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By Travis Gupton

The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma City Council met on Tuesday night.

Mayor James Perkins Jr. spoke to the council during the Mayor’s Report and gave the financial report.

City Treasurer Terri Barnes-Smith attended the meeting and was available to answer any questions the council had about the city’s financial status on the agenda after the Mayor gave the financial report. In the meeting, City Councilwoman Jannie Thomas asked that City Attorney Major Madison look closer into the role of the treasurer, requesting he return and explain to the council a better understanding of the position.

Later in the meeting, the item with the most discussion was about a property in Ward 7. The citizen has a house that needs demolition. The discussion among the council members was about what funds could be used to tear down the house. It was also discussed if it was legal to tear down a house that was owned by a state. The council talked about a grant that would allow the demolition of government owned buildings.

With the property in question being a residential house, it was not sure if the grant normally used for government properties can be used for a house owned by the state.

The council decided to table the topic until Madison can get more information about the grant surrounding government buildings.

The house in question has been on the market for over nine years.

A discussion about the work at the St. James Hotel was also discussed during the meeting.

The council discussed the progress on the work of the hotel and planned a meeting with one of the men who can work on the building.

After a discussion that topic was tabled to get more information.

The next city council meeting will be held on November 8 at City Hall.