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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Alabaster City Council approved a policy for those wishing to use its new amphitheater and authorized a grant application for an extension to Buck Creek Trail during a meeting on Thursday, May 22.

In December 2024, the Alabaster City Council approved the formation of an Entertainment Committee to oversee how the city’s new amphitheater would be used. Councilmembers Jamie Cole, Zach Zahariadis and Kerri Pate volunteered to serve on the committee and were appointed by Council President Sophie Martin.

During the meeting on May 22, the council approved a resolution establishing a facility use policy and fee schedule for the city’s Siluria Mill Amphitheater.

“We have our new amphitheater, it’s a beautiful facility and… we want our residents to use it, we want different vendors to use it and outside folks can come in and be able to use this new facility. That’s what we built it for,” Martin said. “So along with that, we wanted to provide guidelines that need to go along with the proper usage of that facility.”

According to the policy, the Siluria Mill Amphitheater may be reserved and used for special events and performances. Rental of the facility includes restrooms, the plaza, stage, dressing rooms, green room, loading area and terraced lawn seating area. The amphitheater is available for rental Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Reservations for the facility are accepted on a first come, first serve, first pay basis and maybe be reserved up to six months in advance upon receipt of an application and deposit. According the policy, the city reserves the exclusive right to determine whether to allow an individual or organization to use the facility and no oral agreements for its use are valid.

Depending on the type of event, rental of the Siluria Mill Amphitheater Is subject to the following fees per a six-hour minimum:

• Civic and educational events: $500
• Non-profit benefit events: $1,000
• Private events: $5,000
• Commercial I for-profit events: $7,500

Use of the facility and its rental are subject to a variety of terms and conditions which can be found in the full policy listing.

“This will just make sure that this facility is taken care of,” Martin said. “We know it’s going to last us a long time, and it’ll be something for us to enjoy for years to come.”

Martin expressed her gratitude for Cole who helped oversee the establishment of the facility’s new policy.

“I do want to thank Jamie Cole, one of our councilmen, who’s just done a phenomenal job taking the lead on that project and making that come to fruition,” Martin said. “Thank you so much to Councilman Cole.”

In other business, the council approved the amending of a previous resolution involving a professional service agreement with ECS Southeast LLC for construction materials testing and observation services on the Alabaster recreation center and library project. The amendment added the words “not to exceed the amount of $200,000.”

The council also approved a resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with InSite Engineering LLC for the library and rec center Alabama Department of Environmental Management inspections in the amount not to exceed $22,950. According to Council President Sophie Martin, ADEM has to conduct a monthly inspect for the city’s storm water permit.

During the meeting, the council approved a resolution authorizing support and a funding commitment for a Transport Alternatives Program grant application for the extension of Buck Creek Trail from the YMCA to the beginning point of the trail on Highway 119. The amount is set to not exceed $200,000 plus approximately $16,000 in professional engineering cost.

“This is an application for a grant to help get that project complete,” Martin said.

The Alabaster City Council approved a resolution authorizing a memorandum of understanding with Shelby county to use 16 voting machines and two automark devices for the 2025 Municipal Election which is set for Aug. 26.

“We’d like to thank Mark Fry who’s done a lot of work and just does a phenomenal job with prepping for our upcoming elections,” Martin said. “This can be a complicated process but he always does a great job making it smooth and this is just another step in that direction.”