Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed provided council members with an update regarding County Road 42 on Monday.

Reed told the council the city has spent roughly $353,000 for the project, when the city originally thought it would only cost roughly $200,000.

“We have done our part and spent more than what we thought we would, and we still don’t know when the project will begin,” Reed told the council. “People have continuously thought it is the city holding this project up, and we have done everything we have been asked to do. We are now just waiting on the state.”

County Road 42 was let out for contract Aug. 28. The resurfacing project, a state-approved project, was originally scheduled to be let out for contract by the last week of May.

Chilton County-based Chilton Contractors was the company who received the bid for the project.

Delays with obtaining a right-of-way prompted plans for the project to be postponed.

The resurfacing project will be allowed 90 working days to complete the project, according to an ALDOT representative.

According to ALDOT’s website, the length of the project is 4.341 miles.

“We just have to continue to wait,” Reed said. “We keep paying more money for the city’s portion of the project, and we still have no idea when the project will begin.”

The council passed a resolution regarding the project saying the city enters into an agreement with ALDOT for the resurfacing on County Road 42 from U.S. 31 to County Road 51 and construction of a CT 12×8 RC bridge replacement culvert on County Road 42 over Yellow Leaf Creek.

In other business, the council recognized the retirement of Frank Ray, who has worked in the maintenance department for 28 years.

Reed presented Ray with a plaque thanking him for his service.

“You have set an example to be followed in the future and cherished by those of us that were fortunate enough to have experienced it for ourselves,” Reed said.

Councilman Rex Bittle also recognized Ray by telling the council a story he heard about Ray.

“There was a time when Frankie was stopped in traffic on County Road 42 and instead of just sitting in his car waiting on the traffic to clear, he got out of the car and everyone noticed him picking up trash from the side of the road,” Bittle said. “He provided an excellent example for someone employed by the city.”

The council also entered into an executive session to discuss legal ramifications for pending litigation and matter involving trade or commerce.

There was no action taken after the executive session concluded.