Dismissing library fines was one of the many topics on the agenda at Monday’s Leeds City Council meeting.

During the month of September, the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library will be eliminating fines (up to $10) when you bring in non-perishable food items for the Leeds Outreach.

“For each item brought, we will take up to 10 dollars off the fines,” said Leeds Library Director Mondretta Williams. “If your library card is raggedy or it needs to be replaced, we’ll do that for free this month as well. Usually, it’s three dollars to replace a library card.”

Williams encouraged the community to bring non-perishable items by the library even if they didn’t have fines.

“We want you to come to the library,” said Williams. “We’re here for many reasons.”

Other topics discussed:

* George Keating, Park and Recreation Department supervisor encouraged residents to come out to the parks this Sunday to enjoy fall ball.

* Mayor Eric Patterson is encouraged by the continued interest in the recently opened recycling center.

“It’s working pretty well,” said Patterson.

The recycling center is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

The council approved:

* Declaring a problematic fire truck as surplus property and will look into replacing it.

* A four percent COLA-Cost of Living Adjustment for city employees. It has been between four to five years since Leeds city employees have received a raise.

This increase is effective October 2, 2012.

“I am very glad to do this,” said District 4 councilwoman Charlotte Earnest. Attending council members were Ross Bartee, Earnest and Johnny Kile. Kenneth Washington and Susan Carswell were excused from the meeting. Kile abstained from this vote. Approved three-to-one.

* Awarding Smith Paving with a patch-paving bid for projects to be paid up to $49,500.

* FY 2013 Budget with Kile voting no.

“It’s exciting to be able to work on a budget for a city like Leeds, to be able to do what we do,” said Earnest.

“I think it’s important for people to know what a big deal this is, that we are operating in the black,” Bartee said.

“This is the fourth year of balancing the budget,” said Patterson.

“I’ve been in government work for 35 years. We have a new council coming on in less than a month who are capable of paying the bills for this city,” said Kile. “I think we need to leave this alone until they come in. I don’t understand why we’re passing this for another group of people.”

Earnest said it’s required by the state, but Kile said it didn’t have to be done by October 1.

Patterson said the incoming council could amend the budget.

“I consider it an accomplishment to have this done for October 1,” said Earnest. Approved three-to-one.

* Board appointees Eddie Cook and Roland Isbell to the Planning and Zoning Board.

Abstaining from the vote was councilman Kile who said due to the last appointment made to this board, he could not vote for or against it.

“I am very fond of Mr. Cook,” said Kile. “I know you’ll do an outstanding job. And you know you are a friend.”

* At the October 1 city council meeting the mayor will appoint one person to the Zoning Board of Adjustments. Anyone can apply. Contact city hall at 205-699-2585 for further details.

The next Leeds City Council meeting will be Monday, October 1 at 6 p.m. at the Leeds Civic Center.