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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Pelham Parks and Recreation Department gave updates on both infrastructure developments and recognition received from the state of Alabama during a regularly scheduled Pelham City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 3.

The meeting began with a work session at 5 p.m. The council immediately moved to an executive session, and after its conclusion received a dangerous building report from Building Official Levis Peters.

The report was focused on the Chandalar Court community, which saw three houses damaged by a fire in November 2023. Peters recommended that the properties be demolished and that the next step is to contract out to have the properties demolished and a lien put against each one.

“These properties are dangerous (and) they’re collapsing,” Peters said. “It could fall on somebody. And I’m just asking that we get this started and see if we all are willing to take on getting this demolished and making it safe for that community.”

The council then agreed that the matter should be moved to a public hearing for further discussion, which is scheduled for the next scheduled city council meeting on Monday, Feb. 17.

A discussion presented by Brian Cooper, the director of Pelham Parks and Recreation, followed. Cooper proposed revisions to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board’s bylaws, as well as establishing rental rates for the pavilions at Pelham’s various parks. The recommended rates would be $20 for a city resident per hour and $40 for non-city residents with a two-hour block maximum.

Council member Michael Harris expressed his displeasure with the fee for Pelham residents.

“I want to support every single thing and I always will that you bring in here, but I’m just not a fan of charging the Pelham residents,” Harris said. “I know it has to be done and there’s probably an easier way, but I just think that that park is there to enhance our community and it’s super nice.”

After discussion of the upcoming city council meeting’s agenda, the work session was adjourned and the city council meeting began at 7 p.m.

The consent agenda of the council meeting consisted of nine resolutions for various city improvements. The city entered into a contract with the Center for Public Safety Management, LLC, who will help Pelham search for a new police chief after the departure of Brent Sugg. Other items included accepting a bid to construct two pavilions at Pelham City Park and the installment of a new gateway sign at U.S. Highway 31. The consent agenda passed unanimously.

After the passage of the consent agenda, Mayor Gary Waters announced that June Fletcher, a local Pelham resident and fixture of city council meetings, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the age of 82. Waters then said that Fletcher would be honored at the next council meeting on Feb. 17.

“June (Fletcher) over time became the social conscience of the city of Pelham,” Waters said. “I’ve seen her wage battles with this council on issues outside of her neighborhood if it was in the best interest of Pelham. And for quite some time, June represented the city of Pelham as well or better than some elected officials.”

City Manager Gretchen DiFante then gave a report on updates throughout the city, including recognizing Parks and Rec employees who were honored by the Alabama Recreation & Parks Association at an awards ceremony.

DiFante also announced that the Professional Cowboy Association named last year’s Pelham rodeo at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena as the best of the year.

“When you’ve been endorsed by a bunch of cowboys, you know you’re doing something right,” DiFante said.

DiFante also announced that the results of the 2024-2025 citizen engagement survey will be shared at the Feb. 17 council meeting.

Comments from the city council consisted of congratulating Waters on receiving the Alex Dudchock Community Leadership Award by the Shelby County Chamber and welcoming Jonathan Seale, the city’s new city clerk and treasurer, to his first official meeting in the position.

For more information on the Pelham City Council, visit Pelhamalabama.gov.