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weeds. The new process will allow us to handle and address<br />
these issues in a much quicker way and still preserve the rights<br />
of citizens.<br />
In Ward 3, we have had numerous complaints about residents<br />
having chickens. As a reminder, farm animals are not<br />
allowed within the city limits.<br />
I have been working to get help with the litter issue in the<br />
city and recently the council discussed trying what the city of<br />
Helena does. Hiring a part time person, designated solely to<br />
clean up litter weekly. As we get this under control, my hope is<br />
much of the littering will stop as people see our roadways clean.<br />
The <strong>Alabaster</strong> Clean Sweep is coming up in April -Once<br />
again we will have the FREE, secure, paper shredding and<br />
technology recycling. We are checking into hazardous waste<br />
disposal as well, but it is not confirmed. All dates for activities<br />
during the Clean Sweep will be posted on the city website and<br />
in the newsletter at the beginning of April.<br />
My decision to buy products/services or revisit a business<br />
depends greatly on their customer service. Publix and Habanero’s<br />
are two that stand out in my mind, in our city. Email me<br />
some local businesses that you have great experiences with.<br />
Have a great spring break, safe travels and a very Happy Easter.<br />
Rick Walters, Ward 4<br />
As the weather continues to improve and the days get longer,<br />
construction of the <strong>Alabaster</strong> Exchange next to Arby’s on<br />
Hwy31 should be well underway. The final plan review was<br />
last month and we expect the developers to begin announcing<br />
their tenants. The mixed use<br />
development will consist of retail<br />
stores (restaurants/shops) and<br />
medical buildings that enhance<br />
the Medical Mile. Phase I should<br />
be completed later this year and<br />
Phase II is scheduled for 2017-<br />
2018. Improvements to the property<br />
will also include an upgrade<br />
to the water distribution system<br />
and sidewalks that connect the<br />
development to Shelby Baptist<br />
Hospital. Also under construction<br />
is the new high school<br />
campus. The bid was awarded<br />
last month by the <strong>Alabaster</strong> City School Board of Education<br />
and is also scheduled to be constructed in phases with the first<br />
phase completed in time for the 2017-2018 school year. March<br />
also brings back Daylight Savings time on Sunday March 13th<br />
and Easter on the 27th. I hope you have a great month and as<br />
always – Keep in Touch!<br />
Russell Bedsole, Ward 5<br />
Greetings again to all. I sincerely hope that everyone’s first two<br />
months of 2016 have been filled with blessings and joy. Each of us<br />
have needs from time to time. If you need assistance from your city<br />
it can be as easy as visiting www.cityofalabaster.com. Simply click<br />
on the “Report a Concern” tab, and<br />
send us your needs, complaints, or<br />
suggestions. You will receive a reply<br />
from a member of our staff at their<br />
earliest possible opportunity to let<br />
you know they are working on or<br />
have resolved your issue. Of course<br />
we still love to speak with you on the<br />
phone, so if you prefer, give us a call.<br />
The city is seeking willing candidates<br />
to fill some vacant or expected<br />
vacancies in a few of the boards<br />
that serve our citizens. As a council<br />
we are granted the authority to<br />
make appointments to numerous boards. The Council is seeking<br />
applicants who posses the desire and time to serve on one of the<br />
following boards: Board of Zoning Adjustments, and the <strong>Alabaster</strong><br />
City School Board.<br />
Interested citizens should click on the “Citizen Involvement” button<br />
under the Residents tab at our website. We desire to fill these<br />
positions fast, so don’t delay.<br />
Thank you again for taking the time to read my comments.<br />
Please let me know how I may better serve you.<br />
Tommy Ryals, Ward 7<br />
Proverbs 29:18 says “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”<br />
Maybe a little dramatic to apply to a City’s Comprehensive<br />
Plan, but it’s true. If City leaders have no vision for the future,<br />
the people may not perish but they may disappear to other cities<br />
and the rest of us will be in a rut for sure. As I’m sure you have<br />
heard, the City has been working<br />
on updating the Comprehensive<br />
Plan. As the City’s website states:<br />
“A Comprehensive Plan is used as a<br />
guide to decision-making about the<br />
natural and built environment. The<br />
plan is used as a guide to making<br />
decisions regarding land use, development,<br />
growth management and<br />
capital improvements. It provides a<br />
framework for guiding public and<br />
private decisions that will affect new<br />
development as well as reinvestment<br />
in existing neighborhoods and business areas…. It is composed of<br />
a combination of maps, development policies and design guidelines.”<br />
It has been about 10 years since the last Comprehensive Plan<br />
update and many things have changed since then. The Mayor, City<br />
Manager, and Council have gone over this document in detail and<br />
are moving towards approval of this plan very soon. Take a minute<br />
and visit the City of <strong>Alabaster</strong> website and take a look at the latest<br />
vision for <strong>Alabaster</strong>.<br />
cityofalabaster.com 5
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