The possibility of adding a new fence highlighted Valley Grande’s City Council 23-minute meeting on Monday at Valley Grande City Hall.

The entire council was present at the meeting: Mayor Matt Dobbs, Tim White, Ronald Sawyer, Lamar Morgan, Tammy Troha, Jimmy Johnson and City Clerk Janet Frazier.

Troha, who handles Parks and Recreation, looked into purchasing a fence for the Valley Grande ballpark. The only estimate she received was $33,000.

The city council wanted specifications before they decide to proceed with the purchase. They must apply with county specifications, especially for the road and runway.

“We don’t want to build a $30,000 fence in the wrong place,” Dobbs said.

Cameras were also on the meeting agenda. Valley Grande had a camera installed Monday at City Hall. The cameras at the walking trail and the baseball and softball fields are not installed. The cameras cost the city an estimated $33,000 to get installed.

Dobbs said he met with officials from Southern Company in Birmingham about city planning.

In the hour-long meeting, they discussed comprehensive planning versus strategic planning as well as strengths, weakness, advantages and threats (SWAT).

“It’s a starting point where we need to be at the end of our term,” Dobbs said. “Comprehensive planning is a long-term, 20-year plan. We fit the strategic plan, which is a three-to-five-year plan.”

Not addressed at the meeting, but flyers were on the table about the Sept. 8 Valley Grande’s Volunteer Fire Department’s Rib Cook-off at Valley Grande City Park.

The cookoff will start at 11 a.m. and the judging starts at 3:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places.  The entrance fee is $5, but free for children 10 and younger. The deadline to enter is Aug. 20.

Team registration fee is $100. The event has three different sponsorships: Gold ($1,000), silver ($500) and bronze ($250).

The next Valley Grande meeting will be on Aug. 20 at 6 p.m.