BY HANNAH LESTER
HLESTER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

At Tuesday night’s Auburn City Council meeting, the  council approved a resolution for conditional use approval for a commercial and entertainment use as a fitness studio for the bottom floor of The Standard.

The fitness studio, Hotworx of Auburn, will be 24-hours with virtual instruction available and open to the public.

“Just excited we have a potential business in The Standard to spur some other activity in that area,” said Ward 3 Council Member Beth Witten.

CDBG FUNDS:

The council approved a submission for a formal amendment to the State of Alabama Community Development Block Grant – CV Award.

“The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated funds to the state of Alabama (State) to expend additional federal grant funds, including CDBG-CV funds, on areas of health, educational and economic distress needs,” the city’s e-packet said. “The state is utilizing available funds to solicit competitive proposals from communities for additional funds to address local impacts from COVID-19. The state allocated the city, a CDBG entitlement community, $750,000 in State CDBG-CV funds from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) initial round of funding.”

Total, Auburn has received over $1.5 million from the program.

So, under the amendment, the city said that it will use funding to purchase an electrostatic sprayer, provide emergency assistance to Auburn residents and families displaced by COVID-19, provide aide to the Food Bank of East Alabama.

OTHER BUSINESS:

– The council approved a retail liquor alcohol beverage license for Jose Luis Escalera, LLC d/b/a Tequila Mexican Bar and Grill.

– The council approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford F-150 CL 2WD Reg Cab for the Inspection Services Department for over $30,900.

– The council approved the purchase of an infield machine for the parks and recreation department for over $16,980.

– The council approved the purchase of a compact track loader for the parks and recreation department for over $109,360.

– The council approved an annual contract with East Alabama Healthcare Authority d/b/a East Alabama EMS, LLC for emergency response, rescue and ambulance services for over $345,400.

– The council approved the purchase of 14 Lion Apparel turnout coats and pants for the Fire Department for over $36,500.

– The council approved the additional engineering services from Barge Design Solutions for the Highway 14 Force Main Replacement Project for over $22,400.

– The council approved drainage and utility easements for property south of Cary Creek Parkway and the terminus of Turing Lane in the Bridgewater, Phase 2.

– The council approved rights-of-way for property at the intersection of Richland Road and Dakota Drive and property on Farmville Road at the intersection with Auburn Lakes Road.

– The council approved sidewalk, drainage, utility and lighting easements for property at 200 N. College St.

– The council approved drainage and utility easements, turnaround easements and rights-of-way for property at the northern end of Sophia Court and Canal Court int he Tuscany Hills Subdivision.

– The council approved drainage and utility easements and rights-of-way for property at 445 Martin Ave.

– The council approved drainage and utility easements and sanitary sewer easements for property on Harper Avenue.

– The council approved drainage and utility easements, sanitary sewer easements and rights-of-way for property at the eastern terminus of Sarah Lane.

– The council approved a greenway easement and compensation of over $4,800 for Cecile and Terry Rainey for the Greenway at Turnham Corner Subdivion from Moores Mill Road to Heard Avenue.

– The council approved an easement on Foster Street at Sam Harris Park.

– The council approved board appointments to the Educational Building Authority and the Tree Commission.

– The council voted to amend the city code to raise the towing fees to $150 and wheel lock fees to $75 in the city.

– The council voted to approve the Severe Weather Tax Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday for February.

– The council approved a stop sign in the Bridgewater Subdivision Phase 2.

– The council approved an annexation of over 64.2 acres for property at the southwest corner of the intersection of Highway 280 and North College Street.

– The council approved an annexation for over 44 acres for property on Shelton Mill Road, north of the Cobblestone Subdivision.

– The council approved an annexation of a little less than an acre for property at 2424 Lee Road 56.

– The council approved a resolution for the expansion of a property at 2425 Innovation Drive for the Si02 Expansion.