The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce has leased the Farmers Market to offer something new at this year’s Depot Days.

The Chamber leased the market space from the city to offer an on-premises beer sales event as part of the Depot Days celebration next month.

City attorney Larry Madison said a lease requirement is consistent with the special event provision of the city’s alcohol licensing ordinance.

The council approved the arrangement at its most recent meeting.

In a separate but related action, the council also approved an alcohol license request from Main Street Food Mart on East Main Street.

In other city business, the council approved an amended zoning ordinance to allow for the placement of an accessory structure in the side space of a single-family residential lot.

In another zoning matter, additional uses were permitted in an agricultural zone. One such use is the growing and sale of cut-your-own Christmas trees.

The council also:

—approved city participation in an Economic Development Academy sponsored by the Alabama League of Municipalities. Designated as attendees, and approved to receive reimbursement for related expenses, were Mayor Randy Garrison, council member Virginia Alexander, DOD Director Jeff Johnson and city planner Jeremy Griffith. The academy will focus on developing strategies that will enhance economic growth in the city.

—approved the vacation of an unused easement in Hickory Heights Subdivision.

—introduced an ordinance to rezone Barkley Bridge Road from agriculture 1 to residential.

—accepted a bid from Hannah’s Lawn & Landscaping Service to do grass cutting and trimming at Hartselle exits on Interstate 65.

Mayor Garrison commented that gross receipts taxes received in July reached double-digit figures, in line with results in prior months in the 2020-21 budget year.

He also said a landscape plan has been prepared for the city’s newly-renovated municipal building on Chestnut Street. White river rock and ornamental grass will be placed around the building, a sprinkler system will be installed, and Japanese maple trees will be planted at the four corners. Most of the work will be done by city employees.