Jacksonville, AL – The Jacksonville City Council approved several infrastructure and operational items during its May 11, 2026 meeting, including a lighting project for the Chief Ladiga Trail, amendments to a gas line replacement project, and a one-time cost-of-living adjustment for city employees.
During the meeting, council members approved JPWP No. 26-146 for the Chief Ladiga Trail Lighting project. According to project documents, Alabama Power will install four power poles and two transformers, while a contractor will install temporary service poles along the trail to provide lighting. The estimated project cost listed in the agenda packet is $17,000.
The council also approved Amendment No. 2 to JPWP No. 25-135, a PHMSA-funded cast iron gas line replacement project. The amendment adds a road bore installation involving 200 linear feet of 12-inch steel casing pipe for a new 6-inch HDPE gas main at a cost of $135,000. The amendment also includes plans to purchase 200 replacement gas meters at an estimated cost of $40,000. City documents state the overall PHMSA grant totals approximately $5.97 million and is intended to eliminate remaining cast iron gas mains in Jacksonville.
Council members unanimously approved a temporary closure of Church Avenue NE between Roebuck Waters Street and Bennett Boulevard from May 26–28 to accommodate Jacksonville State University’s Southerners activities and equipment operations associated with the Randy Owen Center.
The council additionally approved a one-time cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for city and Waterworks Gas and Sewer Board employees during the meeting.
Several recognitions and scholarship awards were also presented. The Jacksonville Garden Club was recognized ahead of its 95th anniversary celebration, with May 20, 2026 officially proclaimed as Jacksonville Garden Club Day.
The city also recognized Ansley Lyons for community service efforts related to building and stocking “Little Free Food Pantries” in Jacksonville and volunteering with the Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center.
In addition, the city announced five $1,000 scholarship recipients:
- Justin Mann – Technical Training Scholarship
- Anthony Gooch – Technical Training Scholarship
- Isaiah Garrett – First-Generation Scholarship
- Aaliyah Ervin-Hill – Health Care Scholarship
- Elizabeth Thomas – Leadership Scholarship.
Other approved items included authorization for a Sparklight business services agreement for multiple city facilities, boiler maintenance agreements for the public safety complex, and a memorandum of understanding regarding the municipal cemetery with Great Things in Jacksonville.
The council also approved the hiring of Hunter James Parris as a full-time firefighter and acknowledged the retirement of Recreation Maintenance Foreman Frankie Fortenberry effective June 30, 2026.
For public comments, Jacksonville resident Bill Vaughan addressed the council regarding concerns about speeding and reckless driving in his neighborhood on Louise Drive, urging the city to address safety concerns for residents and children in the area.
