City Council members on Tuesday night finally reached a decision on whether or not to permanently close an alley in the 1500 block of Chamberlain Avenue. With all members finally present, the vote was 5-4 for a permanent closure.
Voting to approve the closure for homeowner Patricia Robinson were Council members Dan Page, Debbie Gaines, Linda Bennett, Leamon Pierce and Duke Franklin.
Opposed were Jack Benson, Marti Rutherford, Manny Rico and Sally Robinson.
There had been several deadlocked votes and considerable discussion at council committee meetings.
Several council members went out to the site as did Mayor Ron Littlefield. Public Works Administrator Steve Leach made several visits.
Mr. Leach said the alley is classified as "Tier 1" by the city, and the staff was recommending that it be kept open.
But Councilman Pierce said the alley is unused and has no utilities in it. He said the city will never have any use for it.
Councilman Benson said he favored a temporary closure, which he said would allow the homeowner to erect a fence to stop traffic. He said the city was giving up all its interest in the alley by the permanent closure.