The City of Greenville honored planning commission chairman Richard Branum with special recognition on Monday night.

Mayor Dexter McLendon had invited Branum to City Hall for official business, but it ended up being a surprise on the longtime Greenville civic servant. Family and friends took part in the short ceremony held at City Hall chambers.

“We just want to thank Richard for the job he does,” said McLendon. “By our count he’s served at over 300 meetings of the Greenville Planning Commission.”

McLendon presented Branum with a plaque commemorating his years of service to the city.

In other business, the council:

Approved the issuance of a special events (30 days or less) retail liquor license to Spring Hill Publications, LLC for Sausage Fest ’09 to be held on Saturday.

Approved a resolution rescinding the contract between the city and Rickey Givens to serve as demolition and clearance coordinator for old homes and structures located in around Baptist Hill and Methodist Hill. City Clerk Sue Arnold determined the city’s building inspectors could serve as demolition coordinators.

Approved the following expenditures: $1200 to Emergency Lighting by Haynes, LLC for a new emergency light bar for Fire Engine 32; $5147.39 to Otto Industries for 100 90-gallon wheeled garbage cans; $2280 to Camellia Communications for the 2009-10 maintenance agreement for city’s phone system; $1361.50 to Championship Trophy and Sporting Goods for trophies for the recreation department’s basketball leagues; $1625.49 to Hartley and Hickman for January legal fees and February retainer; $2316.44 to Dafor Heavy Timber Fabricators for 25 beams and timbers for animal shelter addition; $1170.70 to Baker Metal Works and Supply, Inc. for roofing for animal shelter addition; $1115.40 to APAC for asphalt for various road repairs.

Approved the re-scheduling of the next city council meeting from March 23 to March 30. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m.