The Selma City Council approved a gunshot ordinance brought forth by Councilman John Leashore two weeks ago, which will impose penalties on anyone discharging a firearm in the city.

Penalties can be as much as $500 and a mandatory 60 days in jail.

The city also approved the annual “Walk to Calvary” event, which will take place on April 18 and 19 this year, and approved the sale of city property to the Edmundite Missions for $1,200.

The ordinance for the deed states that the property, located at the intersection of Broad Street and Minter Avenue, is “no longer needed for public or municipal purposes.”

Councilman Carl Bowline advised residents that the Alabama River Chili Cook-Off could be postponed due to the threat of inclement weather Thursday and multiple council members discussed plans for the citywide clean-up slated to take place this weekend.

Rev. Leodis Strong of Brown Chapel AME Church, the only person to speak during the portion of the meeting reserved for citizens’ comments, presented the council with a draft proposal on ways to address the city’s ongoing financial struggles.

“I don’t think we can continue going the way we’re going,” Strong said. “We have to break through the gridlock, the deadlock. There’s some things we’ve got to do immediately.”

Strong’s proposal calls for the council to heed the recommendations put forth by Steven Brooks last month, who called for a variety of measures to better collect revenue already owed to the city.

Selma Police Chief Spencer Collier and other Selma Police Department (SPD) officers were on hand to once again plead for the council’s approval for a plan to use maintenance money for the purchase of six new police cruisers.

According the Collier, the move would not cost the city any additional money and would allow for the department to spend $40,000 annually, for the next five years, to purchase the new vehicles.

Collier said the department has 14 vehicles ready to be surplused, the revenue from which would almost cover the lease.

“We are in dire, dire straights,” Collier said.

SPD Det. Devin McGuire also addressed the council on the police department’s predicament.

“I put my life on the line for Selma,” McGuire said. “We just want you to hear our cry.”

McGuire said many on the force feel that the council does not care about their urgent situation, which prompted cries of support from all of the council members present.

Councilwoman Miah Jackson, however, is worried about the city’s financial situation and is unsure if the city can afford to make changes to the budget.

“We’re teetering on the brink of bankruptcy,” Jackson said, noting that within four years the city will owe an annual payment of $2.2 million on a refinanced bond. “I am so nervous that we are not going to be able to make payroll in the months of JUne, July and August. All I’m asking is that you give us some time. We’re going to do everything necessary to ensure you have just what you need.”

Councilman Michael Johnson called on the council to schedule a special called meeting next week to take up Collier’s proposal and Benjamin called for the council to at least allow Collier to surplus some of the department’s vehicles.