The Brundidge City Council held a public hearing prior to its Tuesday meeting to discuss the submission of a new application for a Community Development Block Grant to be included in state projected grant funds in the amount of $21,529,2612 for the year 2015.

Brundidge is in the small city category and is eligible to apply for funds of $350,000.

Susan Monroe, grant administrator, Monroe and Associates, said the city is eligible to apply for a competitive type and community enhancement grants.

Monroe said the applications for consideration are for expansion north of the Southern Classic Food Group site and infrastructure requirements for the site, jobs expected, etc.

The submission of second application for a CDBG Competitive application would be to upgrade sewer facilities.

Monroe said the CDBG funding available is $700,000 less than last year’s but she believes the city’s grant application to assist an expanding industry is a good one.

The council voted to give Mayor Jimmy Ramage the authority to sign the appropriate documents to make application for the grant funding.

City Manager Britt Thomas advised the council that any projected budget cuts to the state’s general fund could adversely affect the South Central Alabama Development Commission and could have a serious impact on the local Senior Nutrition Program.

“Funding to the SCADC could be cut as much 50 percent and staffing would be affected,” Thomas said. “Our senior program is small. We have about 25 seniors who come to the center and a large number of people who receive homebound meals. To lose this service to our seniors would devastating.”

Thomas suggested contacting Rep. Alan Boothe and Sen. Jimmy Holley and to let them know how important the senior program is to seniors in Brundidge and all Alabama.

Richard Chapman, board chairman of the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library, gave the council a report on the library and the services it provides to Brundidge and the outlying areas.

Chapman said the library houses a total of 12,112 books and other recreational and reference materials. In the months of January and February, the library served 1,770 patrons and added 19 new members. During National Library Week, the library hosted a booking signing and a public open house.

Chapman said plans are underway for the summer reading program and for statuary for the library lawn.

Thomas said the city’s project to install sidewalks along sections of S.A. Graham Blvd. and Galloway Road is moving slowly due to the acquisition of rights to go onto and off property during the construction.

The city’s plan to remediate the park on Dickert Circle that was closed several years ago seems to be in limbo.

Thomas said the city’s remediation plans have been on desks either in Montgomery or Washington D.C. for about two years. It’s a wait and see situation, he said. The city cannot move ahead with the project until it is approved by the Department of Interior. The plans are to construct a walking trail and add a picnic area to the park on South Main Street.

The Brundidge City Council meets at 4 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month at Brundidge City Hall. The meetings are open to the public.