (retail beer and retail table wine off premises only), Diamond Jack 2 located at 510 Highway 80 East (retail beer and retail table wine off premises only), Diamond Jack 3 located at Highway 80 East (retail beer and retail table wine off premises only), River City Soul located at 1621 Highway 43 South (Restaurant retail liquor), Raceway 6972 located at 705 highway 80 East (retail beer and retail table wine off premises only), and El Mariachi Garibaldi located at 925 Highway 80 East (Restaurant retail liquor).

The Demopolis City Council meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 5:15 p.m. The work session begins at 4:45 p.m.