Raceway

The Gardendale City Council approved the surplussing of .22 acres at the intersection of Fieldstown Road and Kerr Drive. The city had to take that action in order to transition that property to a new owner.

The land in question is the right-of-way that runs around the edge of the Raceway property. The state deeded it to the city years ago when the interstate came through and, during plans to remodel the old gas station, the company that owns Raceway discovered the issue.

Gardendale Mayor Stan Hogeland said he was happy to get the matter through so the property, which has been an eyesore since it closed several years ago, can be redeveloped.

In other business, the council also:

•approved an ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise for the provision of certain telecommunication and communication services.

•approved an update to the flood prevention ordinance.

•had the first reading of an ordinance to annex 2161 Fieldstown Road into the city. This property is the old Fultondale Gas location.

•approved budget amendments to reduce the general fund by $32,300 and increase various other line items by amounts that combine to equal that amount in order to pay for telephone, internet and building maintenance expenses, among other things. The council also approved a budget amendment in the amount of $76,488 to be removed from the ad valorem account and moved to the general fund to reimburse the general fund for educational-related expenses incurred by that account.

•approved the installation of streetlights in Turnberry Highland. The cost for installing the lights falls on the developer and the city will pick up the cost of maintaining the lights once they are installed.

•promoted two employees within the Public Works Department to fill a void left by the retirement of a supervisor.

•moved the first council meeting of May from May 6 to May 7 at 7 p.m.

•heard there will be Amnesty week for April 8-12 in the court.

•heard the annual city cleanup will be April 1-5 with the citywide cleanup day scheduled for April 6. For large items that need to be picked up on the roadside, call 631-3394 to schedule pickup. Elderly or disabled people in the city who need assistance moving large items out to the curb, can also call for assistance.