By Cady Inabinett, Editor in chief 

Parking for University of Montevallo faculty and staff, property rezoning and repairs for Parnell Memorial Library were all topics of discussion at the Montevallo City Council’s two December meetings. 

The council voted unanimously at their Dec. 11 meeting to create parking zones on city streets in which only University of Montevallo faculty and staff would be allowed to park in on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  

The new parking spaces will be located near the Global Community and Outreach Building on Valley Street and the Sharp House on Bloch Street. These newly allotted parking spaces join other university spaces along Oak Street.  

Discussions of the ordinance at the council’s Nov. 27 meeting raised concerns about lunchtime parking near Main Street Tavern in particular, but the ordinance passed with little discussion at the Dec. 11 meeting. 

In addition to passing this measure, the council held public hearings regarding rezoning three pieces of property at the Dec. 11 meeting. All properties discussed are owned by the same individual, Scott Lovelady, and the council voted unanimously in favor of rezoning all three.  

One of Lovelady’s properties, located off Highway 25, was redesignated from business zoning to industrial zoning. Lovelady, who was present at the meeting, said his request for rezoning this lot is to allow him flexibility in converting the lot into a storage lot business for things such as RVs, campers and boats. 

In discussing rezoning, council member Martha Eisenberg pointed out that there are already businesses like this in Montevallo, but this did not seem to concern other council members, with council member David King responding, “I don’t particularly think more hurts.” 

For another property, located near the American Village off of Highway 119, Lovelady sought to the change the zoning from a business designation to a residential designation, saying he hopes to build three houses on the 2.61acre lot. 

For his final property, located along Spring Creek Road, Lovelady had similar aims of building houses, but sought to rezone the property to estate designation. Estate zoning designation requires that each house built on the property have a minimum of one acre of land. 

At the council’s Dec. 27 meeting, repairs to Parnell Memorial Library were the main topic of discussion. 

The council voted unanimously at this meeting—with Eisenberg absent—to amend the city’s fiscal budget to increase the amount allotted to building repairs and maintenance for the library from $3,500 to $13,500—almost quadruple the amount originally allotted. 

The main concerns lie in the building’s plumbing, as there have been several leaks recently. The water fountains in the library are also in need of repairs and, potentially, replacement. 

City clerk Steve Gilbert said of the repairs, “We’ve got a 21-year-old building that is beginning to show the need for significant maintenance.” 

Also at the council’s Dec. 27 meeting, Mayor Rusty Nix read a proclamation honoring Dr. Terry Sutton ahead of his retirement from the role of pastor at Montevallo First Baptist Church—a role Sutton has held for 16 years. 

Nix pointed out that Sutton has been heavily involved in the Montevallo community in addition to serving as a pastor. Sutton has previously served as President of the Montevallo Rotary Club, on Shelby Emergency Assistance’s Board of Directors and on Parnell Memorial Library’s Board of Directors.  

Sutton’s final sermon as pastor was held on Dec. 31. 

The next city council meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at City Hall and livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page.