Pelham council moves staff in budget amendment, OKs two alcohol licenses and holds first readings on floodplain and utility ordinances

Pelham — On Jan. 5, 2026, the Pelham City Council approved a fiscal-year 2026 budget amendment to reassign an existing executive assistant position to the mayor's office, granted two ABC licenses for businesses at 3350 Pelham Parkway (Suites A and B), and read two ordinances for the first time regarding floodplain regulation and designation of the mayor as utility superintendent.

The council adopted resolution 2026010510, a budget amendment described by the City Manager as a reallocation of existing positions rather than the creation of net new staff. The City Manager told the council the move would put an executive assistant—who has event-planning experience—into the mayor's office to serve as the city's point person for community events; the manager estimated the role would be about "75, 80% events." The amendment also preserves an administrative-assistant role in the city manager's office to ensure ongoing office coverage.

Mayor Walsh apologized for what he called social-media misinformation about the position and said the role is intended to expand outreach to neighborhoods, support Youth Government Day and coordinate signature events such as Pelham Palooza and Fire on the Water. "Don't always believe what you read and hear on Facebook," the mayor told council members during the discussion.

Council then considered two companion resolutions involving ABC licenses. Resolution 2026010511 approved an ABC license for SKAL USA operating under the trade name "Mama's Country Kit Kitchen Cooking" at 3350 Pelham Parkway, Suite A; resolution 2026010512 approved a license for SKAL USA, Inc., operating as "Toast Trends" at Suite B of the same address. Applicant Paul Fields said the owner, Mike Abadi, plans to operate food-service offerings at the site and introduced store manager Alex. The council noted the police chief had reported no issues with the applications and that the applicant participates in the responsible vendor program before voting to approve both licenses.

Council also held first readings on two ordinances. Ordinance 7007 revises Pelham's floodplain development regulations to align with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements; the amendment replaces the prior ordinance and aims to preserve community eligibility for federal flood insurance and certain disaster-assistance programs. Ordinance 528 would amend Chapter 2, Article 1, Section 2-4 of the City Code to assign the responsibilities and authority of utility superintendent to the office of the mayor (by position) rather than naming an individual officeholder in the code. Council members described the floodplain update as routine housekeeping required to maintain NFIP status.

Other items: The council announced Pelham City offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day; the council work session and meeting were rescheduled to Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. The meeting adjourned after a unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance: The consent agenda was approved earlier in the meeting; resolution 2026010510 (budget amendment) passed; resolutions 2026010511 and 2026010512 (ABC licenses for 3350 Pelham Parkway Suites A and B) passed; the ordinances were presented for first reading and will return for future consideration.

Next steps: Ordinances 7007 and 528 will be considered at a future city council meeting; the council reconvened in executive session after adjournment to continue work-session business.