The Gardendale City Council on Monday announced that Thursday is the last day for Gardendale citizens to apply to vote absentee in Tuesday’s referendum regarding an additional 5 mills of property tax.

To vote absentee, citizens need to go to the Gardendale Civic Center by 5 p.m. Thursday to fill out the application and the ballot. Voters can also pick up a ballot to mail, but it must arrive at the civic center by Tuesday at noon in order to be counted.

Civic Center Director Keith Mosley said Tuesday that 43 people have already picked up absentee ballots.

Also on Monday, the city council hired a new city clerk. Melissa Honeycutt is scheduled to start work on Nov. 12. The council also authorized Honeycutt to deposit, withdraw and access all accounts and safe deposit boxes for the city.

In other business, the council:

• granted a one-year extension to North Gardendale Church of Christ for rezoning part of 701 Woods Road

• in accordance with budget preparations for the year, created two skilled labor positions in the Public Works department and promoted Charles Ashley and Justin Belcher to the positions, and created an administrative assistant III position in the Public Works department and promoted Jessica Barron to the position

• approved a contract with Transaction One for a debit and credit card machine for the administration and court departments

• authorized an agreement with Election Systems and Software LLC for the purchase of election supplies and services for the Tuesday referendum

• approved a contract with James Reach for maintenance and janitorial services for city hall and the Public Safety Center

• announced three upcoming town hall meetings for city council members to talk with residents about the Tuesday referendum: Mayor Othell Phillips will host “Coffee and Conversation with the Mayor” Thursday, 8:30 a.m., at the Gardendale Civic Center Magnolia Suite; Allen Jerkins will host a meeting Thursday, 7 p.m., at the Gardendale Civic Center Exhibition Hall; and Blake Guinn will host a meeting and provide coffee and doughnuts on Friday, 11:30 a.m., at the Gardendale Civic Center.

• heard from a business owner and a resident who said an organized run on Saturday mornings was interfering with access to buildings and parking. City council members and a member of the audience said the problem will be addressed immediately.