TALLADEGA — The City Council voted 4-0 Monday to approve just over $1 million in park improvements, using money from a $3.5 million bond issue floated in late 2008. The money was included in the 2008-2009 budget, but was never spent.

The vote was 4-0 due to the absence of Councilman Lance Grissett.

According to a memo from purchasing director Terry Hanner, “The process of researching and cataloging countless needs and obtaining quotes for budget preparation for addressing projects has taken several months. This project list compiled in our work session … provides an estimated budget for each project, totals from the (Capital Improvement Project) and general fund budget and an overall total.”

Capital improvement projects will be addressed either by an architect or by Hanner; general fund projects will be handled by Parks and Recreation director Parvin Neloms.

The capital improvement projects listed in the memo include $420,000 for renovations at the Spring Street Recreation Center, $10,000 for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance at the Bemiston Recreation Center, $10,000 for similar issues at the Brecon Center, $30,000 for resurfacing the tennis and basketball courts at Amanda Bingham Park, $16,000 for Amanda Bingham restroom and pavilion, $48,000 to resurface the Jemison Park tennis courts and $20,000 to resurface the Bemiston tennis courts. The total capital improvement budget comes to $554,000. An architectural contract for those projects requiring one will be submitted to the council in December. This contract is estimated at $45,000.

The capital improvements Hanner will be addressing himself include security camera systems at Westgate, Amanda Bingham, the municipal sports complex, Duncan Pinkston Park and Edythe Sims Park ($120,000); improvements to the Veterans Park restrooms and pavilions, including new metal roofs on the latter and cosmetic changes to the former ($30,000); new lights at the Amanda Bingham and Edythe Sims ballfields ($50,000 and $16,000, respectively); light pole replacement at the sports complex ($20,000); renovations to the Jemison tennis court restroom and pro shop ($6,000) and the Westgate basketball court ($14,000) and new air conditioning units at Spring Street ($60,000).

Currently budgeted general fund maintenance projects include $11,000 for the Edythe Sims pavilion and restrooms, $10,000 for the upper level Amanda Bingham Pavilion and restrooms, $13,000 for the Duncan Pinkston pavilion and restrooms, $10,000 for Duncan Pinkston pool house and gazebo and $3,200 for Westgate tree removal.

The memo also notes $50,000 for “insurance replacement cost for Amanda Bingham Concession and restrooms,” bringing the total up to $1,012,200.

This year’s project did not contain funds to complete a walking track at Edythe Sims Park, which is in Councilman Eddie Tucker’s ward.

Also Monday, the council:

• Congratulated the 9 and under youth soccer team, which recently defeated Prattville and will now compete in the state championship. The city had already authorized food and lodging for one night, but agreed to extend that to two nights if the team makes it to the finals.

• Heard a presentation from Talladega County Economic Development Authority executive director Calvin Miller on the history of that organization and some of its triumphs.

• Excused Grissett.

• Honored Stephanie Hall Jemison, assistant manager of the Parks and Recreation Department’s nutrition program, as the Top Gun employee of the month.

• Heard a presentation from Central Alabama Community College President Jason Hurst regarding new developments and programs there, especially the successful launch of the lineman training program.

• Agreed to waive vendor fees for the “Christmas Village” that will be set up in the Chamber of Commerce parking lot before and during the Christmas Parade.

• Heard Talladega High School principal Darren Anglin express his gratitude for the city’s cooperation in several endeavors, including enforcement of zero tolerance policies regarding weapons and drugs.

• Authorized the demolition of a house on Jemison Avenue, which is across the street from Tucker’s house.

• Postponed discussion of a deck on the alley behind the south side of the square until December.

• Authorized city manager Michael Stampfler (who was also absent) to enter into a contract to continue the Click It or Ticket program.

• Approved an $8,500 contract with the architectural firm of Munroe & Jenkins for the remodeling of the Kenwin-Waldrup building.

• Approved changes to the business license code.

• Approved Water and Sewer Department invoices and expenditures 3-1, with Tucker dissenting.

• Agreed to meet again at 3 p.m. on Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, and at 5 p.m. Dec. 7. There will be no meeting Nov. 30.

• Reappointed Ray Miller, Calvin McRae and Jeff Roberts to the Talladega Municipal Airport Board.

• Reappointed Rebecca Newman and appointed Micky Nicola Lawler to the Library Board.

• Approved an employee harassment policy. According to personnel officer Cathy Fuller, the council had previously approved a harassment policy several years ago, but no one could find it.

• Heard Councilman Donnie Miller encourage people to continue to buy tickets to the Christmas parade banquet, where, for an additional $15, guests can get their pictures taken with Grand Marshal Gene Stallings, and get an autographed print before the evening is over.

• Heard Councilman Jimmy Davis encourage citizens to visit the new circulation desk at the library and encouraged the idea of a spring farmers market.