Council to buy 10 acres for events center
RED BAY — The city council has approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Mike Shewbart to execute documents to purchase a “10-acre field” at a price of $50,000.
Shewbart said the property is located at 10th Ave. NW. It includes the former Church of God headquarters, which Shewbart said the city plans to renovate to be “the largest indoor activities center in Franklin County.”
Friday, Shewbart said the sale was expected to be finalized in the next two weeks. He said it will provide space for churches, youth gatherings, music events, weddings and other activities. He said the building seats between 1,400 and 1,600 people.
Shewbart said the structure needs “minor repairs” as well as landscaping and cleanup outside.
“We will renovate and hopefully be ready in time for Founders Day this September,” he said.
In other business, councilmembers:
• Declared the following city equipment as surplus and authorized its sale through a bid process – a 2002 Dodge 3500 truck, a Freightliner panel truck, a John Deere 310CG backhoe, a Caterpillar 450 backhoe, a 1996 Ford Super Duty bucket truck, a 2008 Ford F-650 dump truck, and a pile of scrap metal.
The council will accept bids until March 30. All property will be sold to the highest bidder, but the council retains authority to reject all bids when it deems them to be less than adequate consideration.
Each bidder is responsible to pay for the item by cash or money order within 7 days of winning the bid and then has another seven days to move the item.
The resolution states all items are sold as-is without warranty, and it is the responsibility of the winning bidder to obtain their own method of transporting the items. If not retrieved during the stated time, the winning bid is void and the item may be placed again for sale or sold to the next bidder.
Approved a $6,796 expenditure to help fund teacher computers.
Brady Ramey, principal of Red Bay High School, submitted the request, and the Education Committee approved it March 16.
All councilmembers voted in favor of the request except Jarod Massey, who abstained because of his affiliation with Red Bay High School.
• Approved two appointments to local boards.
• Austin Sparks will serve on the Red Bay Parks and Recreation Board for a three-year term that expires March 18, 2029.
• Heard a report from Parks and Recreation Director Dean Hubbard about prepareations for the upcoming pool season, including repairs and lifeguard training.
• Hibbard said the city will not offer a youth track program this year because of low participation.
• Discussed a request for $10,000 to cover mowing at the school. The council did not take formal action on the request.
The next city council meeting will be held April 1. The work session will begin at 3 p.m., followed by the council meeting at 3:30 p.m. at Red Bay City Hall, 203 Fourth Ave. SE.
