Mayor Bill Smelser presents Hartselle Police Chief a proclamation for National Police Week.| Randy Garrison

Randy Garrison
Hartselle Enquirer

The Hartselle City Council approved changes in the contract it currently holds with the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce at a meeting held on Tues., May 10.

The chamber currently serves as the rental agent for the city when the depot is rented for various events. Until recently North Alabama Regional Council on Governments ( NARCOG) worker was available to open and close the depot for the rental events.

However, now the city does not have a worker and opening and closing the “The Station” has fallen on the employees of the chamber. Since a new NARCOG worker is not expected to be in place anytime soon, board members of the chamber have asked the city for help in this matter. Both parties agreed and the council approved raising the rental fees on new and not booked events from $100 to $150. The extra rental fee will allow the chamber board to hire someone to open and close for the rental events.

In other action the council approved a special use permit allowing AT&T to replace the remote radio units on the tower located at 999A Railroad St. Jeff Bass speaking for AT&T said the upgrade will not increase coverage but improves technology.

The council also heard from Steve Ward with Grace Point Church about an outside event the church will hold on June 4 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Ward says the church will have outside music and this will be an outreach event for the church. Mayor Bill Smelser recommended the group ask for a sound variance until 10 p.m. for the event as well.

The council also approved changes to the job description for the Director of Parks and Recreation. Current director Frank Miller is planning to retire this year and a new director will be hired once he gives his retirement date. The changes include allowing a B.S. Degree in public administration, business administration or physical education instead of just a degree in recreation administration. Also added was having 10 years experience in a combination of areas to include coaching league ball or five years experience as a Park and Rec director.  Possessing a certification as a National Park Association Certified Park and Recreation Professional within in three years of employment and establishing a residency within a ten-mile radius of the city limits of Hartselle were also added to the job description.

The council approved filling a vacancy of an equipment 1 operator in the Public Works department.

The council and mayor commended city clerk Rita Lee for the Financial Audit report for 2015. Tucker, Scott & Waits had no findings at all in the audit.  Lee said it takes everyone in the city working together to achieve this good report.

The council reappointed Virginia Alexander to the Morgan County E-911 board and Andy Faulk to the Board of Zoning Adjustment as an alternate.

Mayor Smelser presented a proclamation to Hartselle Police Chief Ron Puckett in appreciation for the job he and the officers do for the city. He also mentioned that May 15-21 is Police Officers Memorial Week.