Last Tuesday’s meeting of the Leeds City Council turned into a long night of discussion related to a variety of issues, including an appointment to the school board, the future youth fields project and the closing of Coosa Avenue.

The council approved Chad Anderson as the newest member of the Leeds Board of Education. Anderson will fill the remaining term left by Jamie Blair, who recently resigned.

Susan Carswell, representative from District 3, said she reviewed applications from those interested in serving on the school board and felt Anderson would be a good fit.

“He has been very active with children through the youth sports programs. I think he will do a good job,” Carswell said.

Bartee seconded Carswell motion, leading to approval. The measure passed by a 4-1 vote with Kenneth Washington abstaining and Johnny Kyle voting “no.”

Washington said he felt the appointment was continuing a trend of moving away from district representation on the school board.

“We have destroyed what we tried to set up with each district being represented,” Washington said.

Carswell said there was no language stating the council members had to choose applicants from within their own district. In addition, she said there was only one applicant from within her district.

Mayor Eric Patterson added that the Department of Justice has said board members do not have to come from specific district lines.

Anderson currently lives on Roward Lane, which is in District 2. He is employed by Sungard Data Systems and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in computer based management systems.

Other applications for school board consideration were: Sherry Marbury, Ramona Jett, Ramona Jett, Nancy Patterson, Vicky Dean, and Allison Kilgore.

In another matter, the council agreed to spend funds to repair fencing and a paving project at the current youth baseball and football fields located at the civic center.

The fence project will cost just short of $50,000 while the paving will be $42,000. Both measures passed the council.

The passage did bring questions as to whether the city should continue looking to build new parks at this time.

“I am not in agreement with fixing up all of these fields,” said District 5 representative Johnny Kile. “I have a problem with us paying this much money when the city has so many other things we need to do for our residents. We need to make sure we have the money to take care of our citizens’ needs, not necessarily the ballparks.”

District 1 representative Kenneth Washington, who has questioned spending the money on the ballparks in the past, also had concerns.

“We are spending and spending. My question is: Can we afford this project? I also think we have to take all of the parks into consideration. We have to make sure of what our priorities are,” Washington said.

The council has considered building new ballfields at Memorial Park.

Other items discussed by the council included:

• drainage issues. City Engineer Frank Spencer reported on his findings regarding drainage issues within the city.

Spencer said a project at Carolyn and Lynn streets should be completed in two weeks. He also addressed problems for council consideration on Azalea, Highway 78, Oak Street, Highway 25, Friar Lane, Rowan Road, as well as the Rowan Place and Southern Trace subdivisions;

• leasing Historic Depot to the Leeds Historical Society. The city agreed to terms with the historical society to lease the historic depot, who plans to rent at least a portion of the building to a train history organization;

• home demolition. The council came to an agreement with the Gaiter family regarding a home that was set for demolition. Patterson said progress has been made and that the property owners will report back to the council in 60 days;

• radar gun for police department. The council approved to purchase a handheld radar gun for $2,200;

• Leeds Water Works loan. Patterson said the city has paide back $385,000 to the Leeds Water Works Board. The city borrowed $700,000 from the LWWB to help pay for infrastructure at the Bass Pro Shops site;

• tennis court ordinance. The council approved an ordinance, to include signage, restricting children from non-tennis activities on the tennis courts;

• internet gossip. District 4 Councilmember Charlotte Earnest expressed disappointment in recent internet message board posts that eluded to the city’s finances not being handled properly. According to Patterson, a poster stated some council members, along with the mayor, were keeping money made on limb collection.

“Mrs. Earnest has always been above the board with our city’s finances. We are balancing our books and bringing in more revenue,” Patterson said. “As for limb collection, most cities won’t do it anymore. Try to find another city that provides limb service for what we charge;”

• adult soccer league. A representative of an adult soccer league asked the council for permission to use the Memorial Park soccer field on Sundays. The council agreed to discuss the issue at a work session planned for Monday;

• homeowners insurance. Kathi Carr, a Leeds resident in the insurance business, asked the council about its progress in reducing the city’s fire rating. Carr said many residents have seen their insurance skyrocket and that others have had to drop insurance all-together.

Patterson said the city continues to negotiate for a location to build a fire station to help those residents affected the most;

• A resident of Cahaba Avenue has asked the council to investigate a hole that has gotten bigger over time on a vacant lot beside her home. She said she has asked for the city to look at it on multiple occasions over the years.