Council tables animal feeding ban

The Mobile City Council voted unanimously to table an amendment to an ordinance, which would have outlawed the feeding of squirrels and other wild animals on public property.

By tabling the vote, the council effectively killed the amendment the administration had offered as a way to control the animal population in city parks. This week’s meeting took place Tuesday evening at Davidson High School.

The council last week in a public safety committee meeting suggested Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s administration put up signs, or find a “less intrusive” way to accomplish what it wanted to do with the ordinance.

In other business from the meeting, councilors heard from Michael Weech, a resident of District 6, who complained about the state of basketball courts in parks.

Weech said he had recently visited two courts in District 4 and complained that at both were not “up to par.” He said pavement on the courts was cracked.

He also mentioned that there weren’t enough courts throughout the city and, as an example, mentioned Medal of Honor Park. He said there is plenty of space for new basketball courts in that park, which also has a dog park and a disc golf course. He questioned the city’s commitment to basketball, mentioning the newly constructed skate park at Law Enforcement Memorial Park on Airport Boulevard and the recent groundbreaking of three new turf soccer, lacrosse and football fields at Herndon Park. Weech hinted at the racial and socioeconomic demographics associated with each of the sports.

“Skateboarding … is cost prohibitive … ,” Weech said. “Basketball is pretty cheap and everyone can play; black, white, rich, poor.”

Mayor Sandy Stimpson addressed Weech’s concern, asking for a list of places he’d like to see either new basketball courts, or improvements to existing courts. Stimpson added that Weech was the first person who’d spoken out about the lack, or condition of basketball courts in the city. Stimpson added that a “countless number” of people have been talking about soccer for years.

Councilman Fred Richardson noted that three major parks in his district, District 1, have basketball courts.

The council also approved a $133,500 contract with Grady Dortch and Sons, Inc. for Woodcock School improvements. The council also approved a $44,750 contract with Wrico Signs for improvements to light poles and to add banners. Richardson said the contract will be paid for from county money, out of Commissioner Merceria Ludgood’s office. He said the banners would depict the history of Crichton.

The council called for two public hearings. The first will take place on June 9 and will consider granting a certificate of public convenience and necessity to Koya Pugh, doing business as A&K Transportation for a shuttle service. The other public hearing will take place on June 23 and will concern the rezoning of property at 3923 Government Boulevard from B2 and R3 to B2 to eliminate split zoning.