The Town of Summerdale held a joint work session and council meeting on Monday. The work session was rescheduled because there was not a lot of business to attend to the week prior.

The council held a public hearing to discuss changing part of the town’s zoning code to add architectural restrictions to the current zoning code located in Article IX, section 403.1. No commentary was brought up at the public hearing, so the council voted unanimously to add the phrase “if any portion of the building falls within the business corridor overlay zone.” This addition will better allow the town to properly zone property. Mayor David Wilson said this measure was desperately needed.

The council also approved a contract with the South Baldwin Chamber. The contract will cost the town $500. The council did not approve purchasing an advertisement in the South Baldwin Chamber’s publications because the town has not done so in recent years.

The council also approved funds for Police Chief Dwain Riebling to attend a chief conference in Montgomery in early 2011. Riebling is required to attend at least 20 hours of similar training each year. This conference will count for ten training hours.

Repairs to a dump truck owned by the town were recently made. According to the council, the dump truck is a necessary asset to the city and is still new enough to make repairs worthwhile. The new parts for the dump truck will cost the town $2,500. The dump truck needs a new turbo charger. The cost of labor to make repairs was not known at the time of the council meeting, but the council approved the repairs necessary.

The library’s holiday hours were approved by the council, which will be different than town hall. The library will be closed Dec. 24-Dec. 27, while town hall will be closed Dec. 23-Dec. 26. According to Wilson, the town is closing the same days as neighboring municipalities, while the library is closing the same days as the libraries of neighboring municipalities.

The city is purchasing a new copier for the court, which will be paid for by funds provided by the District Attorney’s Solicitor Fund.

A public hearing is set to occur during the council’s next workshop on Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m. The sidewalks will be funded through a Safe Routes to School Grant. The town has already planned out where the sidewalks will go, but Wilson wants to give the town an opportunity to see where the sidewalks will go and share any concerns they may have.

Council members also expressed concern over large trucks being parked in residential areas. Council members asked for an ordinance to be researched, to see if an ordinance would be feasible.

Town employees also got a nice holiday surprise yesterday in the form of a check equaling 2.5 percent of their yearly pay as a cost of living bonus. This allocation was approved by the council, along with an additional increase to come in early 2011. The second increase will be dependent upon the employee’s evaluation. The allocation will cost the city $14,000.

The council also demonstrated new technology that has been implemented. Security cameras have been installed within the municipal complex, and according to the council, the cameras have been working very well. Wilson asked that a few adjustments be made to maximize the coverage within the building. A tracking system for all town vehicles is also in place. Every time a vehicle starts, stops or travels is recorded by the system, so each vehicle can be tracked and the information is stored for three years.

Wilson also expressed concern, asking for the town’s website to be updated and rejuvenated.

Riebling also gave the council an update on the six juveniles involved in the wreck in Summerdale last week. According to Riebling, all six individuals survived the accident and are expected to recover based upon information he has received from their families.

According to Riebling the accident is still under investigation, but he anticipates charges will eventually be filed.