City council thanks Mayor Terry Oden, discusses new restroom facilities
At the city council meeting on Nov. 14, former Mayor Terry Oden was again in attendance, but this time as a member of the community. Mayor Stewart Welch honored Oden by reading him a resolution, mayor to mayor, thanking him for his "outstanding and unparalleled service" to the city of Mountain Brook that has spanned the past 20 years.
To Mayor Oden's surprise, however, the recognition did not stop there. Immediately following the resolution, city manager Sam Gaston made an additional announcement. "We are building a new police and fire training building out there at the public works area," Gaston said, "and it will be named the Mayor Terry Oden Police and Fire Training Facility."
The announcement was met with great applause. "This is a great honor," said Oden. "It's a silver dollar."
Before, during pre-council, the city council had discussed and approved updated plans for the new restroom facility that will be located along the Mountain Brook Elementary field. The plans now include a janitor's closet for storage purposes and will remain in its original location. "Since this one is so much nicer, it can be seen from the road and face the road," said Shanda Williams, Parks and Recreation Superintendent. "And we can use the sidewalk of the park as ADA accessibility."
While the new facilities are expected to cost around $160,000 depending on the bids placed, the city is only funding $100,000. The remaining costs will come from donations and fundraising.
Also on Nov. 14, the council:
- Discussed a plan to share costs up to $6,000 with the City of Homewood for an APPLE grant study of the bridge on Hollywood Blvd. over U.S. 280. Council members are hoping that this will help solve vehicular and pedestrian traffic issues by jumpstarting and funding part of the study.
- Approved a resolution authorizing the installation of a 150 watt LED street light on an existing pole between 4040 and 4044 Royal Oak Court.
- Approved a resolution authorizing the execution of a professional service agreement with Sain Associates regarding the city's Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan.
- Approved a resolution recommending the State of Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board the issuance of a restaurant retail liquor license to CharBar No. 7 at 900 Jemison Lane.
- Approved a resolution awarding the bid for the construction of the fire and police training facility to Safford Construction, and authorizing a contract for the same.
- Approved a resolution accepting the professional service agreement with Sain Associates with respect to a feasibility study and related services for the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Cahaba Road/Culver Road/U.S. Highway 280/Lane Park Road and authorize the execution of an agreement for same.
- Ratified the execution of the city's Workers' Compensation Preferred Pay Plan agreement addendum.
- Approved a plan to hire an architect to assist the city in evaluating water damage done to the windows of the Emmet O'Neal Library and to assist in the bids specifications needed to replace them.
The next city council meeting will be held on Nov. 28.