Fencing, abatements, more on FP agenda

DeKalb County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Brett Johnson presented a request for a tax abatement for GH Metal Solutions. He said the company wants to invest just under million in manufacturing equipment, and requested a 10-year tax abatement. The cost in abated tax to the city would be ,000 over a 10-year period. It would be money that the city would not get anyway, without the project at the industry, council members said.Baine reminded everyone The Children’s Advocacy Dinner Theatre will have performances this weekend and next weekend. He encouraged everyone to come see the murder-mystery comedy, “10 Little Chipmunks.”
Mayor Brian Baine updated council members on the sidewalk project. Contractors are working in front of Southern Properties now and will finish east side of Gault Avenue then move to west side. The plan on the west side is for work to start at 5th Street and go south. East side work will be finished the current block is done, except for hand rails in front of Met-Life building and The Spot, where curbing is higher.He said the abatement means the city will be taking in tax revenue and splitting it back with the retailer, with the abatement capped at million or 10 years. “It’s half of money we won’t get if they don’t do it,” he said. Watson said city leaders talked with the developer about what was wanted in the area, and they’ve complied with what the leaders suggested.City Clerk Andy Parker said a loss control representative visited recently, to make recommendations on what they city can do to lessen liability and keep insurance costs down. He said he also learned the city will get a 7,000 bill for city’s liability policy. “This is an easy piece, to put up a chain link fence that will match the fencing there,” Parker said. The estimated cost is about ,000. With signs and fencing, he said, the insurance company indicated the city will have taken all the preventative measures it can, and will be covered 100% is any issues arise.additional investment, without asking for additional assistance from the city.Approved an activity permit for the Kiwanis Club Pancake Day from 6 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Rotary Pavilion.The council set a public hearing for Feb. 18 to receive comments on a proposed Memorandum of Understanding on a retail development, City Attorney Rocky Watson said, at the Badcock building, now vacant after the company went bankrupt.Baine said he’s talked to the Alabama Department of Transportation and learned the project to pave Gault Avenue should be bid this month or in March. “It can’t be done fast enough,” he said.“They have created the jobs; the jobs are there. If they could keep people there they’d be full,” he said. The company offers good wages and has made million worth of investments since the bigger project in 2019, and plans an He said he’s been working with ordinance officer David Smith regarding properties in city that need to be cleaned up. Smith currently working on about 10 projects, trying to get some old burned houses taken care of, the mayor said. During the spring, they will be looking at issues with trash and yards, to get those cleaned up.“It really not going to cost the city anything,” Watson said.

Approved a resolution to submit its report of work done to meet Alabama Department of Environmental Management regulationsCouncil members approved an amendment to its 2019 MOU with Valley Joist, removing a time limit for creating a specified number of jobs at the company. The MOU has been amended three or four times, because the company has had trouble keeping the new jobs filled. They have run into problems, attorney Watson said, of not getting enough applicants, or applicants who can pass drug screenings. Retention has been an issue, too, he said.  The industry has increase by a significant number of jobs, just not the number set in the MOU.Vice President Tom Sesterhenn said the company – formerly known as the Gas House – supplies metal fabrications services to original equipment manufacturers. He said the company emphasizes partnerships with customers, suppliers and with the community.The council also discussed and approved engaging Lexipol to update city personnel policies. The company recently reviewed and updated police department policies. The last update for administrative and fire department policies was in 2014. For both the city and fire department, the cost would be about ,000 for the initial update. Annual updates would be about ,000 for administration, and a little less for the fire department.The name of the retail business can’t be released now, he said. Council member Lynn Brewer said the update is needed. “No one can say we’re playing favorites it we keep our policies, number one, current, and number two, enforced,” she said.“We don’t come to you asking for abatements on every project,” he said. This project will entail addition of a new laser cell and a new press break, and GH will be shipping some work here from another location here to meet customers demands.On Tuesday, Fort Payne City Council approved installing a fence along the wall at the sports complex parking lot, as recommending by the city’s insurance company. The company recommended putting no parking signs along Valley Head Road as well, to lessen the city’s liability exposure.In other action the council:The impact to the company will be – million in sales, Sesterhenn said.Council President Walter Watson said it is a blessing that industries are staying in Fort Payne and investing. He also reported to the council that work continues on a list of projects the city accomplished and is working on. He said he hoped it can be finalized this month.Regarding the traffic light at Airport Road and U.S. 11, he said it is waiting for equipment to arrive. “We are getting that red light,” Baine said.