By Terry Schrimscher, For the Tribune
IRONDALE – The Irondale City Council met Thursday night, July 6, for the first regular meeting of the month. The meeting was moved to Thursday due to the Independence Day holiday.
In the Mayor’s Report portion of the meeting, Mayor Stewart gave an update on the roundabout construction at the intersection of Grants Mill Road and Old Leeds Road near the new Publix shopping center, which is under construction.
The section of Grants Mill Road from I-459 to Old Leeds Road was recently opened and utilizes half of the roundabout. The section of Grants Mill which continues into Irondale from the intersection is temporarily closed to complete the other half of the roundabout construction.
“The city was not aware that the county was going to open up one end of the road and to close the other end of the road,” Stewart said. “We did not see that information until they began to put up the barricades.” He said the roads are expected to be closed for 45 days and added the job is still on track to be completed by September.
“So, I’m just asking people to be patient. This is what happens with progress and development,” Stewart said. “It won’t last always but please just be patient.”
Stewart welcomed Katie Wiswall and Tim Roberts from the Alabama Forestry Commission and John Schoen from Exchange Club to the podium to designate Irondale as a 2022 Tree City USA. The honor is awarded annually in conjunction with the Arbor Day Foundation. Irondale has now been awarded the designation 15 times.
The Council amended a previous resolution authorizing the city to execute an agreement with Gardner Architects LLC for architectural and engineering services. The firm is working on design plans for the city’s new municipal complex.
In other business, the Council declared out of service greenhouses owned by the water department as surplus. The greenhouses will be donated to Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition.
The Council also declared property located at 5236 Scenic View Drive to be a public nuisance. The property will be abated of weeds, overgrowth and noxious vegetable matter.
Additionally, the Council approved the following:
- A deed allowing for a waterline easement at 1603 Trailer Lane
- $3,518 to DataWorks Plus LLC to provide software for Irondale Police
- Accepted the 2021-22 fiscal year audit
- Amended the municipal code for mobile vendors to lower fees for vendors who participate in city special events
The next meeting of the Irondale City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on July 18, at Irondale City Hall.