Pelham · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pelham public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
High Ridge Water Tank Painting Project Change Order
The city will review a summary change order for the High Ridge Water Tank Painting Project. The project was successfully completed under budget, reflecting efficient fiscal management.
APLS-recommended changes to library policies
State library staff have recommended changes to how Pelham's library builds its collection and decides where materials are shelved. These policies shape what books the library buys and how they're organized and accessed.
Annexation of 1056 Highway 72
A property owner has requested to annex land at 1056 Highway 72 into the city. The council discussed setting a public hearing date — the first step before any annexation vote.
Employee vacation accrual updates
Two personnel-related items headed for October 5: an amendment to the retiree insurance benefit plan and updated vacation accrual rates in the Employee Handbook.
Liquor store zoning location and separation requirements
Pelham wants new liquor stores at least 2,500 feet from each other and 1,000 feet from homes, schools, and churches. One resident warned the spacing rule could pick winners and losers among competing businesses. A final council vote is coming after the ordinance's first reading.
Ordinance Repeals and Updates (SB304 Compliance)
The council reviewed a package of five ordinance changes — including repeals of charitable solicitation registration and transient lodging tax discount rules and updates to sales tax and special events ordinances — several driven by new state law.
Acceptance of Ballantrae neighborhood streets
The city would release the developer's bond money and take over the public streets in Ballantrae — meaning Pelham taxpayers become responsible for maintaining them.
ABC liquor and tobacco license for Pelham Package Store
Two local businesses sought state alcohol and tobacco licenses that the council votes on: a BBQ restaurant near Oak Mountain State Park and a gas station on Cahaba Valley Road.
Highway 31 signal activation
City staff met with ALDOT to map out the process and timing for light activation on Highway 31, with a shut-off, turn-on, and decommission process starting the first week of October.
Domestic violence awareness and Safe House partnership
October was proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Safe House of Shelby County reported over 4,000 crisis line calls, 180 people sheltered, and nearly 700 victims assisted through community services and its forensic medical facility — which operates here in Pelham.
Advisory board leadership transition and term limits
The board's president resigned over a possible conflict of interest with the Park and Recreation Foundation, and new officers were elected. Members also revisited the two-term limit and staggered appointments.
Racquet Club elevator modernization
A Pelham High School student says the Tennis Center locker room needs work and may not be up to Pelham standards. City staff will check with the Tennis Center about the building's interior.
Blueberry Hill Trailhead and Trails
The FY2027 budget funds a trailhead, restrooms, pavilion, and mountain-bike trails on the city-owned Blueberry Hill property, aimed at boosting the Huntley Parkway area and tying into the Oak Mountain mountain biking scene.
Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV-B
The city accepted the lowest bid from Suncoast Infrastructure for the next phase of sewer rehabilitation, a project budgeted for FY2026.
Hemp Retail Licensing
Gallery Smoke Shop at 2706C Pelham Parkway received the city's approval for a state consumable hemp products retail license.
Nuisance Property on Meadow View Circle
A resident asked the city to use its nuisance codes to clean up an abandoned, overgrown house at 106 Meadow View Circle that's drawn complaints for over 16 months, citing rodents, snakes, and falling property values.
Pelham Senior Center Bus
The senior center's van died, so the mayor made an emergency purchase of a replacement bus, which the council affirmed and moved into the FY2026 budget.
Camelia Ridge Sidewalk Repairs
The city is partnering with Newcastle Development to fix sidewalks in Camelia Ridge Phases 1-3 and make them ADA compliant, with work expected in four to six weeks.
Valleydale Terrace water main replacement
The city accepted the low bid from Cox Contracting Company to replace the aging water main on Valleydale Terrace, a project already budgeted this fiscal year.
State grants for library and Parks & Recreation
Senator April Weaver secured $10,000 for Pelham Public Library reading programs, and Representative Kenneth Paschal brought a community service grant for Parks & Rec events like Music in the Park.
School Resource Officer funding with Shelby County
The city signed on for Shelby County FY2026 funding to help pay for the School Resource Officer program — keeping officers in Pelham schools.
Police Department vault and property storage rules
A new ordinance would spell out how police receive, store, safeguard, return or throw away property in their custody — from evidence and firearms to unclaimed cash. First reading only; a vote comes later.
ABC license for HWY 31 Wine and Spirits
The council approved a package liquor license plus tobacco and vape product licenses for a new shop at 2169 Pelham Parkway, Suite B.
18-acre annexation on County Road 11
Brian Ellison and Cindy Grier petitioned to bring about 18 acres into Pelham so they get city police, fire, and trash service. It already has city water, and no one spoke for or against at the hearing.
Return to Monday-only council meetings
The council is considering moving regular meetings to Thursdays, separate from Monday work sessions, after a ranked poll of all six members favored that format. The idea is to give members more time to research agenda items before voting.
Annexation of 18 acres on County Road 11
The city was asked to annex about 18 acres owned by Brian Ellison and Cindy Grier. Annexation brings the land into city services and city taxes.
Railroad Crossing Closures
CSX is closing some Pelham railroad crossings in July, but the city got the work staggered so traffic won’t be a total mess. If your usual route crosses the tracks, plan ahead for detours and extra drive time.
Alcohol and tobacco licenses for Creekside BBQ and Cahaba Chevron
Three local businesses — Liquor Spot, Hooters of Pelham, and The Old Place — were seeking city sign-off on state alcohol licenses. Approval lets them sell liquor under Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control rules.
July 9 public hearings: Hwy 52 rezone and CR-11 annexation
Public hearings July 9 at 5:30 p.m.: a rezone from Agriculture to B-2 General Commercial at Hwy 52 and Racquet Club Parkway (proposed QuikTrip) and an annexation at 5025 CR-11 for a home seeking city fire service.
Police security camera trailers and City Park lot resurfacing
The police department is getting two security camera trailers funded from the FY2026 budget.
Speeding and traffic calming in Grey Oaks
Residents of Valley View Drive petitioned for speed-reduction measures, gathering signatures from two-thirds of the street. The council funded a traffic study to see if the street qualifies for calming devices.
Board of Education Appointment
Robert Plummer was appointed to the Pelham Board of Education Place No. 3 after council interviews of multiple candidates at the May 5 work session.
Police Youth Academy and recruiting
The police department is launching its first Youth Academy June 8-12 for local kids, and rolling out recruiting videos targeting Birmingham, Montgomery, Nashville, and St. Louis to fill officer vacancies.
Shelby County Grant for Pelham Senior Center
A grant funding agreement with the Shelby County Commission would direct money to the Pelham Senior Center.
Employment Search Consulting Agreement
The council was to consider hiring Sumter Local Government Consulting to run an employment search, likely for a key city position.
State Legislation Fiscal Impact
Pelham officials are warning that a bill in the Alabama Legislature could drain $750,000 a year from the city budget. That’s not abstract—it could mean less money for the services residents rely on.
U.S. Highway 31 LED lighting extension
Because the road lighting project came in under budget, brighter LED lighting will now extend from Amphitheater Road all the way north to Highway 119, with completion hoped for by August.
New state licensing rules for hemp and vape shops
A new state law requires ABC Board specialty licenses for hemp and vape retailers, and the city must add matching local license codes and fees. The ordinance keeps existing businesses legal without loosening the city's moratorium or zoning limits.
Ballantrae Golf Course no-show crackdown
New software and policies start Monday: $15 per-person no-show fees, a three-tee-time member booking limit, and online payments. No-shows cost the city over $500,000 last year.
First responder retirement benefits bill
Pelham spearheaded state legislation to give police officers and firefighters catastrophically wounded before vesting a lifetime retirement benefit. The mayor acknowledged the bill faces a tough path in Montgomery.
Line-of-duty injury pension gap for first responders
Alabama officers and firefighters don't qualify for catastrophic-injury pension coverage until ten years on the job. Local leaders and state legislators are pushing a bill to close that gap.
Floodplain ordinance update (FEMA/NFIP compliance)
Pelham must update its floodplain rules about every two years to keep federal flood insurance available to residents and businesses. It's routine housekeeping, but losing NFIP status would hurt property owners.
Police Conduct Controversy
Pelham police and city officials are responding to reports that officers mocked disabled children, which is a serious accountability test for the department. The key questions are what happened, who knew, and what consequences follow. Residents—especially families with disabled kids—will be watching how transparent the city is.
Early Childhood Education Programs
Pelham is exploring bringing pre-K programs into the city, which could give local families more early-learning options. A councilman is looking into it, but no plan or funding details are set yet.