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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Pelham City Council recognized the retirement of Larry Short, an apparatus operator within the Pelham Fire Department, and honored Cliff Windham, an Eagle Scout from Pelham Trop 404, at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Monday, May 5.

Mike Reid, Pelham’s fire chief, recognized Short in remarks to the council.

“Larry came to us in April of 2006 and just retired after 19 years with us,” Reid said. “Before that, he was with the city of Birmingham, where he retired as a lieutenant after 21 years of service with them.”

Reid further reflected on Short’s 40 years of service to Alabama, citing Short’s wisdom as an admirable trait.

“When Larry came to us in 2006, he came to us with obviously a wealth of knowledge,” Reid said. “From day one, he was really trying to impart that knowledge to all of our younger guys.”

Along with recognizing Short’s service, Windham was recognized for his contributions to Pelham Parks and Recreation through a service project. Brian Cooper, the director of Pelham Parks and Rec, addressed the council regarding Windham’s project.

“You approved a project for Cliff sometime back with us, and Cliff came to me about the project and we’re excited to have you (Cliff) here tonight, just to tell him ‘thank you’, publicly for the work he and his crew did at Carroll Park right there in Chandalar,” Cooper said. “They installed three exercise stations and two benches. So, we wanted to come and publicly tell you, ‘thank you.’”

With the completion of the service project, Windham is now officially an Eagle Scout. Windham is headed to the University of Alabama on a full ride in the fall.

The council also heard the first reading of Ordinance No. 524 during the meeting. The ordinance aims to regulate parking within Pelham’s city limits.

“By way of this ordinance, the city aims to address longstanding challenges related to unauthorized or obstructive parking while ensuring that parking rules are applied consistently across all areas of the city,” Council President Maurice Mercer said. “These changes reflect Pelham’s commitment to responsible planning, public safety and effective municipal governance.”

Mayor Gary Waters also proclaimed May 2025 as Building Safety Month in Pelham during the meeting. Levis Peters, a building official with Pelham, spoke on the importance of the proclamation.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for a while,” Peters said. “We’re here to protect citizens where they live and in the workplace.”

The proclamation celebrates modern building codes and standards that include safeguards to protect the public from hazards such as hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, wildland fires, floods and earthquakes. The month is celebrated annually around the world and asks the public to consider the commitment to improving building safety, resilience and economic investment at home and in the community.

The council meeting began with a work session at 3 p.m. The council reviewed more proposed municipal budgets for fiscal year 2026 during the work session. After the work session, the council moved into executive session. Before moving into executive session, councilmember Chad Leverett shared remarks.

“Before I cast my vote (to move into executive session), I want the record to reflect that I don’t have confidence that members of this body can keep the information discussed in that meeting private, but I will vote yes so that we can conduct it,” Leverett said.

Leverett’s comments come after the recent controversy surrounding Bob Lavett’s appointment to the Pelham BOE. Information from a previous executive session discussing the Pelham BOE’s appointment was leaked online.

The following resolutions were passed unanimously in the city council meeting’s consent agenda:

 

• Resolution for consideration to enter into a license agreement with John and Diane Boolos to maintain and utilize a portion of their real property for recreational purposes
• Resolution for consideration to enter into a license agreement with Mary Clardy to maintain and utilize a portion of their real property for recreational purposes
• Resolution for consideration to enter into a license agreement with Raymond and Kathy League to maintain and utilize a portion of their real property for recreational purposes
• Resolution for consideration to enter into a license agreement with Kenneth and Teresa Bell to maintain and utilize a portion of their real property for recreational purposes
• Resolution for consideration to enter into a license agreement with Jeff and Jennifer Dees to maintain and utilize a portion of their real property for recreational purposes
• Resolution for consideration to enter into a license agreement with Geoffrey and Kay Morgan to maintain and utilize a portion of their real property for recreational purposes
• Resolution for consideration to accept a private donation to be used exclusively for the purchase and installation of a bench at Carroll Park
• Resolution for consideration to declare a vehicle as surplus personal property and to authorize its disposal
• Resolution for consideration to affirm and adopt the process for filling various municipal board vacancies
• Resolution for consideration to enter into an agreement with OpenGov for budgeting and planning software

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