likely to be demolished

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Two more buildings in Troy are likely to be demolished.

Tuesday night, the Troy City Council declared the buildings as "unsafe and dilapidated and should be removed."

The buildings at 130 Martin Luther King Drive belongs to John E. Miller of Lincoln. Gerald Wright of Troy owns the property at 115 Smith Avenue.

After the action taken Tuesday, the property owners have 10 days to appeal to the circuit court and post a bond for security with the circuit clerk.

City Clerk Alton Starling said the property owners have agreed the buildings are dilapidated, but have taken no action to remove them.

Under state law, the city can demolish dilapidated buildings and access the cost to the property owners’ taxes.

In other business, the council:

· Granted a request to rezone two parcels of land at Alabama 87 and Ruth Road. The owner, Driscoll Colquett, wanted the property rezoned from R-2 (residential) to C-O (commercial office district).

The only opposition to the request was concern development would impact drainage and the Planning Commission stipulated plans would have to be brought before the commission before work is done after approval by the council.

Approval was unanimous with Councilman Jason Reeves abstaining.

· Agreed to apply for an Emergency Shelter Grant ­ through the Organized Community Action Program ­ that would provide funds to prevent people from being homeless. The funds can be used to subsidize rent and utilities, hotel accommodations and bus tickets.

The city will apply for a $50,000 grant that requires a $25,000 match from the city and the local Salvation Army has agreed to contract with the city. Application has to be made by March 30.

· Gave the mayor authority to renew the summer feeding program, which is funded through the State Department of Education.

· Had the first reading of an amendment to the city’s drug and alcohol policies and procedures. The council will consider the changes at its April 10 meeting.

If the city is in compliance with the Alabama Department of Transportation policies, it can save 5 percent on workman’s compensation insurance.

In order to comply the city must make three changes: give an employee five days to explain a positive test, notify employees where the policies can be found and change the followup rehabilitation program from one to two years, Starling said.

· Appointed Mayor Jimmy Lunsford as voting delegate to the Alabama League of Municipalities meeting in May. Councilmen Jason Reeves and Charles Meeks were selected as alternates.