Per recommendations by the Industrial Development Board, during its regular meeting Oct. 5, the Red Bay City Council discussed and approved the sale of the two remaining tracts of property, totaling 17.77 acres, located at the West Franklin Regional Industrial Park, to Leigh Tiffin/Tiffin Motorhomes, for the amount of $10,000 per acre.

Red Bay Mayor Charlene Fancher explained Leigh Tiffin contacted her approximately two weeks prior to indicate he wished to purchase the property. Fancher said he did not indicate the particular use he had in mind for the property. She noted he understands the property is solely for industrial use.

Fancher said he had expressed a desire to purchase the property immediately, after which she called the Industrial Development Board, which approved the purchase and issued a recommendation to the council for final approval.

“This sale just means even more stability for our industrial future with Tiffin Motor Homes,” said Fancher, “and that’s very good news.”

The council discussed and approved the solicitation of timber bids on the timber remaining at the West Franklin Regional Industrial Park, as well as the sale of timber on the newly purchased 20-acre tract. The bid opening is 10 a.m. Nov. 2.

Facher said she informed Tiffin the city was in the process of getting the timber cut on the land.

“That made no difference to him,” added Fancher. “We have a sales agreement in place stating that the Industrial Development Board is to proceed with the sale of the timber and with the proceeds being remitted to the Industrial Development Board.”

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

In other business, the council discussed and approved the designation of $50,000 from the Industrial Development Fund to purchase new Christmas decorations for the City of Red Bay.

Fancher called the decorations part of economic development, key to how Red Bay presents itself to its citizens and guests.

“I took the opportunity to request these funds (from the Industrial Development Board) due to the fact that our Christmas decorations are in dire need of being replaced,” explained Fancher. “I don’t really know how old they are, but the pole decorations are very old and have wires that are dangling, and they’re very dangerous.”

Following the board’s recommendation, the council approved the allocation.

FREE RAPID WORK TRAINING AVAILABILITY

“I’m really excited about this opportunity for our industries and our workforce,” explained Fancher. “The Alabama Community College system is offering, through our local community colleges, free rapid training to help meet Alabama’s workforce challenges.”

Courses include: commercial driver’s licenses – Class A, Class B, Class B Passenger and Class B School Bus; facilities maintenance; heavy equipment operator – skid steers, bulldozers, rollers and dump trucks; fiber optic technician; and water and wastewater technicians.

For more information on upcoming trainings or for answers to frequently asked questions, visit innovation.accs.edu.

OTHER BUSINESS

As recommended by the Planning Commission, the council discussed and approved the re-zoning of the property located at 117 Pine St. from residential to business. The property will be used as a dog grooming facility. It belongs to Stuart and Melody Pearson. Prior to this, they were in a different location on the same street.

Parks and Recreation director Dean Hubbard reported a profit of $194.65 from this season for the pool. He estimated “well over 10,000 people” came through this year, noting that was “quite a bit better” than the previous year. Fancher described it as a “tremendous accomplishment,” noting the previous year was the first time the water park or pool had ever broken even. She commended Hubbard and the rest of the department for the success being seen from their efforts, praising “good management and budgeting and making everything work.”

A position on the City of Red Bay Education Committee is open, a five-year term with an expiration date of Feb. 17, 2027. A position on the City of Red Bay Cemetery Committee is also open, a five-year term with an expiration of May 9, 2024. Any interested person may sign up for either position.

This is the City of Red Bay’s Free Fall Clean Up Week, Oct. 10-14. The free pickup includes brush, leaves and tree limbs only.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held Oct. 19. The work session will begin at 3 p.m., and the council meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. Meetings are held at Red Bay City Hall, 203 Fourth Ave. SE.