In a fast-moving meeting on Monday. the Lanett City Council formally accepted a $41,840 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), approved a professional services agreement with grant writer Louise Campbell, approved a subcontractor for the underway streetscape project and adopted a list of flowers to be planted in the downtown area as part of the streetscape.

The ADECA grant will provide the money to build a new walking trail on the middle terrace of the W.O. Lance Elementary School playground area. The new trail will be approximately 2,150 linear feet in distance, and will be some eight feet wide. The grant will cover professional engineering services, building the trail and providing security lighting and landscaping.

The city will contribute a total of $10,460 to the project.

Lanett will be retaining the grant writing services of Louise Campbell of the L.P. Campbell Company for a one-year period starting Dec. 22, 2017 and ending on Dec. 22, 2018. There’s an annual fee of $11,000.

Campbell had a hand in writing the successful grant  applications for the $368,747 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the downtown area, a $221,196 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for this project and the $41,480 Recreational Trails Program grant for the walking trail. Also in the works is a $200,000 request for street improvements through the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Fire & EMS Chief Johnny Allen said the resolution on the subcontractor was something that wasn’t necessary but was wise to do just to be safe. Project contractor Chris Clark Paving & Grading has selected Heritage Construction to serve as a subcontractor on the downtown project.

“I’ve been very impressed with their work,” Chief Allen said.  “Our Street and Utilities departments have been doing great work with them.”

The resolution on the flowers gives the city some flexibility when it comes time to do some planting in the new planter areas along North Lanier Avenue. They are now being built as part of the downtown project. The city has adopted a list of “likes” they can pick from. Included are the following varieties: Ilex Cornuta Carissa, Liriope Muscari, Rose Meidloud, Quercus Phellos, Ulmus Parvifola, Heucherella, Indian Hawthorne, l Loropetalum, and Dwarf Burford Holly.

The council members took turns saying how proud and excited they had been with the success of the Lanett High football team this year. Coach Clifford Story’s team recently completed a 15-0 season by defeating Leroy 33-15 in the 2A state championship game. They also wished everyone a safe and happy Christmas/New Year’s season.

“The tree lighting ceremony was great; we had a big crowd, and I think the honorees were really touched with the recognition they received,” Mayor Kyle McCoy said. “I want to thank each of you on the council for the hard work you have put into what we have done this year and for being supportive of our goals. In the near future, I think we will see the fruits of our labor come to fruition. We will see a tremendous improvement in the downtown area. I want to thank our department heads and our employees for working well together. This is just the start of some good things we are going to see for our city.”