Mayor says city requested about $11 million for infrastructure, updates homeless response and park lighting plans

Mayor Josh Gates told the council on Tuesday that the city submitted an appropriations request to three congressional offices to support strategic infrastructure expansion. "I think the request was for 11,000,400, thousand dollars roughly, for strategic infrastructure expansion," the mayor said, characterizing the figure as approximate.

Gates credited partners who helped organize a recent Discover Jasper reception and named several elected officials and state leaders who were involved. He said Alabama Power won the bid to improve lighting at Valley Park, including tennis and pickleball courts, and that work should begin shortly.

On homelessness, Gates said Director Collins is leading the city's homeless-response steering committee. The mayor reported the committee is "ahead of schedule": it has formed, met, and completed enrollment in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS); members received login credentials and training access, and the committee will meet after the council session to finalize a working list for the Jasper Community Assistance Network.

Gates also recognized Councilwoman Smith for launching a literacy initiative at the Walker County Jail, saying early survey participation has been notable. Responding to a public comment from a child, Gates told the meeting the council recently approved acquiring property intended for a new and improved animal shelter and that a design meeting with the design group is scheduled the next day.

The mayor's remarks were delivered as informational updates; no formal council action on the reported appropriation request or the homeless steering committee matters was recorded during this meeting.