Council approves new web address name, mayor provides project updates

The city of Enterprise is changing the name of its web address from www.cityofenterprise.net to www.enterpriseal.gov.

During a June 17 council meeting, council members unanimously approved the change.

Director of Communications Jason Wright said residents logging onto the city's old website will automatically be forwarded to the new web address.

Wright said after some research, he found several cities are making the switch to a .gov address.

Emails for city employees will change, however, the police department emails and website will remain the same.

The council also renewed its agreement with M4 Technology Corporation, formerly Entercomp Consulting, to provide technical support, design installation and maintenance for the existing city information technology operations, financial software assistance and troubleshooting for $7,971 per month for a three-year period.

In other news, Mayor Kenneth Boswell reported the handicap sidewalk being installed at the Enterprise Municipal Airport is complete aside from the installation of the handrails.

The farmer's market construction is ongoing and the underground utilities will be installed within the next couple of weeks.

Structure for Alabama Aircraft Support at the airport is going up, Boswell said, and he anticipates construction to be complete by October of this year.

Boswell said he also anticipates the sewer project supporting Alabama Aircraft Support to be complete before the new facility opens.

Boswell provided an update on the projects being funded through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation Improvement Program, which include Dauphin Street, a portion of Shellfield Road and Coppinville Road.

Project letting for the first and second phase of construction on Dauphin Street is expected in January 2015.

The city is currently waiting for the Alabama Department of Transportation to schedule a review meeting for plan specifications and estimates relating to the project.

For the Coppinville Road project, Boswell expects the project letting in September of this year.

"Due to the design waiver denial, new plans will have to be developed for widening (Coppinville Road). Because it's federal funds we're required to widen that road by two feet, one foot on each side, so we're back to the design phase," Boswell said. "Every time you submit a plan, something changes. When you ask for something in writing they will not give it to you ... so it's very aggravating."

The new construction plans, including plans for widening, will be submitted to ALDOT on June 27, Boswell said.

Shellfield Road design plans are on hold until the first and second phase of Dauphin Street and Coppinville Road are assembled and closer to letting schedules.

The Transportation Alternatives Program Application, which would extend the downtown sidewalk on North Main Street from Watts to Adams streets was submitted May 1.

Boswell said they received notification that the city has been approved for the project and will receive a $400,000 grant.

The grant requires a 20 percent match, which he said the city had already included in its budget plan.

Plans and specifications for bidding the remainder of the Cowpen Creek sewer improvement project are complete and have been sent to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for review.

Boswell said he hopes to see the project bid in late October and be complete by February 2015.

The city had drained the upper lake at Johnny Henderson Family Park due to erosion issues from severe rains earlier this year.

Boswell said the city has applied and been approved for a grant worth $91,260 to make repairs, however, the city is waiting for congressional approval before receiving the funds.

A lightning strike caused $10,000 in damage to the communications tower at the Enterprise Police Department.

Boswell said the repairs would be covered by insurance.

The next Enterprise City Council meeting is at 6 p.m., July 1, at city hall.