LOXLEY, Alabama — The Loxley Town Council has voted to extend the waiving of late fees and reconnection fees for its utility customers through May.
Once again, in compliance with recommendations from the state, the council held a brief combined work session and regular monthly council meeting May 11 at town hall.
The council voted unanimously to approve the measure. Council member Jeff Knight was not present for the May 11 meeting.
“I think this is something we should definitely continue doing until this is over,” said Council member Kasey Childress. “A lot of people are hurting right now and we certainly don’t want to add to it.”
Mayor Richard Teal also asked council members for their input on whether or not he should loosen some restrictions on park use should Gov. Kay Ivey announce further measures to release state restrictions.
The town council declared a state of emergency on March 16 authorizing Teel to close town offices when deemed necessary. On March 17, Teel announced the closing of several areas to the public, including the Loxley Municipal Park.
“Since the governor will probably loosen public gathering restrictions before we meet again, when that happens, I will probably allow practices to resume at local ballfields,” Teal said. “But we host a lot of tournaments here and that brings in a lot of people from other areas of the county and from out of state. I don’t think we’re ready for that yet.”
Council members agreed to authorize Teal to allow practices at the local ballparks, but only for local residents and any tournaments will not be scheduled until at least after the council’s next meeting on June 8.
When asked by council member Lee Wilson, Teal said he could also authorize the Loxley Youth Soccer Program to begin its season, following the loosening of restrictions by the governor, but only if everyone participating was local.
In other business May 11, the council:
•Recommended approval of an alcohol license for Dollar General on Oakdale Drive at the Beach Express. The license would then go to the state ABC Board for approval.
•Approved an invoice with Grant Management LLC for grant administration of a Community Development Block Grant project in the amount of $9,600.
•Approved the annual Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Program report, required by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for the city’s water and sewer treatment system.
•Adopting an ordinance waiving town sales tax on school supply items for July 17-19 as part of the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday program.
•Adopted an ordinance to amend an ordinance adopted in 2016 establishing the electronic vote counting devices for the upcoming elections.
