BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HGOLDFINGER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN —
Following the regularly scheduled items at the Tuesday night Auburn City Council meeting, and before thecitizens’ open forum began, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders issued a statement to the council and city.
Beginning immediately, during citizens’ open forum, there are new rules in place governing these interactions between citizens and the public body.
“In support of and respect for open and fair and informed decision-making process, the city council recognizes that civil and respectful and courteous discourse and behavior are conducive to the democratic and harmonious airing of concerns and decision making.
“However, uncivil discourse and/or discourteous or inappropriate behavior have a negative impact on the character and productivity of the decision-making process.
“In an effort to preserve the intent of open government and maintain a positive environment for citizen input and council decision-making, the council has adopted a set of citizens’ open forum procedures, which set forth the rules of decorum and civility which govern this part of our council meetings.”
Anders said that the information will be available to any citizen during council meetings by the door.
Part of these regulations include:
– A respectful and civil tone
– Citizens should not debate
– Address the council as a whole.
“It is not easy for me, as the mayor and the chair of these city council meetings, to administer these rules of decorum in the moment, in fact, sometimes it’s very, very difficult,” Anders said. “But I assure you, going forward, I stand ready and willing to preserve civility and decorum in these meetings and to prevent disruption and facilitate an orderly meeting.”
OTHER BUSINESS:
– The council approved a restaurant retail liquor ABC license for Par Fore LLC doing business as Bunkers at 250 W. Glenn Ave.
– The council authorized a temporary street closure on Armstrong Street for the Pine Hill Lantern Tour on Oct. 19 and 20, 2023.
– The council approved a contract with Garrett Tree & Landscaping LLC for the July 2023 Tree Removal and Pruning Project for $20,000.
– The council approved a contract with Forensic Technology Inc. for the purchase of a one-year warranty for the NIBIN program for over $27,200.
– The council approved an easement for East Mag Investments LLC to accept public right-of-way and easements for property at 801 Ogletree Road.
– The council accepted various easements for The Tracks LLC for property at 616 W. Glenn Ave.
– The council approved a planning commission appointment and two greenspace advisory board appointments.
– The council postponed a vote on an annexation of 85.79 acres for Herring Development for property on Bridlewood Drive, east of Creekwood Trail as part of the Rockhouse Farms Annexation.
– The council voted to approve an annexation of 0.51 acres for Kendall Milner for property at 196 Lee Road 0057 (Willis Turk Road).
– The council approved alcohol and beverage licenses for Vintage 2298, LLC doing business as Vintage 2298 Butcher Shop as an added item to the agenda.
– The council approved the conditional use approval for The Boulevard, Phase 7. The Boulevard is a multi-unit development located west of Summerhill Road between Old Stage and Bryant Avenue.
– The council authorized an contract with Signature Tennis Courts Inc, to seal cracks and resurface the courts at Yarbrough Tennis Center for a little over $73,000. Part of the amount will be paid by the city of Auburn and part by Auburn University.