By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP - Managing Editor
The East Brewton City Council is giving a gift to their employees as they agreed to increase a one-time pay raise in December.
In the original budget, the council approved a $100 pay increase that was intended as a Christmas bonus. East Brewton Mayor Terry Clark said several council members asked him if they could reconsider that amount.
Clark said the city could afford to increase the bonus from the original $100 to $200. The council approved the "one-time raise" by a unanimous vote.
In addition to the Christmas bonus, Clark announced that city employees are invited to attend a holiday party at the old Civic Center on Dec. 12.
Also discussed at the council meeting was an update on the construction of new youth baseball fields.
Clark said the city has received a Community Development Block Grant for $100,000. The council took another step toward building the parks as they approved to let bids for engineering specifications.
The city also approved the transfer of business license and all other related licenses, including alcohol, from the previous owners of the Shell gas station to the new owners, York Convenience Stores.
Palmer voted to approve the transfer and added that he hoped the new owners would improve the business and facilities.
Other items discussed by the council included:
The council briefly discussed reviewing an ordinance regarding moving houses within the city limits. Currently, homes may not be moved into the city. The council agreed to review the ordinance and discuss it at a later date;
Clark told council the city's garbage truck needed new brakes and that the council members could expect a $5,000 bill on upcoming accounts payable;
Council member Elaine Parker told the council she was approached by a citizen concerned with dogs running rampant within the city. Clark and several council members agreed that there is currently a problem with unsupervised dogs. No action was taken on the matter;
Clark said the house of a resident who complained that construction work at Fred's left her house dirty was cleaned by the business recently and
The business has been discussed by the council of several occasions regarding items that are left in the front yard and on the front porch of the store. Council member Bettie Jordan said the business often looks unattractive and should clean up the outside area of the store.