By Emily Reed / Special to the Reporter

The city of Pelham plans to de-annex property to the city of Hoover after Pelham City Schools approved the sale of Riverchase Middle School property to Hoover City Schools for $4.25 million.

While the property has been sold, it must be de-annexed from Pelham by the Pelham City Council before the deal closes, according to PCS Superintendent Dr. Scott Coefield.

Members of the city council approved a first-reading vote of the resolution to de-annex two parcels of property on Monday, and anticipate final approval of the measure at an upcoming council meeting.

“We are very appreciative that the city is considering this,” Pelham BOE President Rick Rhoades told the council during the work session portion of the meeting.

The more than 90,000 square-foot school sits on about 40 acres, and was originally supposed to be sold to Heritage Christian Academy, formerly named Shades Mountain Christian.

The deal fell through due to financing issues on behalf of Heritage Christian, and there were concerns that the private Christian school could not fulfill the obligations of the contract, according to Coefield.

Rhoades clarified to the city that not all of the 41 acres was located within the city of Pelham.

Pelham has built a new middle school, Pelham Park Middle School, and no longer needs the property in the Riverchase community.

The Board of Education entered into an agreement to sell the property in July, but a condition on closing the transaction relied on the city de-annexing the property.

“We feel this is a good move for the city, and we appreciate the city’s help on this,” Rhoades told the council.

In other news, the council:

-Approved a liquor license for Lil Bits Tavern, located at 3221 Highway 52 W, Suite A & B.

-Approved a special retail license for Legends Music LLC, operating under the trade name Oak Mountain Fall Fair.

-Approved the re-appointment of Stacey Ramirez and Tamane Moore to the Pelham Beautification Board.

-Approved several change orders regarding construction and renovations at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena.

-Approved the city to enter into an easement agreement with CSX Transportation Inc. Related to drainage issues involving a 2016 Rail Crossover Project.

-Approved a low-bid for gymnasium equipment for the Pelham Recreation Center.

-Approved to enter a contract agreement for ticket handling, processing and operations at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena.

-Approved adding “report of the city manager” to order of council meetings.

-Approved a first-reading to purchase real property located along Ridge Road, from the Jean E. Stameris Trust and the Sally J. Locke Trust.

-Approved a first-reading to annex into the city, property owned by Venture South, located at 3420 Indian Lake Trail and 3478 Indian Lake Way.

-Heard from Mayor Gary Waters, who declared Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in the city, and declared Sept. 25 as Family Day and Sept. 24-30 as Family Week in the city.

-Heard from council members that Alabama Hockey will play their first home game of the season against Arkansas on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena.

-Heard from council members that the Pelham Library Guild will have a fund-raising meeting on Sept. 25 at 5:30 pm. At Iberia Bank.