Revenue from alcohol sales earmarked for capital improvements will be used to build a new parking lot at Hartselle High School.

A commemorative check for $38.992.93 was presented to Hartselle City Schools Superintendent Dee Dee Jones at a council meeting Oct. 22.

Mayor Randy Garrison said the money was collected from Hartselle’s alcohol sales in FY 2018-19 and represented the percentage the school system set aside to fund capital improvements.

Jones said the funds will be used to develop five acres of addition parking space on the high school campus. 

In other council action, a public hearing was held and final consideration given to a rezoning request of a vacant parcel at West Main and Prospect Drive from B-1, neighborhood commercial, to R-5, patio home.

City planner Jeremy Griffin said the current comprehensive plan doesn’t show the property changing from commercial; however, the development of detached residential houses facing Prospect Drive is in keeping with the neighborhood.

No comments were made during the pubic hearing. 

The planning commission recommended approved 5-0-1, as did the city council.

Police Officer Daniel Parker was recognized by Police Chief Justin Barley as Officer of the Quarter for July through September. The 15-year veteran was described as a “very solid officer who represents the city in a very positive way.” 

Parker’s name will be permanently affixed to a plaque in the police department, and he will be considered for the Officer of the Year award.

Garrison presented certificates of recognition to Harrison Hope and Alan Sherman. Hope was cited for attaining the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts, and Sherman was recognized for his 15-year tenure as a city employee. 

The council also:

• approved the vacation of an unopened segment of ROW for Longwood Street NW between Bailey Street and Collier Drive upon the request of a property owner.
• accepted a bid of $27,350 from Eddie Pruitt Ford for a 2020 sport utility vehicle for the police department.
• accepted a bid of $711.93 monthly for copier/printers for city hall, police department, court, Sparkman Civic Center and the library from R.J. Young.
• declared as surplus property a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria at the request of the police department and authorized its sale at public auction on govdeals.com.

The council was made aware of a parking problem at 317 Chestnut St. by owner/occupant Victoria Sharp. Sharp said she has difficulty backing her car out of out of her garage because of her neighbor’s four vehicles, camper and utility trailer parked nearby in the city alleyway.

“I’ve called the police and asked for help,” she said, “and asked my neighbor for his cooperation, and he just laughed at me.” 

She asked if one of the alley spaces could be set aside for her.

“Can you tell me if the developer placed a limit on the number of vehicles a townhome owner could have? she asked.

“Construction plans specified two vehicles, one in the garage and the other in an adjacent  space outside,” said Department of Development director Jeff Johnson. He also pointed out the lots extend about 12 feet behind the townhomes.

City attorney Larry Madison suggested an answer to the problem would be to designate the row behind the town homes as a no-parking zone.

Garrison said he would follow up the discussion by meeting with Madison to discuss the matter and seek a resolution. 

The council concluded its meeting by voting to go into executive session to discuss a possible purchase of property.