The Gardendale City Council on Monday named Joe Thomas as the fire chief, effective Dec. 17. Thomas is currently the captain of the fire department. Thomas will replace Clint Doss, who is retiring.

In other business, the council also:

•approved a contract with JWA Ventures to begin developing the land between I-65 and Odum Road. The original developer of the project backed out. Mayor Stan Hogeland said this developer has been selected because of a track record of creating other developments in the state, like Taylor Road in Montgomery and the Galleria in Hoover.

Hogeland said the original developer fell through after the main tenant who had committed to the shopping center backed out. Hogeland did not name the potential tenant.

Earlier this year, the city agreed to an approximately $11 million dollar bond to purchase and develop the area, which currently has 29 separate lots that are residential. Included in that amount was the $9,010,000 price of purchasing the land, as well as the associated costs.

At a 772 hearing in May related to the project, the original developer, GBT Realty, anticipated the final project would create approximately 250 new jobs and generate approximately $30 million in revenue for the city. The property was set to include retail space and out parcels for restaurants or independent stores.

There was no announcement on Monday if the plans with the new developer will remain the same.

•heard a letter Hogeland received praising the city’s participation in the ClassTran system, which helps those without transportation get around.

•heard a letter Hogeland received praising the officials who brought the courthouse annex back to Gardendale.

•heard from Police Chief Mike Walker that there have again been car break ins and car thefts from vehicles left unsecured and with keys in them. Walker urged residents to lock their cars, not leave valuable or keys behind and be aware while they are out shopping.

•held the first reading of an ordinance that would change the building codes for the city to standardize the building codes. This measure will be voted on at the next council meeting on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. City Building Inspector Rob Ryant said the code changes would not impact permits already issued or building already in progress.

•approved a resolution that funds an agreement between the city and the state of Alabama for pedestrian improvement projects around the city. This could include walking tracks, sidewalks and other improvements.

•approved a resolution hiring Philip Skinner as an unskilled laborer in the Parks and Recreation Department.

•approved a resolution to hire Luke Green as a police officer. Green is a Gardendale native who has already completed the prerequisite testing to enter the police academy.

•approved the reappointment of Sandy Thomas to a seat on the library board, which will expire on July 1, 2020.

•approved a resolution appointing Ronald Barnett to finish the term of a previous library board member, which will expire on July 1, 2019. Hogeland praised Barnett for coming to the city and asking to be involved and then stepping in to serve on the board when he was needed. Hogeland said he hopes it encourages others to seek opportunities to serve in other capacities in the city.

•approved a resolution that will install fire hydrants in Woodridge Subdivision.

•approved a resolution that would renew the city’s facilities use agreement with the American Red Cross for using the civic center as an emergency temporary shelter in case of disaster. The civic center has previously been used in that capacity for large apartment fires and natural disasters.

•approved a resolution hiring Noah Campbell as an unskilled laborer in the Public Works Department.