A Scottsboro City Council meeting was recently held.
The meeting began with City Council members along with Mayor Jim McCamy recognizing and presenting employee service awards to Josh Hunter for 10 years of service, Dewayne Moore for 15 years of service and Todd Bradford for 30 years of service.

City Council members heard an application for a tourism grant from Classic Cruiserz. Classic Cruiserz is replacing the previously well known Jackson County Cruisers. The Cruiserz explained that previously, the Jackson County Cruisers used the funding as an incentive for participation in the event. However, the Cruiserz will use the funding to add trophies, medals and to assist with additional expenses. Currently the Cruiserz are awaiting their Federal Tax ID number.

The City Council heard from several regarding a rezoning request made by Lambert Contracting, LLC. Prior to hearing from the company owner, City Council President Richard “Pudge” Bailey announced that this work session was not the public hearing.

Owner Cody Lambert spoke to the Council about a current project on 60 acres of land already zoned for a rock quarry. Lambert requested the rezoning of an adjacent 60 acres from AR to M2.

Lambert stated, “I’m one of the owners of Lambert Contracting, and I am excited to be a landowner and a stakeholder in Scottsboro’s industrial and manufacturing corridor. Of course, I’m talking about the land north and south of Highway 72 on the west side of Scottsboro. This area encompasses more than a thousand acres and is home to an industrial park and a variety of industrial and heavy manufacturing businesses. Our plan is to operate a rock quarry on about 60 acres north of Highway 72. In addition to the 60 acres that is already permitted as a rock quarry, we’re requesting that you rezone an adjacent 60 acres from AR to M2. Doing so represents about a 5% increase in the size of the industrial and manufacturing corridor. It would be consistent with the development of this area for heavy manufacturing. Even with rezoning, the entire quarry would only be up about 120 acres, and the actual area of mining would be far less from that, maybe 70 acres altogether. Compare that to Vulcan next door, whose site is about 400 acres. This is the type of activity that the city envisioned when it created the industrial manufacturing corridor. Our closest neighbors are a quarry, a welding and metal fabrication shop, heavy equipment construction businesses, two concrete plants and a veterinarian clinic. Our intention is to develop the property for industrial and manufacturing consistent with the current zoning, and I respectfully request that you rezone these additional 60 acres.”

DGH Engineer Stephen Blankenship explained to the council that the reason for a request to rezone now, rather than later will assist in the mining operation plan. This plan will determine how materials are removed and will play a key role in preventing issues.

Landowner Justin Lackey spoke to the Council. Lackey stated, “My name is Justin Lackey. I appreciate you giving me the chance to speak. My wife and I own the land that is part of this rezoning request. We’ve owned this farm for about five years now. I built my home here, and this is where I live and where I plan to stay, raise my kids, care for the land, and hopefully someday pass it on to my kids. This place is not just my property, it’s more to me, it’s my home. It means it’s a great deal to me and my family. I’m only requesting that a small portion of my farm be rezoned to allow it to be included in a quarry project that is already properly zoned and in the initial stages of development. I want to be very clear, I would never consider selling any piece of this land for use that I thought would harm a community, because I am part of the community.”

Lambert also informed the Council that they are offering pre-blast inspections for any resident within 1500 feet of the quarry’s property, at no cost to the resident.

The item will be voted on and a public hearing held at a later date.

City Council members then discussed a budget amendment for grounds maintenance at Goose Pond Civic Center. City Clerk Whitney Phillips stated that she recently reached out to the current contractor. The landscape work was quoted at $2,800. Phillips is requesting a budget amendment in the amount of $2,000.

Bailey requested and formed a personnel policy committee. This committee is being formed due to questions on different promotions throughout the city and to ensure things are being done correctly across the board.