BY MICHELLE KEY
PUBLISHER
OPELIKA — The Opelika City Council introduced an ordinance to amend the City Code of Ordinances: Chapter 7 Article II, titled “Flood Damage Prevention” for its first reading during Tuesday night’s council meeting. City Attorney Guy Gunter said [or said in an email – depends on if he repeats it during the meeting] the purpose of the ordinance is to update the current ordinance and bring it into compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations.
The council voted unanimously to suspend the rules in order to vote on the ordinance immediately. The ordinance was passed and will go into effect later in January.
During the meeting City Engineer Scott Parker presented a report on the use of the Rebuild Alabama Funds to the council and Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller.
Also during the meeting, Fuller issued two proclamations.
The first was a proclamation declaring January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. An excerpt from the proclamation reads:
“Opelika is committed to ensuring that those impacted by human trafficking receive services that are trauma-informed and responsive to their individual needs. Every individual, family, community and organization can help raise awareness, prevent trafficking, and support survivors by learning how to take action; and the city of Opelika supports partnerships to comprehensively address the issues of human trafficking and create Trafficking Free Zones.
The second proclamation also declared January as Poverty Awareness Month. An excerpt from the proclamation reads:
“The city of Opelika acknowledges that a portion of our population—children, single parents, the elderly, and veterans—are particularly vulnerable to the challenges of poverty and that addressing these issues requires a concerted, community-wide effort;
“PRF Teaching Ministry along with local organizations, businesses, civic groups, churches, and volunteers are essential partners in providing the necessary resources and support to those in need, and their collective efforts are helping to break the cycle of poverty in Opelika;
“The city of Opelika remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote economic opportunity, access to affordable housing, job training, healthcare, and education for all residents;
“Raising awareness about poverty and its impacts is critical in fostering understanding, compassion and action from the entire community, and we must work together to create solutions that empower those facing hardship to achieve self-sufficiency and success.”
IN OTHER BUSINESS
– The council held a public hearing on the amendment of the Zoning Ordinance & Map to rezone 12.24 acres of land located in the 900 Block of Lake Condy Road, from R-3 to PUD. This ordinance was later introduced for its first reading.
– The council approved a request from the Opelika Chamber of Commerce for various street closures for the 2025 Food Truck Friday Nights. The following dates have been designated:
Jan. 17
Feb. 21
March 21
April 11
May 16
June 6, 20
July 18
Aug. 15
Sept. 5, 19
Oct. 17 and
Nov. 21
– The council approved a bid to purchase five 2025 Chevy Police Tahoes from Donohoo Chevrolet for an amount of $249,573.
– The council approved emergency repairs for the Spring Villa Bridge. Hudmon Construction Co. Inc. will perform the repair; and the cost will be $286,000
– The council approved expense reports from various departments.
– The council approved the purchase of in-car camera systems and body cameras with related equipment for the Opelika Police Department (OPD) from Motorola Solutions in the total amount of $42,290.
– The council approved the purchase of two-way radios and related equipment for the OPD from Motorola Solutions in the total amount of just over $47,002.
– The council approved the purchase of police equipment for police package automobiles for the OPD from Emergency Lighting by Haynes in the total amount of $116,756.30.
– The council approved the purchase of two 2025 Ford F350 Super Cab 4×4 Chassis Cab X3F Trucks from Stivers Ford Lincoln in the total amount of $168,046 for Opelika Power Services.
– The council approved a three-year agreement with Pratt Recycling, Inc. for supply of recyclable materials (called single stream) for Opelika Environmental Services. The city will be charged a $115.50 per ton processing fee for all single stream delivered to Pratt’s designated Columbus, GA destination.
– The council approved a special appropriation of $2,500 to the J. W. Darden Foundation to assist with its 12th annual “Black Tie Legacy Gala” on Feb. 8, to raise additional funds that are needed to support the Darden Wellness Center.
