The city of Athens passed a resolution Monday to match grant funds for the paving of Nuclear Plant Road.

Whether the city antes up the $500,000 in matching funds will depend on if the $2.5 million grant from the Alabama Industrial Access and Bridge Corporation is granted.

Ideally, the city would also like the Limestone County Commission to contribute $250,000 toward the paving project, meaning the city would only have to pay $250,000.

During a pre-council meeting work session, Council President Jimmy Gill said he and Mayor Ronnie Marks met with County Commission Chairman Stanley Menefee about the project, which seemingly has county support. However, Athens Public Works Director James Rich said if the county is unable to contribute, he recommended the city go forward with paying the full amount.

Councilman Harold Wales said he would like to ask city attorney Shane Black if the city could “hold on to Black’s Landing and de-annex other parts” of Nuclear Plant Road.

“That will be an important decision to be made,” he said.

Gill said he would not be in support of de-annexing part of the road, noting there are roads in the city that are “in the same shape.”

The pothole riddled, two-lane Nuclear Plant Road — a major evacuation route from the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant — has been a major concern for the City Council. Earlier this year, an unidentified resident placed a sign at the road’s entrance that reads, “Warning Unsafe Road.”

Rich told council members the city needs to put its “best foot forward” on the paving project, adding that he was told by DOT officials that funding for the project would be more favorable “if the city chips in.”

The city will find out the status of the grant request in June 2011.

In other business, the council approved the purchase of new equipment to update phone and data systems ahead of the installation of 13 miles of fiber-optic cable, which will connect city and county government buildings.

Council members approved the purchase of a new Dell computer at a cost of $6,579 and other equipment at a cost of $3,898. The council also approved the purchase of equipment related to network security at a cost of $10,440. City leaders said the associated costs of the new system — which will eventually save the city money on phone and data expenses— should be paid off within five years.

Elsewhere, the city declared property at 839 West Strain St., a public nuisance. The house burned last year and the city had received numerous complaints about its safety, according to Fire Chief Danny Southard.

Public Works employees will perform demolition work on the burned-out structure, and a lien will be assessed to the property owner.

In other business, the council:

• Annexed and rezoned property at 17785 Quinn Road, 17755 Quinn Road and 17745 Quinn Road.