Those who violate Alabaster’s nuisance ordinance will be subject to a citation, a fine and court costs instead of being arrested and having to go before a judge to be fined.

The change comes about as a result of four ordinances to amend section 46-26 of the city code unanimously approved by the Alabaster City Council at its Monday, Dec. 16 meeting.

Each of the ordinances to amend the city code was introduced by Councilmember Henry Hines following a public hearing on the matter at which no one spoke either for or against the action.

Among changes to the city code under the section titled &uot;Prohibited&uot; were the removal of the words obnoxious odor or condition or unsightly appearance and the addition of the words &uot;public&uot; before health hazard and &uot;or&uot; before nuisance and the addition of the words &uot;including dangerous or offensive or unwholesome smoke, odors, appearances, noise, or vibrations, when of such degree or extent as to materially interfere with the ordinary comfort of human existence.&uot;

The ordinance also prohibits citizens from allowing for the growth and infestation of mosquitoes on their property.

Under the section &uot;Notice to Abate,&uot; the city code was changed to replace mention of city clerk with

&uot;duly authorized city code enforcement official.&uot;

And under the section &uot;Collection and abatement of cost&uot; again

city clerk is changed to &uot; a duly authorized city code enforcement official.&uot;

Finally, the ordinance was amended under &uot;Failure to abate nuisance (violation)&uot; to add a punishment for the first offense a fine of $250 and cost of $123 for a total of $373 and a bond of $400 and for a second offense a fine of $500 and cost of $123 for a total of $623 and a bond of $500.

Following another public hearing, the council unanimously approved an annexation request from W.W. Construction and Development for three parcels of land totaling about 4.45 acres off Highway 31 South.

According to David Weaver, the property is located at the corner of Highway 26 and 31 on the right as one heads toward Columbiana.

At present, he said, the property has a Citgo Quick Oil Change and a Farmers Skid Steer and Bobcat Center.

Weaver said he plans to add a Chevron convenience store, a sports restaurant and nine out parcels for recent.

However, the next step before the addition of the proposed businesses will be for Weaver to seek a rezoning of the property from NZ (non zoned)

said Councilmember Tommy Ryals to B-3 (community business).

No one spoke against the annexation request during the public hearings.

In another matter, the council unanimously approved a resolution opening membership to tenured employees into the Employee Reserve Sick Bank.

That is a voluntary membership in which employees can donate sick time to other employees who need it.

The board for the sick bank was also approved to include Police Chief Stanley Oliver, Fire Chief John Cochran, City Clerk Marsha Massey, Superintendent of Public Works Charles Howell and Library Director Nan Abbott.

Marie Jordan, director of the Alabaster Parks and Recreation Department said her department will have about 20 6-foot spruce Christmas trees available for donation to needy families. She said those interested should call 664-6840.

In other matters, the council :

Unanimously approved license transfers for retail beer (off premises only) and retail table wine (off premises only) from Southmark Enterprises for Carruth Corporation doing business as Quickout Foodmart-Shell, 1101 First Street South and for Carruth Corporation doing business as Quickout Foodmart-Texaco, 1091 First Street South.

Unanimously set a public hearing for Jan. 6 on an ordinance to allow the lease of space to the Industrial Development Board.

Unanimously accepted the low bid of Sunbelt Fire for 18 self-contained breathing apparatus and spare bottles for the Alabaster Fire Department at a cost of $2,853.95 each to be purchased with grant funds.

Unanimously changed the date of the Jan. 20, 2003 council meeting to Tuesday, Jan. 21 as the regularly scheduled date falls on the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday holiday.

Heard Mayor David Frings recognize the Alabaster Beautification Board for its &uot;wonderful job&uot; on the annual Christmas parade