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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Clanton City Council is expected to consider a resolution that would be the first step in allowing the sale of draft beer during its meeting on April 12 .

The amendment would have to be approved by the state legislature and then be approved by ordinance by the Clanton City Council, which requires two readings.

During an April 8 work session, Mayor Jeff Mims said allowing the sale of draft beer could open opportunities for the city because most of the major chain restaurants sell it.

The amendment would permit sale of draft beer for consumption on the premises and the sale of growlers (maximum of 64 ounces) of draft beer to be sold for off-site consumption. However, sale of beer kegs would still be prohibited.

Businesses would be required to get the appropriate license from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board prior to sale.

Public notice of the coming vote will also be published.

Also on April 12, the Clanton City Council will consider a 2% increase in the lodging tax, which is charged by hotels. This would bring the lodging tax rate to 6%.

Mims presented the idea during the work session on April 8.

“That will put us in line pretty much with the counties around us,” Mims said.

The lodging rate for the county is 5%.

Councilman Billy Singleton agreed that the proposed rate would be comparable to Shelby and Autauga counties.

Approval would need to be by ordinance with a first and second reading.

The first reading is expected to be during the April 12 meeting.

Possibly contracting with an outside garbage service was also discussed at the work session. A cost analysis is expected to be reviewed on April 12. Mims said if the city did decide to contract with an outside company, current garbage employees would be moved to other city departments and remain employed.

Many aspects of the current situation were discussed, including issues with mattresses being thrown on the side of the road and wood boards with nails in them being put in limb piles. Mims said boards cannot be disposed of the same way as limbs and should not be put out for limb pickup.

A moratorium on metal buildings along Highways 31, 22 and 145 (Lay Dam Road) for a set amount of time will likely be considered on April 12.

Mims said the moratorium would give the city time to update the city building ordinance requirements for a façade to match the traditional look of downtown.

The council also discussed prices for replacing a floor for the YMCA of Chilton County, which is in a building owned by the city, purchasing two vehicles — one for the mayor and one for the public works director— off of the state or national bid list and fixing up a camp house that had been damaged in recent storms for employees to rent for vacations.

Council member Mary Mell Smith said fixing the house and allowing it to be rented by employees was a good idea, if there were specific regulations in place.

Other council members agreed. Council member Awlahjaday Agee suggested using an agreement similar to what is used for renting facilities for events and getting an estimate on a cleaning service to come in after each use.

Mims said insurance would pay for the repairs, and he would research the cost.

The swimming pool at E.M Henry community center was also discussed. Mims said an employee told him it had not been used in the recent past. Agee said it had been used. Mims said he would look into this more.

“I don’t want to spend money on the swimming pool, if they are not going to use it,” Mims said.  “If they are going to use the pool, we will try to take care of it.”

The possibility of closing Clanton City Hall from noon until 1 p.m. each day, so that employees could have a set lunch time was also discussed.

The Clanton City Council meeting on April 12 will begin at 5 p.m. at Clanton City Hall.