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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The City of Clanton received word that its grant application for a splash pad near the city pool had been approved during a meeting on Sept. 14.

City grant writer Louise Campbell said that the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs grant has been approved, but the project is being reviewed by the National Parks Service. Campbell said this is mostly just finishing up paperwork.

The project is estimated to cost a little more than $300,000. The grant would cover 50% of the cost.

Included in the project is the replacement of a dilapidated wooden bridge going into Ollie Park.

This was the city’s second time applying for a grant to build a splash pad. This second application was made in October of 2019.

Campbell also gave an update on the grant the city had received to demolish 28 condemned houses. She presented Ark Remediation as the lowest bid for an asbestos inspection company for the project. The Council approved accepting the low bid.

Campbell said the cost for asbestos inspection and abatement with the project was included in the matching funds the city had already set aside.

“The work is important, and Gene (Martin, building inspector) is not qualified to do asbestos inspections,” Campbell said.

Houses to be demolished go through the condemnation process, review by the Alabama Historical Commission, title search and asbestos inspection before being slated for removal.

Also during the meeting, the Council approved:

• Annual contracts based on the lowest bid for fuel, concrete, tires and dumpsters.
• Mayor bobby Cook to serve on the Industrial Development Authority.
• A resignation from the sanitation department.
• A request from the Clanton Fire Department to purchase a device that will do chest compressions. Fire Chief David Driver said the device would be used during cardiac arrest incidents and would essentially be “an extra pair of hands” to aid rescue personnel. The device will cost approximately $15,000, but the department will be reimbursed through CARES Act funds. Driver said it is adjustable to consider a person’s size. Personnel will receive training before using the device on a call.
• Hiring two street department employees and a sanitation department employee.
• Covering an increase in price in individual health insurance for employees.
• Purchasing two vehicles for the street department from the federal bid list and an engine for a 2010 freightliner for the sanitation department. The rest of the vehicle was in good working order.
• Moving forward on the bid process for a storm drain project on Kincheon Road.