Red Bay discusses building permit charges

At the Red Bay City Council meeting Monday, the council discussed Mayor Charlene Fancher’s proposal to make some changes to the city’s resolution dictating rates for building permits in the city.

Fancher said restructuring or abolishing portions of the rate structure is something to which she has recently given a lot of thought.

“I think we should look at the fees that are charged,” Fancher said. For one, she said, she felt uneasy with the idea of charging a fee to building owners for demolishing or moving their buildings. Demolishing derelict buildings, Fancher pointed out, helps in the city’s beautification efforts.

On the other side, she proposed increasing the fees for building permits for new construction – for projects valued less than $5,000, the fee would increase from $10 to $25; for buildings $5,000-20,000, an increase to $50; and for buildings over $20,000, an increase to $75.

The council opted to reflect on the proposed rate restructuring and discuss further at future meetings.

Also at Monday’s meeting:

• Fancher announced State of Alabama Grant funds in the amount of $18,243.08 to assist with costs incurred above the amount paid by FEMA for the December 2015 flood event.
• The council tabled an Alabama Retired State Employees’ Association/Alabama Public Employees’ Advocacy League request to provide a one-time lump sum payment to retired employees and beneficiaries of deceased retirees at a cost to the city of $4,340.00, pending budget-setting and further discussion this fall.
• The council approved Fancher’s hiring of Dean Francis and Mark Bolding as full time temporary at-will employees.
• Three Dixie Youth Board members were reappointed for new three-year terms: Nash Hardin, Jeremy Robinson and Cory Pruitt.
• Heard an update on the lighting project for Highway 24, construction agreement with ALDOT, at the intersection of Highway 19 and Tenth Street. ALDOT will provide funding toward the lighting project.

• Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies

  Red Bay Police Chief Janna Jackson made a plea at Monday’s city council meeting for people to call 9-1-1 – not the police department – when they are in need of the fire department or an ambulance.

  “It’s a whole lot quicker to call 9-1-1. Those calls go straight to the 9-1-1 center, and they are the ones who dispatch fire and ambulance,” Jackson said. “We’re glad to help anyone, but it’s wasting time when they call (the police department) because then we have to turn around and call the 9-1-1 center.”

  Mayor Charlene Fancher echoed Jackson’s encouragement for people to call 9-1-1 as the fastest way to request emergency assistance. “Seconds matter in saving lives.”