Commending Troy’s youth took center stage at last night’s city council meeting.

With a skeleton crew, council members presented commendations to Troy Elementary School’s ORFF Ensemble and to Troy’s Girls 12-and-under basketball team.

Teresa Sims, the ensemble’s teacher, said she wanted everyone to know how well represented Troy was by the group’s performance to the Southern States Music Education Conference in Savannah, Ga.

&uot;The city government and the whole city should know that they were good ambassadors … I’m very proud of them,&uot; she told Council President John Witherington, following his presentation of the mayoral commendation.

&uot;We’re so proud of you and your school,&uot; Witherington said.

District 3 council member Jason Reeves presented a similar commendation to the girls’ basketball team for being named District 8 Runners Up.

Approved at the meeting was the purchase of two utility trucks.

A 1/2-ton truck will be purchased for $13,881.28 from Ken Cox Ford and a $28,714 one-ton truck will come from Floyd Shirley Ford – both the low bidders for each respective truck.

Bill Jackson Chevrolet and Riverside Dodge also submitted bids for the 1/;2-ton utility vehicle.

Also approved was the purchase of lighting for the walking trail at Murphree Park. The $23,523.60 project was awarded to Gresco/Capstone.

&uot;The funding for walking track lights in the park comes from grant proceeds,&uot; said James Flowers, Troy’s utilities director.

In other action, the council approved an acceptance of right-of-way from Troy State University, and an updated industrial access agreement with Alabama Dept. of Transportation. The city’s summer feeding program through Alabama Department of Education was approved.

Notice of a public hearing on March 25 at 5 p.m. concerning a rezoning ordinance was given as well as notice of 4:30 p.m. public hearing March 25 concerning the Source Water Assessment Report.

In addition to Witherington and Reeves, District 2 member Charles Meeks attended the meeting. Mayor Jimmy Lunsford was absent due a meeting with an economic development prospect, and council members Jose Henderson and Wanda Moultry were in Washington, D.C. on city business, Witherington said.