By Wesley Walter, Managing editor 

A resolution seeking to establish a bank account for Montevallo Fire and Rescue was discussed and voted on at the Montevallo City Council’s first meeting of 2024.  

City Clerk Steve Gilbert read the resolution to the council at their Jan. 8 meeting. Gilbert said the purpose of the account was the purchasing of fire and medical equipment.  

The resolution requested $100,000 be taken from the City of Montevallo capital reserve account to establish the Montevallo Fire and Rescue account. It also requested that $4,554 be added to the account per month until the council deems it necessary to rescind the resolution. 

According to Gilbert, the monthly deposits are to make payments on Montevallo Fire and Rescue Engine 81, purchased by the department in 2023. Currently, this monthly amount is being taken from the capital reserve account, which may be used at the discretion of the council for Montevallo’s general capital improvement. 

Gilbert said the new account would be to ensure money is set aside for the financing of the engine and potential future fire and rescue vehicles. 

Regarding the establishment of the account, Gilbert said, “What we want to do is earmark these funds to be solely for the purpose of fire and rescue and medical equipment and that amount not be within the entire capital reserve account.” 

The council voted to approve the resolution.  

The council also discussed a recommendation to accept a $10,000 grant from The Greater Birmingham Regional Planning Commission to repave the city’s tennis courts.  

Montevallo Mayor Rusty Nix said the total cost of the repairs would be $24,000, with the remaining $14,000 after the grant expected to be paid by the Montevallo Development Cooperative District. The council voted to accept the grant.  

The council also voted to allow MDCD access to the remaining repair funds alongside an additional $17,500 requested by MDCD to repair the roofs of two pavilions and the gazebo at Orr Park.  

Nix read a proclamation for the recognition of Alabama Human Trafficking Awareness Month, recognized in January by the state since 2011.  

Reading from the proclamation, Nix said, “The first step in eliminating human trafficking in our community is education. We must work diligently to ensure that all front line industries, educators, first responders and parents are aware of this issue—know how to spot it, know how to report it.” 

Jamie Willet, the Community Engagement and Awareness Chair of End It Alabama, a division of the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, was present at the meeting and thanked Nix for his proclamation.  

Sarah Hogan, director of IMPACT Montevallo, the city’s anti-drug coalition, announced the organization would be reapplying for a grant funding its operation. Current funding for the  organization is set run out in September 2024. 

Council member Leila Mitchell announced that Montevallo City Schools, The University of Montevallo and American Village would be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  

Council member Kenneth Dukes announced that the Shelby County NAACP’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March would begin at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 15. Dukes said that after the march down Main Street a program would be held in Montevallo Highschool’s auditorium. Dukes said that vendors were welcome to set up at the school lobby during the event.  

Dukes also announced that a musical tribute to Dr. King would be held at the Shelby County Arts Council the night of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

The next city council meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at City Hall and livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page.