Selma moves to get on top of litter and dilapidated houses

The city of Selma is moving to take control of litter and dilapidated houses.

The Public Works Committee is considering a proposal to combat illegal dumping by increasing enforcement and making eight trash dumpsters available throughout the city.

Hatwatha McGhee, director of code enforcement, presented a 90-day action plan to address identified dumping “hot spots” in the city. She suggested council members pick a spot for dumpsters in their wards, and the city would set up dumpsters at the public works building and at a site on Franklin Street. Free disposal events would be offered.

McGhee said the city could begin a surveillance program, and citizens would be encouraged to call in the tags of citizens who are illegally dumping. Coincidentally, the city is asking citizens to identify an illegal dumping suspect this week.

Two employees would be required to maintain the legal dumping sites.

The public works committee will pass the proposal on to the full city council.

Meanwhile, the city council fast-tracked revising its garbage ordinance in preparation for receiving bids for a curbside garbage provider. Dothan-based Martin Environmental has provided garbage service to Selma since it purchased LDI in 2022. Marin is currently providing the service without a contract.

Selma will soon seek bids for a contractor, which could include Martin.

To clear the way for a permanent contractor, the ordinance that controls garbage pickup in the city must be updated. The ordinance includes references to LDI, who held the contract at the time the ordinance was written. Those references need to be removed, and several other elements must be updated. The council put the updated ordinance on “first read” so it can be considered at the next city council meeting on March 10.

The Selma City Council also addressed clearing the city of dilapidated housing, a subject that caused some hurt feelings between Selma Mayor Johnny Moss III and Councilwoman Jannie Thomas.

Thomas granted an interview with a Montgomery television station about dilapidated houses that had not been torn down in her district, District 7. Some of the houses have been on a list since 2017, two mayors ago.

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Moss told Thomas that she should not have taken her complaints to the media before bringing the issue to him.

“I respect and share Councilwoman Thomas’ concerns about blight,” Moss said. “However, I cannot allow the impression to stand that this administration has ignored approved demolition lists because that simply is not accurate.”

Moss said that 30 structures have been demolished on Hudson Street, Palmer Avenue, First Avenue, Church Street, Minter Avenue and Union Street, and 10 lots have been cleared since he took office in November.

He said Thomas’ comments made is sound like “this administration has ignored” blight.

Thomas told Moss that she “was not disrespecting you or the council” when she agreed to speak with the reporter about her efforts to get empty, dilapidated houses torn down in her district.

“I feel your pain,” Moss said. “All I’m saying is please communicate with me and my office so we can articulate a plan and provide a solution.”

Thomas said she appreciated and understood his position.

In other business, council voted to spend $81,000 to purchase new equipment used to fill the air tanks firefighters wear on every call.

The council voted to contract with OpenGov to install a new financial management system for the city, and they approved a contract with Grand Canyon University in Phoenix to provide college classes for employees at a discounted rate.

The council approved two alcohol permits but rejected a permit for an event in the 1200 Block of Selma Avenue because it is too close to a church.