Alto seeks grant to buy police cars
City approves new street paving with assistance from Cherokee County
BY LELAND ACKER

The City of Alto may soon have new police cars and new streets to drive them on, after the council voted to apply for a grant through the State of Texas to purchase new police cars during their regular meeting Monday.

"We were contacted by the state and were told we might be eligible for this grant," said Mayor Debbie White.

The grant would come at a good time for the Alto Police Department, which has had mechanical trouble with at least one vehicle.

In addition to having new police cars, the city will soon have some new streets to drive them on.

The council voted to repair several streets in Alto, with the help of Cherokee County. Streets to be repaired are Cooper, Ramsey, Maggie Session, Goff, Elm, Mulberry, Main, Commerce, Lover's Lane, Miller and Rusk. The repairs will be made at a cost to the city of approximately $11,400. Alto's public works department will provide manpower and materials while the county provides machinery, said City Administrator Debra Dannelley.

Mayor White said the street repairs are the culmination of two years of solid infrastructure improvement in Alto.

"We've had a great two years over the past couple of years," she said. "We have been able to do a lot with our infrastructure."

In other business, the council voted to pass on inspection costs for new construction to the property owner, without adding a surcharge.

"They don't have to use our inspectors if they can document that they've had the property inspected," Ms. Dannelley said.

The council tabled action on the old city hall building. Currently, the roof leaks and there are drainage problems around the building. Councilman Monty Collins had requested the opportunity to inspect the building during the February meeting, but was absent during Monday's meeting. Councilman Glenn Willhite offered to inspect the property. The council decided to postpone action on the old city hall building until next meeting.

The council voted to buy a new projector for training purposes. Present at the meeting were Mayor Debbie White, Councilmembers Annie Walker, Willhite, Kenneth Brethouwer and Earle Clark. Absent was Councilmember Collins.