BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — The Opelika City Council voted against an ordinance that would have changed the zoning of property located at 414 N. 10th St. from R-2 (residential zoning) to I-1 (industrial zoning). The proposed ordinance had been the topic of much debate and heated public hearings since it was introduced earlier this year. During the discussion portion of the motion to remove the item from where it had been tabled since February, Ward 3 Council Member Tim Aja gave a summary of a town hall meeting that he held in March regarding a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance that would allow conditional use permits for bed and breakfast facilities under certain conditions across all residential zones. A public hearing is scheduled for that proposed amendment at the upcoming planning commission meeting next week on Tuesday, April 23. The meeting starts at 3 p.m.
Following the vote to remove the item from the table and the discussion, the council voted against the proposed I-1 zoning change.
During the meeting The Council President and Ward 4 Council Member Eddie Smith presented a proclamation declaring the month of April 2024 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month to bring public awareness about sexual abuse, harassment, and assault and educate communities about how to be involved in prevention.
A proclamation was also presented to Lee County Relay for Life declaring May 3, 2024, as Lee County Relay For Life Day.
Smith also recognized J and Ginger Stern as the Character Council’s Citizens of Execellent Character for the month of April. April’s character trait of the month is honesty. J and Ginger are the son and daughter of Henry and Roslyn Stern.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
- The council approved a request from the Opelika Songwriter’s Festival for a downtown street closure for May 17. This is an add-on request to the previously approved street closure request.
- The council approved a request from Heritage House for a downtown street closure request for an event on June 8.
- The council approved a request for a downtown street closure for a USA Cycling social event to be held June 15.
- The council approved expense reports from various departments.
- The council approved a resolution to designate city personal property as surplus and authorize the disposal of said property.
- The council approved the purchase of additional scanning conversion services for police records from Business Systems & Consultants Inc. for an amount not to exceed $56,730.
- The council approved the purchase of AED monitoring equipment from Cardiac Solutions LLC for an amount not to exceed $116,891.
- The council approved the purchase of two 2024 Ford Transit Passenger T-350 Wagons from National Auto Fleet Group for a total amount of just under $123,000 for the Parks and Recreation Department.
- The council approved an agreement with Sain Associates Inc. for the design of intersection improvements at the intersection of Gateway Drive and Frederick Road. The estimated amount due to Sain for its professional services is $306,000.
- The council approved a contract with Casey Chambley doing business as Chambley’s Display Fireworks for the 2024 Freedom Festival to be held July 3, starting at 5 p.m.
- The council approved a license agreement with the Opelika City Schools Board of Education for the July 3 fireworks exhibition and display.
- The council approved a grant application with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program.
- The council approved a proposal by Byard Consulting LLC for the EECBG grant application at a compensation rate of $175 per hour.
- The council approved a resolution to authorize an engagement letter with Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC to represent the city of Opelika in regard to a dispute with respect to an economic development project.
- The council authorized the execution of a funding agreement with East Alabama Healthcare Authority in an amount of $300,000 to be disbursed at the rate of $100,000 annually for three years to assist with the construction of a new mental health hospital.
- The council authorized the execution of a funding agreement with Mercy Medical Ministry in the amount of $100,000 to assist with the construction of a new clinic in Opelika.
- The council authorized the execution of funding agreement with The Food Bank of East Alabama in the amount of $100,000 to assist with the construction of a new Community Market.
- The council approved a request for a refund of occupational taxes paid in error by Kevin Haefner.
- The council approved a request for a special use permit by Verizon for Request for Approval of a Special Use Permit by Verizon to modify its equipment located at 1015 West Point Parkway.
- The council approved a special appropriation of $2,500 to Keep Opelika Beautiful for 2024 Garden in the Park.
- The council approved a special appropriation of $5,000 to the American Cancer Society for it’s annual Relay for Life event.
- The council took no action and left an ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance & Map to rezone 1.24 acres of land located at 414 N. 10th St., from R-2 to I-1 on the table until further notice.
- The council approved an ordinance pertaining to the annexation petition by Shelly A. Perry and Annie P. Perry for the annexation of 2.05 acres of land located at 5400 US Highway 431 North.
