Hartselle City Council members voted Tuesday, March 12, to enter into a cost-share partnership with the Morgan County Commission for $86,825 in additional downtown improvements, including revamping the parking area next to the old Western Auto building on Main Street.

Hartselle Mayor Don Hall said he would like to get the project on the schedule aligned with other summer projects and begin work as soon as possible. The city and the county commission will split the cost of the project, he said.

The parking lot would have 63 striped parking spaces when the project is complete. Other improvements include erosion control, underground electric work, landscaping, light pole foundations, light poles, site grading, base stone, curb and gutter, asphalt binder and asphalt wearing surface.

A budget adjustment for the project will be presented at the next council meeting, Hall said.

In other business, council members unanimously denied an abatement appeal by Jim Slate, owner of a rental property at 599 Jackson St., which was condemned Feb. 19.

Department of Development Director Jeff O. Johnson said Slate has been ordered for the past two years to bring the property up to code.

Slate requested a 90-day extension of the abatement; however, council members voted to uphold the order. Slate has 30 days from Feb. 19, the date the abatement notice was issued, to demolish the house or the city will demolish it as Slate’s expense.

Council members also approved the following items:

• The adoption of Ordinance 1390, rezoning a single family dwelling and acreage tract at the southwest corner of Parker Road and Byrd Road from Ag-1 to R-1 in order for the property to be divided into two tracts of less than five acres in size. The rezoning was in conformance with the comprehensive plan and was recommended by the Planning Commission.

• The adoption of Ordinance 1391, amending section 54-37 of the Code of Ordinances, changing the frequency of sale of abandoned property to comply with state law.

• The issue of a special events permit for the Charles E. Ratlitff Dementia Foundation 5K fun run, beginning at 7 a.m. April 27 at J.P. Cain Stadium.

• To enter into a right-of-way agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for the first phase of widening Thompson Road.

• The appointment of H. Franklin Penn Jr. to the board of the Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama.

• The appointment of Michael Andrew “Andy” Faulk to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.