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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Clanton City Council took the first step to becoming a part of the MainStreet Alabama organization during a voting session on Jan. 11.

The Council unanimously approved applying to be a network city. Councilman Billy Singleton said this is the first step to becoming a part of the program.

“(MainStreet Alabama) originally started as a state program,” Singleton said. “It is now in a 501(c)3, but it is an organization that encourages revitalization of our downtown areas and gives us access to grants and expertise in how we could move forward doing that.”

Singleton said the downtown area is “such an important part of the character of a city,” and downtown revitalization increases business opportunities and jobs.

At a previous meeting, Singleton said a local company has offered to pay the $500 fee to become a network city.

Margaret Hawkins spoke to the Council during the meeting about the West End Kids First Awareness Community Development Center.

“Our goal is simple strengthening one family at a time …,” Hawkins said. “We provide free youth and adult education outreach through service projects, job training and more.”

Hawkins said she would like to work with the city in the future. She also invited the mayor to the organization’s basketball tournament at the YMCA on Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also during the meeting, the Council approved:

• A five-year lease with a five-year renewal option for Farmers Home Furniture with an increase of $100 every five years.
• Changes to the wrecker service rotation for being called be Clanton first responders.
• the quarterly donation to the Chilton/Clanton Public Library of $32,500.
• payment of $15,000 to Hull and Russell to complete the annual financial audit for the city.