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Hampton Inn to locate in Jackson
Long said everyone was surprised when developer Tom Bolton of Cooper Brothers Construction announced that an $8 million Hampton Inn complex will be built at the corner of Walker Springs Road and Highway 43. The possibility of the hotel's location to Jackson had been announced several months back, but approval from its mother company Hilton Hotels was needed before the decision became official. The hotel is expected to employ approximately 50 people. (See related story in this week's special Outlook section on business and industry.) Mayor's report *Also during his report to the council, Mayor Long said the city and chamber of commerce will again sponsor the annual July 4th fireworks show at North Jackson Park. He said the city has signed a contract for the choreographed show and the chamber is responsible for setting up the event. Any group or organization that wishes to participate should call the chamber of commerce. *Long said the city had received an agreement from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to receive $119,000 in federal funds for the paving of West Industrial Road from Depot Road to the railroad trestle. The paving project will be put out for bids. The mayor reported that he and City Administrator Jesse Miller had visited the ALDOT district office in Grove Hill, where they viewed the agency's plans for the Highway 43 turn lane from Wal-Mart to Jackson Cabinet. Originally, it had been thought that the turn lane would end at McVay Road, but the plans drawn up take it a little farther north. Long said engineering for the project has begun and work on the project should begin sometime later this year. Police Department report *Deputy Chief Mark Harrell presented the report for the Jackson Police Department. He began by thanking the mayor and council for allowing him to attend the 10-week FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) National Academy in Virginia. Mayor Long commended Harrell for attending the academy, stating that it is not easy to be gone from family and friends that long. *Harrell reported that Task Force One Agent Blane Barnett had resigned from his position and officer Carey Slayton had transferred to that department to take his place. Other business *Councilman Eddie Huggins reported that the Continuous School Improvement program was operating well and would continue through April 14. He said Gillmore Elementary School Principal Shannon Odom was looking at ways to expand the program and seek additional funding for it. *It was reported that Jackson Intermediate School and Gillmore Elementary School Assistant Principal Alfred Donald's tour of duty with the U.S. Army had been extended for an additional year. *The council welcomed back Councilman Anthony Jackson who is also serving with the U.S. Army as a reservist. Jackson took a few moments to explain his job as a logistics quartermaster, in which he oversees the transferring of supplies to combat troops. He thanked the city and the citizens of Jackson for their support while he has been on active duty. *Councilman Daron Bolen said a request has been made by the First United Methodist Church of Jackson that a link for churches be put on the city's Web site. He also said there have been complaints from several residents on Glen Street in Highland Estates concerning speeding. The mayor directed the police department to step up patrols in that area. *An ordinance to adopt the 2006 International Building Code for the city will be considered at its next regular meeting. Long said some specifics still need to be worked out with the fire department. *A motion to approve the low bidder for the site preparation on the DG Pellets I project passed. The contract was awarded to Saiia for $615,820. *Because the bid for the DG Pellets site preparation was lower than expected, the council approved amending the project agreement to include the water/sewer costs in order to receive the full $1 million grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). Without doing so, the grant monies would not be awarded to the city. *An engineering contract for the location of water and sewer to the Highway 177 industrial park was approved. The engineering firm of Goodwin Mills and Kawood will complete the work for $45,000. Mayor Long stressed that the engineering portion of the project should get under way as quickly as possible. *A resolution naming Lee Hutto as the city's animal cruelty investigator was approved. His immediate supervisor Public Works Director Kevin Woodson explained that the designation would give Hutto the ability to investigate any type of abuse to animals whether it be dog fighting or neglect of pets by their owners. Woodson also reported that Hutto had been nominated to be recognized as the state's Rookie Animal Control Officer of the Year. Mayor Long commended Hutto, saying that he has done an outstanding job since taking over as the city's animal control officer last year. *An agreement with ALDOT for a paving grant in the amount of $119,000 for west Industrial Road was approved.
*The next regular city council meeting was rescheduled from April 8 to April 3 at 6 p.m.
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