Pelham meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Pelham agendas point to Oct. 19 action on water main bid, liquor store rules and retiree benefits

Pelham has not yet published minutes for its three most recent meetings, so no votes, tallies or final outcomes are available from the record. What the agendas do show is a City Council that reviewed a set of money and land items for its October 19 meeting, alongside a Zoning Board of Adjustment docket that includes a QuikTrip request at Highway 52 and Racquet Club Parkway.

City Council, Oct. 5: liquor store rules and retiree benefits

The council's regular 7:00 p.m. meeting at Pelham City Hall was scheduled to include a public hearing and first reading of Ordinance No. 135-272, which would amend zoning rules on where liquor stores may be located and how far apart they must be. A first reading of Ordinance No. 247-09, amending City of Pelham retiree healthcare benefits, was also scheduled.

On the consent agenda: Resolution 2026-10-05-04 to release bond money and accept public streets — Kirkwall, Kilkerran, Braemar and Glen Iris — and rights-of-way in the Ballantrae Neighborhood; Resolutions 2026-10-05-02 and 2026-10-05-03 for automatic and mutual aid agreements with the City of Hoover and the Cahaba Valley Fire and Emergency Medical Rescue District; and Resolution 2026-10-05-05 amending the Employee Handbook for updated vacation accrual rates. Surplus property was also listed.

Work session: water main bid, stream gauge, citizen survey

At a 5:30 p.m. work session in the Council Conference Room at Pelham City Hall, the council was scheduled to discuss the Pelham Public Library Board appointment process and FY2027 nonprofit funding requests, and to review items recommended for the October 19 meeting. Those included an agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for annual operation and maintenance of the stream gauge at Buck Creek, budgeted for FY2027; a bid from Gillespie Construction, LLC for the Commerce Boulevard and Commerce Circle Water Main PVC Pipe Replacement Project, budgeted for FY2026; a grant award from Cawaco RC&D Council for the Pelham Department of Parks & Recreation; and an agreement with ETC Institute to design and administer a Citizen Survey.

The work session was also to cover proposed repeals and replacements of sections of Ordinance No. 526 in response to Alabama Act 2026-437 (SB304), sections of Ordinance No. 324 on sales and use tax discount and enforcement, and sections of Ordinance No. 526 on special events and single day licenses; plus proposed repeal of Ordinance No. 60 on charitable solicitation registration and of Ordinance No. 196 (Section 5-145) on transient lodging tax discount. Setting a public hearing date and time for those items was listed for discussion. The work session is open to the public but is not a public hearing.

Zoning Board: four variance requests

The Zoning Board of Adjustment was scheduled to hear four requests, three of them deferred from its September meeting: onsite customers at 5157 Simms Ridge (VARZ0826-00037); a QuikTrip request at Highway 52 and Racquet Club Parkway to reduce distance from public assembly and exceed setback (VARZ0826-00039); a rear yard setback reduction for a deck/sunroom at 110 Cedar Cove Ln (VARZ0926-00040); and reduced minimum parking requirements for a mixed-use building at 3553 Pelham Pkwy (VARZ0926-00041).

Coming up

• **Oct. 19, City Council work session:** items being reviewed for the November 2 agenda, including adoption of the City of Pelham Transportation Plan for FY2027, an agreement with the Shelby County Park & Recreation Authority for a multi-purpose trail system, Supplemental Agreement No. 2 for pedestrian lighting on Pelham Greenway Trail Phases 3 & 4, a final summary change order for the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project Phase IV-A, and an agreement with ADECA for Pelham Police Department traffic enforcement.
• **Oct. 19, City Council meeting:** a public hearing on annexation of 1056 Highway 72; proposed amendments to business licensing, sales and use tax, and transient lodging tax; Ordinance No. 135-272 on liquor store locational and separation requirements; the Gillespie Construction, LLC bid; and the U.S. Geological Survey stream gaging agreement at Buck Creek.
• **Oct. 20, Commercial Development Authority:** approval of the Finance Report, status updates on 1908 & 1910 Montgomery Highway, the Wellborn Property (2786 Montgomery Highway) and Fran's Property (3103 Pelham Parkway), and an economic development update.
• **Oct. 26, Library Board:** a reconsideration request for the book "It's Perfectly Normal" and proposed changes to the Collection Development Policy and the Physical Location and Relocation Policies.

Pelham council backs trash rate increase, subsidy removal for 2027

The Pelham City Council reached a consensus to remove the city's subsidy from the Trash Fund and raise the monthly rate effective Jan. 1, 2027, during an Aug. 12 work session. No formal vote was taken on the budget items.

Trash Fund and budget work sessions

At the Aug. 12 work session, council members agreed to remove the city subsidy from the Trash Fund and increase the monthly rate starting Jan. 1, 2027. The council also voted unanimously (5-0) to enter an executive session to discuss security plans, which lasted from 5:22 p.m. to 6:24 p.m. No formal votes were taken on the budget items.

The council held a separate work session Aug. 11 to review FY2027 budgets for Communications, Human Resources, Fire, and Economic Development. That session was informational only; no decisions were made. It adjourned at 9:10 p.m. on a unanimous voice vote.

Other recent agenda items

The council held a work session Aug. 17 to review items for the Sept. 8 meeting, including an ABC license for Litecoast LLC (Gallery Smoke Shop) at 2706C Pelham Parkway, surplus property disposal, a job reclassification at Ballantrae Golf Club, a sewer project bid from Suncoast Infrastructure, and a 2027 Spring Fair contract with Kissel Entertainment. No votes were taken.

The council also met Aug. 17 for a regular meeting with several resolutions on the agenda: accepting a bid from Cox Contracting Company, Inc. for the Valleydale Terrace Water Main Replacement Project; authorizing a lighting services agreement with Alabama Power Company for the Weatherly neighborhood; authorizing an agreement with TTL, Inc. for construction materials testing at Pelham Sports Park Renovations Phase II; authorizing an agreement with Shelby County Commission for FY2026 School Resource Officer Program funding; and approving or denying an ABC license for SKAL USA, Inc. (Toast Trends) at 3350 Pelham Parkway, Suite B. No votes were taken.

Other boards

The Commercial Development Authority met Aug. 18 to approve minutes and a finance report, and to receive updates on properties it owns, including 1908 and 1910 Montgomery Highway, the Wellborn Property, and Fran's Property. The agenda was largely procedural.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met Aug. 19 to discuss the All Star Baseball process, a football investment update, an Art in the Park update, and a foundation update. The meeting included a public forum.

Coming up

The City Council will meet Aug. 25 to vote on the final plat for the 138-lot Silver Ridge subdivision (PH 1A and 2A) and to decide on bond releases and street acceptances for several communities: Glen Iris at Kilkerran, Braemar at Ballantrae, Kilkerran at Ballantrae, and Kirkwall at Ballantrae.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on a variance request for 101 Tony Holmes Drive, seeking to exceed the front-yard fence height limit (7-foot fence where 4 feet is the maximum), place an accessory structure in the front yard, and reduce the required 10-foot separation between accessory structures. The applicant is Monica Navarro; owners are Luis and Rosalie Navarro.

Pelham Council approves ReAmp consulting deal for former amphitheatre

The Pelham City Council unanimously approved a development consulting agreement for the ReAmp initiative to reimagine the former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. The council also held work sessions on the FY2027 budget and considered several contracts and license applications.

ReAmp consulting agreement approved

At a special called meeting July 30, the council approved Resolution 2026-07-30-01, authorizing a development consulting agreement with John Benner and GenRev Properties for the ReAmp initiative. The agreement covers feasibility studies over the next 6-8 months to guide site development. The vote was unanimous by voice. No other substantive decisions were made.

Council agenda items from Aug. 3

The council met Aug. 3 for its regular meeting. Minutes have not yet been published, so no official actions are reported. The agenda included:

• A bid from Cox Contracting Company, Inc. for the Valleydale Terrace Water Main Replacement Project.
• A lighting services agreement with Alabama Power Company for Weatherly Neighborhood.
• An agreement with TTL, Inc. for Pelham Sports Park Renovations Project, Phase II.
• ABC license applications for Gallery Smoke Shop (2706C Pelham Parkway) and Toast Trends (3350 Pelham Parkway, Suite B).
• A payment to Cahaba Solid Waste Disposal Authority for 2021-2025 legal fees.

The agenda also included first readings of two ordinances: Ordinance No. 135-271 to amend zoning from R-1 to R-4 for property along King Valley Drive (applicant L & L Property Enterprises, LLC), and Ordinance No. 531 to adopt new regulations for the Pelham Police Department’s vault and property storage room. The council also recognized Shelby County Chamber’s Small Business of the Year 2026: Advanced Landscape Services, Inc., Specification Rubber Products, and Cahaba Spay Neuter.

Budget work sessions

The council held two special called work sessions to review proposed FY2027 budgets. On Aug. 4, it reviewed revenue, city manager, mayor, council, and finance. On Aug. 8, it reviewed budgets for Development Services & Public Works, Trash Fund, Water/Sewer, Capital Projects, Pelham Public Library, Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena, Ballantrae Golf Club, Pelham Racquet Club, and Parks & Recreation. Both sessions were open to the public but were not public hearings. No decisions were made.

Upcoming Zoning Board hearing

The Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing Aug. 11 on a variance request for 101 Tony Holmes Drive. The applicant, Monica Navarro, seeks to exceed the front-yard fence height limit (7 feet where 4 feet is maximum), place an accessory structure in the established front yard, and reduce the required 10-foot separation between accessory structures. The board will also approve minutes from its June 9 meeting.

Coming up

• Aug. 11: Zoning Board of Adjustment public hearing, 101 Tony Holmes Drive.

Pelham Council Eyes ReAmp Consulting Agreement; Zoning, Annexation Items Advance

The Pelham City Council was scheduled to consider a development consulting agreement for the ReAmp initiative — a plan to reimagine the former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre — at a special called meeting on July 30, 2026. Resolution 2026-07-30-01 would authorize the consulting agreement. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so the outcome is not confirmed in the available record.

City Council: Zoning, Annexation, and Licenses

The Council held a work session on July 20 to review several items slated for future votes, followed by a meeting on July 23 that included public hearings and scheduled votes on multiple zoning amendments and a property annexation. Minutes for both sessions have not yet been published.

Items on the July 23 agenda included:

• A public hearing and first reading to rezone property along King Valley Drive from R-1 (Single Family Detached) to R-4 (Townhouse). The applicant is L & L Property Enterprises, LLC.
• Ordinance No. 135-270 to rezone property at the corner of Highway 52 and Racquet Club Parkway from Agriculture to B-2 (General Commercial).
• Ordinance No. 530 to annex approximately 18 acres at 5025 County Road 11, owned by Brian Ellison and Cindy Grier.
• A resolution for ABC and tobacco licenses for HWY 31 Wine and Spirits at 2169 Pelham Parkway, Suite B.
• Ordinance No. 531 to adopt new regulations for the Pelham Police Department's vault and property storage room.

The July 20 work session covered the same items as a preview, including discussion of ABC license proximity restrictions and proposed language for the police property storage room.

Commercial Development Authority Reviews Montgomery Highway Properties

The Commercial Development Authority met July 21 to review its finance report and discuss the status and future use of three properties it owns. The agenda listed discussion of 1908 and 1910 Montgomery Highway, the Wellborn Property at 2786 Montgomery Highway, and the Fran's Property at 3103 Pelham Parkway. Approval of the Finance Report was also on the agenda. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming Up

The City Council has two meetings scheduled for August 3, 2026:

• A meeting reviewing several contracts and license applications, including a bid from Cox Contracting Company, Inc. for the Valleydale Terrace Water Main Replacement Project; a lighting services agreement with Alabama Power Company for the Weatherly Neighborhood; an agreement with TTL, Inc. for the Pelham Sports Park Renovations Project, Phase II; ABC license applications for Gallery Smoke Shop (2706C Pelham Parkway) and Toast Trends (3350 Pelham Parkway, Suite B); and a payment to Cahaba Solid Waste Disposal Authority for 2021-2025 legal fees. The agenda also lists discussion of a funding request for the "2030 Shelby Works!" initiative and the 2027 Spring Fair.
• A regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, including first readings of Ordinance No. 135-271 (zoning amendment from R-1 to R-4 for property along King Valley Drive, applicant L & L Property Enterprises, LLC) and Ordinance No. 531 (regulations for the Pelham Police Department's vault and property storage room). The Council will also recognize Shelby County Chamber's Small Business of the Year 2026 honorees: Advanced Landscape Services, Inc., Specification Rubber Products, and Cahaba Spay Neuter. Applications for student representative positions on the Pelham Parks & Recreation Advisory Board remain open until August 7, 2026.

All recent meeting outcomes remain unconfirmed because minutes have not been published. Residents can verify results through official city records once minutes are available.