The Russellville City Council approved what should be the final expense on the renovation of Hal Kirby Jr. Ballpark at its October 2nd meeting.
The council unanimously approved a proposal from Hovater's Metal Works to construct and install gates at the ballpark as well as dugout covers for the six dugouts. The cost of the proposal was $11,400.
After the park was effectively destroyed on May 27, 2015, after a flash flood, the council applied for a $250,000 grant to rebuild the facility. The application was filed as a Community Development Block Grant, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The $250,000 was the maximum amount an entity may apply for under CDBG rules.
Grissom said the gates and dugout covers should be the last additional expense required to complete the project. He expects the park to be open for spring of 2018.
“All the fencing is in now and all we lack is the roofs on the dugouts and the gate,” Grissom said. “We've sowed the fields with fescue grass. The infields will need work before the project is completed.”
The City of Russellville pledged $54,399 in financial support for the rebuilding of the park along with an additional $55,000 in in-kind funding from labor from city employees.
The new ballpark will feature three fields available for T-ball, baseball or softball play.
In other action, the council:
--Declared the following items as surplus property and authorized the sale of the same through GovDeals.com: 1999 F550 V10 dump truck and a 2004 New Holland LB90 backhoe.
--Renewed its annual contract with NACOLG/Area Agency on Aging for operation of the Russellville Senior Center.
--Declared two vacancies for maintenance workers in the Russellville Park and Recreation Department and authorized advertisement to solicit job applications.
--Approved the roster of reserve officers for the Russellville Police Department. Those reserves include: Terri Saint, Kyle Clements, Charles Adcox, Alan Putman and Dylan Haney.
--Waived the rental fee for the A.W. Todd Centre for use by the Franklin County Career Technical Center on May 3, 2018.
The next regular scheduled meeting of the Russellville City Council will be Monday, October 16, 2017 at 6:15 p.m.
