By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
PINSON – Local school leaders received a $60,000 check from the Pinson City Council at a meeting on Thursday, March 2.
The principals from Johnson Elementary, Pinson Valley High, and Rudd Middle schools were present to accept the check. Johnson Elementary School Principal Brandi Wilson said that the funds will go towards structural improvements to the building.
“We have about 620 kids right now,” she said. “And we are making great headway in some outside remodeling and renovations, so we’re really excited about using some of (the funds) to do that.”
Rudd Middle School Principal Adrian Pryor is new to the position and still learning the ins and outs, he said.
“I’m still learning the system, still learning the kids,” he said. “But so far I love it. We’ve got a great group of kids out here and a great group of teachers at our school.”
Next Pinson Valley High School Principal Michael Turner spoke. He gave several updates on school sports and testing, noting that a football coach was recently hired. This was Gentrell Eatman, who used to be offensive coordinator for three years at the school.
“I know that it’s very important,” he said. “Certainly thinking about the lives that all of our teachers and coaches impact every single day.”
Later in the meeting City Attorney Shane Black delivered an update on the management at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. He reported that there is a management change at the preserve, which had been operated by Birmingham Southern but will be turned over to Ruffner Mountain Park by the end of March.
The city has regularly given $20,000 per year to Birmingham Southern for site manager costs. Black said that at the next meeting, the council will consider a resolution to begin giving that money to Ruffner and to approve changing the lease that Birmingham Southern has to the new operators.
During enhancements, the council briefly discussed Trade Days and City Fest, with Councilwoman Glenda Kirkland announcing that Trade Days will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and City Fest will be on April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In other business the council:
- Annexed a property on Turkey Creek Road,
- Approved the voting delegates for the Alabama League of Municipalities as Mayor Joe Cochran for first alternate, Councilman John Churchwell as second and Councilwoman Clintesha Irvin as third,
- Rezoned a property on Brook Crest Way from Jefferson County R-1 to RM (Residential Medium),
- Changed the name of Oak Street West to Bicentennial Lane to give a searchable GPS address for the park and avoid confusion with directions,
- Authorized Cochran to enter into an agreement with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to continue services,
- Amended the intended salary of the revenue clerk position from $17.25-$22.50 to $17.25-$26 per hour, and
- Approved a request to promote two Parks and Recreation employees from part-time to full-time.
Pinson City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at City Hall on 4410 Main Street. Live-streamed meetings can be seen on the city’s Facebook page.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.