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The City of Andalusia is planning town hall meetings to receive public input to be used for a 10-year strategic development plan.

There will be two town hall meetings held on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at the Adult Activity Center, located at 401 Walker Ave. The first of the meetings will be held at noon and the second at 5:30 p.m.

To accommodate the town hall meetings, the city council voted during a meeting Tuesday to move their regular-scheduled meeting for that day from its normal time of 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. that same morning. The city council meeting will be held at city hall as normal.

Along with Mayor Earl Johnson and members of the city council, Steven Bingler of Concordia will be attending the town hall meetings. Concordia is a New Orleans-based architectural and community planning firm that has been contracted to assist the city with the strategic plan. The firm and city have worked together on past city projects.

“The public is invited to attend the town hall meeting to share ideas that will help shape our city’s development over the next decade,” Johnson said.

The mayor and council will also meet with Bingler the same day to discuss the strategic plan as well as plans for a new park project proposed for an area near Cotton Street, bordered by E. Three Notch, S. Three Notch, Stanley Avenue and the nearby railroad line.

The mayor said invitations to the town hall meetings have been mailed to registered voters.

The only other action taken during Tuesday’s meeting of the city council was approving four abatements for properties on Rankin Street, Railroad Avenue, W. Watson Street, and Third Street.

During the preceding work session, the council watched a video that was included as part of a presentation featuring the city at the International City/County Management Association conference held in Portland, Oregon. The presentation, titled “Rebirth of an Historic Alabama Community,” focused on the restoration of downtown and the revitalization of historic structures such as the E. Three Notch Elementary School.

Residents from Bellwood were also present to discuss issues. Those residents were prompted to schedule a meeting with law enforcement officials.