A baseball field will be named in honor of a young cancer victim, and the city of Montevallo is a step closer to building a new fire station.

In addition, the City Council is beginning to look at filling the vacancy on that body left by the resignation of District 3 Councilmember Stann M. Garris.

She resigned due to new job requirements which force her to spend more time out of state.

At the Montevallo City Council’s second February meeting, the council voted unanimously to name the largest new baseball field Brad Epperson Field in honor of a 14-year-old athlete who recently passed away due to cancer.

Brown said the action to name the field at Stephens Park was recommended by the Park and Recreation Board and is the field on which boys Epperson’s age will play.

Mayor Grady Parker agreed that the recommendation &uot;is a good idea.&uot;

Rick Mattox originally suggested that the baseball fields in Stephens Park be named for Brad Epperson.

The council approved the bid of Wayne Davis Construction to build Montevallo Fire Station No. 2 on Highway 119 with a door option at a cost of $148,339.

The fire station will be a 60-by-60-foot metal building with a brick facade.

Other bids were received by RJ-BOP, Southern Specialties and Goodgame Welding.

The council went into executive session to discuss good name and character with regard to naming a replacement for Councilmember Garris.

However, the council returned to the regular council meeting to adjourn without making a decision.

In other matters, the council:

Approved Casey Nathews as a member of Park and Recreation Board No. 1.

Set March 2 as Read Across Montevallo Day in honor of three local teachers selected to receive the Centrala Reading Council 2003 Celebrate Literacy Award.

The winners include Dr. Anne Hamilton, Judy Stone and Kate Vogel, all from the Montevallo area. Hamilton has been associated with the University of Montevallo for many years.

Stone taught at Montevallo Elementary and West Blockton for many years and works with the state Department of Education. Vogel has been the librarian at Inverness Elementary for many years and was chosen Shelby County Teacher of the year in 2002.

The three will be recognized at Creek View Elementary School on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 3:45 p.m.

In other business, Parker asked for nominations for the county’s board of equalizations from Montevallo and nominations of a law enforcement officer for Mothers Against Drunk Drivers recognition.

In other matters, the council:

Set April 2003 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in Montevallo.

Discussed the Montevallo Zone portion of the Shelby County Board of Education’s five-year plan to be funded by a 9-mill property tax if approved by voters this May.

Approved payment of bills by department.

Received a report from Councilmember Sharon Anderson that Arbor Day went well and that 2,000 seedlings were bagged in 45 minutes.

Received a report from Water and Sewer Board Chairman that the city’s new 2 million gallon water tank is being filled