By Tanna M. Friday, For The Tribune
IRONDALE — The Irondale City Council met Tuesday evening, April 5, for their regular scheduled meeting to honor citizen and educational leaders for their service to Irondale and surrounding communities.
Special guest, honoree, and longtime resident, Mr. Van A. Phillips Sr. opened the meeting in prayer.
Those in attendance included Council members Robert Box, Cindy Cuellar, John London, Aaron Sims, David Spivey, and Mayor James Douglas Stewart, Jr.
During Mayor Stewart’s report, he presented the Prescott House Child Advocacy Group with a proclamation recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which emphasizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. According to the Child Welfare website, this collaboration, prevention services, and support help protect children and produce thriving families.
Stewart also recognized three out of the ten teachers and residents selected for the Teacher of the Year award. Those recognized included teacher at Shades Valley High School, Ivy Bishop, sixth-grade teacher of Irondale Middle School, Yohna Mills, and elementary teacher of Grantswood Community School, Andrea Riley. Each were awarded monies going towards schools, including a $2,500 grant awarded to Teacher of the Year Riley.
During Council reports, Councilperson John London presented two proclamations recognizing residents Van A. Phillips, Sr., and Robert Crenshaw.
Phillips played seven sports, graduated from Phillips High School in 1978, and earned an athletic scholarship from Kentucky State University. He returned to Birmingham to teach, and for the past three decades, he has been a principal in the Jefferson County School System, including Center Point High School.
Crenshaw, Irondale resident for over 30 years, is the immediate past president of Alabama A&M University National Alumni Association, member of Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon and is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Crenshaw served in the community for 24 years and was recognized as one of Irondale’s outstanding citizens.
In other matters, the Irondale Council approved:
- Minutes of the regular city council meeting held March 15, March 17, and special council meeting March 29, 2022;
- Current bills for payments $372,285.74;
- Consent agenda;
- Resolution 2022-R-49 authorizing the allocation of public funds in the amount of $500.00 to Shades Valley High School from the 2021-22 FY Discretionary Fund of Councilperson John London to be used exclusively for the Shades Valley Jazz Band;
- Resolution 2022-R-50 authorizing the allocation of public funds from the 2021-22 FY Discretionary Fund of Councilperson John London in an amount not exceeding $500.00 to purchase a bench to be placed in the right-of-way of the Stone Ridge Subdivision for public use;
- Resolution 2022-R-56 delaying that certain public property is not needed for public or municipal purposes and directing the disposal of said property by auction;
- Resolution 2022-R-57 approving the expenditure of $1,500.00 for the City of Irondale Young Entrepreneur’s Day event to be held on April 16, 2022;
- Resolution 2022-R-58 authorizing the execution of a lighting service agreement with Alabama Power instilling two LED fixtures and ancillary items at the park located at 3324 Sunniroc Road;
- Resolution 2022-R-59 authorizing the approval of the Irondale Easter Egg-sperience as a public event as well as the expenditure of $1,000.00 for the costs of the event;
- Resolution 2022-R-60 authorizing the allocation of public funds from the 2021-22 FY Discretionary Fund of Councilperson Robert Box in an amount not to exceed $1,700.00 to purchase a sign to be placed at Heritage Place Subdivision for public use; and
- Resolution 2022-R-61 authorizing the exception of a communications solutions agreement with Spectrum Enterprise for the installation of digital infrastructure located at 1801 Crestwood Blvd for the water department.
- Regular agenda;
- Resolution 2022-R-51 appointing Councilperson Cuellar to be the voting delegate and Councilperson Sims as the alternate voting delegate for the City of Irondale at the Alabama League of Municipalities 2022 Annual Business Meeting;
- Postponing voting on Resolutions 2022-R-52 through 2022-R-54 appointing positions to the Commercial Development Authority Board; and
- Postponing Resolution 2022-R-55 authorizing an extension of the Moratorium on mini-warehouses/self-storage companies within the City of Irondale. Councilperson Cuellar requested an ordinance committee meeting before moving forward on resolution.
The Irondale Council will meet on Tuesday, April 12, for a special called meeting beginning at 6 p.m. at the Irondale City Hall.