Words and Images by Jenny Lynn Davis
During the regular meeting of the Jasper City Council on Tuesday, August 15, council members approved the adoption of a resolution allowing Mayor David O’Mary to enter into an agreement with United Way of Central Alabama to construct a community park in District Five.
The park is set to be established at 1st Avenue and 26th Street, across from Sherman Concrete. This location currently hosts a vacant field once utilized for soccer and similar sporting activities. The projected development is part of the United Way of Central Alabama’s Centennial Parks Project, an initiative to create community parks across the six counties the organization serves.
O’Mary expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We were approached by leadership from the United Way of Central Alabama saying they want to build a park in our city. The site they have chosen is a good location, and hopefully, we can chip in and make some enhancements to what they want to do; they have budgeted $65,000.”
District Five Councilmember Willie Moore III shared the sentiment, highlighting the park’s impact on the community. “It’s a blessing for the entire city. Specifically, in District Five, it will be more beneficial for the community. It’s a beautification effort and will create a public space closer to the people who live in the district so they can go there to exercise and spend time together. I’m excited this opportunity has come through for us; it’s a great project, and United Way is a great organization.”
In other news, Councilmembers:
- Approved an event permit for Foothills Festival by Jasper Area Entertainment on September 15 and 16 in Downtown Jasper.
- Approved travel and seminar expenses for city prosecutors to attend the Alabama League of Municipalities Fall Conference on November 2 and 3 in Gulf Shores.
- Approved travel for the City Clerk to attend the Municipal Clerks Conference in Tuscaloosa September 6-8.
- Approved the adoption of a budget amendment to provide funding for new sidewalks and gutter work surrounding property at 1508 5th Avenue South, nine pickleball courts at Memorial Park, and the replacement of the camera system at the Jasper Police Department and jail.
- Approved paying employees at one-and-a-half times their regular pay rate for hours worked during the Foothills Festival on September 15 and 16.
- Approved the adoption of a resolution to adopt the annual Transportation Plan under the Rebuild Alabama Act for fiscal year 2024.
- Approved the adoption of a resolution to set the cost for nuisance abatement for a structure at 1807 Jones Dairy Road. WL
