A Columbiana businessman has expressed concern to the City Council over the effect of the current downtown renovation project on downtown businesses.

Charles Vacarella of Bernie and Charlie’s Restaurant said other merchants have come to his business to express concerns about the way the construction is affecting business.

He relayed those concerns at the council’s first precouncil meeting in October.

Vacarella said he was not upset. However, he

said something needs to be done to remove barriers. He said in addition to the renovation downtown, the county had blocked County Road 47 for other construction.

Following the meeting, Mayor Allan Lowe said of barriers and inconveniences caused by the renovation process,

&uot;If a better solution can be found, we will make that decision.&uot;

In the regular council session, the council approved a Park and Recreation Board recommendation that the city

donate $3,500 to Columbiana Youth Football for the 2003 season

to serve the public. However, a stipulation was included that copies of the current financial statement and a liability insurance policy must be received by the city, as well as a breakdown of funding.

The council also voted to approve a Park and Recreation Board recommendation to donate $5,000 to Shelby County High School for the specific purpose of football stadium debt retirement.

Included in the action was a stipulation that consideration for future contributions will be based upon SCHS’s ability to secure additional funding for the football stadium debt, which will be matched dollar for dollar by the city to a maximum of $5,000.

And in another SCHS related matter, the council approved a request for $3,000 for the high school for the purpose of providing quality resources to further the education of students. Ouida Mayfield noted that this request is included in the city’s budget.

In other matters, the council:

Approved payments to Modern Quality Construction in amounts of $14,250 and $6,175 for a total of $20,425 for the Rescue 88 building and a payment of $85,443 for the recreation building with a retainage of $5,572. The payments are to be made from bond money.

Approved a payment of $11,514.52 from bond money for Mainstreet Revitalization to Gresham, Smith & Partners.

Authorized Mayor Lowe to pay up to $1,500 for extra circuits in the front office due to voltage problems.

Approved the transfer of $3,392 from the General Fund to Ball Park Construction and $1,706.07 from the General Fund to the Library Operating Account.

Set a work session for Oct. 30 at a place to be announced.

Reappointed Rick Pearson to Park and Recreation Board

for a term of Oct. 1,2003 to Sept. 30, 2007. This leaves one vacancy on the board.

Approved a payment of $1,000 to Sign Graphics for the informational sign.

Approved Stephanie Phillips and Jennifer Head to the Beautification Board for terms

through 2006. This leaves two vacancies on the board.

Fire Chief Johnny Howard announced

fire department officers including Justin Glass as assistant chief, Rodney Reed as captain, Bentley Farr at lieutenant in communications , Louis Payne as lieutenant for fire and Parish Argo as lieutenant for EMS. Howard remains as chief