By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The future of Columbiana’s old pool hall building on Main Street remains uncertain as city leaders consider options regarding the run-down property.

During its June 4 meeting, the Columbiana City Council opened a public hearing for the property, which is located at 108 South Main Street, between Main Street Market and the Harrison law office.

“You told me last meeting you wanted action taken,” Mayor Stancil Handley said to council members, and added a notice of lis pendens, or pending legal action, on the property was filed with the Shelby County Probate Court several weeks ago. “Our Public Safety Committee deemed it a public hazard.”

The deteriorating condition of the property has surfaced in discussions in past meetings, including the Oct. 2, 2018, council meeting, the minutes from which read, “Multiple efforts have been made to get the owner of the building to address these serious safety issues.”

On June 4, the council voted to postpone the public hearing until the next regular meeting on June 18, and took no action on a resolution listed on the agenda regarding emergency remediation of the property.

Handley said postponing the hearing would allow more time for a potential buyer to work out a purchase of the property.

In other business June 4, the council heard from local resident DL Kirksey about grass-cutting needs at a ballpark adjacent to Union Baptist Church.

Kirksey said he wants to hold different fundraiser events for children at the ballpark, but was seeking the city’s help with cutting overgrown grass on the property.

Handley said the city would find out who owns the property and get permission to work on it.

“I think your idea is admirable,” Handley said. “I applaud Mr. Kirksey for bringing this to our attention. We’re going to do everything we can to help.”

The council also:

• Approved for City Clerk Charlene Tucker to attend Certified Municipal Clerks Training on Aug. 28-30 in Tuscaloosa and to use the city credit card for registration, lodging and meals (cost not to exceed $650).
• Approved to add the Code Enforcement Officer job description to the City’s Classification Plan.
• Authorized Police Chief Lamar Vick to hire a full-time APOST Certified police officer.