At its regular city council meeting April 18, the City of Russellville approved a resolution read by Mayor David Grissom recognizing the observance of Arbor Day in the City of Russellville.

The resolution enumerated the benefits of trees, such as reducing erosion, cutting heating and cooling costs, cleaning the air and providing habitats for wildlife, and commended them as a “source of joy and spiritual renewal” in addition to being renewable resources providing “paper, wood and fuel.” The resolution, along with naming April 29, 2016 Arbor Day in the City of Russellville, urged citizens to “celebrate Arbor Day and support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, and to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations.”

The council also took the following actions:

• annexed properties at 26 Magnolia Lane and 82 Twin Lake Drive into the city limits.
• approved the Parks & Recreation softball contract.
• heard comments from Al Horton on an animal control policy and his offer of help to establish a shelter and rescue efforts for stray and abandoned animals in Russellville.
• approved a resolution declaring April Fair Housing Month.
• voted in favor of a Storm Shelter painted graphics proposal from Gault Signs in the amount of $2,100 for the storm shelter located at Fire Station #2.