City council talks parking issues, sidewalk and road improvements

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The Mountain Brook City Council tonight recognized longtime employee Doris Kenny for her service to the City. Kenny, who has worked as City Manager Sam Gaston’s Executive Assistant for 15 years, will retire at the end of January.

“Doris, you’ve been the best dressed employee Mountain Brook’s ever had,” said Mayor Terry Oden.

In her address to the council, Kenny said she will retire with nothing but fond memories.

“You are all my daytime family,” she said. “Thank you for letting me be part of the city.”

The city held a retirement party for Kenny on Jan. 22.

During the city’s pre-council meeting, Police Chief Ted Cook discussed parking and public safety concerns involving Westchester Circle near Mountain Brook High School. As many as 18 students, he said, are parking in the area and crossing across private property to the high school. Of particular concern, he said, is the amount of parked cars would make it impossible for a fire truck and difficult for an ambulance to U-turn in the area. Though the council took no action on the issue at tonight’s meeting, it agreed to look into the matter further.

The council also agreed to survey an area along Montclair Road from Memory Lane to Mountain Brook Park Condos in preparation for sidewalks requested by the area’s residents.

During the formal meeting, the council:

  • Approved an agreement with Vestavia Hills for preliminary design of Cahaba River Road improvements.
  • Appointed municipal court judge K.C. Hairston to replace Judge Pete Johnson, whose term of office ends Feb. 1.   
  • Authorized the installation of a street light between the houses located at 4402 and 4406 Briar Glen Circle.  
  • Approved the construction plans for phase 9 of an ALDOT sidewalk project along Brookwod Road, Crosshill Road, Oakdale Drive, Spring Valley Road and Woodvale Road and agreed to perform ongoing maintenance related thereto.
  • Authorized the renewal (one year extension) of the service agreement between the City and Birmingham History Center with respect to the management of the City's artifacts exhibit in a display case at City Hall after removing language concerning picture regulations.
  • Approved an agreement with Father Nature Landscapes of Birmingham for the removal of invasive plants in Jemison Park.

The next regular meeting of the City Council is Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall located at 56 Church Street.