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The Demopolis City Council has approved polling places for the city election to be held August 25.

With several previous polling places no longer available, City Clerk Sam Gross recommended to the council the following polling places: District 1, Theo Ratliff Center; District 2, the Old National Guard Armory on Hwy. 43; District 3, Church Aflame on Hwy. 80; District 4, the Demopolis Fire Department Headquarters on Hwy. 80; and District 5, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Hwy. 80 West.

Qualifying for the local election, which will include the office of mayor and city council seats, begins July 7 and ends on July 21 at 5 p.m. A run-off date will be Oct. 6.

Also during the May 21 meeting, the council discussed street lighting projects, which included passing a resolution allowing Alabama Power to discuss projects with the Alabama Department of Transportation. The proposed projects to be discussed includes increasing the current lights’ to 400 watts, as well as extending lighting west to Maria Avenue and east to Springhill Road.

Decorative lighting was also on the agenda as the council approved the Department of Public Works’ request to spend up to $5,000 for new Christmas lights to be placed along Hwy. 80.

Projects Manager Mike Baker also requested funds for the placement of solar crosswalk lights to provide additional safety for those crossing Walnut Avenue, from a west-side parking lot to the hospital.

“There are lights in place now, but they are not slowing anyone done,” Baker said. “This system will activate allowing people to cross the street.”

The council approved $2,400 for the project.

Other items discussed by the council included the following.

• Olen Kerby was re-appointed to the Demopolis Board of Education. This will be Kerby’s second term on the board for which he currently serves as vice-chairman.

• The council discussed a variety of options for a barrier along a 220-feet portion of the river bank near the community center. No action was taken.

• A public assembly was approved for the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ annual Poppy Drive.

• Councilman Bill Meador reported that the Park and Recreation Department has scheduled a boat racing event for June 13. Organizers are working on safety measures related to the pandemic.

The meeting ended after an executive session for “financial purposes.”