Demopolis should change its appeal process for property owners, city councilman says

As the city of Demopolis pushes downtown property owners to meet building codes, one city councilman thinks the city should change its appeals process.

Councilman Hugh Overmyer suggested at the May 7 Demopolis City Council meeting that the city appoint an “appeals officer” to hear appeals from property owners. Appeals are now heard by a committee.

Overmyer said that the appeals officer could be a retired judge or an attorney from out of town who doesn’t know the property owners or the local politics. The hearings could be conducted via Zoom, Overmyer said. Property owners can appeal decisions from the appeals officer or the existing committee in circuit court.

The appeal process may be used more than usual as the city pushes downtown property owners to get their buildings up to code. On April 16 the city sent a letter giving property owners 45 days to tell the city council what “known or suspected issues requiring correction” exist on their property and what they plan to do about it.

Property owners must also submit a timeline for completing their actions and any temporary measures they will take in the meantime “to improve safety, appearance or stability” of their building, according to the letter.

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Overmyer said the city should also review the fees it charges for permits.

In other business, Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins noted that sewer work is being done throughout the city, and new fiber optic cables are being laid.

“There are more holes in this town than I have seen in my life,” Collins said. “I know it’s frustrating. (Workers) are trying to clean up the best they can.”

The city council agreed to hire an engineering firm to help the city apply for a grant for more sidewalks. More sidewalks will be needed to get students to and from the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences and nearby Whitfield Regional Hospital, and the city council has discussed the need for sidewalks between the school and downtown.

The city of Demopolis will apply for a $500,000 grant to resurface McNamara Road, and the council agreed to proceed with an update of the city’s website.