Albany City Commission votes to deny railroad petitions

ALBANY — The Albany City Commission voted Tuesday to deny petitions by Norfolk Southern Railroad to close railroad grade crossings on Third and Seventh avenues, part of a long meeting that saw the board also accept an agreement with Ceres Environmental to remove remaining storm debris from the community.

City Manager Sharon Subadan and Mayor Dorothy Hubbard noted opposition to Norfolk Southern’s request to close the railroad grade crossings on Third and Seventh. Subadan said information gathered by staff and from a public hearing on the railroad’s request indicated there are public safety and business concerns about the proposal.

Hubbard, who noted the “long process of building a relationship with the railroad,” asked the board — and it granted — for permission to continue talks with Norfolk Southern to try and find a workable solution to its request.

The commission voted to approve a one-year contract with four options to renew with Ceres to remove storm debris that remained after the Army Corps of Engineers ended its removal efforts with lots of debris remaining. The city worked with Ceres after the storms that tore through the region in 2017.

Also at the meeting, the commission:

— OK’d a roof replacement contract with Jenkins Roofing of Tallahassee for $133,288 at 207 Pine Ave.;

— Approved repairs at the Albany Fire Department’s Honeysuckle Drive storage and training facility for $243,620;

— Agreed to a $750,000 contract for right-of-way clearing and maintenance with Trees United of Cave Springs.

Staff told commissioners funds for the roof replacement on the former Water, Gas & Light Commission building and the AFD training facility would be paid via insurance claims.

The commission also approved alcohol licenses for Latin Flavor Restaurant at 2427 G. Sylvester Road and for the Bread House & Granary at 520 N. Jefferson St. and voted in a long list of appointments to citizen boards and commissions.

The City Commission also voted to make Ward V Commissioner Tommie Postell mayor pro tem for 2019.