City of
PELHAM
NEWSLETTER
Embrace the Outdoors – Southern Style July 2018
Official News from the City of Pelham, Alabama
Progress after 10 months on the job I have the privilege of working with an extremely supportive mayor who is also a good man. Mayor Gary Waters was placed in a difficult position when Pelham decided to hire a city manager. In order to officially move to a form of government which includes a city manager, a vote of the people is required. I strongly believe in this form of government, as well as the taxpayer’s right to make that decision. Mayor Waters and I met earlier this week. He told me about the recent conversations he had with community members and the misconceptions he encountered regarding the city manager position. He asked me how we might communicate our progress and improvements over the past ten months. The communication between city officials and residents is both necessary and difficult. It is necessary because the city needs its citizens to make an informed decision about an official city
manager form of these difficult decisions. government. I am here These decisions are not to ensure this city taken lightly, but I am government is working confident they are in the efficiently and best interest of the city. effectively for its The City of Pelham citizens. We have been has grown and thrived evaluating job duties, over its 54 year history. regulations, systems, However, several of the and processes to better processes, systems, and DiFante understand whether structures have not they have a positive or been adequately negative impact on the day-to- evaluated through a critical lens. day operations of the This is normal and it is why you municipality. Once the evaluation have a city manager. We will is completed in one area, we discuss many of these changes in reconstruct the processes, adjust my first annual report to the City job descriptions, provide Council in October, and I hope improved training and resources, you will attend the meeting. and in rare cases, eliminate Mayor Waters is wise and has positions. Over the past ten requested I share a few of our months, we have eliminated two evaluation results with you, the positions through layoffs. In citizens of Pelham. We have addition, we have eliminated saved over $200,000 in salary three employees. Listening to the and benefits, eliminated vehicles feedback of our employees, from our fleet, and reduced legal Pelham residents, and business fees associated with Public Works owners has aided me in making and Engineering. We are in the
process of evaluating our Human Resources, accounting, and brush collection procedures. While conducting these evaluations, we have renovated the Civic Complex & Ice Arena and reintroduced professional hockey to Pelham. We have also opened a new recreation center, library, and moved our application forward for a $100 million new business venture… and we were chosen! Four divisions are now part of the new Development Services and Public Works Department, along with a new director who oversees all operations. The quality of service to the community remains invaluable to our collective success. We sincerely appreciate your concern and contribution. On wbehalf of the entire staff, we ask for your continued patience and support.
UPCOMING EVENTS BALLANTRAE:
Month of July – Ballantrae Membership Special (Waiving $600 Application Fee) Saturday Breakfast Buffet – 7am to 10am - $7.50 Get Golf Ready – Each Saturday from June 23rd to July 21st – 10am to 11am
LIBRARY TEEN:
Camp NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) Thursday, July 5, 6pm-7:30pm Chess Club Tuesday, July 10, 6pm-7pm All experience levels welcome. Camp NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) Thursday, July 12, 6pm-7:30pm Author Skype with S.J. Kincaid Tuesday, July 17, 3pm-4pm
Gretchen DiFante is the city manager of Pelham.
Science Fun with Percy Jackson Tuesday, July 17, 6pm
Fifth Fire on the Water is July 1 The city of Pelham and Oak Mountain State Park are gearing up for the fifth Fire on the Water fireworks show on July 1, at Oak Mountain State Park. The family-friendly event provides activities for all ages including food trucks, and the Alabama Wildlife Center and Oak Mountain Interpretive Center providing educational fun for kids of all ages, according to Anna Jones with Oak Mountain State Park. Flipside Watersports will also provide entertainment on the lake including things such as wakeboarding. “They come on the lake and do the coolest show,” Jones said. Pyro Productions will begin the fireworks show over the water beginning at 9 p.m. Those planning to attend Fire on the Water can enter the park beginning at 5 p.m. for a special price of $15 per car load, a rate that will be offered for two hours, Jones said. Regular entrance to the park will begin at 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on July 1.
Guitar Hero Tournament Tuesday, July 24, 12pm-2pm Chess Club Tuesday, July 24, 6pm-7pm All experience levels welcome. Camp NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) Thursday, July 26, 6pm-7:30pm
LIBRARY ADULT:
Free Resume and Interview Classes 07/21/18 and 08/18/18 HotelPro is using their 15 year knowledge base to help individuals with sharpening skill sets that will help obtain employment.
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE SEMINAR THUR. JULY 26TH 12-1 PM
Jones said it is important for event attendees to know that the gates at the park will close at 7 p.m. and cash is the only form of payment accepted. “The fireworks are really gorgeous reflected off of the water,” Jones said. “We will also have a DJ, and American Legion Post the Triple Nickles will present the colors and sing
God Bless America, which will be a very moving program. They will also have some bikes on display.” Vendors at the event include, Shaq’s Food Truck, Master Tacos, Dixieland Concessions, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pazzo Pizza, Swamp Monster BBQ, Urban Pops, Venice Gelato, Dreamcakes Bakery, Naughty
but Nice Kettle Corn, Monzi’s Deli, Lemonade, Off the Hook, City Bowls 2, and 24-7 Concessions. Beer will also be available for purchase at the event from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. For more information about the event, visit the event’s Facebook page at “Fire on the Water.”
Outdoor courts nearing completion The outdoor sand volleyball and basketball courts adjacent to the Pelham Recreation Center are nearly complete, according to the city of Pelham’s interim city engineer Chris Cousins. Cousins said the outdoor courts are on track to be completed by the end of July. “Right now, the basketball courts have been poured, the grading is done and the underground pipes are installed,” he said. “The pavilion is up and is being completed.” Cousins said all that’s left to do is finish the parking lot, place the sand in the volleyball
Camp NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) Thursday, July 19, 6pm-7:30pm
courts and paint and stripe the basketball courts. Once complete, there will be two basketball courts, one of which will include striping for two pickle ball courts, four sand volleyball courts, 83 parking spaces and a pavilion. The project is a joint effort between the city and the Shelby County Commission. In November 2017, the Pelham City Council awarded the bid for the project to Wayne Davis Construction and it will cost $1.18 million. The county is covering $764,472 of the cost and Pelham is picking up the bill for the remaining $425,000
and any unforeseen overages. The basketball courts will include LED lights and the 60foot pavilion will have restrooms and outdoor showers. The outdoor complex will be located adjacent to the planned trailhead that will eventually lead to Oak Mountain State Park. In July 2017, when the county decided to partner with Pelham on the outdoor courts project, Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock said the project falls in line with the county’s plans to reinvest lodging taxes into tourism initiatives.
“This definitely ties in with our tourism initiatives,” Dudchock said. “This project will open the door for high school and collegiate sand volleyball tournaments and basketball tournaments.” The location of the project is ideal for tournaments because of its proximity to Pelham’s lodging options on and near Cahaba Valley Road. With the rec center, new middle school and library being built so close by, extra parking space will already be in place. When the facilities aren’t being used to host events, they will be available for residents to enjoy.
Does Medicare confuse you? Get answers at this seminar provided by a Medicare advisor from Physicians Mutual. The presentation simplifies complex issues such as the Medicare parts, enrolling and more. For more information, please call the library at 620-6418. Pelham Adult Summer Reading Program is Underway! Pelham Public Library invites everyone 18 and older to participate in the adult summer reading program started Wednesday, June 1st and runs through to Saturday July 28th.
CITY EVENTS:
Pelham Business Council Meeting July 17, 2018, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM @ Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena Fire on the Water at Oak Mountain July 1, 2018 9:00 PM - 9:30 PM Gates close at 7:00pm Fireworks at 9:00pm Oak Mountain State Park Pelham, AL 35124 7:00am-5:00pm Regular Park Admission Educando a los Padres July 26, 2018, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM @ Old Thompson High School El Oficial Isaac Cruz, Pelham Police Department Compact 2020 Bradford Introduccion Criando a Nuestros Hijos con Proposito: Efectos del Alcohol u Drogas en el Cerebro de los Adolescentes Consejero de Salud Mental Wesley Goodenough: Salud Mental Tenderemos en Panel de Discusion Todas las familias son bienvenidas!
Pelham City Council Members
Rick Hayes
Mildred Lanier
Beth McMillan
Maurice Mercer
Ron Scott
Gary Waters
Council President rickhayes@ pelhamalabama.gov
Council President Pro Tempore mildredlanier@ pelhamalabama.gov
Council Member bethmcmillan@ pelhamalabama.gov
Council Member mauricemercer@ pelhamalabama.gov
Council Member ronscott@ pelhamalabama.gov
Mayor mayor@ pelhamalabama.gov
CITY OF PELHAM 3162 Pelham Parkway Pelham, AL 35124 205-620-6400