Winfield puts multipurpose park building project on hold

WINFIELD — The Winfield City Council voted to put plans for the proposed park multipurpose building on hold due to the project running over budget and other expenses the city is facing after a fire destroyed much of the park’s equipment last year.
“With everything that we’ve got going on, I’d like to ask the council to put the brakes on that project for a while, but not take it completely out of our scope of work,” Mayor Randy Price said. “I think with the amount of money that we’re investing into other areas and things we’re trying to accomplish, I think we need to hold up on that project because right now we’re going in over what we had budgeted on this project.
“It’s definitely going to stay in our scope to finish the project. I just don’t think we’re prepared to do that at this time.”
Councilman Brad Burroughs made the motion, which was seconded by councilwoman Jeana Estes and approved by the council.
Earlier in the meeting, the council voted to approve the new budget for this fiscal year.
The council also voted to accept bids for projects at the library and the police department. A bid for $6,025 was accepted from Bonds Prime Design for painting at the library, and a $46,860 bid from Ballard Builders was accepted from Ballard Builders for building office space at the police station.
Councilman Chris Ballard abstained from the vote on the police station bid.
In other business:
• The council passed and signed its annual Tree City USA proclamation, setting Wednesday, Feb. 25, as Arbor Day;
• The council discussed closing Day Street since it is really only a driveway leading to a home and not an actual street, and suggested the homeowner get an easement from nearby landowners to make sure the city can close the road;
• The council voted to allow the fire department to hire Zane Cannon;
• The council entered into executive session from 5:52 p.m. to discuss good name and character and litigation before returning to regular session around 7:11 p.m.; and
• The council discussed upcoming paving efforts and plans to apply for Rebuild Alabama funding to help cover those expenses before approving accounts payable and adjourning.