Council declares public emergency for city shop vehicles

As garbage and brush pickup services continue to be delayed in Daleville as a result of a fire that destroyed several vehicles and equipment at the city shop Aug. 15, Daleville City Council members met recently to determine ways to re-establish the services.

“This has created an emergency situation within the city because without the equipment and vehicles we are not able to properly carry out normal services for the public,” Mayor Claudia Wigglesworth said during an Aug. 20 meeting. “This is a safety and health hazard and causes great inconvenience for the citizens of the city.”

As a result, Daleville City Council members declared a public emergency for immediate purchases to replace the damaged property valued at more than $250,000.

By declaring a public emergency, the city avoids any delay with the insurance claims and competitive bid process and can go ahead with the required purchases without determining an estimated cost value or providing a public advertisement.

“(It) obviously takes time for us to work through the insurance process, but we have services that we have to provide to the citizens of the city (which) therefore requires us to take some action so we can quickly purchase the required equipment and get back to providing those services,” Wigglesworth said.

In other business, city council members approved a landscape proposal for $2,553 to cover the newly installed irrigation pipes at city hall with grass seed, flower arrangements and bushes.

The landscape proposal price is an estimate in order to match the current landscape at the cultural and convention center.

In other news, Wigglesworth recognized several volunteers for their services during the first National Night Out event in Daleville.

“I think it was a tremendous success,” Wigglesworth said.

School Resource Officer Sgt. Levi Dahlquist was honored with an engraved clock for organizing the event.

“He got the resources together,” Wigglesworth said. “It took a lot of time, energy and effort. We can’t replace all the time you spent doing that, but we can at least give you a little something.”

Other volunteers who were recognized and provided with honorary certificates were Jennifer Insley, Donna Overstreet, Kevin Seaton, Kathryn Brown and Rachel Horne.

Daleville Chamber of Commerce Director Kay Kirkland also took a moment to express her gratitude toward the Daleville emergency personnel after she witnessed their hard work and effort to help an entrapped man during a wreck on Highway 84 recently.

“I just want to say even though I’ve seen that many times (or) something similar through the years in my (newspaper) career, every time it never fails to humble me when I see rescue squad and police risking themselves,” she said. “I’m just so proud of our rescue personnel and first responders in Daleville.”

Kirkland announced the chamber will host its Business After Hours at The Big Ole’ House from 4:30-6:30 p.m., Aug. 29, to announce the winners of the Lady’s Day Out fundraiser.

The next big event that will take place in the city is the Daleville Chamber Warrior Ride on Sept. 14. The event, a motorcycle ride and 9-11 tribute in honor of all first responders, will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration, followed by a 9-11 remembrance ceremony at 9:30 a.m.

Kirkland added that she’s happy to report the city has received six new chamber members this month.

The Daleville City Council will discuss its 2014 fiscal year budget at the next council meeting Sept. 3, at 5:30 p.m., at Daleville City Hall.