The Gardendale City Council on Monday approved a resolution that would allow the city to move forward with helping Joel’s Southern Cooking to come to the city.

Joel’s, which has already announced a plan to create new locations in Gardendale and Moody, currently has locations in Trussville, Pinson and Vestavia.

At the meeting, representatives of Joel’s explained they plan to take over 5,200 square feet of the approximately 10,000 square feet restaurant that formerly housed Ryan’s restaurant. Another tenant, who has not been determined, would occupy the remaining space.

Joel’s restaurant is a meat and three setup that Mayor Stan Hogeland said he has heard numerous requests for in the city.

Paul Fields, who represented Joel’s at the meeting said the restaurant is taking on the responsibility of improvements and repairs to the building that a renter normally wouldn’t in order to get the space and get it ready for the restaurant.

In other business, the council also:

•tabled a discussion about changes to business license codification.

•had the first reading on rezoning 204 and 208 Garrison Road from residential to commercial. The public hearing and vote on the matter will be Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.

•approved the city’s participation in the annual school sales tax holiday weekend, which will be July 20-22.

•approved a budget amendment in the amount of $2803 from the general fund to cell phone expenses ($403) and training ($2,400).

•fixed mowing costs for 701 Peterson Drive 1115 Fieldstown Road and 1537 Laurel Lane.

•approved Title VI program revision.

•approved hiring two part-time laborers in the Public Works Department.

•approved a resolution for Alabama Power to change the city’s streetlights to LED lights. The program will have minimal cost to the city.