Updates given on sidewalk project, feral cats

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Vestavia Hills City Manager Jeff Downes gave updates on two key items at the city council meeting on Monday, May 23.

First, Downes announced that work on the first of three sidewalk pilot projects will begin on Tuesday, May 31. He said the initial 60-day project on Merryvale Road, along with future projects on Green Valley Road and Willoughby Road, will allow the city to gauge the cost and effectiveness of local sidewalk construction.

“What we’re trying to do in this pilot project is pick up where the previous contractor stopped, see what our costs are, see what our issues are and then we’ll plan to move from there implementing further sidewalks that support our master plan,” Downes said.

In addition, Downes announced that 79 feral cats in the Cahaba Heights neighborhood have been impounded to date as part of the Trap-Neuter-Return program.

The early success of the initiative has been in the city’s ability to gather feral cats in known locations while ensuring trap-neuter-return advocates that the cats are being treated humanely, Downes said.

“From that perspective, the humane treatment of feral cats and ridding our community of areas that were creating nuisances has been a success,” he said.

In other business, the council:

  • Approved ordinances to annex and rezone 2425 Kenvil Circle from Jefferson County E-2 to Vestavia Hills R-1.
  • Approved ordinances to annex and rezone 3425 Jones Drive from Jefferson County E-2 to Vestavia Hills R-1.
  • Approved ordinances to annex and rezone 2510 and 2512 Dolly Ridge Road from Jefferson County E-2 to Vestavia Hills R-1.
  • Approved ordinances to annex and rezone 2611 Alta Vista Circle from Shelby County E-1 to Vestavia Hills E-2.
  • Approved ordinances to annex and rezone 4705 Caldwell Mill Road from Jefferson County E-2 to Vestavia Hills R-1.
  • Approved a resolution to declare weeds and other vegetation a nuisance at 1524 Blind Brook Lane. The resident has been given three weeks to abate the issue.
  • Approved a resolution to declare weeds and other vegetation a nuisance at 4421 Dolly Ridge Road. The resident has been given three weeks to abate the issue.
  • Approved a resolution to declare a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice and one ambulance stretcher as surplus property. The items will be sold in an auction format to the highest bidder.
  • Approved a resolution to grant a special events license to Jacquelins, Inc. for the sale of alcohol at an upcoming crawfish boil.