Ohatchee, AL — The Ohatchee Town Council approved updated ordinances governing towing services and building permits and authorized up to $9,300 for improvements near the town shopping center during its Tuesday, Sept. 22, meeting.
Much of the council’s work session centered on a new towing ordinance replacing regulations dating to the 1970s. Officials discussed requirements for towing companies, response times, business licenses and how a rotation system would operate if more than one qualifying towing service operates within the town limits.
Officials said Ohatchee currently has one towing service operating within the town limits and does not use a rotation system. Under the updated ordinance, language establishing a rotation is already in place should another qualifying towing service begin operating within the town or should the town no longer have a qualifying local service.
The discussion also addressed requirements for towing yards and response times. Police officials said calls are documented through dispatch and the department’s computer-aided dispatch system, with the response clock beginning once dispatch confirms the towing company has been notified. The ordinance establishes a 20-minute response period, although officials said circumstances would be considered before another service is called.
Council members also questioned provisions giving the police chief authority to administer and enforce requirements under the ordinance. Police officials said significant changes would be brought before the council and reviewed with the town attorney rather than being implemented independently.
Following the work session, the council unanimously approved the updated towing ordinance.
The council also approved an updated ordinance governing building permits and associated fees. Officials said the town’s existing fee structure had become outdated, with some charges too low to cover the administrative cost of issuing permits.
During the work session, officials said construction work exceeding $500 within the town limits requires a permit. The revised structure establishes updated minimum charges and fees based on the value of construction. Officials said the purpose of the permitting process also includes providing inspections and maintaining records showing contractors and subcontractors who performed work on a property.
The council unanimously approved replacing the previous building-permit fee ordinance with the updated regulations.
Council members also approved a landscaping and construction project intended to address deteriorated steps and erosion along the bank near the town shopping center.
The proposal calls for removal of the existing steps, shrubs and other material; grading and topsoil work; installation of new paver steps and a landing; construction of a retaining wall around the nearby fire hydrant; and installation of a black powder-coated metal handrail. The bank will initially be planted with ryegrass, with additional landscaping potentially added later.
Officials described the existing condition of the steps and eroded bank as a safety concern and said pedestrians continue to use the area to travel between businesses.
The council approved the project at a cost not to exceed $9,300.
During other discussion, town officials outlined preparations for Paddle 650 participants expected to travel through the area Oct. 3. Ohatchee plans to provide a stopping point for participants, with lighting, snacks, water and other support. Officials discussed preparing for approximately 30 paddlers and providing items including fruit, trail mix, sunflower seeds and snack bars.
Council members also heard questions concerning lighting at the town’s pickleball courts. Officials were uncertain during the meeting whether the existing lights were operational and said the system would be checked.
A separate discussion concerned possible changes to bylaws governing the senior center. Council members said they had received questions from residents about whether the center’s director could independently change bylaws. Officials indicated they would review the issue and the existing bylaws, with discussion suggesting proposed changes would need to move through the senior center board and ultimately come before the Town Council.
During public comments, a resident also asked about roadside grass cutting, particularly in the Mohawk area. Town officials said equipment problems had affected mowing this year but that another cut was planned. Officials said the town has also been cutting along roads within the town limits where vegetation creates visibility or safety concerns, including roads maintained by other entities.
The council also approved the minutes from its Sept. 8 meeting before later voting to adjourn.
