The city of Alabaster has authorized Mayor David Frings to enter into a temporary loan agreement for an economic development project.

And the council has approved the Fire Department to seek a federal grant from Homeland Security to hire eight additional firefighters.

The council authorized Frings to enter the temporary loan agreement at First Commercial Bank to purchase property near Highway 31 and Interstate 65 with bonds sold to repay the loan.

Fire Chief Frank Matherson said the SAFER grant his department was authorized to seek is for eight firemen at up to $100,000 per firefighter funded on a 90 percent, 50 percent, 30 percent, 10 percent and 0 percent basis over a period of five years.

He said the city’s match is the difference in the grant amount and pay until the city assumes all of the cost of the pay.

Matherson said firefighters’ pay begins at $36,000 per year.

Frings said, &uot;This grant will help us get to where we need to be on firefighters&uot; with a &uot;minimum of four firefighters per station.&uot;

In another matter, the council set a public hearing for July 5 on a proposal to allow for enforcement of general code violations in the police jurisdiction.

Councilmember Tommy Ryals said the change would give the city a mechanism to clean up certain areas.

The council also voted to support hosting the 2006 ACC State Championship Tournament, which generated $900,000 countywide last year with about 40 percent coming to the city of Alabaster.

The council also authorized Frings to settle an audit with Charter Cable in which the city will receive $33,500 from the company.

Frings reported that the city’s own audit is complete and on file. He said it was good audit with no adverse findings.

Councilmember Bob Hicks reported on progress with city parks and soccer fields and said registration is being held for fall soccer.

Councilmember Jim McClain said the Water Board was expected to meet Tuesday night to discuss a proposed pay plan and a new manager.

The council set a work session for 7 p.m. June 27 at the Municipal Services Building