The Athens City Council re-enforced its commitment to compressed natural gas Monday by approving two new CNG filling stations in the city limits.

The estimated cost of the public fast-fill and private slow-fill station is more than $614,000. The public station, however, could provide a financial boon for the city, as it would be the only one between Birmingham and Nashville.

The public station would be located on city-owned property off Trigreen Drive off U.S 31, roughly two miles from Interstate 65. The cost of the public station only is an estimated $573,000.

The slow-fill station would be located at the Athens Public Works Department on West Elm Street and would be used for refueling city vehicles that use CNG.

Gas Department Manager Steve Carter told the council during a work session that the public station would not feature an adjacent building and would be a pump only. He said it could be open within 24 weeks.

In the meantime, Mayor Ronnie Marks said he would approach officials with Athens City Schools about the possibility of incorporating more CNG-powered buses into its fleet.

“This represents a pioneering move for the city of Athens,” said Councilwoman Dr. Milly Caudle. “We’re all proud of this, and it will be a big step forward.”

Elsewhere, the council passed five public nuisance resolutions on properties in violation of the city’s weed and grass ordinance. The properties included 1509 Grace Ave., 600 First St., 702 Acorn Hill Circle and 400 Wellington Road.

The council passed a separate resolution for the Wellington Road property deeming structures, including a swimming pool, to be unsafe. Councilman Harold Wales said the pool represents a health hazard because of the green, stagnant water and because it could be accessed by children.

Police Chief Floyd Johnson told the council progress had been made on the property, and locks had been placed on a gate near the pool area. He said the property, however, is not in compliance with the weed ordinance.

Resident Ralph Diggins, who lives near the property, thanked the council for its efforts in cracking down on “nuisance homes.”

“I’ve seen progress,” he said. “It may be a little slow, but it works for the city.”

Mayor Ronnie Marks said he had a five-page spreadsheet full of properties on the city’s watch list, five of which were addressed at Monday’s meeting.

“We’re getting them one at a time, but we’re getting them,” Wales said.

Also, the city entered into a new agreement with Krebs Architecture and Engineering, the firm overseeing the engineering and design of the new City Hall on Hobbs Street.

Public Works Director James Rich said the original agreement dated back to February 2010 when plans were for a 12,000-square-foot building. City officials, however, decided to expand the plans to 15,000 square feet, though the additional 3,000 square feet of construction would be conducted by city workers for a cost savings.

Based on the new agreement, Krebs will receive a fixed fee of $153,000 for engineering and design work.

In other business, the council:

• Passed the fiscal year 2013 Electric Department budget, estimated to be $99.5 million. About $83.5 million of that amount, however, represents the purchase of electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority. The budget projects revenues to be $103 million;

• Approved an ordinance regarding the cutting and sale of timber from property on Wilkinson Street and adjacent to Leak City on East Sanderfer Road. The total value of the timber is not known, but Marks estimated it could be worth $40,000 to $50,000. Fifty percent of the timber revenues from the Wilkinson Street property will also be split with Limestone County, as both entities own the property;

• Passed a resolution to purchase a used dump truck for the Public Works Department at a cost of $24,500;

• Approved applying for an Assistance to Firefighters grant that would fund the replacement of old or damaged turnout gear for the fire department. The grant would require 10 percent matching funds from the city;

• Appointed Will Harbin and Cris Hamilton to the Historic Preservation Commission. Both will serve three-year terms; and

• Approved a bid of $30,000 for metal roof materials for the warehouse at Public Works.

The council will meet again on July 9.