By Shawn Kirkpatrick
Opelika Observer

“We are truly proud of her many accomplishments and dedication to our community with her talent and service.” With those words, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller proclaimed March 6 Sherie Spain Day.
Spain was honored with the proclamation as well as the mayor’s “Atta Girl” award for her hard work and dedication with the Opelika-Auburn Empty Bowls Project.
The Empty Bowls event was held at the Denson Recreation Center to raise funds for the Food Bank of East Alabama. The event attracted more than 900 visitors. Spain, along with Opelika Parks and Recreation Municipal Supervisor Matt Battles, presented a check for $18,000 to the city council and Mayor Fuller that was raised at this year’s event.
In other business, the council:
– approved a request by Chris McBride, owner of the Irish Bred Pub, to block off 9th Street from South Railroad Avenue to Avenue A for a grand reopening event on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th .
– approved a request from Main Street for Taste of the Town event on April 24th and Relay for Life on April 27th.
– approved bids for weed abatement and for mobile computing stations for the fire and police departments.
– approved the purchase of a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe for the Opelika Police Department.
– approved a request by AT&T for a support tower at 1981 Airport Road and also a Sprint support tower at 1315 Madison Ave.
– approved special appropriation of $500 to the Opelika School System for a branding video and sound equipment for the photography and editing class at Opelika High School.
– approved special appropriation of $2,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County to help sponsor the 2018 Mayor’s Ball.
– approved by council the annexation of 160 acres near Fox Chase at Emerald Lake subdivision into the city of Opelika
-approved a resolution to accept the donation of 100 trees from the Opelika Rotary Club (ORC) in honor of their 100th anniversary, which is next year. The Ward 1 community teamed up with ORC, each giving $2,000 for the planting of 100 Cleveland Select Pear Trees.
– approved new rules, regulations and penalties for pet owners and will be posted at the new dog park at Floral Park.
– approved the reappointment of Rusty Melnick to the P&R Board. His new term expires 3-15- 2023.
– approved the reappointment of Wayne Gibson to the Property Maintenance Board of Appeals. His term expires 3-16-2021.