The Haleyville City Council met for their regular meeting on Monday, May 18th with all members present. Those being Mayor Ray Boshell and council members Todd Barton, Cade Lewis, Colton Corum, Julie “Boo” Brooks, and Brian Berry.
Mayor Boshell read a proclamation celebrating America’s 250th Birthday this year, and presented it to members of the Daughters of The American Revolution.
The council approved the minutes of the previous meeting, and approved the April 2026 general operating bills and purchase orders.
The city recognized Haleyville Police Chief Rodney Lewis for obtaining an advanced certification through the Alabama Association of Chiefs, and recognized Councilman Brian Berry for his appointment to the Alabama State Manufactured Housing Association.
Haleyville Director of Public Works Chris Wilbanks addressed the council on two resolutions up for a vote, those being 80/20 grants aimed at improving pedestrian infrastructure and transportation safety through state and federal grant opportunities.
The council voted to apply for Fiscal Year 2027 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding through the Alabama Department of Transportation for a sidewalk improvement project along Alabama State Route 13. The proposed project would remove approximately 400 feet of non-ADA compliant sidewalks between 21st and 22nd Streets and construct roughly 900 feet of new ADA compliant sidewalks extending from 21st Street to 25th Street. The total estimated cost of the project is $223,202 with ALDOT expected to cover 80 percent of the funding and the city responsible for a 20 percent local match of approximately $44,640.
The council also approved participation in the Fiscal Year 2026 “Safe Streets and Roads for All” Grant Program through the U-S Department of Transportation. The City of Haleyville will partner with Marion, Franklin, and Winston counties to develop a regional Comprehensive Safety Action Plan focused on reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries. The plan would identify transportation safety concerns, analyze roadway data, and develop future strategies for infrastructure and emergency response improvements throughout the region. The estimated cost of the regional project is $400,000, with federal funding expected to cover 80 percent of the cost. Haleyville’s estimated local share of the matching funds is approximately $20,000.
The council approved both measures and they are included below.
The council voted to conduct a hotel feasibility study for a proposed Cobblestone-branded hotel. The total cost of the study will be $8,000. The Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce agreed to cover half of the expense, with the city furnishing the other $4,000. Mayor Ray Boshell noted that the data can be used to recruit other hotels and businesses if Cobblestone loses interest in the area.
The council then approved an amended lease agreement for use of a strip of city property adjacent to the Haleyville Public Library that will be used for an outdoor restaurant patio.
In their final action of the evening, the council approved the purchase of a new light controller for downtown lights in the amount of $3,500.
The council tabled a proposed Social Media Policy at the request of city attorney John McReynolds.
92.7 The Bee streamed the meeting live on our Facebook page and uploaded a recording to our Bee TV YouTube channel.
The approved resolutions are included below in their entirety:
Resolution 2026-10
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF HALEYVILLE TO APPLY FOR FY 2027 TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP) FUNDING THROUGH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) administers the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to provide funding for projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, safe routes to schools, and other alternative transportation initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the City of Haleyville desires to apply for FY 2027 TAP funding for sidewalk improvements along Alabama State Route 13 to enhance pedestrian accessibility and safety within the city; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project includes the removal of approximately 400 feet of non-ADA compliant sidewalks between 21st Street and 22nd Street and the installation of approximately 900 feet of new ADA compliant sidewalks from 21st Street to 25th Street (Goar’s); and
WHEREAS, the estimated total project cost is Two Hundred Twenty-Three Thousand Two Hundred Two Dollars ($223,202.00), with ALDOT providing eighty percent (80%) funding in the amount of One Hundred Seventy-Eight Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-One Dollars and Sixty Cents ($178,561.60), and the City of Haleyville providing the required twenty percent (20%) local match in the amount of Forty-Four Thousand Six Hundred Forty Dollars and Forty Cents ($44,640.40); and
WHEREAS, the Haleyville City Council finds that submitting this application is in the best interest of the citizens of Haleyville and will improve pedestrian mobility and accessibility within the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Haleyville, Alabama, as follows:
The City of Haleyville is hereby authorized to apply for FY 2027 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding through the Alabama Department of Transportation for the sidewalk improvement project described herein. The City agrees to provide the required local match of twenty percent (20%) of the total project cost.
The Mayor and/or City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute all documents and take all actions necessary to submit the application and carry out the intent of this Resolution.
Adopted and approved this the 18th day of May 2026.
Resolution 2026-11
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF HALEYVILLE TO PARTICIPATE IN AND APPLY FOR THE FY 2026 SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A) GRANT PROGRAM THROUGH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has made available funding through the Fiscal Year 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives aimed at reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries; and
WHEREAS, the City of Haleyville desires to participate in a regional partnership with Marion County, Franklin County, and Winston County to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan for the region; and
WHEREAS, the development of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan will allow the City of Haleyville and regional partners to identify roadway safety concerns, analyze transportation safety data, and establish strategies to improve safety for all roadway users; and
WHEREAS, completion of the Safety Action Plan will position the City of Haleyville to pursue future implementation grant opportunities for roadway infrastructure improvements, EMS operational enhancements, and other public safety initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the estimated total project cost for the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan is Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00), with the USDOT providing an estimated Eighty Percent (80%) federal share in the amount of Three Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($320,000.00), requiring a Twenty Percent (20%) local match in the amount of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00); and
WHEREAS, the City of Haleyville’s portion of the required local match is estimated to be Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00); and
WHEREAS, the Haleyville City Council finds that participation in the FY 2026 SS4A Grant Program is in the best interest of the citizens of Haleyville and will promote transportation safety and community well-being.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HALEYVILLE, ALABAMA, AS FOLLOWS:
The City of Haleyville hereby authorizes participation in the FY 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program in partnership with Marion County, Franklin County, and Winston County.
The Mayor and/or City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute all documents, agreements, applications, certifications, and related paperwork necessary to apply for and administer the grant on behalf of the City of Haleyville.
The City of Haleyville agrees to provide its estimated local matching share in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), subject to final project approval and funding availability.
Adopted and approved this the 18th day of May 2026.