The Gardendale City Council has returned to full strength, after the swearing-in of a new member.

Will Hardman, a Gardendale insurance agent, took the oath of office with his family by his side at the council’s regular session on Monday night.

Hardman was selected from 10 applicants for the position. The remaining four council members picked him to fill the vacancy in a special meeting last week.

Hardman replaces Stan Hogeland in the District 5 seat. Hogeland became mayor after Othell Phillips resigned to become chief of staff for Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington.

A check for $3,305 was presented to the Raymond G. Doss Miracle League Playground fund, the proceeds from the “Music for Miracles” concert held on Aug. 1.

Police Chief Mike Walker also presented Det. Jimmy Unagnst with the Investigative Award for his work in an operation that covered much of metro Birmingham. The operation found convenience store operators who were buying electronic benefits transfer cards for cash below face value, then using the cards to purchase groceries to sell in their stores at higher prices.

Nearly a dozen stores were raided in the July operation.

Mayor Stan Hogeland also proclaimed “State of Teal” month for Gardendale in September. The event is intended to raise awareness and fund research for ovarian cancer.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a lease agreement for 10 Chevy Tahoe SUVs to be used as police vehicles

• Renewed the city’s line of credit with Regions bank

• Held public hearings on nine properties which were in violation of weed laws

• Filled several personnel vacancies in city departments.