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The Jemison City Council voted on Monday to allow the Chilton County YMCA to lease the rescue building from the city for an after-school program.

Chilton County YMCA Director Mary Beth Wyatt spoke to the council about housing an after-school program and said the program would be from 3-6 p.m. It would provide services for children in Jemison who are unable to travel to the YMCA location in Clanton and open to children ages 5-13 years of age.

Wyatt said children from any school could attend the program, but it would benefit children living in Jemison who don’t have the opportunity to travel to Clanton for an after-school program.

Mayor Eddie Reed said he thought having the partnership with the Chilton County YMCA would be beneficial for the city of Jemison and told the council the partnership would have the potential to house other programs for residents in the city.

Wyatt told the council there could be a possibility in the future to have activities held at the Rescue Building during the daytime hours.

Councilman George Brasher told Wyatt he thought the after-school program was a good one and he was happy to see she was working to start one in the community.

Councilman Rex Bittle asked Wyatt if she knew an exact number of how many children would participate in the program.

Wyatt said she currently knew of 33 children who would participate but there was a possibility more children could sign up for the program.

Wyatt also said she would try and acquire a “dedicated school bus” to pick up the children after school and transport them to the rescue building.

Some of the council had concerns regarding the lack of parking spaces available at the rescue building, but Wyatt said parents picking up the children wouldn’t require much parking as they would simply be picking up the children from the program.

Reed told Wyatt part of the lease agreement with the city would be requiring the Chilton County YMCA to cover the cost of the utilities including the electricity and natural gas bills.

Councilmen George Brasher, Robert Morris, Donnie Lane, Sam Reed, Rex Bittle and Reed unanimously voted to go into a one-year annual contract with the Chilton County YMCA for an afternoon after-school program.

Wyatt clarified on Tuesday that the after-school program is not the same program as the PALS program that is no longer offered at Jemison Elementary.

“This program is replacing the extended after-school care program that was formerly housed at Jemison Elementary,” Wyatt said.

Wyatt said after school staff from the YMCA will administer the program and Angie Wright, the program director, will oversee the program.

Wyatt said the pilot program kicked off on Monday but the program was scheduled to start Tuesday afternoon.

Registration continues for any student interested.

The council also recognized on Monday the North Chilton Elite 10-and-under all star youth baseball team for making history in winning a World Series championship.

Reed and the council recognized the players and coaches for their accomplishments by presenting each player with a certificate of recognition.

“This is a special night for the city,” Reed said. “This is a big accomplishment and every single one of you did a good job of bringing history to this city and to Chilton County.”

Reed also presented the coaches with a check from the city to cover some of the expenses incurred throughout the season.

In other news, the council:

•Approved an online water payment system for residents living in the city.

•Approved Shelby Lockhart and Josh Hubbard to the Jemison Police Department’s Reserve Program.

•Went into an executive session from 6:45-7:05 p.m. to discuss security plans, procedures and assessments and a pending legal matter.

•Approved a bathroom project.

•Made a motion to grant Bernice Atchison a variance according to the city attorney.