ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Appointing a Council member to help with the county’s bicentennial celebration, a feeler about some land along Highway 59, flooding along Ohio Street, and final approval of the Robertsdale Assembly of God parking parking plan took the Robertsdale City Council’s time Monday evening. All council members were present for the work session and Council meeting.

However, a proposed traffic light in front of Greer’s Shopping Center on Highway 59 took most of the Council’s attention.

The shopping center, which contains several businesses, is seeking a light either at the corner of Barginer Street (the third choice,) in front of the main entrance of the shopping center across from the Robertsdale United Methodist Church, (first choice) and the second choice, at the south end of the shopping center, near E.T. Antiques and the Silver Basket, which are across Highway 59 from the shopping center. No one from the shopping center spoke at the meeting. Mayor Charles Murphy added that the owner of the plaza, Autry Greer and Sons Inc. has offered to pay one-third of the light’s cost.

A letter dated June 23 from O.M. Otts III, the vice president of finance for Autry Greer and Sons says in part, “This light is needed for the safety of the citizens of Robertsdale and others who try to who try to enter or exit any of the businesses located in Greer’s Shopping Center…”

The letter also stated that Vince Calmetti, now the director of ALDOT asked that Murphy request a “Traffic Warrant Analysis” of the area to see if a light was needed.

“There’s really no good place to put a traffic light,” said Police Chief Brad Kendrick when asked for his opinion by Murphy.

Kendrick added that there is already a traffic light at the intersection of Highway 59 and State Road 104.

“You will just go 200 feet and stop again,” said Kendrick.

“You need to close some of those points coming off into the road,” said Jim Arnett, chairman of the Robertsdale Zoning Board, “and curb them in (the other entrances) so you can go into there off of 59, but can only come out (onto 59) at the light, and if that traffic light is timed (with the 104 light) but nothing is going to stop that traffic on the Fourth of July or anytime is going to stop it.”

“While other Council members agreed that there are few good choices for a light in the area, Murphy asked the council for a motion so he could go to ALDOT to ask their opinion about a light. ALDOT, which has jurisdiction over Highway 59, has refused to consider a light in that vicinity in the past.

The council agreed unanimously to seek ALDOT approval.

In a somewhat related matter, Murphy told the council that the traffic light at Palmer Street and Highway 104, the site of many new state offices would not be up and activated until November or December of this year.

Council members were also asked their opinion about selling a cell tower near the wastewater treatment plant.

“The lease is set to expire in 2020,” said Murphy, who added that the lease rates are set by the Consumer Price Index. Currently, Crown Leasing, which bought the tower from Bell South, pays about $1,100 per year for the tower. They offered the City $170,000 to buy out the lease.

“I don’t recommend this,” said Murphy, noting that should the city take the buyout, Robertsdale would not not reap any further revenue from the site, even if traffic on the site greatly increased. Crown leases space on the tower to various companies, including Bell South for wireless communications.

Instead, Crown Leasing has made a counteroffer that Murphy wanted to give to City Attorney Ken Raines for review. The new plan would extend the contract on the site another 30 years, to 2050.

The Council agreed with this suggestion.

Council Member Sue Cooper was asked to participate in planning an historic village the Baldwin Bicentennial Commission wishes to construct.

Murphy “nominated” Sue Cooper for to the role, which she accepted. Council member Brent Kendrick volunteered to assist her.

The City Council also heard from Aaron Childress, a property manager responsible for buildings on Ohio Ave. near Highway 59.

“There is flooding inside the old drug store and now into the beauty salon,” Childress told the Council.

Childress said he thought the “throat” of the drainage grate near the businesses is not large enough, and the flow of water heading to the pipes creates “turbulence” which eventually forces water into the properties he manages.

“I really hope to keep this from happening,” said Childress. “I am getting flak on this.”

Spoken to after the meeting, Childress says the property, which includes the “Suds” beauty salon, has flooded twice this year.

The council was also addressed by Joe Stein of Joe Stein Real Estate and Development, who is representing property along Chicago Street. He wanted to know if the city, which owns an irregularly shaped parcel near intersection of Chicago Street and Highway 59, would be interested in selling their property along with the lot he represents. Stein also wants to represent another parcel in the area.

“Your parcel would be more valuable if it was attached to the other two, wouldn’t it,” asked Murphy.

Stein agreed that this was so.

“Let’s not close any doors,” said Council member Grant.

While not taking any formal action, the Council did agree to allow Stein to erect a sign along the border of the property he represents.

The Council also approved a plan that will allow The Robertsdale Assembly of God church on Michigan Street to incorporate a portion of Michigan Street into their new church and parking lot plans. The church owns property on both sides of the street.

Murphy stressed that the city was not “vacating” the street.

“There is a water main under the street,” said Murphy. “We will do some things with Michigan street for traffic control.”

“People will still be able to drive down that street,” asked Council Member Joe Kitchens.

Kitchens got an affirmative from Murphy and the Rev. Michael Lynn, pastor of the church.

The plan passed unanimously. Work should begin next month.