By Crystal McGough
CLAY—During the Clay City Council meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 17, 2020, Councilor Bo Johnson announced that Refuge Church and Covenant Church International will be joining together to host a drive-thru live nativity on Dec. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The nativity will take place at Covenant Church International and will include six scenes.
“It’s a drive-thru, not a walk through,” Johnson said. “Refuge and Covenant Church International are partnering to do that this year, just as a way to provide something fun to get out and do in the community.”
The council also discussed the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which will be held at Cosby Lake on Nov. 29, 2020, at 5 p.m. The Clay-Chalkville High School jazz band will provide entertainment, and refreshments will be available.
“Because of Covid, we’re not going to do hot chocolate,” Dixon said. “We’re going to do canned drinks, bottled water and cookies.”
Santa Claus will be present at the tree lighting, and while the city will not be providing a photographer, those attending will have the opportunity to take their own photos with Santa.
Additionally, Clay’s Christmas parade will be Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at 3 p.m., starting at Clay-Chalkville High School. The theme will be Jingle Bell Rock.
In regular city business, the council unanimously passed a motion to authorize Mayor Charles Webster to sign a contract with Volkert, Inc., to engineer and seek grants for the repair of the dam and spillway at Cosby Lake.
The council also approved two motions appointing and re-appointing board members to the Planning & Zoning Board and the Library Board. Eddie Dawson was appointed to B&Z for a 2019-2025 term, and Chris Nail was appointed to B&Z for a 2021-2026 term. Additionally, Polly McClure was re-appointed to the Clay Library Board.
“That should fill all of the necessary committees/boards except for one, which is BZA (Board of Zoning Adjustments),” City Manager Ronnie Dixon said. “It requires five members and it needs to be people who are well versed in planning and zoning, because they are basically the appeal process for planning and zoning.”
Dixon said that all five positions on the BZA need to be filled.
Councilor Dennis Locke announced the November $500 school grant winners. They are as follows:
- Clay Elementary School – Kevin Langford, STEM Lab. Funds will be used to purchase a 10.5″ iPad Air with Wi-Fi and 64gb memory and a Lego building kit. This will help them achieve the goal of STEM Lab by getting them started with some of the necessary tools.
- Bryant Park Elementary School – Ashlee Pharis, Exceptional Education. Funds will be used to purchase a printer and ink/toner for use in the classroom and will be used to print documents and materials for students, parents and administration.
- Clay-Chalkville Middle School – Keith Rodgers, Basketball. Funds will be used to purchase basketballs for the CCMS Basketball Team.
- Clay-Chalkville High School – Mr. Michael Lee, Principle
“I didn’t actually have a grant applicant for the high school,” Locke said. “I know Mr. Lee is covered up, and probably celebrating the victories of the football team, so we will award the funds to Mr. Lee to distribute as he sees fit.”
The next meeting of the Clay City Council will be Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, at Clay City Hall. Pre-council will begin at 6 p.m. and the regular council meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.