Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

VALLEY — Each year during the month of February, the Valley City Council recognizes some of its African-American citizens with awards. It’s a way during Black History Month to spotlight some local people who have done good work in the community.

Two local men received awards on Tuesday. Michael L. Heard received a certificate of appreciation on having been a good employee for the city’s Public Works Department for almost 30 years. He’s been with the city sine 1996 and has been a dependable employee through the administrations of three mayors and four department heads. Public Works Director Patrick Bolt presented him the certificate, commending him for his good work for a long time while doing some lighthearted kidding about his fondness for popcorn and Dr. Peppers.

Shirra Roberts received a mayor’s proclamation in appreciation of his community involvement over a number of years. Read aloud by Council Member Marquetta Madden, the proclamation commended Roberts for his support of local church groups, Valley High athletic teams, Veterans organizations, civic organizations, Valley Haven School and children’s hospitals.

“Shirra Roberts graduated from Valley High and Opelika Tech,” the proclamation reads, “and worked for over 18 years in the transportation field at DP Trucking and Transit Group. He was a terminal manager for International Paper, Walmart, Save-A-Lot and Super Value. He’s a veteran of the U.S. Army, and for more than 38 years he has been a member of Fairfax Lodge No. 876 and is a past Worshipful Master and Secretary, 23rd Degree Mason, Shriner, Elks member and an Eagle Scout from Troop No. 60, Fairfax.”

“Now, by the powers vested in me as Mayor of the City of Valley, Alabama,” the proclamation concludes, “I, Leonard Riley, do herby recognize Shirra Roberts for his outstanding achievements and for being a source of pride and inspiration to not only the City of Valley but also the Greater Valley Area.”

The council held a second reading and unanimously approved an increase in the pay for the mayor and council members. In accordance with state law, this will go into effect after this year’s municipal election. After the winners are sworn in to new terms, the mayor’s salary will increase from $1,500 a month to $1,916.66 a month, or from $18,000 a year to $23,000 a year. Council member pay will jump from $1,100 a month to $1,375.

First readings were held on three possible sales of property. These sales would be approved following a second reading at the next council meeting on Monday, March 10th.

One of the sales is for a 30-acre site off 30th Street. Newton and Simmons Inc. has offered $205,406.50 to purchase the site.

That’s the agreed-to fair market price for the land, which is set for residential development. It’s on the left side of 30th Street and is in need of some leveling and grading before new homes can be built. Many new homes are expected to be built in this area, which is not far from the Chattahoochee River and old Shawmut airport, where a children’s playground is being built.

Other pending sales are to Guy T. Stone and Sarah E. Stone and Pamela Wooley and Tara Climer. The Stones have offered $11,066 for a lot off 26th Street, and Wooley and Climer $11,011 for another lot on the same street.

Jeffrey Finch has offered $9.024 for a two-acre lot in Section 29.

The council approved a four-item consent agenda. This includes a budget amendment for Valley Parks & Recreation and and three requests to consume alcoholic beverages at upcoming events on city property.

The budget amendment is for $22,835.67 and covers the cost of repairs at the indoor pool at Valley Community Center.

The public consumption of alcohol has been approved for the St. Pawty’s 5K race on March 15th, a National Turkey Federation banquet at the Community Center on March 21st and an event by the Opelika Volleyball Club at the Community Center on Saturday, March 22nd.

Council Member Jim Jones asked Mayor Riley if the East Alabama Water, Sewer and Fire Protection District had a procedure when they would notify their customers of the possible cutoff of water or sewer service if line work needed to be done. He said he had been getting calls from people all the time when they were having water problems.

Mayor Riley said he was fairly certain they would notify people when an outage had been planned in advance but that they might not be able to do it in the event of emergency repairs.

Council Member Jim Clark said it was his understanding some line work would be taking place on Double Drive. The work would be starting on Monday and would be taking place on the portion of Double Drive that runs from 30th Street to Shawmut Circle. People driving in the area are being advised to expect some detours while the work is taking place.

Patrick Bolt told the council that the Valley Tree Board’s annual tree giveaway to Valley residents would be taking place on Saturday, March 8th and the city’s annual clean-up day would be on Saturday, April 26th.

This is the 30th year Valley has been a member of Tree City USA. The tree board will be celebrating by giving away pear, crabapple and Japanese magnolias outside city hall.