The Pelham City Council voted unanimously Wednesday in a special called meeting to hire a law firm to help city leaders find and acquire state and federal grant money.

Council members approved a one-year agreement with Bradley Arant Rose and White for $7,500 per month, which adds up to $90,000 per year. The firm will assist city leaders in applying for projects through President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan. The firm will also help city leaders seek state and federal grants for city projects, said Mayor Don Murphy.

The agreement — effective Feb. 1 — provides exclusivity to the city, meaning Bradley Arant cannot represent Shelby County or any Shelby County municipality. In addition, the firm will represent the four Shelby County schools located in Pelham and help seek school improvement grants.

After inquiring about Bradley Arant’s representation of cities in Montgomery and Washington, D.C., the mayor and council thought it best to be proactive in promoting and maintaining community infrastructure and development.

“If we don’t do everything we can to get out our share of that money, then we’re not doing our job,” Murphy said. “Sometimes you’ve got to spend money to make money and that’s what we’re doing.”