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By JOYANNA LOVE/Senior Staff Writer

The Jemison City Council is moving forward with plans to improve the city’s sewer and water systems.

Two ordinances regarding required upgrades to Jemison water towers were approved on first reading during the Aug. 22 meeting. A second vote will be required before the ordinances are final.

Mayor Eddie Reed said the upgrades were required by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

He encouraged the council members to read the ordinances thoroughly, saying a work session could be scheduled to discuss the details, if needed.

City Administrator Shannon Welch found a grant opportunity that will save the city $250,000 on the project through debt forgiveness.

Welch said the project will refurbish and repaint the existing water towers.

The City Council also approved applying for a Community Development Block Grant for $350,000 to assist in expanding the city’s sewer system to the Jemison Mobile Home Park, which would add 56 units to the system.

The mobile home park would contribute $80,000 to the project, and the city will contribute $10,000.

“One of the things this council needs to do is increase customers to our sewer system, and this would be a big addition that would be added at such a reasonable price,” Reed said.

Also during the meeting,

— Jemison Middle School’s new principal Kendall Jackson thanked the council for their encouragement and support as she worked to get the new JMS ready to open. Reed said even though the schools belong to the county, Jemison cares about them like they are their own.

— Plans were discussed to honor Marc McMinn of the Jemison Police Department for his efforts to calm a preschool student on his first day of school. A certificate of recognition will be presented at a future meeting.