The City of Greenville will be welcoming Hyundai to Alabama with a billboard and proclamation, according to Mayor Dexter McLendon.

The City Council met Monday afternoon and approved a proclamation welcoming Hyundai to Alabama and stating that the City of Greenville, "the Best Small Town in America," is looking forward to having the Hyundai family as neighbors.

The council also approved the purchase of a billboard, which will be located approximately a mile from the site of the new Hyundai plant, on I-65 South, greeting Hyundai and welcoming them to Greenville.

McLendon said the sign will be to let Hyundai know that Greenville is right next door and that we are glad to have them here. "This is an opportunity for us to let them know how proud we are and to let them know we welcome them," he said.

McLendon said the sign should be ready by this Friday and will definitely be ready before the ground breaking at the Hyundai site April 16.

Ricky McLaney, executive director of the Butler County Commission for Economic Development, said he feels "this is a very exciting time" in Butler County and the sign will be seen by many people associated with Hyundai and other suppliers during the time period of the ground breaking.

During the meeting, the council also took to the following actions:

approved advertising contract for billboard.

voted to hear bids for 200 90-gallon garbage containers.

ratified the execution of Softball Complex Go Warrant Modification Agreement #4 by the mayor extending the loan agreement through Sept. 1, 2002, and amending ordinance No. 99-04

accepted fiscal year 2001-2002 financial audit as prepared by Jackson Thornton, PC.

accepted contract for 2002-2003 municipal insurance coverage

authorized the city clerk-treasurer to expend funds from the capital improvements restricted fund for the purchase of three police cars ($55,763.10), three police light bar/siren/accessory kits ($8,753.88) and one used city inspector vehicle ($11,200).

approved payment for advertising

approved payment to Jackson Thornton, PC for the 2000-2001 financial audit.

A bid opening for a new ambulance will be held April 17 at 2 p.m. and the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention will be held April 13-17.