The Brundidge City Council approved additional funding for a new fire truck for the city’s volunteer fire department and heard a presentation by Natalie Steed, national director for the Institute for America’s Health at its Tuesday meeting.

The fire truck will be purchased with a Homeland Security Grant of $228,000 and $30,290 in local funding.

Britt Thomas, city manager, said city funding will come from the city’s share of the tobacco tax, which has no obligation toward it.

Brundidge Fire Chief Glen Adkins said the Sun Belt fire truck is tailor made for the needs of the volunteer fire department.

Steed told the council that Pike County Elementary School has been chosen as one of 14 schools in the state to be involved in the Institute’s Wellness, Academics & You (WAY) Series.

“Our mission is to inspire, motivate and educate youth to make healthy lifestyle choices,” Steed said. “But employing innovative methodologies and a whole-child approach, we will create educational opportunities that address all areas of human growth and development. Our goal is to empower youth to become healthy, productive adults and role models for future generations.”

Steed said, for the program to be successful, WAY will need the support of the city and its citizens in making healthy choices available for its children.

Teacher training for grades one through four will be Thursday.

“Teachers will receive classroom materials, lesson plans, a DVD with peer-led ‘disk-ercises’ to increase physical activity, coordination and support activities aligned to common core,” Steed said.

Also at the meeting, Thomas informed the council of the process necessary to begin the demolition of abandoned or dilapidated structures defined in an approved CDBD grant. Thomas said the property owners have been notified by mail of the process. A public hearing will held to provide them with the opportunity to appeal the decision, request an extension or time to make necessary repairs. Thomas said if the property owners do not respond in a specified time, the city will have no choice but to tear the said property down.

The council approved the city manager’s request to reject all bids on the construction of an inventory control facility for the city’s utility department. The previous building was destroyed by straight-line winds about a year ago. The low bid for the construction of a new metal building was twice the cost the city expected. The council agreed to have the construction done through a management contract.

In other action, the council gave its approval for participation in the Pike County Emergency Operation Plan as presented by the Pike County EMA. The council also discussed the cost of the storm drain failure on Veterans Boulevard. The repairs will include the digging out of the damaged area and extensive cement work. Carl Senn will do the digging and Dwight Berry will do the cement work.