FAIRVIEW, Ala. – The Fairview Town Council on Monday discussed plans for the town park, starting with the pickleball courts and lighting, then venturing into ideas for long-term development of an upgraded playground and other amenities.
The council voted to spend up to $1,000 to level the slab at the pickleball courts, where water drainage has proven to be a problem, after Mayor Clint Haynes and Town Attorney Andy Herren presented options for re-pouring the slab and even possible legal action against the contractor who poured the current slab. Haynes said he spoke with the contractor, who responded that “he did the concrete within specs.” Haynes admitted that he did not actually discuss project specifications with the contractor. The council did not give further consideration to legal action.
The council also established rental rates for the pickleball courts at $250 for nonprofit groups like schools and churches, and $500 for private groups or sponsored tournaments.
Councilman Steve Eddleman presented ideas for extending electrical power distribution farther through the park, to allow for additional decorative lighting during the park’s annual Christmas event. No motion was brought to the table, and the council will continue researching possibilities.
Councilwoman Julie Grimes, appointed last month to oversee plans for upgrading the park playground, brought an ambitious collection of options to the table, not just for the playground but for long-term development of the entire park. After talking with companies in the industry, Grimes presented choices from budget to premium for the playground, a hammock lounging area, workout equipment, walking trails and an amphitheater.
“If you look at that final vision down there, it sets up almost like little areas of gathering for our community,” said Grimes, “because that’s the whole purpose of this park for us, is to bring this community together.”
Grimes said that the biggest version of the plans envisioned a 10-year development project implemented in steps, starting with the playground upgrade. Ideas for the playground ranged from a $45,000 relocation of existing equipment to $100,000 for relocation plus the purchase of certain new equipment. The council will consider options when it begins budget planning for next year later this month.
The council voted to purchase a computerized lighted sign for town hall in the amount of $29,000. Mayor Haynes told the council that 13 area businesses have already committed to advertise on the sign with digitally rotating screens, at a current cost of $2,200 per business. Participants will be able to advertise on the sign for 10 years, and new businesses or groups will be able to join the project in future years at prorated amounts.
The council once again tabled discussion of a franchise fee for Sprout Internet. The town currently receives $4,057 per year in franchise fees from Cullman Jefferson Gas and $490 per quarter from Charter Cable. Haynes predicted that a Sprout franchise fee would generate $4,000-6,000 per year, and that the company would likely add around $3 per month to customers’ bills to cover the cost. The matter can be taken up again at the next meeting.
Haynes also told the council he hopes to get job information out to the public in the next two weeks for the park director position recently vacated. He said interviews could begin as early as September.
The council welcomed Valerie McKenzie of Woodmen Life, whose organization presented the town a patriotic American flag celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. The flag is one of 10,000 ordered by the company for distribution to communities across the country.
The Fairview Town Council meets next on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. in Fairview Town Hall. The public is invited to attend.
