The topics of beautification and downtown improvement took up the lion’s share of discussion at Monday’s Athens City Council meeting.

Taz Morell of Morell Engineering offered the council an update on two ongoing projects being funded — in part — by a TAP grant. A third project is the subject of a TAP grant application.

“We just need to do a better job of communicating,” said Mayor Ronnie Marks, adding it had been a while since council members had heard an update about the status of the projects.

A downtown landscaping project, which is underway, includes a number of improvements to four corners of the Square. Those improvements include bulb-outs with electric box additions, added green space, new striping, landscaping, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, new lighting and corrected turning radii.

The estimated cost of the project was $488,500, with the city contributing a 20 percent match. It also received a $45,000 donation from community partners Athens Main Street, Athens Rotary Club and Athens-Limestone County Tourism.

Morell said the contractor hopes to be done with the Marion Street side by Oct. 1, but if not, the contractor will clean everything up and come back at a later date. He explained no downtown merchants should be affected by the work during the holiday season.

The second project discussed by Morell is the effort to build sidewalks down Pryor Street and U.S. 31, north to the apartments and south to Hobbs Street. Morell said the project is currently in the design phase.

A third project, which involves adding sidewalks on Elm Street, is the subject of the city’s next TAP grant application.

Cleanup concerns

Two residents voiced concerns about beautification efforts, particularly the city’s efforts to tear down dilapidated structures and enforce the weed ordinance.

David Malone said he owns a lot on Plato Jones Street he keeps cut. He said the lot next door, which was seized by Limestone County District Attorney Brian Jones, has grass and weeds that are 5 feet tall.

“We need to treat everyone alike,” Malone told the council. “Districts 3 and 5 are always the last to get anything done.”

Police Chief Floyd Johnson said he would look into the matter.

Resident Mae Davis told the council there are properties in her neighborhood that should either been improved or torn down. She also chided the council for not working harder to improve the western side of the city.

Marks said he’s worked with officials to remove more than 200 condemned properties over the last few years. He told the council he plans to bring more properties to the council’s attention at a future meeting.

Emergency request

Lastly Monday, the council approved a one-time emergency funding request in the amount of $7,225 for the Boys & Girls Club of Athens.

The request was made by representative Griff Redmill, who told the council the club would be extending its summer program because Athens City Schools does not start back until Aug. 30. He explained the club has only enough money to pay its staff through the end of July.

The council approved the request, but Councilman Joseph Cannon told Redmill it could affect the city’s future appropriation for the club. Last year, the council allocated $10,000 for the club.

Other business

In other business, the council:

• Approved the purchase and installation of a new computer firewall for $8,978, with the cost split with Athens Utilities;

• Authorized Pryor Field Regional Airport Authority to apply for and accept grants for airport improvement projects subject to certain conditions;

• Entered into an agreement with the Limestone County Commission to pave Mooresville Road at the turn lanes of Rolling Vista Drive and Grove Hill Lane at a cost of $22,100; and

• Approved the purchase of a 2002 Leeboy asphalt paving machine at a cost not to exceed $35,000.

The council will meet again Monday, Aug. 13.