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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Jemison City Council received a good report about its water and wastewater permits during the Nov. 1 meeting.

Department Assistant Superintendent Jimmy Porter said the Alabama Department of Environmental Management had renewed the city’s water permit for six years.

The wastewater permit has also been approved for six years. Porter said the wastewater department had zero permit violations.

Mayor Eddie Reed said Porter has pursued advanced training that has helped the department improve and maintain compliance.

Porter said he was the only city employee with a Grade 2 Operator certification for the department, and the wastewater is a Grade 2 facility.

The city has contracted with Living Waters to manage the wastewater system, and they have employees with Grade 2 Operator certifications.

Reed said it would be good for more city employees to pursue this certification just in case.

Porter agreed, saying the certification helps the city employees better understand what Living Waters employees are saying in operating the system.

The council also unanimously approved an ordinance to allow summary disposition of certain charges. This allows the magistrate to accept a guilty plea without requiring the person to appear in city court. Reed said this is something the Justice Department was requiring.

Councilman Rex Bittle said this option would increase efficiency in the courts.

An ordinance update was approved to the allowed the issuance of summons and complaints for certain misdemeanors related to chemical testing.

The council also approved an paying 50% of the cost of family health insurance for full-time employees.

Upcoming events for the city of Jemison include the annual Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. and the Christmas parade on Dec. 4 at 11 a.m.