As the Selma City council meeting got underway Tuesday night, Selma City Councilman John Leashore called for a discussion regarding legal payments made to Montgomery attorney Bobby Segall, the cause of much commotion during Monday’s meeting, to be tabled until Selma City Council President Corey Bowie could be present to provide answers.

Selma City Councilman Sam Randolph took exception, noting that he was contacted by the Alabama Attorney General’s office in his capacity as a council member, not a citizen, and he should therefore be able to secure council legal representation.

The two batted the issue back and forth until Leashore put a motion on the floor to table the discussion – in the end, the council sided with Leashore, with only Randolph and Selma City Council President Pro Tem Angela Benjamin voting against the motion.

The council then moved to take on the consent agenda, which included two retail liquor licenses, but a liquor license for Xplosion Bar and Lounge was kept off of the consent agenda so that the council could discuss it further.

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

• an off-premises retail beer and table wine license for Pur Food Mart;

• usage of Memorial Stadium for the “Walk to End Lupus” scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19 from 7 a.m. until noon;

• a partnership with the Salvation Army and its “Adopt an Angel” program and usage of the Selma Convention Center for interviews to be hosted Oct. 8 and gift giving to be held Dec. 19;

• a waiver of the amusement tax for the upcoming fair sponsored by the Lion’s Club.

Following approval of the consent agenda, the council took up the issue of Xplosion Bar and Lounge’s liquor license application – a letter detailing complaints from 2016, before the lounge was taken over by the new owners, was sent to council members and they wanted to hear from the owners regarding their plans for the venue, including security.

The owner, who was not identified by name, stated that there are security cameras all around the premises, inside and out, and at least six security guards ready to begin work.

Selma City Councilwoman Jannie Thomas, whose ward houses the lounge, stated that the owners would need to clear their security protocol with the Selma Police Department (SPD) but, assuming that is done, she supported the business having a liquor license.

The council approved the license, with Selma City Councilwoman Miah Jackson abstaining.

The council also heard from Selma City Schools Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams who, along with giving council members an update on the various goings on in the local school system, was asking for assistance in preparing Memorial Stadium for football games each week – currently, the school system, with assistance from volunteers, is striping the field at a cost of roughly $700 each week.

The council largely supported the request for assistance and vowed to look into Recreation Department funds that could assist with the effort.

Also on hand was Brown Chapel AME Church Pastor Leodis Strong, who provided the council with information regarding how the $500,000 recently granted by the National Parks Service to restore the home of Amelia Boynton would be used.

“This woman lived such a huge life,” Strong said. “If anything in this city is going to bring us together, this ought to be it.”

Strong called for support and patience from the council, noting that funds likely won’t be handed down for another six months or so, as the restoration process begins to take shape.