PINEVILLE — The Pineville City Council was commended for their efforts in flood wall upkeep by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) after a courtesy inspection on March 27. Efforts by the city to improve the wall were in response to a 2008 failed inspection conducted by the USACE citing measures of non-compliance. USACE provides public engineering services to reduce the risk of natural disasters.

In a letter to Mayor Sherwin Rader written on April 6, Gregg Nivens, Resource Manager of Martins Fork and Laurel Lake in the Nashville District of USACE, said his team of inspectors noted “effort and progress” and “vast improvements towards compliance.”

“We would like to commend your office and especially Donnie Wilson and staff for coordination of these significant improvements in removing the vegetation off the levee wall,” said Nivens in the letter. “The work that is underway shows measurable and significant efforts. These improvements, as you are aware, are needed to maintain a proper functional system within the guidelines of the maintenance requirements set forth in the flood wall protection program.”

Councilmember Bruce Nunn said at the city council meeting that trees and stumps were removed from the wall and the effort was being completed together by the county and city.

The Council expressed relief that their efforts were up to par.

“Sounds like they think we’re doing a good job,” said Mayor Rader, regarding the letter. “Hopefully we’ll get it all finished before long and they can come back and we’ll go through an official inspection and get everything back the way it has to be.”

Rader thanked everyone who had helped them improve the wall.

The Council expressed their intention to collect on several businesses with delinquent taxes. The owners of Dairy King are currently three months late paying their taxes to the city.

Local radio personality Brian O’Brian asked the Council to write a letter of support to New Wave Communications to allow him to be a provider for the local access channel. He cited his dedication to covering local events. The Council made a motion to write the letter.

Rader said that a decision on the hotel project is currently pending.

The following took place at the meeting:

• The Council approved the personnel policy revisions.

• Rader declared May Drug Court Month to honor their 20th anniversary.

• The Pineville Police Dept. received a new cruiser and hired a full-time officer with coal severance money.

• The city received a Safety Grant of $15,019.98 that will pay for new rubber mulch for the playground on Walnut St. and safety cones for the police dept.

• The Council made a motion to write a letter showing their support for Lighthouse Mission taking over the homeless shelter in Pineville.

• The Council made a motion to write a letter to New Wave addressing concerns brought before the them regarding problems with television reception in the Pineville area.

• The Council made a motion to authorize the 50 ft. sign for Walgreens moving into Pineville.

All members were present, except Councilman David Gambrell, who arrived near the end of the meeting.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.