Troy “knows how to roll out the red carpet,” and that ability has earned the city the opportunity to host a state softball regional tournament for another three years.

Dan Smith, parks and recreation director for the city, told council members Tuesday that the department has been offered the opportunity to extend its contract for the Alabama High School Athletic Association Super Regional tournaments another three years.

Troy hosted the tournament for the first time May 12-13, drawing 48 high school softball teams from across the state to town for the two-day event, and is contracted to host again in 2012. “This was the first year and it was a super tournament,” Smith said during the council’s work session. “Three days after the tournament, I received a correspondence via email from the AHSAA asking if we’d want to extend the contract for another three years, until 2015.”

He attributes that in part to the city’s support of the event, which filled all local hotel rooms. “Troy has a way of rolling out the red carpet – the entire community,” Smith said.

Council members were equally supportive of the tournament during the work session discussions. “I think it’s a great thing whenever you bring that many people in,” said Charles Meeks.

The council approved the contract extension during its regular meeting.

Smith also updated the council on the progress of the Miracle Field. “They’re putting the finishing touches on the surfacing now,” he said, adding that an opening ceremony likely would be held in mid to late June.

Smith also raised concerns about the lighting at the Academy Street ballfield, which needs to be replaced. “You can turn the lights on and they will work, but the bulbs that have blown cannot be replaced,” he said. And, the age of the light poles makes the unsafe. He said utilities experts have recommended replacing both the lights at the poles at that field.

“We still use that facility quite a bit,” he said.

In other business, the council on Tuesday:

• Approved four resolutions relating to the operation of the Pike Area Transit System, including a resolution authorizing the city’s funding for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Troy will contribute $66,914 to the program as part of the local match required to receive the grants for operating the transit system. The Pike County Commission is supposed to provide $69,961 in funding and the City of Brundidge, $11,756.

The commission, however, heard complaints during its Monday meeting regarding the system and took no action on its funding portion.

The city also approved the transfer of a van owned by the senior program to the PATS program. “The van was not being utilized all the time by the senior program,” said Alton Starling, city clerk. “This way, an extra van is provided to the PATS program to service customers and, as part of the agreement, if the senior program needs the service PATS will provide the van.”

• Approved the purchase of a grounds truck. The only bid received was for $23,396.70 from Bill Jackson Chevrolet.

• Accepted the results of the FYE2010 audit. Starling said the city received a clean audit, with no findings or management letters.

• Approved the declaration of property at 719 Jones St. dilapidated property. This is the first step toward the city’s removal of buildings at that location. Council President Johnny Witherington said owners would be assessed for the costs of removal.

• Declared weeds at two locations – 315 Trojan Way and 821 Brundidge Blvd. – as a public nuisance. City crews will remove the weeds and assess property owners for costs incurred, Witherington said.

• Discussed in work session the need to nominate appointees to the County Board of Equalization, which will address redistricting issues. The nominations must be made by August.