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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hemp Retail Licensing
Two specialty hemp product retailer licenses — Gallery Smoke Shop and Toast Trends, both on Pelham Parkway — were reviewed for approval or denial on August 17. The council also updated its discussion of proximity restrictions for certain ABC license types.
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.
Blueberry Hill Trailhead and Trails
Baseball Phase 1 wraps up in October and Phase 2 (fence removal) starts now; the Blueberry Hill Trail System should be done by Spring 2027.
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.
Football program investment and enrollment growth
Football and flag football are both growing, and Brian's five-year plan aims to concept and design football improvements. Volleyball has exploded and needs practice space.
All-Star baseball team selection process
How Pelham picks its All-Star baseball teams is under review. The board is considering evaluations, tournament classifications, and parent education, with a goal of more opportunities for kids to play.
New street lighting in Weatherly neighborhood
A proposed agreement with Alabama Power would add lighting in the Weatherly neighborhood — a safety and visibility upgrade for residents.
Valleydale Terrace water main replacement
The city is lining up a contractor to replace the water main on Valleydale Terrace, a project already budgeted for FY2026. The council reviewed the bid ahead of an August 17 vote.
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.
Police Department vault and property storage rules
New language is being considered to regulate who has authority over the Police Department's evidence vault and property storage room — a records-security and accountability matter.
2030 Shelby Works! Funding Request
The Shelby County Chamber is asking the city to help fund its “2030 Shelby Works!” regional economic development initiative.
ABC license for HWY 31 Wine and Spirits
A new wine and spirits shop at 2169 Pelham Parkway is seeking a package liquor license along with tobacco and vape product permits.
18-acre annexation on County Road 11
About 18 acres owned by Brian Ellison and Cindy Grier at 5025 County Road 11 could be brought into Pelham city limits.
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.
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.
U.S. Highway 31 LED lighting extension
A lighting services agreement with Alabama Power would upgrade existing streetlights along parts of U.S. Highway 31.
Appaloosa Trail Water Main Replacement
The city is set to accept the low bid from Southern Directional, Inc. to replace the Appaloosa Trail water main, a budgeted FY2026 project.
Buck Creek Sewer Lift Station Generator
The low bid from ICS, Inc. would add an emergency generator at the Buck Creek sewer lift station to keep it running during power outages.
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.
Police security camera trailers and City Park lot resurfacing
The police department is getting two security camera trailers funded from the FY2026 budget.
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.
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.