SUMITON — Sumiton’s City Council got its first look Tuesday at the proposed plans for the new Sumiton Elementary School. Superintendent Jason Adkins and school board member Sonia Waid appeared before the council to discuss the new school and the property needed from the city to construct the property.

The new school will be constructed next to the existing school, consuming the school’s old ball field and potentially other fields, owned by the city of Sumiton.

“The reason the school is being built there is because that’s the only way we could do it, using property we didn’t have to buy,” Adkins said.

Adkins said that board had been in contact with members of the Sumiton Land Company, which gave them a quick claim deed to their rights on the property.

The council and Mayor Petey Ellis asked City Clerk Judy Glover to do some research to ensure that the proper paperwork was in place to determine the lines and ownership of the property. The property also includes two old streets that need to be legally vacated and cleared.

All the members of the council agreed that the city needs to be sure, but also do what they can to expedite the process, if possible.

"Whatever it takes, we need to get the property to the county board and let them proceed with this school,” council member Ricky Thomas.

In other business:

•A tournament will be held at Sumiton Park on Aug. 18. Twenty-four teams will be playing all day and the park and recreation department will receive all of the profits from concessions and half of the gate proceeds.

•Ellis introduced a potential annexation on Bethel Road to the council. The measure will be voted on at the next meeting, on Aug. 21.

•The council approved certificates of election for council members Brian Sides, Bill Fowler and Ken Russell, who are running unopposed for their council seats in the municipal election.