Several improvements to Pell City were discussed at the Pell City City Council meeting Monday. An update on the Avondale Mills property was presented to the council by Greg Gossett, Street and Maintenance Superintendent.

“We have done a significant amount of work to break up the remaining concrete. We expect to be clear of the property within three weeks, weather permitting,” said Gossett.

Most large sections of concrete that were the foundation of Avondale Mills have been demolished and removed. City employees have removed 320 loads of debris from the site. Some areas remaining to be cleared are the base of the smokestack, which was demolished in November 2015, and the remnants of a wet well cooling system, that was part of Avondale Mills operations. The wet well cooling system is estimated to be nine feet deep and is currently filled with water.

“If we just fill in the area with dirt and debris, it will not support any type of foundation for future planning,” Gossett said. “We want to make sure it is done correctly to support any future development.”

Surface soil samples will be sent to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University for testing.

“We are expecting the risk assessment to be completed by the end of the month, so we will have a better idea what we can do to the site,” City Manager Brian Muenger said.

Proposed plans include bringing in top soil and creating a recreational space until more permanent plans can be budgeted and finalized.

A proposal was also presented to city council by the Logan Martin Charity Foundation (LMCF), which organizes Lakefest held at Lakeside Park. Jerry Wood, a representative of LMCF, included updates to the existing pier structure, adding ten pier “fingers” for boats to dock.

“We would like to see this area grow and prosper,” Woods said. “After completion, the pier would belong to the people.”

The Logan Martin Charity Foundation requested a cost-share agreement with the City of Pell City in the amount of $14,000 for material costs. LMCF committed to supply all of the labor and any additional costs for the improvements, which would total an estimated $35,200 for phase one. The foundation has a three year plan for additional improvements to Lakeside Park docks and boardwalk.

LMCF made a commitment to hold Lakefest exclusively in Pell City until 2020. The group expected work to begin on the project by April 1, in order to be completed before Lakefest 2017, which will be held on May 19 and 20.

Other ongoing maintenance to Logan Martin Lake has been implemented by the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association (LMLPA), which hosts a lake clean up each year. The event will be start Saturday and continue until April 1. The LMLPA has collected more than 176 tons of trash from the lake since 2001, with the efforts of more than 6000 volunteers.

Mike Riley, treasurer for LMLPA, was presented with a proclamation from Pell City Mayor Bill Pruitt, the Pell City City Council, and City Manager Brian Muenger in recognition of the group’s efforts to “continuously work to maintain the interest of all communities in the preservation and beautification of Logan Martin Lake.”

For more information about the LMLPA or to volunteer for the lake clean up, please visit www.lmlpa.org.

In other business, Mayor Bill Pruitt recognized the service of Lt. Richard Woods. The revered Pell City Police officer who died of a heart attack in the line of duty on March 17, 2015. Pruitt wanted to honor his dedication and service to the community by retiring his badge number 804. Members of Lt. Woods’ family and the Pell City Police Department were present to witness the resolution.

“We could like to honor [Woods] dedication and service to the community,” Pruitt stated. “We have a great family of police officers. We have many officers that are ready and willing, but [Woods] is irreplaceable. I believe everyone feels the same way about each of our officers.”