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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Clanton City Council has approved having Mayor Jeff Mims ask for an extension on its option to purchase two parcels on Highway 145 from 30 days to six months.

The unanimous decision was made during the Nov. 9 meeting.

Both parcels are in the Clanton Commercial Cooperative District and recommended for the city to purchase in the Exit 212 Master Plan.

Councilman Billy Singleton asked for reassurance that the city’s plan for the property has remained the same.

Mims said the option on the Ellison property (9 acres) was about to expire, and the option on the Connell property (43 acres) would not be far behind it.

“We need an extension,” Councilman Sammy Wilson said.

He said an environmental study on the property had not been done and this would give the city time to do that.

The plans to purchase and develop the property remain in place.

Jonathan Seale was appointed as the new city clerk/treasurer with Debbie Orange appointed as interim clerk/treasurer until Seale could start work.

Also during the meeting, the Clanton Fire Department presented a demonstration of its STRYKER equipment to the Council and residents present. The department will receive reimbursement for the $15,000 piece of equipment through the CARES ACT. The device provides CPR chest compressions and was described by the department as being like having another person at the scene.

The City Council had a first reading for an acholic beverage license for GameZone and an acholic beverage and tobacco sales license for the Dollar General in Park Plaza. Action on the requests will be made by the Council on the second reading of the request.

It was determined that the on-call procedure for the water department, which would establish a schedule for who handles after-hour calls and compensation, would need to be considered by the Utility Board.

Work sessions for the Council will now be held at 5 p.m. in the Mayor’s office (on the second floor of City Hall) on the Thursday prior to each Council meeting. Work sessions are open to the public under the Open Meetings Act. However, the Council cannot vote on anything during a work session.

The Council also approved:

• Additional personnel for the parks and sanitation departments.
• Raises for employees that had been promised them but never received them.
• Salaries for those that had been appointed to new positions during the organization meeting.
• Josh Inman as public defender.
• Mims, Councilwoman Mary Mell Smith and city clerk to sign checks.