The basketball court at the Auburn Park will soon have a new surface. At Monday evening's meeting, the Auburn City Council voted to have Scotty's Construction re-asphalt, surface and stripe the court for a price of $4,550.

The basketball court has several cracks in it, Mayor Dewey Roche told the council, and it was getting in pretty bad shape.

“It's got to be fixed,” said councilman Wayne Thomas. “You won't get it any cheaper.”

Roche said he got the quote from Scotty's and then tried to get another but was told that Scott's is the only one around here that does the exact kind of asphalting needed.

Council member Ron McGee and others agreed that the court needed to be repaired.

“It's used so much,” McGee said.

Council member Gayle Gregory made a motion to go ahead with the repairs and use money from the Amanda Gordon Fund. This fund was created when Auburn resident Amanda Gordon left money to the city when she died and asked that a walking track be constructed. The track at the park was built and money left in the fund is sometimes used for park improvements.

In other news, Roche told the council that there may be grant money available for the creation of green spaces and he is going to look into it. There is some property that could be improved near the ambulance service building.

"It's a beautiful spot," Roche said. "I think it would be worth exploring."

Roche said the money could be used to improve the space by adding things like sidewalks, a gazebo and lighting.

The council also:

• Adopted a resolution for a grant to be prepared by BRADD for the Senior Citizen Building;

• Agreed to put a new fire hydrant near the new apartments being built at the park;

• Passed on first reading an ordinance regarding property taxes which includes an increase with council member Thomas voting no; and

• Discussed the need for additional cleanup around the maintenance building at the Auburn Park.