By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer
COLUMBIANA
– The Shelby County Commission convened for a regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, June 9, addressing vital community projects, budget allocations and funding initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and supporting residents.
During the meeting, the commission approved several significant resolutions. They authorized the acceptance of right-of-way for the Caldwell Mill Road widening and bridge replacement project, including purchases in lieu of eminent domain and condemnations across multiple tracts. This infrastructure effort aims to enhance transportation efficiency and safety along Caldwell Mill Road from Heatherwood Drive to Acton Road.
The commission also approved the awards of bids for mosquito control supplies, with vendors ADAPCO LLC and Clarke Mosquito Control Products Inc., providing essential materials such as larvacide briquettes and permethrin products. These supplies are crucial for maintaining public health against vector-borne diseases.
Highway improvements to Interstate 65 were also introduced and approved, as the commission approved plans for additional lanes and bridge raising from south of Country Road 87 to Buck Creek. With the north project and south project of the Interstate 65 redevelopment plan already in motion, it was announced that a bid for the middle project was awarded to Chilton Contractors Inc. on Friday, May 30.
In support of addressing homelessness, Shelby County authorized its participation in the Emergency Solutions Grant program. The grant aims to prevent homelessness, rapidly re-house individuals and provide emergency shelter and services, particularly for victims of domestic violence and youth in need.
David Morgan, a candidate for Calera City Council, also addressed the commission during the meeting. Morgan was born and raised in Shelby County and is a lifelong resident of Alabama, currently calling Calera home.
“I have been a career public servant in public safety as a 911 (operator) and for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency,” Morgan said. “I’m trying to help the whole community… I want to make it easier for people to use city resources and facilities to start clubs and events, give us those third spaces and give folks the ability to form common language by talking about things that matter and a place to share knowledge from one generation to the next.”
In his report to the commission, County Manager Chad Scroggins said that the county is focused on several projects and developments, including a redevelopment at Forest Parks.
“We converted one of the basketball courts (at Forest Parks) into three pickleball courts,” Scroggins said. “The demand for pickleball is really high, and we find that a lot of people on the 280 corridor really didn’t have (many pickleball courts).”
At the conclusion of the meeting, Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego provided an update on Carnell Buford, a school resource officer at Mt. Laurel Elementary who was struck by a car while on-duty on Thursday, May 22.
“He’s getting better,” Samaniego said. “He’s going through physical therapy. No broken bones, but he has some nerve damage, hopefully he can recover and get back to 100 percent.”
Scroggins lauded Buford’s efforts in the community, wishing him a speedy recovery.
“He’s a great guy and he’s really probably impacted positively more kids than anybody can even think of,” Scroggins said.
For more information on the Shelby County Commission, visit Shelbyal.com/93/County-Commission.
