The Columbiana City Council is taking on more expenses to promote recreation in the city.

And Mayor Allan Lowe has announced that Shelby County mayors are encouraging citizens to trick or treat for Halloween on Friday or Saturday to keep Sunday a more peaceful and relaxed day.

In Columbiana the Monster Walk for youngsters to visit downtown businesses for Halloween candy will be held Friday, Oct. 29.

The council recently approved $2,000 in recommended expenses from the city’s Park and Recreation Board and agreed to take bids as soon as possible to replace lights at Lewis Field (Girls’ Softball).

The unanimous actions were taken at the council’s Tuesday, Oct. 19 with all members present.

Among Park and Recreation actions, the council agreed to pay Coach Bruce Breland $500 and Coaches Miller and Bentley $250 each for conducting a football camp.

In the past the camp was not a part of the Park and Recreation program and individual participants paid for the camp. This year, according to Councilmember Tom Seale, the camp was included in the Park and Recreation program as a free activity for participating youngsters.

According to Seale, the paying of the coaches for that and other clinics represents a new expense for the city to support park and recreation activities.

He said the city will continue to pay high school football coaches as it has in the past for summer youth activities.

The council also agreed to pay Coaches Miller, Harrison, Miles, Adams, Buie, Oliver, Breland, Wood, Beasley and Bentley $100 each for a coaches clinic and a players clinic.

The council approved a $500 expense to apply preservatives to the bleachers and stairs at the softball complex and agreed with the Park and Recreation Department that no restrictions be placed on Elvin Hill Elementary for use of City Park on Washington Street.

The council also approved a $202 expense to replace the hot water heater in the girls’ concession stand.

During the course of the meeting, Mayor Allan Lowe councilmembers explained that priority lists of girls’ softball complex items were approved. But it was pointed out that what has been referred to as phase two items were not approved. Instead, the council explained those were items for which bids were to be taken, but nothing has been done toward that end at this time.

Lowe announced the creation of a three-man committee to interview applicants for city clerk. The committee includes Councilmembers Seale, Frieda Abrams and Ouida Mayfield.

The mayor also announced he will create a seven-man committee to meet with Outspoken Communications about public relations for the city. The committee will include councilmembers, downtown merchants and professionals.

Seale announced that the city has received a $500 grant from the Alabama Power Foundation for the 2004 Urban and Community Tree Assistance Program to play trees at City Park.

In other matters the council:

Approved accounts payable.

Approved the minutes of the Sept.7 regular meeting; Sept. 20 special called meeting; Sept. 14 and Sept. 29 regular meetings and Oct. 4-5 organizational meetings.

Approved an expense of $150 for Police Officers Shawn King and Donnie Duke to attend a training course at the Sylacauga Police Department on criminal interdiction and false complaints.

Approved the rehiring of Gary Griffith as a part-time police officer at a pay rate of Step 4. That was his rate of pay at the time of his resignation and was based on his experience.

Approved the employment of Deborah Fortenberry at a rate of $8.48 per hour for a maximum of 20 hours per week as a temporary part-time employee to work with Acting City Clerk Gina Antolini on an as need basis until a permanent appointment for city clerk is made.

Approved a $500 per month payment to Peal Warker through Shelby Senior Services for the meals on wheels program for 90 days.

Approved the continuation of the 2003-2004 budget until a new budget is approved.

Approved a payment of $3,725 to Rescue 88 for the new fiscal year.

Approved an expense of $178,080.11 to R.E. Grills for work on Mainstreet Revitalization.

Approved an expense of $250 for Christmas banner design and discussed holiday lights for merchants and businesses.

Approved use of the city credit card by Louis Payne to attend Fire College in Tuscaloosa.

Approved an application for a Shelby Senior Services Grant from the county for improvements at the Senior Services Center.

Approved an expense of up to $400 to replace a printer in the city clerk’s office.

Approved transfers of funds from the General Fund to Ball Park Construction in the amount of $1,468.32 and from the General Fund to the Library Camp in the amount of $5,142.55 and from the bond to Bond Disbursement in the amount of $178,080.11.

Scheduled a work session that was to be held Oct. 26.

Announced a newsletter deadline of Nov. 10