By MOLLIE BROWN/For the Reporter

CALERA – In the June 3 Calera City Council meeting, Mayor Jon Graham asked council members, city personnel and attendees to check receipts obtained from city businesses to ensure they reflect the city’s one percent tax increase which became effective June 1. Graham said the correct tax is nine cents on the dollar.

Graham stressed it’s important for all Calera residents to attend the public involvement meeting at Calera First United Methodist Church on June 6 from 4-7 p.m. The meeting concerns the I-65 exit 231 interchange improvement and is an opportunity for residents to share their comments about the time it takes them to cross the bridge and safety issue concerns.

Park and Recreation Director Seth Gandy reported the Calera Farmers Market held at Oliver Park begins June 4 and will continue every Tuesday, weather permitting, from 3-6 p.m. Gandy said many of last year’s farmers are returning this year, as well as others. One of the market’s popular attractions, the dairy classroom, is also returning.

Gandy also reported a park and recreation calendar is available at Cityofcalera.org to check availability and download forms for the parks’ pavilion and fields. This will be also be a simple tool for the public to understand what events are taking place and where.

In other business, the council heard

• A budget adjustment request from Finance Director Roy Hadaway to transfer funds for spraying ponds from outsourced to the Park and Recreation budget.

• Building Inspector Mike Wood report the roof on Calera Presbyterian Church is now complete. The bell will be removed and taken to the city shop until a stand can be made to display it in front of the church, the steeple will remain.

• Police Chief Sean Lemley is awaiting word from ALDOT District Engineer Gary Ray concerning the reopening of the I-65 exit 228 northbound lane.

• The annual score for the city’s two treatment plants from Director of Environmental Operations Doug Smedley. The Camp Branch plant scored 14 and the Buxahatchee plant scored 24 out of a possible 720. High scores represent poor performance.