Red Bank citizens will be able to tour the old Red Bank High School (current middle school on Dayton Boulevard) on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to get input from citizens about saving the gym and auditorium when the old school complex is demolished.

The conversation is whether the city should retain the structures for municipal use. The problem is the high cost to repair the buildings.

Another issue to be addressed at the same time will be new Welcome to Red Bank signs. Estimates of cost and where to position them will be talked about.

Mayor Monty Millard said the commission may make a decision on the two old school buildings at a special called meeting on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. He said a cost of $1 million to $1.5 million just to fix up the gym for a new city hall was given. Architect Vance Travis, a Red Bank High graduate, is urging the city to save the two old buildings.

Mayor Millard said the city already has plans ready for a brand new city hall next to the current too-small one.

Red Bank's Neighborhood Night Out was delayed a week due to rainy weather. It will be next Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The amount of $464,000 has previously been approved by the commissioners to build the James Avenue ball fields. Interim City Manager John Alexander said that the parking area will be paved instead of graveled. This will cost the city an additional $37,174. The cost of the project without the parking area is now $365,000. Including the paving, the expense of the total project will still fall below the approved amount so there will be no vote needed to approve it, he said.

The city is purchasing three new Volkswagen Passats to use as marked patrol vehicles each for just under $27,000. The commissioners were told that two would be financed from the general budget and the third would be bought with money from the drug fund. It was explained that originally money coming from this fund was only allowed to be used for drug enforcement, but can now be used for general law enforcement. Money from the drug fund will also be used to install police equipment on the three new VWs.

There were four bidders with the low bid submitted by Jim Ellis Volkswagen of Atlanta. Total cost is $80,350.

Police Chief Tim Christol said the new vehicles may get as much as 46 miles per gallon compared to 14-16 miles per gallon with the current Chargers. 

A new position of director for the Senior Centers will be created with a salary of $5,200. This role has previously been run by volunteers that are no longer able to do so. The centers also employ an exercise director for $3,000 yearly. The city will place advertisements for the newly created job. It was decided that the contract offer would be for six months in order to gauge the value of the program.

Red Bank will host a “Halloween Bash” on Oct. 31. This is a celebration that has grown each year with about 3,000 kids participating last year in the free event. There was discussion about the cost since previously, business in the city have provided donations to back it, but are not contributing this year. The cost to host this street party is $2,000-$2,500. Mr. Alexander said he could find $1,500 in the budget to chip in, and all the commissioners and the mayor said they would make personal contributions. It was emphasized that all volunteers for the event would be welcome, and any donations can be made to the Red Bank Firefighters Association.