COLUMBIANA – The Columbiana City Council approved in its Oct. 1 meeting resolutions pertaining to highway improvements and work at the county shop lift station.

The council voted to approve an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration regarding improvements at the intersection of Alabama 70 and Shelby County 26.

The city has paid its 33-percent share of the roughly $1.2 million project, which included the installation of a traffic light at the intersection and the addition of turn lanes.

The entrance to Columbiana’s new Springs Crossing subdivision is located at the intersection.

Director of Environmental Services Dale Lucas said about 17 homes have been built in the subdivision, and work has started in the second sector.

“Everything is moving along,” he said.

The council also approved a resolution to award a bid for the county shop lift station replacement.

The city received only two bids on the job, Lucas said.

In department head reports, Police Chief Lamar Vick said the police department has received a $4,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and would be using the funds to add officers to the morning shift rotation for extra traffic patrol.

Fire Chief Johnny Howard reminded the council that October is Fire Prevention Month, noting the city has been fortunate not to have had any brush fires during the current drought.

Library Director Shelia Gallups said State Rep. Corley Ellis donated $1,069 to the library for a computer in the children’s department.

The council approved for Gallups to attend the Summer Reading Showcase in Gardendale on Oct. 24.

In other business, the council:

• Discussed with Howard a solution to his question about the placement of an egress on his family’s property near the new arts center property.
• Heard an update on the property on Main Street known as the old pool hall. The council approved the emergency remediation of the deteriorating property in June. Mayor Stancil Handley said mold/mildew and asbestos specialists were scheduled to visit this week for consultations, as required by the EMA.

•Heard dates for upcoming events: Trade Days on Oct. 12, Shelby County High School Homecoming Parade on Oct. 25, the Columbiana Public Library’s Halloween Costume Contest and Fall Festival on Oct. 29, Witches Ride and Monster Walk on Oct. 31 and the Shelby County Fair on Nov. 4.