Park plan fizzles at council

FLORENCE -- A proposal never got off the ground Tuesday that would require two private entities to submit a development plan for Veterans Park.

The city council, however, did approve a resolution asking legislators to ban smoking in restaurants throughout Alabama.

Both topics touched off intense debates among the council, as well as the crowd, during the marathon meeting.

Councilman Scott Carrier sponsored the resolution requesting that the Retirement Systems of Alabama and Alabama Real Estate Holdings submit a plan for use of Veterans Park that would be done under the assumption that the park would continue to be used as a public park.

The proposal died for lack of a second. The two entities have expressed an interest in developing a retail operation in the park.

During council comments at the end of the meeting, Carrier said one of the major tenets of the city's comprehensive development plan is to develop green space. He said a retail center like a Bass Pro Shops at Veterans Park would be contrary to that. Bass Pro, a giant outdoors retail business, has been mentioned as a possibility for the park.

Several members of the Shoals Environmental Alliance spoke out Tuesday against the notion of commercial development at the park. The group told the council they hope it heeds the Tennessee Valley Authority board's decision that property along the federal agency's shoreline is not to be used for commercial development.

Council members stressed that if a park plan, such as Bass Pro, had been submitted, it hasn't presented to the council.

"I don't know how many more times we can tell the citizens there is nothing on the table, as far as a Bass Pro is concerned," said Councilman Sam Pendleton.

Council members added they would comply with TVA's ruling.

Pendleton, however, added he wouldn't be surprised if TVA reversed its decision, on the heels of what he referred to as a "haphazard way" they conducted the public-input portion of the proposal.

Charles Rose, of the environmental alliance, pointed out that TVA received 4,000 comments during that period, and only 4 percent were in opposition to the new-policy.

Mary Day Smith, commander of American Legion Post 11, added that she hopes any project at the park does not adversely affect the park's Veterans Memorial or its surrounding area.

The smoking resolution expresses Florence's support of the Alabama Restaurant Association's position for a statewide ban -- a stance some council members say would prevent a smoking ban in some cities while allowing it in others.

Council President Leland Howard said there is a fear that imposing a citywide ban would drive would-be customers to other Shoals cities to dine.

A statewide ban -- or even a Shoals-wide ban -- would alleviate that, Howard said.

Pendleton and Councilman Hermon Graham added that, in their experience in city government, an ordinance backed by the state carries more clout.

The resolution comes on the heels of discussions in previous meetings of a possible smoking ban in Florence restaurants.

Proponents of the citywide ban, Carrier and Councilwoman Angie Pickens, were the two votes opposed to Tuesday's resolution.

Carrie and Pickens explained that they support the notion of a smoking ban in restaurants but believe the city should take a lead role, rather than put it in the Legislature's lap.

"It's an exercise in buck-passing," Carrier said.

Pickens said Florence banned smoking in city buildings and vehicles in 1993, due to secondhand-smoke hazards, and should do so for restaurants, as well.

In a separate matter, Councilman James Barnhart announced that he, Graham and Pendleton, as representatives of the council's public works committee, will organize a multimillion-dollar city street-paving project. He said initial plans call for the project to start in the spring.

In other business, a presentation honored the memory of Buddy Killen, the Florence native and country, Southern soul and rhythm-and-blues music legend who died Nov. 1.

In other action, the council: