By Michelle Key
Pubisher

The Opelika City Council approved a three-year lease agreement with Envision Opelika Foundation, Incorporated for the Railroad Depot with an annual lease payment of $1 per year.
Envision Opelika plans to use the property as classrooms, playground and administration offices for two PreKindergarten classes beginning in August.
The name of the program is Opelika First Class Pre-K Academy and is accepting registration applications for the 2019-20 school year. Enrollment is open to children that will be four on or before Sept. 1, 2019 and are Opelika residents.
Interested parties can contact the Program Director Cindy Conway at 334-319-0056 or email cindywilmarthconway@gmail.com.
In other business, the council:
• approved a request by Opelika Main Street for a temporary street closure on Sept. 7 for the Opelika Bicycle Advisory Committee’s Johnny Ray Century Ride. The road is expected to be closed from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
• approved the low bid from Gresco Utility Supply to provide LED streetlights for the Information Technology Department
• approved expense reports from various departments.
• approved a resolution to designate city personal property surplus and authorize disposal
• approved the purchase of (624) Toter 96-gallon EVR II universal/nestable carts for Opelika Environmental Services
• approved a resolution to renew the three-year contract for the mailing system with Pitney Bowes
• approved the purchase of mosquito control insecticide
• approved a change order request for additional emergency repairs of the engine in truck #764 used by Opelika Power Services
• held public hearings and subsequently approved weed abatement assessments for the following properties:

  • 105 Vaughan Ave
  • 108 Plum Ave
  • 207 Raintree St.
  • 512 ML King Blvd
  • 610 ML King Blvd
  • 709 India Rd.
  • 1112 West St.
  • 3307 Arnold Ave.
    • approved a refund of occupational license feesby River Bank & Trust
    • approved a request by T-Mobile for a special use permit at 2605 Tower St.
    • approved an agreement with the City of Auburn for professional services by the Opelika Fire Department for major sporting events and/or other special events
    • approved a special appropriation in the amount of $1,500 to Opelika Parks and Recreation to support Dixie Boys Baseball Team.
    • approved a request to send a rezoning application regarding 32.45 acres at Gateway Dr. back to the Planning Commission for further study.
    • approved an ordinance to amend the zoning Ordinance & Map to rezone two acres located at 2400 Block Dunlop Drive
    • approved an ordinance for the conveyance of the West Side of Dunlop Drive to John A. Stewart in the amount of $190,000
    • approved an ordinance to amend city code, Chapter 5.5 Article III named “Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Siting”
    • voted to suspend the rules requiring two readings and voted to approve an additional holiday for city employees on July 5.
    Citizens are welcome at both the council work sessions meetings and the council meetings. They are invited to voice their opinions or concerns at each council meeting. The only rules are that one must give their name and address and are limited to five minutes or fewer.
    The next council meeting will be held on July 16. Work session starts times vary from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and the council meetings start promptly at 7 p.m.
    Meetings are held in the council chamber at city hall located at 204 S. 7th St. in downtown Opelika.
    Copies of the agendas can be found on the city’s website www.opelika-al.gov/406/City-Council.