Greenville is one step closer to an expanded airport runway.

Mayor Dexter McLendon told members of the Greenville City Council that preliminary work is under way for the city to receive a Federal Aviation Administration grant to extend the existing airport runway from 3,800 feet to as much as 5,500 feet.

The council voted to authorize McLendon to enter into a contract with Garver Engineers for engineering and planning services related to the grant. The total contract with Garver will not exceed $141,510, and includes a feasibility study, runway justification, zoning ordinance, environmental assessment and land acquisition services. In other business, the council:

awarded the bid for recreation department t-shirt contract for 2001-2002 to OPM merchandisers

awarded bids for recreation athletic equipment for 2001-2002 to BSN, JP

Sports, Riddell, McLendon Athletic, Bill Fritz and Collegiate

awarded bid for sale for surplus timber at the inert landfill to Georgiana Timber Co., for $1,650.

awarded bid for beaver control contract to Nuisance Animal Control for $1,000.

awarded bids for bulk purchase of unleaded gasoline and on-road diesel for

2001-2002 to Middleton Oil.

rejected and reissued bids for purchase of concrete and curb mix for 2001-2002.

awarded bid for purchase of asphalt for 2001-2002 to APAC.

forgave unpaid ambulance fee debt.

approved the names for Jameson Lane and Manor Court to meet postal requirements.

reappointed Charles Newton to South Central Alabama Mental Health Board as city appointee.

approved issuance of retail beer and wine off-premise only liquor license for Harry Bell, dba Greenville Meat Market and Promarketing, dba Beeline.