BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
During Tuesday night’s Opelika City Council meeting, several employees were recognized with service awards. The employees with 25 years or more of service to the city are:
- Anita Burton, 35 years, Opelika Public Library
- Desmond Boswell (25), Environmental Services
- Kyle Burdette (25), OPD and Ronald Reese (25), OPS.
Also, during the meeting a proclamation was read and presented to James (Jim) D. Powell Jr. for his work in the community.
IN OTHER BUSINESS - The council approved a request for a downtown street closure for the Pumpkin Painting Festival at Courthouse Square on Oct. 21.
- The council held a public hearing for the demolition of a structure located at 3807 Heritage Place. Owner of the property, Bill Jones, Jr., addressed the council during the public hearing requesting a cancellation of the request for demolition of the property due to a “change in his circumstances.”
Council President Eddie Smith told Jones that the council would still vote on the resolution but would allow Jones time to discuss the situation with City Building Inspector Jeff Kappleman.
Ward 3 Council Member Tim Aja asked if the property could be repaired to the point of being considered livable to which Kappleman answered saying that the house was not livable and that no one was living in the home.
The council then voted to approve the motion to demolish the structure.
Following the vote to approve the demolition his property, Jones voiced his objection from his seat. He continued to argue the matter while in the audience and eventually was escorted out of the meeting by an Opelika Police Department officer.
According to Aja, City Administrator Joey Motley spoke with Jones following the meeting regarding the issue.
Jones could not be reached for comment prior to going to press. - The council held a public hearing regarding the amending of the Zoning Ordinance & Map to rezone 197 acres located in the 3400 block of Anderson Road from R-3 to a planned unit development (PUD) known as The Edgefield Farm PUD. The proposed development is a mixed residential development consisting of approximately 342 residential single-family home lots and 165 town home lots, according to city documents. The council later introduced the ordinance for its first reading and is scheduled to vote on the ordinance at the next meeting on Oct. 17.
- The council held a public hearing on the proposed elimination of the railroad grade crossing at Edwards Road.
Several members of the community that live near the railroad crossing spoke at council, stating their desires to keep the crossing open.
The council later introduced the ordinance for its first reading and is scheduled to vote on the ordinance at the next meeting on Oct. 17. However, there was discussion about the possibily tabling the ordinance at the next meeting should more time be needed to gather more information on the topic. - The council approved expense reports from various departments.
- The council approved the bid from CDW Government for Samsara IoT Data Services for the Information and Technology (IT) Department.
- The council approved a resolution for the allocation of the ARPA CSLFRF Funds. This resolution passed 4 to 1 with Ward 2 Council Member Erica Norris being the lone nay vote.
- The council approved a resolution to amend the Organizational Chart of the Accounting Department for the Human Resources (HR) Department.
- The council approved a resolution allowing certain tax abatements and exemptions for Clear Springs Properties LLC/PFI, LTD. Clear Springs has announced that it expects to have capital improvements of a little more than $8.3 million and will create nine new jobs.
- The council approved a resolution pertaining to employment contracts with Kyle Burdette and Jeffrey Fuller for the Opelika Police Department (OPD).
- The council approved a supplemental agreement with Sain and Associates for 10th Street and 2nd Avenue Intersection Improvements Project for the Engineering Department in the amount of $26,200. This resolution passed 4 to 1 with Norris casting the nay vote.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Alabama Council on Human Relations (ACHR) in the amount of $22,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Art Haus in the amount of $7,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama in the amount of $42,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Christian Women’s Job Corp of Lee County in the amount of $2,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Circles Opelika in the amount of $3,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Domestic Violence Intervention Center in the amount of $4,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with the East Alabama Healthcare Authority for an emergency response, and rescue and ambulance service agreement. The combined amount to be paid out by the city of Opelika is a little over $410,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Employers’ Child Care Alliance in the amount of $6,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Envision Opelika Foundation in the amount of $31,000
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Esperanza House in the amount of $6,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Frazelma Teaching Parents LLC in the amount of $17,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Girls’ STEPS Inc., in the amount of $12,500.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with J. W. Darden Foundation Inc., in the amount of $5,000. The resolution passed 4 to 1 with Ward One Council Member George Allen abstaining from the vote.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with CARE Humane Society, formerly known as the Lee County Humane Society in the amount of just under $130,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Lee County Literacy Coalition in the amount of $3,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Lee County Rabies Officer in the amount of $6,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Lee County Youth Development Center Inc., in the amount of $40,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Opelika First Class Pre-K Academy in the amount of $25,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Opelika Industrial Development Authority (OIDA) in the amount of $125,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with PRF Teaching Ministry in the amount of $65,00.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with The Curtis House LLC in the amount of $20,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Twin Cedars Child Advocacy Center in the amount of $5,000.
- The council approved an annual appropriation contract for the fiscal year 2024 with Worthy Squared in the amount of $2,500.
- The council approved a special appropriation to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Mu Sigma Omega Chapter in the amount of $1,000.
- The council approved a special appropriation to the East Alabama Community Ballet for 2023 Nutcracker Performance in the amount of $1,000.
- The council approved a special appropriation to the Opelika Kiwanis Club for “The Shoot” Fundraiser for local children in the amount of $1,000.
- The council introduced an ordinance to approve the leasing a portion of 1103 Glenn St. to Lee-Russell Council of Governments for a Senior Center for its first reading. The proposed monthly lease amount is $500.
