Gardendale Mayor Stan Hogeland and long-time crossing guard Hazel Butts embrace during the council meeting presentation of her new sign.

The Gardendale City Council on Monday honored long-time crossing guard Hazel Butts with the reading of a proclamation from the Alabama Senate that honored Butts for her “outstanding professional achievement” and as an “adored member of the community.”

Butts retired as a crossing guard at the end of the school year, after serving for 50 consecutive school years.

Mayor Stan Hogeland read the proclamation and then read a proclamation from the city, complete with an engraved plaque. But, the council wasn’t done with the surprises, announcing they have renamed Ash Avenue, which runs between Bragg Middle School and Gardendale High School, to Hazel’s Way. The signs on the road were officially changed on Tuesday morning.

Hogeland explained that there were many ways the city could have named the road to honor Butts, but they felt this was most fitting.

“You better drive Hazel’s way,” Hogeland said. He told the audience that the woman’s insistance wasn’t out of a need to be in charge, but her devotion to the children in her care.

“It’s because she loved those kids so much and she couldn’t stand the thought of something happening to them,” Hogeland continued.

Each council member also took their turn telling stories about Butts or expressing appreciation.

“I don’t deserve this, but I have always loved Gardendale and the kids,” Butts said.

In other business, the council:

•discussed a community meeting that will be held July 21 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall for residents to express any concerns or questions they have about the city.

•heard from Jim Parola that the Farmer’s Market this week will have a petting zoo, children’s fingerprinting with the police department, child safety seat inspections with the fire department and other events. There will also be a veteran appreciation ceremony on June 30.

•heard from Civic Center Director Keith Mosley that the construction at the civic center is underway to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

•voted to declare portions of 962 Mt. Olive Road and 976 Mt. Olive Road as surplus to allow them to be sold.

•voted to affix a cost for weed removal at various properties in the city that have violated the ordinance.

•voted to fix demolition costs at 4459 Willow Street and 5019 Cypress Street and assess the costs to the owners of the properties.

•voted to install two fire hydrants at Turnberry Phase 2A.

•voted to install a streetlight at the entrance to Turnberry.

•voted to surplus three 1980s model trucks from the the public works department.

•were introduced to the new Greater Gardendale Chamber of Commerce executive director, Anna Stokely.

Hogeland said the water works department has plans to paint the water tower a blue or olive green. He has requested that the tower instead be painted in school colors, but isn’t sure if that request will be possible.

The mayor also said that, due to challenges with the developers, the Shrimp Basket restaurant may be behind on the planned opening date of July 1, but he would know more accurate opening dates in the near future. The restaurant is currently being completed by the company.