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By JERRETT POSEY/Intern

The Clanton City Council voting session on May 24 put several things into motion.

The first thing brought up was the rezoning of 1000 Duren Road from M1, Clanton Industrial District, to B3, Neighborhood Business District, to be used as a day care once again. Property owner, Teresa Varden, said the building was used as a day care in the past when her parents owned the building. Varden has a potential leaser of the property that wishes to use the building as a nonprofit day care. Varden was unsure why the building is not in a zone that allows for a day care to operate. The City Council had its first reading to approve the re-zoning during the May 24 meeting.

The second order of business was the unanimous approval of a resolution to search for the lowest bidder that will replace the HVAC system at the Senior Connection building. Councilman Awlahjaday Agee was not present due to a family emergency.

The council also approved the increase of the base pay scale for city employees in several departments, including police, fire, water and sewer, street, sanitation, and the parks and recreation. The city had contracted with Human Resource Management Inc. for market-researched suggestions for an updated salary schedule.

Mayor Jeff Mims believes this to be a historic moment for the city.

“I think this is a historic moment for us in the city of Clanton,” Mims said. “This is something that we have been working on since I got here, and I would like to thank everyone that has worked on it.”

The Clanton City Council also unanimously approved the authorization of an application to become an Alabama Community of Excellence. In the previous work session, Mims said he believes that this and the MainStreet Alabama program will work together in improving and restoring Clanton.

Then Clanton City Clerk Jonathan Seale gave the first reading of a draft beer ordinance. A second reading and vote will be required before it can go into effect. Seale said there are copies of the ordinance available in his office at City Hall, 505 Second Avenue North Clanton, AL 35046 during regular business hours.

Councilman Wade Watley received a phone call with a thank you to the Public Works Department from a resident on Poplar Springs Road for work on the right-of-way, saying it was the best it has looked in the 35 years they have been there.

The final discussion was about Clanton being a Tree City with the Arbor Day Foundation for 26 years. They were sent 26-year stickers to put up, as well as a large flag to fly. The city also plans to work more with the Tree City organization to have more “green” places around town.

Also during the meeting, the City Council:

 Appointed Troy Rutherford to the Chilton County Airport Authority. Councilman Billy Singleton also thanked fellow Council member Mary Mell Smith for her 16 years of service on the airport authority.

 Approved the 2020 fiscal year audit was accepted.

 Authorized the emergency purchase of a new utility tractor for the city.

 Authorized the mayor to act on behalf of the city and proceed with various capitol and other improvement projects.

 Approved declaring some of the city’s property as surplus and giving it to the Chilton County Airport Authority. This was the first hearing for the ordinance and will have another reading and a vote before going into effect.