Alabaster Mayor David Frings is reporting tax revenues are up for the city and said, &8220;Things are looking good.&8221;

During the Alabaster City Council&8217;s regular Jan. 17 meeting, Frings said sales taxes collected through December for November are averaging $380,000 to $400,000 more than the same months in 2004.

He said gas taxes are up $4,000 per month.

In addition, business licenses purchased during

the first three months to date were $27,500 last year but are now $53,769, Frings said.

In other matters, the council continued a public hearing on a rezoning request for a planned development and townhouses and set public hearings for an annexation request and a rezoning request to allow for a church.

The council continued a public hearing to Feb. 6 for a rezoning request from Municipal Reserve to Planned Development and Townhouses for 207 acres off Smokey Road near the airport.

The council set a public hearing for Feb. 20 for a rezoning request for just more than six-and-a-half acres from Neighborhood Business to Institutional at Lot 58 Lacey&8217;s Grove off Highway 119 for a chapel.

The property is located near Creek View Elementary School.

The council also set a public hearing on Feb. 6 for an annexation request for two parcels (an 18 acre parcel and a one acre parcel) on Highway 119 for Bail E. and Maudrine Kennedy.

The council approved the low bid of NAFECO at $40,680 for Fire Department turnout gear. And approved the bid from Sunbelt Fire of $9,750 for a thermal imaging camera, also for the Fire Department.

The council also approved a restaurant retail liquor license for Ruby Tuesday&8217;s Inc., which will open soon at 710 Colonial Promenade Parkway.

In addition the council approved two resolutions for maintenance power for a traffic signal at County Road 11 and Weatherly Club Drive.

Mayor Frings reported a study would be made for what type of traffic signal is needed at Jimmy Gould Drive and Colonial Parkway near Moe&8217;s.

He also appointed a committee including councilmembers Bob Hicks, Jim McClain and Angela Moseley and the Park and Recreation Subcommittee to review candidates to run a pro shop and monitor the new skate park which will open soon at Veterans Park.

The council set a work session for tomorrow, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building