By Jeff Devine, The Chronicle
The Ozark City Council approved all items on its Sept. 15 meeting agenda, including resolutions involving nuisance properties, an agreement with Dale County for animal control services, business and alcohol license applications, economic development appointments and two public safety grants.
The council also recognized September observances through two proclamations issued by Ozark Mayor Charles R. Ward.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
The council approved a resolution declaring four properties with dangerous buildings to be public nuisances. The properties listed were:
• 114 Church St.
• 213 Valentine St.
• 321 Boykin Ave.
• 329 Boykin Ave.
The council also approved a second resolution involving seven additional properties being declared public nuisances:
• 380 Hudson Circle
• 2204 Deese Road
• 274 Parker Hills Drive
• 5879 Andrews Ave.
• 912 Martin St.
• 375 Ben Grimes Road
• 2938 Campground Road
ANIMAL CONTROL AGREEMENT APPROVED
The council approved an agreement between the City of Ozark and the Dale County Commission concerning animal control services.
The agreement was presented by Ozark Police Chief Bryan.
The agreement establishes a framework for animal control services as the city and county continue coordinating responsibilities related to animal control within Ozark.
BUSINESS AND ALCOHOL LICENSE APPLICATIONS APPROVED
The council also approved two business-related applications following first and second readings.
The first was Application 160 for special retail, more than 30 days, for Rax Country LLC, doing business as Rax Country Entertainment. This is the business that was awarded the exclusive contract to sell alcoholic beverages at Civic Center events. The application lists Kelli P. McQueen of Troy, Alabama, as the owner.
The second application was Application 020 for restaurant retail liquor for Applebee’s Restaurants Mid Atlantic LLC, doing business as Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar, located at 1688 U.S. Highway 231 S. in Ozark.
Both applications were approved by the council.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REAPPOINTMENT
The council also approved the reappointment of a member to the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corp.
PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS APPROVED
The council approved the acceptance and authorization of two grants from the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council designed to provide additional training resources for local emergency personnel.
One grant will support fire and rescue simulation equipment, while the other will provide EMS training simulators.
The equipment will give emergency responders additional opportunities to practice scenarios and develop skills in a controlled training environment.
Fire and rescue grant-related matters were presented by Director of Public Safety/Fire Chief Jason Maertens.
SEPTEMBER PROCLAMATIONS
During the meeting, Mayor Ward also issued two proclamations, with one recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and the other declaring September as Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month.
The National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month proclamation noted that suicide is a public health challenge affecting individuals, families, and communities and encouraged Ozark residents to raise awareness, reach out to those in need, and support available suicide-prevention resources.
The proclamation specifically noted the availability of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for individuals experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts. The 988 service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The proclamation also recognized organizations such as SpectraCare Health Systems for their work in providing resources, raising awareness, reducing stigma, and supporting suicide-prevention efforts.
Representatives from SpectraCare attended the meeting and stood with Mayor Ward as he issued the proclamation. The full proclamation is available below.
Ward’s second proclamation recognizes September as Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month.
That proclamation highlights leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers and recognizes the patients, survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, researchers, and volunteers involved in addressing the diseases.
The proclamation encourages Ozark residents to learn more about leukemia and lymphoma, support those affected, and join efforts to advance research, treatment, and ultimately find cures. The full proclamation is provided below.
The council also handled routine meeting business, including approval of minutes from the Sept. 1 regular council meeting and consideration of the evening’s agenda.
With all agenda items approved, the Sept. 15 meeting concluded with the council having acted on each matter presented for consideration.
The Ozark City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5pm. The first portion of the meeting is the administrative session. It is during this part of the meeting that the members of the council approve items on the agenda and also open the floor for public comments. Immediately following the administrative session, the council typically takes a short recess before starting the formal session in which the members vote on the agenda items.
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BELOW ARE THE PROCLAMATIONS ISSUED BY MAYOR WARD
