By Shaun Szkolnik for the Tribune
PINSON — The Pinson City Council met on Thursday. After preliminary business was attended to the council was addressed on a matter of new law, called the Coach Safety Act, which will apply to volunteer coaches. The new rules will require that the volunteer coaches can show proficiency in the following areas:
- Emergency preparedness, planning, and rehearsal for traumatic injuries.
- Concussions and head trauma.
- Heat and extreme weather-related.
- Physical conditioning and training equipment usage.
- Heart defects and abnormalities.
The council was next addressed by Senator Shay Shelnutt. Shelnutt presented two checks to the council. The first check was in the amount of $10,000 and was specified to be used for when the Pinson Valley Marching Band travels to New Orleans for a New Years Day competition during the half-time of the Sugar Bowl. The second check, also in the amount of $10,000, was specified for use by the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. Both checks were made possible by grants from the Jefferson County Community Service Fund.
Other business included:
- $100,277.19 being allocated to pay city bills; which included funds for the library renovation, legal bills, and funding for fire, EMS and dispatch services.
- A zoning issue in which a piece of city property has been rezoned so that it can be used for the purposes of training the fire department and, eventually, hosting a storm shelter.
- Discussion of how to proceed with an application of a FEMA grant that would provide funds to remove structures in the path of the flood plane.
- The passing of a resolution to recognize and support the Wreaths Across America memorial event.
- Initial discussion of the reappointment of the president pro tempore.
- A resolution that will allow for a blighted property to be purchased and removed from the current location at 4049 Spring Street. The resolution will allow for a bidding process to begin.
- A resolution allowing funds to be spent on technology upgrades for city hall and the library.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, each member of the council wore a pink polo shirt to Thursday night’s meeting. The shirts, since the council is not allowed to donate to the cause, were to show support for all those that have been impacted by the disease, as well as to signal solidarity for efforts to raise awareness and funds to find a cure.