SitemapCity Council President Charles Sammarone said it was a “sad day” because four council members were at their last meeting in that official capacity.
“I hate to see you leave,” Sammarone, a former mayor, said to the four at Wednesday’s meeting. “We’ve had our differences over the years, but we’ve worked them out.”
The four members weren’t able to run this year for re-election because of the city’s term-limits law that limited them to two consecutive four-year terms. They are Annie Gillam, D-1st; Paul Drennen, D-5th; Janet Tarpley, D-6th; and John R. Swierz, D-7th. The departures, which are official Dec. 31, mean there will be a majority of new members on the seven-person council starting Jan. 1.
At the meeting, council voted to accept an $83,843 state grant that – combined with $16,000 from the city – will be used to make improvements to the multipurpose building and pavilion at Crandall Park on the city’s North Side. Some of the money could be used for a nature trail.
Council also authorized the board of control to waive a $5,150 water tap-in fee for Safe House Ministries, which is planning a $2.8 million project at 3164 Eastview Ave. The agency provides residential, mental health and social service assistance to youths.
Meanwhile, T. Sharon Woodberry, the city’s director of community planning and economic development, told council the city will advertise Monday for proposals for the former Bottom Dollar Food store property on Glenwood Avenue. The store was closed a year ago when ALDI Inc. purchased Bottom Dollar. The city sold the property to Bottom Dollar in 2010. ALDI gifted the property to the city in October.
The city will seek proposals for the property with a strong preference to those with plans to use it as a grocery store, Woodberry said.
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