The Leeds City Council has received a recommendation regarding  roads in the city that are in need of repair.

Leeds City Engineer Frank Spencer was assigned with the task of pinpointing the roads in most need of repair. At a council meeting last Monday night, he provided his findings to the members of the council.

Spencer said 14 roads have been put on a list of those to be repaired based on their overall condition and the amount of traffic the roads service.

The roads put on the city engineer’s list included Seventh Street, Charles Barkley Avenue, Elliot Lane, Mountain View Lane, Kings Forest Drive, Willow Street, Spruce Street, Lane Drive, Zeigler Road, Azalea Drive, Parnell Drive, Bryant Avenue, Eloise Street and Hurst Avenue.

The council did not approve for any work to be done but is considering what will be needed to get some of the work done. Spencer said some roads needed more work than others, and some would require drainage work as well. He said in some cases, it is the drainage issues that has caused roads to deteriorate, so that would need to be addressed. Spencer is also working on a needs assessment for possible drainage projects within the city. That report will be given at a future council meeting.

The road projects will come with a big price tag. Zeigler Road alone, which is in poor condition due to its use by tractor-trailers and as a cut-through for commuters, could cost up to $195,000, according to Spencer. He said the best thing the city could do for Zeigler Road is to prohibit truck traffic in the future.

“If we could keep the trucks off that road, repaving Zeigler Road could last 15 years,” Spencer said.

The estimated total cost for all of the projects, according to Spencer, would be approximately $470,000.

Spencer said the roads on the list are spread throughout the city and each district would need about $100,000 to repair the roads within the district. The exception would be Zeigler Road in District 3. District 2 might come out less on road repairs, but will likely need more in drainage repairs.

Spencer pointed out that his report was simply a first draft to be considered by the council.

“This is a start. There’s a lot of work to be done,” Spencer said.

Other items discussed by the council included:

• Spencer reported a change order would be needed to complete demolition to the Leeds Armory building. Once work began, he said workers found previously unidentified asbestos in the ceiling system. The remediation would cost about $16,500.

“These are things nobody could have known about until you start tearing it down,” Spencer said.

The council later voted to approve the expenditure with Britt Construction;

• Sharp words were exchanged in a discussion regarding a Henry Ellen Road property that has been on the condemnation list since 2008.

City Inspector Ricky Hinkle said the property has not received the repairs needed and that it should be condemned.

Otis Stewart Jr., representing the Gaiter family, said there was some confusion as to the dates of a recently pulled building permit. However, the council said the inspector had the right to withdraw a building permit.

Stewart argued that the family has spent $15,000 on a new roof, windows and some painting.

“The problem is, it’s been two years (since the homeowner was warned). That is the issue. What we need to know is, when do you plan to do something to it and how long will it take?” said Patterson.

The council tabled the matter with an agreement that the homeowner would allow a full inspection of the home. Stewart requested he be notified of the time of the inspection so he can be present. The council requested that city attorneys be present as well;

• Mayor Eric Patterson said a meeting between himself, Spencer and the Alabama Department of Transportation was productive. He said repairs to Highway 78 could be added to ALDOT’s next program year of work. He also said they spoke about adding a caution light near the elementary school, truck signs on Presidents Street and Zeigler Road and erosion problems along Highway 78;

• Spencer said designs for new restrooms at the Leeds youth football field are completed, and they could be bid out in the next 30 days;

• Patterson introduced Jonathon Hogan as a new employee of the city. Hogan is assisting with zoning ordinance problems;

• Patterson said city grant writer Pat Hall is working on applying for several grants for work to be done on youth sports fields within the city.

He also said the city is considering naming fields after businesses or individuals who give donations toward the construction;

• Leeds Police Chief reported burglaries were up in Leeds during the month of May. He said one suspect has been identified and, the numbers appear to have fallen since that time;

• The council approved the resignation of School Board member Jamie Blair;

• The council agreed to move a dumpster for public use from behind city hall to Tenth Street where it can be secured and litter can be better controlled. The dumpster will be put at the recycling center once other dumpsters, previously used for recycling metals have been moved out. Library officials said the recycling bins were being removed as people have been abusing them by putting trash in them. The bins were used as a fundraiser for the library;

• The council met in executive session, citing good name and character.

The next council meeting will be Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Leeds Civic Center. A public hearing on a new zoning ordinance will be held prior to the meeting at 5 p.m.