By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

JEMISON – Jemison will participate in Alabama’s official Bicentennial Commemoration, known as Alabama 200, from 2017-2019.

The council approved a celebration committee and passed a resolution declaring the city’s participation in the Bicentennial Commemoration. Official Bicentennial Community Celebration Committees can apply for limited grant funding, which will be awarded in late 2017 on a first come, first serve basis.

The city council nominated Jessica Fulmer, Euleta Guy and Barbara Singletary to serve on the city’s celebration committee. More people could be added to the committee in the future.

According to Alabama200.org, the goal of Alabama 200 is to “lay the foundation for the future.” From 2017-2019, it will “invest in schools and teachers, engage communities and encourage citizens and visitors alike to explore and learn about the state.”

Participating municipalities are encouraged to take on a special project for the Bicentennial.

The focus of 2017 will be places, the focus of 2018 will be people and the focus of 2019 will be stories.

In other news:

The council passed an ordinance to continue cooperative maintenance of U.S. 31 and Alabama 191 with the state.

“Even to pick up paper on that roadway, we have to have this ordinance in place,” Mayor Eddie Reed said.

The city council wants to keep the roadways clean and cut. This ordinance is required by the state if the city wants to maintain state roads in the city.

New planning commission members will be appointed at the next council meeting.

The old commission had expired and must be replaced as soon as possible, according to city administrator Shannon Welch.

Reed anticipates the city facing many zoning challenges and needing an active commission.

“This is a problem of growth. A lot of people are moving in our direction. It is important that we establish that board and keep it in place. We’ve been so busy the last three months with that,” Reed said.