BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
The Opelika City Council and Mayor Gary Fuller honored Opelika Police officer Adam Stadler during Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Stadler, who has served with the police department for six years, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February. He returned to work after only two months post surgery and was cleared for full-duty in June.
Sgt. Ben Bugg said that Stadler has been as asset to his shift.
“Towards the end of January, we knew something was wrong,” Bugg said. “… He came back and worked hard every day that he could until he was back to where he is now.”
Capt. Jonathan Clifton had nothing but praise for Stadler.
“He is an inspiration t us,” Clifton said. “He had a great attitude like Sgt. Bugg said. “He is very inspiring to his fellow officers and everybody that he has touched.”
VALLEY RESCUE MISSION
Mike Gaymon and Don Harbuck from Valley Rescue Mission Inc. (VRM) gave a presentation to the Opelika City Council during the work session that was held prior to the city council meeting.
Gaymon and Harbuck explained the services offered by VRM which is located in Columbus, Georgia.
Later during the meeting the council approved a resolution for an agreement VRM.
According to a press release from the city of Opelika, this agreement will help provide shelter for homeless persons living in Opelika with a goal of transitioning people into permanent housing and employment.
“We have been working on a solution for the homeless in our city for some time,” Fuller said in the statement. “Through our partnership with Valley Rescue Mission, the city will be responsible for transporting someone who has consented to transport and will fund each person for one year at the shelter. This is an excellent example of public-private partnerships and how we can help those in need.”
OTHER BUSINESS
– The council approved a request from Opelika Main Street for On the Tracks on Oct. 20, 2023.
– The council approved a request from Opelika Main Street for Christmas in a Railroad Town on Dec.8, 2023.
– The council approved a request for the 2023 Collinwood Christmas Luminaries on Dec. 15, 2023.
– The council held four public hearings during the meeting. The first public hearing was for the vacation of the right of way for Country Club Road and the resolution was approved during the meeting.
The other three public hearings were for weed abatement assessments for various properties. All weed abatement assessments were subsequently approved later in the meeting.
– The council approved a bid for soccer equipment for the parks and recreation department.
– The council approved expense reports.
– The council approved a resolution for a quote from ImageTrend Inc. for an additional annual subscription in the amount of nearly $20,000 for the IT Department.
– The council approved a resolution for lighting from Musco Sports Lighting LLC for 12 tennis courts in the amount of $119,000.
– The council approved a resolution for the extension of the tax abatement of sales and use tax for Hanwha Cimarron LLC.
– The council approved an agreement and funding with ALDOT for a traffic control signal at Gateway Drive and Marvyn Parkway. The estimated cost of the project, including labor, materials and equipment is $171,000, and the city’s estimated local share is $57,000.
– The council approved an amendment to an agreement with CDG related to the Thomason Drive Extension Project, Phase II.
– The council approved engineering design services with CDG for the improvement of Pepperell Parkway from the city limits to Lowndes Street.
– The council approved a professional services agreement with Thalamus.
– The council approved the demolition of a structure located at 315 S. 4th St.
– The council approved a special appropriation of $2,500 to Greater Peace Community Development Corporation.
– The council approved an ordinance to amend the City Code of Ordinances: repealing obsolete and outdated provisions. The following sections, articles, divisions or provisions of the Code of Ordinances of the city of Opelika are hereby repealed:
• Division 2 of Article II of Chapter 2, consisting of Sections 2-31 through 2- 71, inclusive
• Division 5 of Article II of Chapter 2, consisting of Sections 2-125.1 through 125.5
• Article III of Chapter 2, consisting of Sections 2-126 through 2-130
• Article VI of Chapter 2, consisting of Sections 2-180 through 2-183
• Article IX of Chapter 28, consisting of Sections 28-451 through 28-467
• Article X of Chapter 28, consisting of Sections 28-501 through 28-508
• Article XI of Chapter 28, consisting of Sections 28-526 through 28-531
– Ward 2 Council Member Erica Baker-Norris introduced an ordinance for its first reading to rename Media General Drive to Wyndham Industrial Court.
– The council approved the appointment of Shree Summerlin to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority for a term that will expire on Aug. 7, 2028.