Brookhaven aldermen continue to wrestle with the creation of anordinance that would bolster historic preservation efforts whilealso protecting the rights of property owners and citizens.

At Tuesday’s meeting, City Attorney Joe Fernald presentedaldermen with a best-case scenario of 130-140 days for completingthe process of becoming a Certified Local Government. That processincludes drafting a historic preservation ordinance, forming acommission to deal with preservation activities, designating ahistoric district and holding required public hearings.

“We need to get as much information as possible and as muchfeedback,” said Fernald, mentioning recent comments he has receivedfrom citizens about city plans and stressing the importance of thepublic hearings.

Still hanging are Brookhaven Little Theatre efforts to secure astate grant to help restore The Haven Theatre. Brookhaven being aCertified Local Government is a requirement before being eligiblefor the grant.

Tuesday’s meeting included conflicting comments about theavailability of grant funds this year.

A Department of Archives and History representative told cityofficials in a meeting Friday the deadline to apply for this yearhad passed. Last night, however, several city officials mentionedcomments they had received from BLT supporters and others thatapplying for a grant was still possible this year, although therewere no guarantees about its chances of success.

Fernald said he contacted state officials and could not verifythat possibility. He also mentioned that there are over 150 grantapplications for projects on the Gulf Coast and that was the statedepartment’s priority following Hurricane Katrina.

“We’re still looking at next year before we can get this done,”Fernald said.

Ward Four Alderwoman Shirley Estes asked fellow city officialsto focus on the positive possibilities that could result fromhistoric preservation efforts.

“We have a jewel of a community and it’s amazing we’ve preservedas much as we have,” Estes said.

Estes was responding to comments about potential backlash fromproperty owners who did not support historic preservation efforts.She did not want that possibility to derail city efforts.

“Enough negativity will put anything under the table,” Estessaid.

Fernald said he was not being negative but realistic. He hadearlier referred to the downtown area as a “treasure” that is beingdeveloped.

“We need to know what we’re going to do before we do it,”Fernald said.

Alderman at large Les Bumgarner remained concerned about thesize of a proposed historic district. He mentioned a document theboard received last night that showed approximately 100 downtownproperties that were included in a nationally-designated historicarea a few years ago.

“I’m not for anything that involves all of downtown,” Bumgarnersaid.

Aldermen support designating four buildings – The Haven, theAlexander Teen Center, the Chamber of Commerce building and theMulti-Modal Center – as historic districts.

The proposal has received positive feedback from stateofficials, but they stressed that the preservation commission andnot the city board should make that determination. Fernald followedup on those comments last night and emphasized the city would notbe able to pursue a preservation ordinance half-way.

“They’re going to expect this to be a functioning commission,”Fernald said.

Ward One Alderman Dorsey Cameron requested another work sessionfor officials to discuss historic preservation activities. He saidhe was not against BLT’s efforts, but he indicated that should notbe the board’s only consideration.

“If we rush it simply to do that, we’re doing it for the wrongreason,” Cameron said.

Ward Five Alderman D.W. Maxwell voiced concerns about theproposed ordinance and what would be included in it.

“We can’t rush the language in this ordinance,” Maxwellsaid.

Estes offered a motion simply to express the board’s intent topursue a historic preservation ordinance, but it died for a lack ofa second. Other aldermen said holding another work session wasdemonstration enough of their willingness and intent to pursue anordinance.

The work session was scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m.

“We hope to make strides then,” said Mayor Bob Massengill.