By Crystal McGough, copy editor
The Clay City Council held it’s regular council meeting Tuesday night at Center Point Fire Station Four, located off Clay Palmerdale Road, which recently finished additions and renovations to the station. Following the council meeting, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the newly upgraded facility.
The improvements to Station Four include four new bedrooms, complete with bed, lockers and TVs, a new large bathroom, a captain’s suite complete with a private bathroom, and a clean room.
Previously, all firefighters on duty shared a bedroom and two small bathrooms, and also had a cramped kitchen/lounge area. Now, with the new additions, Clay’s firefighters have a more spacious kitchen and dining area, as well as a separate lounge area where the original bedroom used to be.
“The firemen just finished the additions on this fire station,” Mayor Charles Webster said. “The city funded it and these firemen actually put in all the work…It’s going to be great for them. They’re excited. It always makes you feel better when you’ve got a clean, nice place to come after you’ve been fighting a fire or out on a call…They’ve done a good job and everything looks very nice. Thank the firemen for all the work that they’ve done.”
The city council passed Proclamation 2019-04 in recognition of Battalion Chief Brandon Dahlen.
The proclamation states, “WHEREAS, Center Point Fire District’s Station Four is located within the City of Clay and provides fire and emergency services to citizens of Clay; and
“WHEREAS, the City of Clay and Center Point Fire District have worked together to construct additional living areas and a clean room at Center Point Fire District’s Station Four; and
“WHEREAS, the clean room will aid in preventing carcinogenic exposure to firefighters and their protective gear; and
“WHEREAS, Center Point Fire District Battalion Chief Brandon Dahlen has volunteered countless hours of physical labor to assist in the building of the additional living area and a clean room at Center Point Fire Station Four; and
“WHEREAS, Battalion Chief Brandon Dahlen’s volunteer labor saved an immeasurable amount of money.
“NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Clay, Alabama that we acknowledge and applaud the volunteerism, dedication, and efforts put forth by Battalion Chief Brandon Dahlen.”
Center Point Fire District Logistics Director Chris Horn presented several people from the fire department and the Clay Public Works Department with framed artistic renderings of Fire Station Four for their help in making the upgrades a reality.
Additionally, City of Clay Assistant Clerk’s Pamela Gilham and Andrea Self were each presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Alabama State Representative Danny Garrett attended the council meeting at the fire station and congratulated the fire district and city of Clay on the upgrades at the station. Garrett also presented Mayor Webster and the council with a check for $23,222.23 to go toward the city’s new tennis courts. Webster said that the four tennis courts, as well as plans for a city splash pad, are in progress.
Mayor Charles Webster and AL Rep. Danny Garrett
In regular city business, the council passed a resolution declaring weeds to be a public nuisance at several properties: 5219 Jean Drive, 5870 Brenda Drive, 5904 Elizabeth Drive, 5909 Elizabeth Drive, 6787 Markham Drive, 7112 Self Road and 7535 Old Springville Road.
City Manager Ronnie Dixon announced that the carnival will be returning to Clay on Monday, July 1, and Councilor Bo Johnson announced that the final Clay Movie Night will take place this Friday, June 28, showing “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” ClayFest will take place the following Friday, July 5. ClayFest will end with a fireworks show.
The next Clay City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at Clay City Hall. Pre-Council will begin at 6 p.m. and the regular council meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Clay Public Works employees recognized for helping with Fire Station Four improvements
Center Point Fire Chief Gene Coleman receives a framed sketch of Fire Station Four
Battalion Chief Al Tinney receives framed sketch of Fire Station Four
Former CPFD Chief Donnie West receives framed sketch of Fire Station Four
Battalion Chief Brandon Dahlen receives a framed sketch of Fire Station Four
Mayor Charles Webster receives framed sketch of Fire Station Four
Clay Public Works Director Josh Isbell receives a framed sketch of Fire Station Four
