Andalusia andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson said during a council meeting on Tuesday that local police will work to curb noise, loitering and speeding around the city.
Two people attending the meeting brought the issue of crowds of people gathering and causing noise into late into the night within the parking area of the First Baptist Church of Andalusia. Other attendees said they’ve had the same issue.
“We are concerned about the level of noise as well as the reckless driving along with the speeding cars which travel on E. Three Notch Street. We would like to learn how we can improve the situation. (My partner) and I are unable to sit in our backyard and engage in an argument and not actually listen to the words we are exchanging. There are a lot of people who are walking along that road There are children … all kinds of activities. We’re worried about their safety as well as the image this type of activity creates for the visitors who are coming to Our city.” residents Maryanne Murphy.
One of the residents at E. Three Notch Street, Pat Carlton, said she and her husband relocated to their Andalusia residence about two years back.
“I am awestruck by the positive developments taking place in Andalusia. However, we’re right next to The (FBC) car park, and what we see is not what we would like to see in Andalusia. We aren’t able to sit in our front yard many times because of the vulgar music that are screams and yelling and driving around in circles. Drag racing is a common sight on (Tisdale Street). The situation has gotten out of control and is detrimental towards how (the council) is attempting to accomplish in this area,” Carlton said.
The mayor stated that city authorities are well aware of the issue and are working on resolving the issue.
“This is a constant issue and it’s not just at your place as well as other areas of town too. There are actions we could take and are planning to do. We don’t have a police force that can be manned to watch parking lots throughout the night. If you remove them from one parking lot, they head to another. It’s a constant process. There are options to help those people get out of the way,” Johnson said.
The city has an ordinance on noise, however the officer has to listen for excessive sound.
“We will begin to break down. There will be some crazy daddies and mommas however that’s fine. It’s a constant problem that we might never completely resolve, but we will strive to bring this under control,”” The mayor added.
During the business portion this meeting, council members debated:
- S. Cotton Street building improvements. The council approved unanimously to begin renovations on four buildings located on the opposite side of in which the future Heritage Park will be constructed. The improvements will enable the city to open the buildings to prospective business partners once the project is completed. The project’s cost is $46,000.
- paying the city’s utility board to install broadband infrastructure. Mayor Johnson has described the project as the construction of the “middle mile” which will allow businesses and others to be connected to the network in the near future.
- Update on the Andalusia Police Department’s electronic radio systems. The police chief Paul Hudson said the current system is around eight years old, and the multiple repeaters have to be upgraded. The council has approved the project for $44,000. This will be financed through CARES Act funds (COVID).
- flooring equipment, flooring, and other improvements equipment, flooring, and other improvements Farmers Market building on Tisdale Street for $29,000.
- altering a resolution passed at an April meeting that dealt with the loan provided by PowerSouth to build a new spec-built structure in an industrial park. It was decided that the amount reduced between $1 million and $1.25 million.
- Nominating Donna Raines as a member of Donna Raines as a member of the Board of Equalization for Covington County. The council unanimously endorsed the nomination.
- Abatement of 3 nuisance property (weeds) situated in S. Cotton, Dunson as well as College streets.
Next council session will be held on the 20th of June on a Tuesday beginning with a session starting at 5 p.m. as well as the normal session starting with a 6:30 p.m. at the city hall. The public is invited attend every session.
The article Mayor calls for city will take action against loitering and noise was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
