Northport Notebook: Huntington Visits, Agency Funding, City Hall Signage & More

NORTHPORT, AL — It was a night for celebration and expressing gratitude during Monday's regular meeting of the Northport City Council, which included funding awarded for outside agencies, a visit from local schoolchildren and several board appointments.

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Here's a quick look at the biggest storylines I was watching Monday night ...

• Seven fourth grade students from Huntington Place Elementary, along with Principal Andrea Hamner visited the Council to express their gratitude for a recent donation to the school by Council members that funded iPads for the school. Near the conclusion of the meeting, District 3 Councilman John Hinton expressed his thanks for the visit, noting how little positive affirmation public officials receive.
• The Council presented funding for the new fiscal year to four outside agencies: Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority ($236,000), Tuscaloosa Public Library ($125,000), Kentuck Art Center ($75,000), Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority ($30,000).
• The Council unanimously approved the adoption of a new online bill pay system for residents to pay their water bills. As City Administrator Glenda Webb described it, the new system will provide a more direct, immediate transaction for customers, as opposed to online checks or having to pay bills in person.
• Jason Ward was unanimously appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Northport Planning & Zoning Commission, while Brian Chandler was appointed to the city's Board of Adjustments & Appeals.
• The Council also introduced plans for its new signage for both City Hall and on Watermelon Road. Check out the photos below for a first look!

Ryan Phillips is the founder and field editor of Tuscaloosa Patch. The views expressed in this opinion column are his and not necessarily reflective of the views of our parent company or sponsors.