BY MICHELLE KEY
PUBLISHER
OPELIKA —
The Opelika City Council and Mayor Gary Fuller honored several individuals during Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Sgt. James Daniel from the Opelika Police Department was recognized as the Opelika Exchange Club Officer of the Year. Daniel has worked for the OPD for more than 15 years and has served in multiple departments throughout the years. He has worked with community outreach, officer development and also assisted with the development of several educational programs that have become a part of the curriculum in Opelika High School. He plays a role in the Citizens Police Academy and the 20 Under 20 Student Exploratory Program.
“[Daniel] is currently in a role that is perfect for him and we’re super proud to have him in it, and that is where he teaches our young police officers how to be police officers in the way we want police officers to be in the city of Opelika,” said Opelika Police Chief Shane Healy. “I have had the pleasure of working with this young man since the day he came here. I wish everyone had his work ethic and his dedication to this community.”
“This room is filled with a lot of my fellow brothers and sisters in arm, and quite frank, family, without them, [none of] this is accomplished,” Daniel said. “Simply put, in a world of chaos, y’all are my clarity — so to you all, thank you.”
OTHER AWARDS
Fuller issued a proclamation declaring April as the Month of the Military Child 2022.
John Sweatman, Matt Mosley and Scott Parker were each awarded ‘Attaboy’ Awards for their work for the city.
Service awards were given to several city employees. Healey was recognized for his 25 years of service to the city of Opelika.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
– The council approved a request for a downtown Juneteenth Celebration and March for Social Justice on June 19.
– The council approved a request from Opelika Main Street for “Grillin on the Tracks” on Aug. 20.
– The council approved a request for an alcohol special retail more than 30 days license for Botanic LLC dba Botanic.
– The council held a public hearing and later voted to approve the demolition of structures located at 3807 Heritage Place.
– The council voted to approve the expense reports from various departments.
– The council voted to designate city personal property as surplus and authorize its disposal.
– The council approved the purchase of Turn Out Gear for the Opelika Fire Department
– The council approved the Use of ARPA SLFRF funds using the standard allowance. This simply means that the council can utilize the full amount of the funds (up to $10 million) instead of having to provide itemized calculations of loss of revenue.
– The council approved a letter of intent for the Auburn University Regional Airport.
– The council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has applied for a USDA grant and according to the MOU executive summary, “the Opelika Chamber, in partnership with the following organizations, will be executing project ‘Taste Opelika’, a project dedicated to serving the agriculture manufacturing cluster with a sub-focus on food and beverage businesses. This project will serve food producers/packagers, food trucks, aspiring restaurateurs, caterers and cottage bakers and existing restauranters who have not embraced technology to elevate their business.
Partners will include the city of Opelika, the Lee-Russell Council of Government, the Small Business Development Center, the Auburn University New Venture Accelerator, Southern Union State Community College, SHE SPARKS, The Galley on McCoy, LLC and the East Alabama Chamber of Commerce.”
– The council approved a resolution to amend job classifications, the city pay plan, and new positions for the Human Resource department.
– The council approved a contract with Chubb Insurance Co. for career firefighter cancer insurance.
– The council approved a professional service agreement for an industrial access roadway design for Project Core (Niagara).
– The council approved an ordinance for the vacation and abandonment of a sanitary sewer easement.
– The council approved a proposal from Hosey-Lancour Construction, LLC for renovations to Southside Center for the Arts.
– The council approved a resolution proclaiming April 17 through 23, 2022, as National Volunteer Week. The Class of 1986 Volunteer Group was recognized for its volunteer work throughout the city.
– The council introduced an ordinance for first reading to amend the Code of Ordinances by changing the time of the regular meetings and work sessions of the city council. This ordinance proposes a change of council meeting times from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. with work sessions starting at 5:30 p.m. If approved, the ordinance will go into effect on June 1, 2022.
– The council introduced an ordinance for first reading to approve the annexation petition by William B. Lowe, Jr. and Mary Susan Haines for 31 acres located on Lafayette Parkway.
– The council approved a motion to reappoint Mac Morris to the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority Election Committee.
The next city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 3 at 7 p.m.. All city council meetings are open to the public.