A hot topic at Monday night’s Leeds City Council meeting was the possibility of putting a firing range on Highway 25 off Peach Street.

Only a projected site, District 5 councilwoman DeVoris Roscha Ragland, serving council member for the public safety committee, asked Leeds police chief Byron Jackson to relay their vision for the property and address any concerns.

“This is an ideal site because it’s city owned, properly zoned and water and electricity are already there,” said Jackson. “Leeds has never had a firing range. We either have to go to Pell City, Trussville or go to Jefferson County for training.”

Citing this as a way to save money, the firing range would be at the farthest end away from the residential area.

“Trees will be planted and the area will be fenced to alleviate rickashays and provide a sound barrier,” Jackson said.

Leeds and Moody police departments would use the facilities, but it would not be open to the general public.

When being used Jackson said a trained firearms instructor would be on hand.

“The range would be used on a limited shooting time basis with no firing on Sundays,” said Jackson. “This would not be a day-to-day type of thing and no ammo or weapons would be stored there.”

During a five to seven hour training course, Jackson said there would only be 20 to 30 actual minutes of shooting time.

District 1 councilman Kenneth Washington asked if other sites have been considered.

Jackson said several properties had been looked at in Moody and the Shell Road quarry on the hill, but that would involve bringing in large quantities of dirt that could prove to be quite costly.

Several citizens living near the proposed Highway 25 site voice their concerns.

They were worried that the range will one day be opened up to the public and the trees and fencing will not buffer the sounds.

The overall consensus was the citizens near the proposed site do not want the firing range placed there.

Jackson told the crowd that Birmingham PD’s firing range is in the middle of the city and that Trussville’s is near a residential area. Both have not had problems.

“We will consider and look at all options,” said Leeds Mayor David Miller.

Other topics discussed:

* Municipal Court Magistrate Laura Roberts said their Amnesty Day in February was such a success that the city is considering an Amnesty week.

“We’re just in talks about it,” said Roberts. “We did really well in February and I’m happy for that.”

* Miller wants citizens to know that the ballpark facility is near completion.

“I’ve spoken to Leeds Youth Sports and several parents who feel we need to go wireless, so we will have a wireless scoreboard system,” Miller said. “This will be up and running prior to the start of the season.”

* Leeds Fire Chief Pierce said hydrant testing will start Monday, April 8.

* Excited for the upcoming summer reading program Leeds Jane Culbreth Library director Mondretta Williams shared some statistics about libraries.

“There are 283 public libraries in Alabama out of 400 plus cities and over 4,000,000 use public access internet,” said Williams. “Libraries serve as a vital link to their communities for educational services and resources. At Leeds Library we are up-to-date with anything you need technology wise. We look forward to seeing you.”

“Y’all are doing a great job,” said Miller. “We understand there is a mold problem over there and we are fixing that so it’s safe for y’all to be there until we can build a new library.”

* A settlement issued by a judge has created a Highway 25 zoning issue.

In a legal matter that the city thought was settled from 2010 with Keith Hall and expected the judge to consider null and void, the judge ruled to remove all zoning ordinances back to 1997.

This ruling has place what has been zoned residential for years back to heavy industrial.

“We are as deeply concerned as you are,” said Miller. “This is not what we want or expected it to be. We don’t intend for the zoning in that area to stay that way.”

“I feel that the mayor and council have been hoodwinked here,” said Washington. “I’m kind of ticked off about it right now. I’ve been sitting on the planning and zoning commission and the council for a long time and I don’t appreciate the way the judge has done this here.”

“The court failed us, but we plan on resolving the issue,” said Ragland. “Right now today we can start fresh. Going through the proper legal channels we will fix this problem.”

Until a resolution can be met Miller has issued a moratorium on issuing permits for this area until the matter is resolved.

“Thumbs up to the mayor for placing this moratorium,” said Washington.”

Ragland added, “We do have your best interest in mind.”

The next Leeds City Council meeting is Monday, April 1 at 6 p.m. at Leeds Civic Center located at 1000 Park Drive.