Selma’s ongoing trash issue headlined its City Council work session on Thursday at City Hall.

The six council members present discussed the issue during its 80-minute work session meeting.

Council members present Thursday were City Council President Corey D. Bowie, Ward 2 Councilwoman Susan Youngblood, Ward 4 Councilwoman Angela Benjamin, Ward 1 Councilman Carl Bowline, Ward 6 Councilman Johnnie M. Leashore, and Ward 7 Councilwoman Jannie Thomas. City attorney Jimmy L. Nunn was also present.

The city has two trucks operating and some of the area’s garbage isn’t being picked up.

“Some of the wards aren’t getting touched,” Thomas said. “This stuff is piling up. I’ve taken a lot of beat down in my Ward because the trash isn’t being picked up.”

Bowie continued to emphasize having an outside company come in and remove trash from the city.

Thomas also brought up the city’s K-9 dog concerns to Nunn, questioning if the animals were certified. Thomas and Benjamin both recalled dogs being turned loose on citizens in their Wards.

Nunn said K-9 dogs are under the city. K-9 dogs are considered police officers and they fall under public safety.

Bowie also expressed concerns about the K-9 dogs. Bowie planned to address his issues in writing to Selma mayor Darrio Melton and Chief of Police Spencer Collier.

The sink holes on Lincoln Drive, addressed by Youngblood, was another topic of concern. Pot holes in the area have gotten worse over the years. A state of emergency is a possibility.

“We put in plastic liners six years ago, but it wasn’t enough,” Youngblood said. “The sink holes are big.”

The session turned intense when Leashore addressed the Appointment powers item on the agenda.

“We don’t need this to be a constant battle up here,” Leashore said. “We need to stop fighting.”

Benjamin recalled subject matter being tabled from previous meetings.

“We take items off the agenda because we’re uncomfortable with something over and over again,” Benjamin said. “We can’t mute each other up.”

Bowie urged the council members to work together for a solution to issues that affect the city and its residents.

The Selma City Council will have its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday.