By Stephen Dawkins

The Jemison City Council on Tuesday discussed potential sources of revenue for the city.

Mayor Eddie Reed told the council to consider a proposed contract for rental of the old city hall, which sits adjacent to the Jemison Municipal Complex.

Reed said the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles would occupy half of old city hall for two years at a rate of $575 a month, if the council approves the measure at its next meeting.

“The good news is we’re meeting with the gentleman that’s going to rent the other half (on Wednesday),” Reed said. “That’s another income for the city, and we’re grateful for that.”

The council met Tuesday instead of Monday, its usual meeting day, because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Partly because of the success of renting the city’s auditorium, Councilwoman Faye King suggested the city clean out and rent the rescue building.

“It’s sitting there; we might as well make money off everything we can,” King said.

King also recommended the city purchase tablecloths for use in the auditorium. Renters could also rent the tablecloths; the council agreed it would be necessary to charge to compensate for having to clean the tablecloths.

In her final money-producing idea, King asked the council to vote to have a certified letter sent to two former firefighters, asking they repay money the city spent for them to attend a training course.

The council agreed the men had not met requirements put in place before the city agreed to spend the money.

The city paid $750 for each of the two men for them to attend the training.

In other business, the council:

•Allowed Fire and Rescue Department Chief John Dennis to spend up to $10,000 on renovations to the city’s fire station.
Dennis said he wants to turn some existing space into a dormitory and also upgrade the station’s bathroom facilities.

“Our plan is to eventually have people there 24 hours a day, and this is helping us move toward that,” Dennis said.

•Approved Nick Barnett to serve as a reserve police officer, based on the recommendation of Deputy Chief Marc McMinn.