The Andalusia City Council Tuesday approved eight paving projects that will total more than $565,000.
The project, slated for this summer, includes:
• Moore Road – from South Three Notch Street to South By-Pass, $112,770.
• Fourth Avenue – from East Three Notch Street to Henderson Street, $79,978.
• Lindsey Bridge Road, from Stanley Avenue to Easley Drive, $226,406.
• Academy Drive, from Railroad to Midway Drive, $32,600.
• Feagin Avenue, from South Cotton Street to Whatley Street, $44,412.
• Holloway Drive, from Dunson Street to Church Street, $8,978.
• Lakeview Drive, from Camellia Avenue to Sanford Road, $46,226
• Aspen Lane, from Willow Drive to Grand Oak Drive, $14,568.
Jim Hogg, who supervises Andalusia’s Public Works Department, said he tried to choose main thoroughfare streets for the project, for which the city has set aside more than $500,000 in proceeds from the refinancing the city’s long-term debt.
The city can get the streets paved with the county’s current bid, so that the project won’t have to be let.
“That’s a really good deal for us,” Hogg said.
Of the projects, only Fourth Avenue will have to be milled, he said. Other projects will only involve resurfacing.
“We’ll have a better project if we wait until the weather gets hotter,” he said. “The ashphalt cures better and lasts longer.”
Mayor Earl Johnson said the Utilities Board will check water and sewer lines on the designated streets and make any necessary repairs before the paving is done. The process involves using a camera to determine weak or leaking spots, and lining the pipes when problems are found.
“Hopefully, next year, we’ll be able to do some smaller paving projects in neighborhoods with our gas tax money,” he said.
Gas taxes are earmarked for road repairs.
Despite changes in the way business license fees are collected, no fees have been increased, Mayor Earl Johnson said Tuesday.
The mayor addressed the issue at this week’s city council meeting after hearing complaints about the process.
The council recently agreed to contract with RDS for the collection of business license fees. RDS also collects sales taxes for the city.
City Clerk John Thompson said the change was made because RDS could accommodate online purchases, which the city thought would be of benefit to local businesses, and because changing means approximately $50,000 in annual savings for the city.
“No additional fees are being charged,” Johnson said. “The business license fees are based on a schedule adopted in 1987.”
“Our fees are comparable to other cities through the state,” he said.
He said some business licenses, like those of retail establishments, are based on gross receipts.
“The fee may go up based on an increase in gross receipts, but the percentages (charged) have not changed,” he said.
Because of the change, the city extended the deadline for renewals until the end of February.
Dr. Bob Bush and wife, Beverly, were among those participating in Thursday night’s ballroom dance class held at the Andalusia Adult Activity Center. Participants were learning the foxtrot, a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor.
Kendra BollingStar-News
Dr. Bob Bush and wife, Beverly, were among those participating in Thursday night’s ballroom dance class held at the Andalusia Adult Activity Center. Participants were learning the foxtrot, a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor.
Kendra BollingStar-News
Andalusia’s new CVS/pharmacy will open in July, corporate officials said Friday.
Michael J, DeAngelis, the corporate director of public relations, said the store will employ approximately 20 people.
The new 12,900 square-foot store will be located at the corner of U.S. Hwy. 84 and East Three Notch, where the Barrow’s Furniture warehouse sits. Currently, a sign sits at the corner, marking the new store’s location.
According to the corporate website, sites are chosen based on a number of criteria points, including a highly visible and easy accessible location in a high-traffic area with parking room for 75 to 80 vehicles.
“To CVS, being a good neighbor means providing the most convenient locations possible to allow access to the health care and prescription needs of individual communities,” the website stated. “From selecting sites to the layout of the store to the hours we operate and the services we provide, our goal is to deliver increasingly greater convenience.”
Andalusia City Clerk John Thompson said in March, the city council will formally take action to close a portion of what is known as Holley Road to help ease the confusion at the intersection.
“We hope it will take the name of ‘malfunction’ away from the intersection and alleviate some of those traffic issues there,” he said. “Mayor Johnson and the city council have worked hard for this project to come to fruition, and the area will be much safer and aesthetically pleasing – the whole project will be a compliment to the retail community.”