Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The COVID-19 pandemic and fallen Selma Police Officer Marquis Moorer were the biggest subjects at  the Selma City Council Work Session on Thursday night.

Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. told the city council that he reached out to Governor Kay Ivey about the COVID-19 pandemic, where cases are steadily rising in Selma and Dallas County. Perkins recommend that the council reduce its audience while meeting publicly.

Perkins said he spoke with Ivey’s attorney, who said the Governor won’t declare an emergency declaration. He added that the only way the council won’t meet in person by emergency declaration by Ivey.

“My staff can attend virtual to minimize the people,” Perkins said. “The cases will continue to grow,. We need to lead by example.”

City Council President Billy Young told Perkins that the council will take his recommendation under advisement.

Perkins also said he wanted a Proclamation for fallen Selma Police officer Marquis Moorer at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Perkins said he talked with Moorer’s mother about attending.

A prayer vigil for Moorer, who died on July 27, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Riverfront Park.

In other council news:

-Reginald Wells addressed  the  uncut grass situation at Old Live Oaks and Lorenzo Harrison cemeteries. Wells said it would cost $13,000 to cut the grass at the two places. He also submitted a memo to Perkins.

“It’s extremely difficult to hire people because of COVID,” Perkins said. “People will work for a wek, then quit.”

Perkins said the amount will carry until October.

-Aubrey Carter and John Bozeman of Alabama Power addressed the council about the camera situation. They showed what the camera could do.

Bozeman said he talked with Selma Police Chief Kenta Fulford about the camera, which would cost $560,000 over a five-year contract.

Perkins recommended the council lease the camera.

-IT Director John Kinnerson discussed the phone system renewal.

The city council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday.