$38,000 block grant to aid town's comprehensive plan

BAINBRIDGE -- The town council of Bainbridge announced at Wednesday night's meeting that the town has received a $38,000 grant from the state to start on a comprehensive plan for Bainbridge.

Several months ago the town council decided that the town need a comprehensive plan so that the town could apply and be eligible for more grants to help Bainbridge.

The $38,000 is a Small Cities and Towns Community Development Block Grant. With the funding given the town may now continue the pursuit of improving Bainbridge.

The town council is also looking to help with the downtown sidewalk repair. Town Council President Chuck McElwee made a suggestion that the town come up with a way that it could help with downtown sidewalk repair between Washington Street and Locust Street. The Main Street sidewalks are owned by individual property owners and not by the town, as is normal in most towns.

McElwee suggested a 50/50 split, were the town would help cover 50 percent of the repair cost of sidewalks in front of properties in the downtown portion of Bainbridge.

Town Attorney Jim Ensley was concerned that doing this might be illegal and seen as using public funds for private projects. He suggested that the town look at an easement to make the project easier. Ensley will look into what legally the town can do in this situation.

One business in town was looking to redo its sidewalks and was waiting on a decision by the council. McElwee asked Ensley if he would look into the legality of splitting the cost and made a motion that town would pay for half of the sidewalk repairs at the Main Street property if legally able.

The Safe Routes to School grant was also brought up. The bid winner was OLCO Inc. and the sidewalk construction should begin in the next two to three weeks.

The town council also looked at property the town thought of annexing.

McElwee relayed that the reason for the annexation would be for a project that was looking at coming to Bainbridge. The project is at a stand still at the moment due to changes in administration.

The town is questioning if annexation of the property east of town would still be a good idea or not. A special meeting with the utility board will be held in the future to discuss the matter further.

Bainbridge resident Robert Pronckus asked if the council would put a 'blind drive' sign near his home on Green Street.

Pronckus has had several close encounters with other motorists as he pulled out of his driveway and thought a sign would help legally if an accident did occur.

"A sign isn't going to relieve you of any legal responsibility," McElwee told Pronckus. "But a sign wouldn't hurt."

McElwee asked Utilities Superintendent Troy Elless to look at the cost of a sign anyways to help alert drivers.

In other business:

-A complaint was made about impaired vision due to bushes near the Mobile station in town. The state will be notified and asked to come trim the bushes.

- Construction for the new Casey's is scheduled to begin Aug. 20.

-Developer Coal Energy has asked that the town revise the agreement that was drawn up with them. They would like to be relieved of the obligation of providing gas meters and blueprints due to economic issues. The council agreed to the change.

The next Bainbridge Town Council meeting will be held Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.