In other business Tuesday, the council unanimously approved the re-appointment of Albert Ray to the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Authority of Jones County.

“HB5 Local and Private Laws of the First Extraordinary Session of 1983 created the Economic Development Authority of Jones County and authorized the mayor and city council to appoint three resident citizens to the Economic Development Authority,” according to city documents.

Ray is currently serving as one of the city’s three appointees. His term is scheduled to expire on July 1, 2009.

“The City of Laurel has been notified by the Economic Development Authority that Mr. Ray presently serves as secretary-treasurer of the Board of Directors of that body and is a hard-working, cooperative member who has served on the executive committee since 2000,” according to city documents. “Ray has expressed a willingness to serve another term as the city’s appointee.”

With the council’s approval Tuesday, Ray will be appointed to serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2009 and it will expire June 30, 2012.

Also Tuesday, with little discussion, the council approved the naming of some city facilities in honor of some living residents.

The council with a 6-0 vote approved an order naming the tennis facility at the Sportsplex in honor of Donnie Walker.

According to documents submitted to the council, the Planning Commission found that the request met all requirements as set forth in the ordinance No. 1347-1999 with the exception of that requirement that the honoree be deceased.

Walker is still alive.

Greg Butler, coordinator of the Pine Belt Tennis Local League in Ellisville, made the request to the city in a letter.

“Walker grew up in Laurel playing tennis,” Butler said. “He taught tennis in the Laurel City School Systems for five years. ...He was one of the founders of the Laurel Community Tennis Association in the 1970’s.”

Also Tuesday, the council approved an order naming the baseball field at K.C. Bottoms Park in honor of J.C. Hosey.

Also in a separate matter Tuesday, the City Council approved several budget amendments and heard several concerns from residents about safety and cleanliness of the city.