The city of Columbiana received a clean bill of health from the city auditor. And the City Council has unanimously approved a design concept for renovations and alterations to the Columbiana Recreation Building, which will house the Shelby Senior Services program in Columbiana.

The items were highlights of the council’s first meeting in February.

City auditor John DeLoach told the council that the city has been given a &uot;yellow book,&uot; which he said meant a &uot;clean opinion&uot; as to internal control procedures in connection with the audit.

&uot;It means your internal control procedures overall are adequate … means we can’t find anything wrong with it,&uot; DeLoach said.

He also said the city had a good overall financial statement.

He called council members stewards and managers for

more than $23 million in assets.

In other business, Mayor Tom Seale said the city is moving &uot;full steam ahead&uot; with plans to renovate the city’s recreation building, which will also be used to house the senior services program for senior citizens in the city.

According to the design concept approved by the council, the building will have a ramped entrance, a multi-use room, storage rooms, kitchen, senior citizens suite, office space, three restrooms (including one for the handicapped) and separate Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts rooms.

In addition to the $350,000 to $400,000 the city will spend on the building, Seale said the city will also use a $20,000 grant received from the county for the renovation effort.

Presently, the senior citizens program in Columbiana is being housed in a Columbiana Housing Authority facility.

Also with regard to design concepts, the council unanimously approved the recommendation of the Downtown Revitalization Committee on a

concept plan for the Downtown Revitalization Project.

The council also approved a contract with Gresham, Smith and Partners for the preliminary design phase through the construction phase of the project at a cost of $207,000.

And in connection with yet another renovation project, Seale reported that the city will receive a county grant of $30,000 to fill in a ditch with a culvert and to renovate the pavilion at College Park.

He said the city will spend about $130,000 of city funds on the park across from Elvin Hill Elementary School.

The council also approved a concept design for a 30-by-60-foot facility for Southeast Shelby Rescue. Seale said the city provides a facility for the rescue service.

In other business, Liberty Day is held annually the last Saturday of June; but, the Columbiana City Council is already moving ahead with finalization of plans for the 2003 event.

The council unanimously approved a $3,000 deposit to S. Vitale Pyrotechnico Industries Inc. for the Liberty Day fireworks display. The amount represents half the $6,000 cost of the fireworks show. Seale said this year the show will be 10 percent larger than last year with more than 1,000 shells to be fired.

In other matters, the council:

Heard from Seale, who said he would meet with Nextel to establish a single phone plan for city employees.

Approved up to $1,500 for additional security lighting at the Columbiana Sports Complex.

Approved the release of $4,350 to Pure turf for ballpark maintenance.

Approved

credit card for

reservations, travel and expense for Mary Horton to attend Magistrate School and for travel and lodging for police officer Lamar Vick to become certified as an instructor for unarmed self-defense.

Approved the release of $42,381 to Hester Construction for Police Department renovations.

Approved the transfer of $1,355 from the General Fund to the Library Account; $6,423 from the General Fund to the ball park construction account, including $4,350 for ballpark construction and $2,073 for park and recreation expenditures.

Approved the bid of $1,250 from Johnny Farr for a surplus 1983 GMC pickup truck.

Approved the minutes of the Jan. 21 council meeting.

Announced a council work session for Feb. 13 at 6 p.m.

Absent from the meeting was Councilmember Ouida Mayfield