By Terry Schrimscher, For the Tribune
IRONDALE – Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. invested a portion of the April 4 meeting of the Irondale City Council to issue proclamations recognizing efforts to make the community a better place for all citizens. In his report, Stewart invited people to support the Heartbeat of Irondale 5K benefitting the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center and efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.
“I want to encourage everybody to participate,” Stewart said. “We’re doing this for Child Abuse Prevention Month. We really believe that no child should be in a situation where they have to put up with abuse.
“We’re just trying to do our part to be able to support the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center,” Stewart added. “The proceeds will go to them to be able to eradicate child abuse.”
John and Linda Schoen, representing the Exchange Club of Irondale, were on hand to accept a proclamation designating April Child Abuse Prevention Month. The exterior of City Hall was decorated by blue pinwheels and blue lighting.
Mayor Stewart awarded two proclamations to students from Shades Valley High School. Lauren Jackson was on hand to accept recognition for being named 2023 Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama. Jackson is a senior at Shades Valley.
Micaiah Freeman was honored with a proclamation from the city for being the youngest person to complete CERT team training. CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team and is a FEMA sponsored program which trains civilians to work with first responders in times of emergency. Freeman is a junior at Shades Valley.
Carmen Vasquez, membership specialist for the Birmingham Association of Realtors, was on hand to accept a proclamation celebrating the Fair Housing Act declaring the month of April Fair Housing Month in Irondale.
In other business, the Council approved:
- $2000 for ClasTran for paratransit services.
- $2500 for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama
- Up to $2,297.50 for These Guys LLC to conduct a class on bicycle safety laws
- Engaged the firm of Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff and Brandt to represent the city in water matters
- Awarded a three-year sewer contract to Phoenix Water Resources
- Issued a zoning variance for an office building currently under construction
The next meeting of the Irondale City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on April 18 at Irondale City Hall.